Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II

[Fran Diaz]

A00 is A00. the update is simple and can be done at a service center.

Mr. Gallien,

I've checked out your website but there is no info about service centers outside the USA. Where should I send my unit in case I needed to update it?

I live in Spain

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Brian Clark]

You will ned to contact our distributor in Spain(Their information is on our website). They can refer you to a service center.

 

[MarkusBass]

Just got my head and really digging it! So user friendly and sounds killer. Question though...the -10db pad. Does it just cut the volume of the input? This is the scenario. I play passive basses, and if I want to play quietly, can I just hit the -10 db switch without changing the dynamics of the tone? I guess what I'm asking, is am I just essentially turning the volume down or am I clipping the signal? I cam from a head that has a passive and active input and running a passive bass through the active input really hampered the tone.

 

[rag]

Just got my head and really digging it! So user friendly and sounds killer. Question though...the -10db pad. Does it just cut the volume of the input? This is the scenario. I play passive basses, and if I want to play quietly, can I just hit the -10 db switch without changing the dynamics of the tone? I guess what I'm asking, is am I just essentially turning the volume down or am I clipping the signal? I cam from a head that has a passive and active input and running a passive bass through the active input really hampered the tone.

It just reduces the input amp gain, the input impedance remains 1Meg Ohm.
Very good question!

 

[bassrique]

Where's the link the the MB2-500 manual that was on the last mega thread?

 

[deekay911]

Again today I played an outside gig, with the amp at around 3pm on the master and 12 on the gain. After about an hour, it started cutting out intermittently, was doing this every couple of minutes, and would be silent for about 10 seconds, then come back in. I can only imagine it was a thermal cutout coming in, was using a passive Jazz, and to be honest wasn't pushing it too much. So to my mind, this is not a head capable of sustained high output. AND to top it all I was still getting occasional RFI, and this is an A03 version. I think I am done with this head. I'd be interested to hear any comments from Rag - so far the GK guys have been top quality on customer service but this is my third head already..

 

[ModulusFan]

Again today I played an outside gig, with the amp at around 3pm on the master and 12 on the gain. After about an hour, it started cutting out intermittently, was doing this every couple of minutes, and would be silent for about 10 seconds, then come back in. I can only imagine it was a thermal cutout coming in, was using a passive Jazz, and to be honest wasn't pushing it too much. So to my mind, this is not a head capable of sustained high output. AND to top it all I was still getting occasional RFI, and this is an A03 version. I think I am done with this head. I'd be interested to hear any comments from Rag - so far the GK guys have been top quality on customer service but this is my third head already..

3 o'clock? That's pedal to the metal man. Was the amp ventilated well?

PS, friendly suggestion to check your speakers for creasing.

 

[deekay911]

3 o'clock? That's pedal to the metal man. Was the amp ventilated well?

PS, friendly suggestion to check your speakers for creasing.

3 o'clock on the master is exactly what GK recommend in the manual - and adjust the overall volume using the gain. 12 on the gain wasn't loud - I use a Neox212T and it was nowhere near overloaded. Really, it wasn't being pushed hard at all. It was fully ventilated, I noticed the fan was running. It was 80 degrees in Charleston today, but thats not much hotter than a sweaty club. I can't be doing with a head that has to be babied. If I need volume, then the head should be able to be run at 3 and 3 for hours - if it can't then it's too fragile for my needs.

BTW - speakers are fine.

 

[lbwdog]

The rack ears are still in the engineering phase. The kit should be available this Spring.

Rack ears, shmack ears....if I wanted to lug a rack, I would have gotten a head

I would never consider racking this thing, IMO that totally defeats the point.

..

i hear ya... i was going to just backpack it around to gigs.. but im very worried about something smashing it by accident and a hard case would put some worries i have to rest.

Just goes to my idea that a miniature rack standard would be a great thing, what with more and more manufacturers building micro components. Just think, if there was a standard for this, you could house your amp, tuner and effects unit in a 12 or 13 inch wide rack that would take less space than a standard 3u rack. Also it would offer a protective case for single units without being 19" wide.....I'm jus' sayin'!!

 

[bassrique]

Where's the link the the MB2-500 manual that was on the last mega thread?

Found the manual [pdf]:

http://www.kapconsulting.co.uk/GK MB2-500

 

[duke2004]

hmm, im sure its been mentioned somewhere in the megathread, but can i determine from my serial # whether the model i received new from MusiciansFriend on Dec 15 is a new eq version? its definately perceived by me as more heavy on the bass eq than my 1001 or 400rb

 

[lindseyp]

3 o'clock? That's pedal to the metal man. Was the amp ventilated well?

