Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[Vic]

yeah i know the debate they had about the tonality of the di, however it disquallifies those amps for my particular needs. i don't think that i'm all by myself in feeling that that one feature makes that series of amps a pain in the a$$. too bad cause i think they sound great. i will modify my statement to say " for my gigging needs, it's stupid"...

To be honest, I totally agree... in fact it was the reason I sold the amp, 'cause I loved its form factor and tone, but I just could not deal with the fact that I couldn't adjust stage monitoring without affecting FOH. Personally, I'll still stop short of calling it stupid, since at least IMHO there was sensible reason behind it, but I will say it made the amp impractical for me.

Anyway, yeah, back to GK...

 

[JanusZarate]

actually mesa amps are wired this way (m-pulse). i believe the aggie 500 is as well. but i agree it's stupid. gk uses the gain knob to set the level for the di. i think they should have an attenuator as well. the signal that comes off of my 800 is quite hot even at 10 o'clock. also (correct me if i'm wrong) i believe the boost circuit is post di.

Actually, the Boost feature (and corresponding G.I.V.E. stage) is the last thing before the DI when in Post-EQ mode. At least, it is on modern GK heads. If you turn it up, it'll audibly change tone and volume.

If you follow the block diagram on the back panel (or in the manual) of a Mark II head, you'll see the two DI paths link in before the preamp and after the Boost circuit, with the Pre/Post-EQ switch at the junction before the DI.

I'm not sure how the DI is set up on the 800RB, but a glance at the manual and the block diagram might hopefully clear that up.

 

[CrackBass]

yea i went back and looked at the block diagram for the 1001 and it is different than the 800rb. my bad.

 

[jnewmark]

Yeah, it's normal for the pre-gain to need to be turned up in order to get the best results with the Boost knob.

I've noticed that the biggest mistakes people make who are new to GK heads tend to involve the pre-gain (Input knob) and Boost settings. Some people will turn up the pre-gain to a bizarre degree and then complain of unpleasant distortion, and others barely turn it up and wonder why they're not getting much growl with the Boost knob. And then there are those who don't turn up the Boost knob at all and wonder why they can't get much volume...

So, just as a general reference point, where should they be set initially?

 

[JanusZarate]

12:00 for both, IMO. For more growl, turn up the Boost, and if you need to extend the aggressiveness and depth of the possible growl, turn up the input level ("Volume" knob on the input section of the amp, if it's a modern GK head, or "Level" on the 2001RB).

Of course, YMMV, but I think it's a reasonable starting point for both.

 

[rag]

I really do wish this thing had an independent level control for the DI. As it was I had to keep the gain super-low to keep from clipping my soundcard. The card in question is rather nice and designed for recording, so I was surprised to see it overdriven so easily by the MB2-500 at even modest gain settings. I'll have to experiment a bit more to find the best way to dial it in for use with the DI.

There is a jack on the back labeled Headphones/Line Out with a selector switch. This output is post the master so if you select line out you can use it as a recording output with the master as a level control. It is unbalanced but in this situation with a short cord is should be no problem. Of course this will affect the level to your speaker.

 

[rag]

+1 I would love to know if this MB2 head will be offered packaged with a GK cab before I pull the trigger on just the head by itself.

We have several combo designs in the can but now we questioning the value of this tiny amp in a combo. The head fits easily into the pocket on most Bass gig bags, so what does a combo do for you. I actually am looking for feed back on this question, maybe you guys can help me decide this one. The head comes with mounting points for the eventual combo hardware should we decide to bring it out, so any head purchased would snap right into the combo cabinet.

 

[spideyjg]

Mine just arrived today per UPS so I'll check it out tonight.

Jim

 

[62bass]

We have several combo designs in the can but now we questioning the value of this tiny amp in a combo. The head fits easily into the pocket on most Bass gig bags, so what does a combo do for you. I actually am looking for feed back on this question, maybe you guys can help me decide this one. The head comes with mounting points for the eventual combo hardware should we decide to bring it out, so any head purchased would snap right into the combo cabinet.

Hardly much point in making a combo version with a head that small and light. But maybe a carrying bag with storage for power cord and speaker cables.

Any news on when they might be shipping to Canada?

 

[mrfish]

We have several combo designs in the can but now we questioning the value of this tiny amp in a combo. The head fits easily into the pocket on most Bass gig bags, so what does a combo do for you. I actually am looking for feed back on this question, maybe you guys can help me decide this one. The head comes with mounting points for the eventual combo hardware should we decide to bring it out, so any head purchased would snap right into the combo cabinet.

this is kind of a different direction, but would a neo-mbx-more-than-100w-cabinet be something you'd look into? i was originally going to get a mb150 combo until i saw info on the mb2-500. a cabinet that would be about just as light-weight as the mbx, but able to handle the mb2 at loud volumes would be super awesome

 

[Johnny Atomic]

Is this amp rackable, if so how many spaces?

 

[Johnny Atomic]

We have several combo designs in the can but now we questioning the value of this tiny amp in a combo. The head fits easily into the pocket on most Bass gig bags, so what does a combo do for you. I actually am looking for feed back on this question, maybe you guys can help me decide this one. The head comes with mounting points for the eventual combo hardware should we decide to bring it out, so any head purchased would snap right into the combo cabinet.

carry it in as one piece, one less cable to worry about hooking up. convenience, that's why combos are made. i understand your statement, that it's not MUCH more convenient, but is more convenient.

