Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II

[Christian Waiau]

just got my mb2-500 in from a long awaited back order! Came in on Dec 16th and i got an A02 model. It sounds great! I hooked it up to my Madison 810 cab and it is all kinds of good stuff. I cant wait to test it out with the rest of the band there.

 

[dean owens]

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

that's actually from the gk site. i saw it there the other day when i was looking for some other manuel.

 

[deekay911]

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?

Are they tuff enuff? - In my experience now - answer is no. That's two consecutive gigs where I was pushing but not VERY hard, and on both occasions the head cutout multiple times after a while. I am wondering if GK have made the air volume inside this little guy just too small - the power amp stage used is exactly the same as the GB Shuttle, but the Shuttle probably has twice the air volume inside and a larger fan that runs constantly, instead of the GK fan which runs on demand I believe. I have run my Shuttle at louder volumes for longer with no issues. I can't rely on the MB2 not cutting out, so the Shuttle will be the primary again.

 

[zac2944]

Are the tuff enuff? - In my experience now - answer is no. That's two consecutive gigs where I was pushing but not VERY hard, and on both occasions the head cutout multiple times after a while. I am wondering if GK have made the air volume inside this little guy just too small - the power amp stage used is exactly the same as the GB Shuttle, but the Shuttle probably has twice the air volume inside and a larger fan that runs constantly, instead of the GK fan which runs on demand I believe. I have run my Shuttle at louder volumes for longer with no issues. I can't rely on the MB2 not cutting out, so the Shuttle will be the primary again.

Bummer DK!

I've done a lot of gigs with the MB2 and haven't had any issues like that. Mine never get more than warm to the touch.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Are they tuff enuff? - In my experience now - answer is no. That's two consecutive gigs where I was pushing but not VERY hard, and on both occasions the head cutout multiple times after a while. I am wondering if GK have made the air volume inside this little guy just too small - the power amp stage used is exactly the same as the GB Shuttle, but the Shuttle probably has twice the air volume inside and a larger fan that runs constantly, instead of the GK fan which runs on demand I believe. I have run my Shuttle at louder volumes for longer with no issues. I can't rely on the MB2 not cutting out, so the Shuttle will be the primary again.

I totally understand, your gear needs to be bullet proof and to me at the first sign of trouble it's out the door.

On the other hand if you are running the Pre gain at noon and the master at 3 that's telling me you probably need an amp that will run 750-800 watts at 4 ohms, if your playing long gigs on a regular basis.

Take a contractor as an example (at least where I am) they fill the bed with bags of concrete and may be towing some small equipment on a trailer. You can do that with an S10 pickup but time will take it's tole so most guys use a bigger truck that isn't taxed on a daily basis.

I take the same concept to my bass playing, if my equipment is breaking a sweat night after night eventually something will fail. Assuming a particular amp has a typical taper to the master running past noon puts you in the red zone.

At least that's how I use my equipment and I have had very few issues over the years. Until you know it's bullet proof bring a back up.

 

[ModulusFan]

Just got my new a02 from UPS!!!! Road test tonight!!!!!!

I did notice that the new serial# tag is over an old partially removed one, so I guess this would be considered refurbed. Doesn't matter to me as long as it carries the warranties and all, which from the looks of things are being serviced second to none.

 

[MarkusBass]

Yeah...that's how mine was too. I guess this way we know it was checked and double checked!

 

[Christian Waiau]

anyone have a problem with getting crackling noise when "mute" is on? It only happened for a couple seconds... but it was weird

 

[deekay911]

Bob and the team have come through again - latest version (which some of you already have) with new fix for continued RFI and fix for thermal cutout on its way to me. If this one is right in all respects, it has been worth waiting for!

 

[ModulusFan]

Bob and the team have come through again - latest version (which some of you already have) with new fix for continued RFI and fix for thermal cutout on its way to me. If this one is right in all respects, it has been worth waiting for!

I thought you had the newest version (a02)

 

[deekay911]

I thought you had the newest version (a02)

The one I have is actually A03 - but Bob emailed me to say that there are some further mods (within A02/A03) that will address the continued RFI and thermal cutout issues. I expect it to show A02 when it arrives - the A03 designation was apparently an error which resulted in a small number (7 I believe) sneaking out, which were actually the same as A02.
It will be here before Christmas, and we have a couple of loud gigs before New Year so I should be able to confirm that the RFI and thermal issues are finally resolved.
The GK boys rock!!

 

[bassrique]

The one I have is actually A03 - but Bob emailed me to say that there are some further mods (within A02/A03) that will address the continued RFI and thermal cutout issues. I expect it to show A02 when it arrives - the A03 designation was apparently an error which resulted in a small number (7 I believe) sneaking out, which were actually the same as A02.
It will be here before Christmas, and we have a couple of loud gigs before New Year so I should be able to confirm that the RFI and thermal issues are finally resolved.
The GK boys rock!!

This is getting confusing.