PS, friendly suggestion to check your speakers for creasing.

3 o'clock on the master is exactly what GK recommend in the manual - and adjust the overall volume using the gain. 12 on the gain wasn't loud - I use a Neox212T and it was nowhere near overloaded. Really, it wasn't being pushed hard at all. It was fully ventilated, I noticed the fan was running. It was 80 degrees in Charleston today, but thats not much hotter than a sweaty club. I can't be doing with a head that has to be babied. If I need volume, then the head should be able to be run at 3 and 3 for hours - if it can't then it's too fragile for my needs.

BTW - speakers are fine.

I think it is too fragile for your needs. It's perfect for what I'm doing--indoors, a few songs, and that's it; I added a different amp to my collection for (future, I hope) outdoor gigs. You may find better performance for your needs with the G-K Fusion 550.

 

[bassrique]

3 o'clock on the master is exactly what GK recommend in the manual - and adjust the overall volume using the gain. 12 on the gain wasn't loud - I use a Neox212T and it was nowhere near overloaded. Really, it wasn't being pushed hard at all. It was fully ventilated, I noticed the fan was running. It was 80 degrees in Charleston today, but thats not much hotter than a sweaty club. I can't be doing with a head that has to be babied. If I need volume, then the head should be able to be run at 3 and 3 for hours - if it can't then it's too fragile for my needs.

I think it is too fragile for your needs. It's perfect for what I'm doing--indoors, a few songs, and that's it; I added a different amp to my collection for (future, I hope) outdoor gigs. You may find better performance for your needs with the G-K Fusion 550.

Wait, you guys think that this GK may not go "loud", or rather function in it's upper volume range dependably? This doesn't jibe with what other working bassists here have posted.

 

[MarkusBass]

It just reduces the input amp gain, the input impedance remains 1Meg Ohm.
Very good question!

Ah...perfecto! Thanks very much!

 

[dean owens]

Where's the link the the MB2-500 manual that was on the last mega thread?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[lbwdog]

I think it is too fragile for your needs. It's perfect for what I'm doing--indoors, a few songs, and that's it; I added a different amp to my collection for (future, I hope) outdoor gigs. You may find better performance for your needs with the G-K Fusion 550.

Hmm. Are they tuff enuff? That's been a concern of mine since the current proliferation of "micro" amps.
35%-45% of my gigs are rockin', summer outdoor concerts in the sticky (sweltering) south!
I had a MB LMII for a while last year, but sold it before being able to give it a hard workout. Also, was used to my G-K sound (800RB & 700RBIII) which have always performed like a "Timex watch"!!

Has anyone driven an MB2 500 really hard for extended sets?
How does it compare to the 700 & 1001 RB series III when driven hard?

 

[bassrique]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Very cool of you to scan that for your TB brothers.

Hmm. Are they tuff enuff? That's been a concern of mine since the current proliferation of "micro" amps.
35%-45% of my gigs are rockin', summer outdoor concerts in the sticky (sweltering) south!
I had a MB LMII for a while last year, but sold it before being able to give it a hard workout. Also was used to my G-K sound (800RB & 700RBIII) which have always performed like a "Timex watch"!!

Has anyone driven an MB2 500 really hard for extended sets?
How does it compare to the 700 & 1001 RB series III when driven hard?

This is what I want to know.

Are you getting PA support for your outdoor gigs?

 

[lbwdog]

Very cool of you to scan that for your TB brothers.



This is what I want to know.

Are you getting PA support for your outdoor gigs?

Yeah, but generally you're on a bigger, wider stage so you naturally need a larger reservoir of volume. My old 800RB & newer 700RB III have always handled this type gig with ease, but I have played with otherwise well regarded amps that just "gave up" under these demanding conditions.

 

[bassrique]

Yeah, but generally you're on a bigger, wider stage so you naturally need a larger reservoir of volume. My old 800RB & newer 700RB III have always handled this type gig with ease, but I have played with otherwise well regarded amps that just "gave up" under these demanding conditions.

If one day I find myself in that situation, I think I'll get a Carvin 1500. Ever try one of those?

 

[lbwdog]

If one day I find myself in that situation, I think I'll get a Carvin 1500. Ever try one of those?

Not personally, but everybody who has seems to love 'em..
I don't need the extra power or weight. I've played many large festivals and arenas with G-K 800 & 700RBs so I know I can count on them.

My goal now is to get as light and compact as possible for the gigs where I have to carry my own stuff!