J

 

[dean owens]

We have several combo designs in the can but now we questioning the value of this tiny amp in a combo. The head fits easily into the pocket on most Bass gig bags, so what does a combo do for you. I actually am looking for feed back on this question, maybe you guys can help me decide this one. The head comes with mounting points for the eventual combo hardware should we decide to bring it out, so any head purchased would snap right into the combo cabinet.

here's my story... for the last few years i have been in the position of not playing much, but i still need a rig. it's hard to justify anything of any size taking up room around my house all year though. granted, it's only a gk head and a 1x15 cab... the cab is still big and bulky. as my kids grow my house seems to be shrinking. i have been wanting to find a way to get the sound i love but take up as little storage room as possible. i've thought i would just have to make myself a small little cab with a very efficient speaker.

well, my gk gave up the ghost and now i'm forced to start searching for this elusive small bass amp that sounds great - and if i can find it in a combo it would more convenient and all the better. i stumble on this forum and learn about the shuttle 3.0 - 1x10 is 175 watts, 18 lbs and a packs up nicely. that's exactly what i'm looking for... except that it's not a gk.

the possibility that i would have the same small package in a gk setup takes me from ready to go buy a new amp right now to being willing to wait another 6 months (or more) if i have to for it to come out.

if you could make a small, light weight combo (1x10 or maybe a 1x12) that the mb2 could fit in that would make my dreams come true. it would be easy to carry, easy to store and would give me all of that in a great little gk package.

as much as i love gk... if i have to pick between a gk head and finding a small cab OR getting an all in one shuttle... i'll probably go the shuttle route. please don't make me do that.

thanks for actually listening and valuing our opinions.

 

[B String]

if you could make a small, light weight combo (1x10 or maybe a 1x12) that the mb2 could fit in that would make my dreams come true. it would be easy to carry, easy to store and would give me all of that in a great little gk package.

QUOTE]

This what Markbass did with its 121P combo. They put the
LMII along with a 12in speaker and horn, into a very small
box. The advantage of having the 300 watts of the LMII in
such a small combo, is headroom. You can push the crap
out of this little guy, but it just won't break up. Also, when
you need a bigger amp, you can put the combo on top of
another box and get 500 watts of power. Very nice.

If GK chooses to do this kind of combo, with a neo 12, I think
they could have a very popular combo. The only down side
might be that it might blows their own MB150 out of the water.

 

[Freddels]

the possibility that i would have the same small package in a gk setup takes me from ready to go buy a new amp right now to being willing to wait another 6 months (or more) if i have to for it to come out.

if you could make a small, light weight combo (1x10 or maybe a 1x12) that the mb2 could fit in that would make my dreams come true. it would be easy to carry, easy to store and would give me all of that in a great little gk package.


thanks for actually listening and valuing our opinions.

GK has had one of the smallest combos out for years -- MB150

 

[62bass]

this is kind of a different direction, but would a neo-mbx-more-than-100w-cabinet be something you'd look into? i was originally going to get a mb150 combo until i saw info on the mb2-500. a cabinet that would be about just as light-weight as the mbx, but able to handle the mb2 at loud volumes would be super awesome

Yes, I'd go for that. More and more I think the people who buy the expensive bass gear are demanding super light amps. That's because we're the old guys with bad backs, weak muscles and less likely to get help with carrying stuff up a flight of stairs. We're the ones with a bit of disposable income willing to pay a bit extra for a high quality product.

I love my MB150S. The sound is exactly what I want. I'd just like about 6-10 decibels more in actual output from the speaker at times without a compromise in sound quality. I realize the engineering challenges to be overcome to get that much sound out of such a small enclosure using conventional speakers and maybe current speaker technology isn't up to the task yet. Mesa did it with their Walkabout Scout but it's not exactly light or easy to carry for an old guy. Wonderful sound though and a lot lighter than anything else that can put out that much volume. Yes, I'd like a small, under 30 lb combo with 300 watts or more with the ability to also power a matching small and even lighter extension cabinet. I'd buy it.

Oh yes, and made in North America.

 

[KJung]

Yes, I'd go for that. More and more I think the people who buy the expensive bass gear are demanding super light amps. That's because we're the old guys with bad backs, weak muscles and less likely to get help with carrying stuff up a flight of stairs. We're the ones with a bit of disposable income willing to pay a bit extra for a high quality product.

I love my MB150S. The sound is exactly what I want. I'd just like about 6-10 decibels more in actual output from the speaker at times without a compromise in sound quality. I realize the engineering challenges to be overcome to get that much sound out of such a small enclosure using conventional speakers and maybe current speaker technology isn't up to the task yet. Mesa did it with their Walkabout Scout but it's not exactly light or easy to carry for an old guy. Wonderful sound though and a lot lighter than anything else that can put out that much volume. Yes, I'd like a small, under 30 lb combo with 300 watts or more with the ability to also power a matching small and even lighter extension cabinet. I'd buy it.

Oh yes, and made in North America.

6db more... you'd get about that by adding the external GKMB112 to your combo. If you want to keep it a one piece and very lightweight, the MarkBass112 combo is amazing, and would give you much more low end and volume than the MB150. The Shuttle6/112 combo is also very lightweight and impressive.

 

[Nymi]

The head fits easily into the pocket on most Bass gig bags, so what does a combo do for you.

It's the same thing with the MB150-head (13.5"W x 2.5"H x 7"D) - it will also fit a Bass gig bag, so why did you decide to offer a MB150-combo?

Do you sell more MB-combos or MB-heads? I guess that will be reason enough to bring out a MB2-112 Neo asap, right?

 

[Nymi]

6db more...
If you want to keep it a one piece and very lightweight, the MarkBass112 combo is amazing

Maybe, but I don't want MarkBass, I want GK...

 

[KJung]

Maybe, but I don't want MarkBass, I want GK...

I was actually responding to 62bass's post, who was looking for 6db more from his little GK combo, but still having a clean, tight SS tone like the MB150 and very light weight. There are a number of products from a number of different companies that will get you there. So far, GK is not one of them.