So if I buy one of these, how do I know what I have w/out turning it up to "11" for a four hour gig?

 

[lindseyp]

This is getting confusing.

So if I buy one of these, how do I know what I have w/out turning it up to "11" for a four hour gig?

Doesn't that question apply to all amps the first time out? Plug into that baby and let her rip!

 

[bassrique]

Doesn't that question apply to all amps the first time out? Plug into that baby and let her rip!

Yes, but I'm not a gigging guy right now, and will have a hard time checking for heat problems stemming from a long gig.

I want a notebook [PC] sized amp for future use. I suppose it's between this and the F1. The GK is much cheaper, and should do much the same thing, BUT, I'm confused as to what defects I could end up with. I'm clear with the A00/A001/A002 demarcations I suppose, but this latest fix mentioned by *deekay911 has no corresponding serial number, and since I am not gigging, I'm not really going to crank it up for three to five hours in the outdoor humid/heat of FL to see if it will fail in my quiet neighborhood. I guess I'd have to rent outdoor rehearsal space for five hours and let 'er rip?

Forgive me if I'm not coherent, as i'm very tired.

Make no mistake, I love GK and had a great one in the past, but I like simple too. Right now I'm a bit confused.



*

The one I have is actually A03 - but Bob emailed me to say that there are some further mods (within A02/A03) that will address the continued RFI and thermal cutout issues. I expect it to show A02 when it arrives - the A03 designation was apparently an error which resulted in a small number (7 I believe) sneaking out, which were actually the same as A02.
It will be here before Christmas, and we have a couple of loud gigs before New Year so I should be able to confirm that the RFI and thermal issues are finally resolved.
The GK boys rock!!

 

[jnewmark]

Although some have had great results right out of the box, others, obviously, have had problems that GK is admirably trying to fix. My advice? Wait. As with all new models of yet untried equipment in real world situations, there maybe bugs to work out before they get it right. I figure by this summer, everything should be figured out and corrected with this head, and then I'll pull the trigger, but for right now, it's a waiting game.

 

[deekay911]

I hope Bob won't mind me quoting his PM from last night:

However, I have continued to investigate the RFI rejection and have made further revisions to the MB2 since you received your current unit. I believe these more recent revisions will resolve your persistent issues with RF and thermal shut down. Most units shipped after yours have these updates.

I believe the first units with the first RFI tweaks were mislabelled A03 (7 I was told) and I got one of those. GK rectified that quickly and from Bob's mail, it seems that again shortly after more minor mods were made - not enough to warrant another rev level. They would all continue to be A02. So if you have an A02, chances are you are good. A few of the very earliest ones may not have ALL the mods. I am sure GK has a list of all the specific serial numbers so if you were to email them I bet they could tell you.

 

[bassrique]

I hope Bob won't mind me quoting his PM from last night:



I believe the first units with the first RFI tweaks were mislabelled A03 (7 I was told) and I got one of those. GK rectified that quickly and from Bobs mail, it seems that again shortly after more minor mods were made - not enough to warrant another rev level. The would all continue to be A02. So if you have an A02, chances are you are good. A few of the very earliest ones may not have ALL the mods. I am sure GK has a list of all the specific serial numbers so if you were to email them I bet they could tell you.

That makes sense.

 

[ModulusFan]

My gig got canceled yesterday due to ice, and a power outage.....taking the a02 out tonight without a backup....will report back later.

 

[Christian Waiau]

Ok so I got to use my amp for the first time in a band situation and it sounds great...

However I do not like the fact that the boost pops when i turn it on and off.. I also had some problems with using it with headphones... It seems if I turn the volume up to a decent level something clips and i get this horrible static noise. The only way I've found to get rid of the static is to make it "clip" again and then immediately turn the volume down OR turn it on and off and start with the volume lower.

I shot brian and email...

Anyone else having these problems? The boost(G.I.V.E.) and headphone/line out features were some key features in picking this over some other small amps..

 

[ThumbyAche]

I don't know if mine is the same problem or not but after 1 month of regular rehearsals with an A03 version and now getting the staticy fuzz (like a dead battery). Started out as intermittent and now constant. I'm pretty frustrated after trying several cables, basses (passive and active), amps, cabs, and different power sources/outlets. I tested it with headphones...sure nuff..it's the amp! BUMMER! I love the sound of the GK but the mod thing is making me rethink a little. Especially after putting together a micro rig around this head for a Christmas Eve show at my church. Can't use it now...

Ok so I got to use my amp for the first time in a band situation and it sounds great...

However I do not like the fact that the boost pops when i turn it on and off.. I also had some problems with using it with headphones... It seems if I turn the volume up to a decent level something clips and i get this horrible static noise. The only way I've found to get rid of the static is to make it "clip" again and then immediately turn the volume down OR turn it on and off and start with the volume lower.

I shot brian and email...

Anyone else having these problems? The boost(G.I.V.E.) and headphone/line out features were some key features in picking this over some other small amps..