Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[MikeBass]

Yes this amp has lots of low-end WHUMP. You guys who like lots of booty should love the MB²500!!!

Well, the kinda "lots of booty" I like no amp could............nevermind

 

[MikeyB]

One man's this is another man's that
almost rendering talkbass moot

almost as moot as your post. But not quite.

 

[basss]

One man's moot is another man's relevant

 

[JanusZarate]

One man's moot is another man's relevant

 

[B String]

One man's moot is another man's relevant

I think this is a relevant post.

 

[tombowlus]

I think this is a relevant post.

No, it's not.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Curious.... where is the bass eq frequency set on this amp?

 

[deekay911]

Treble - Boost and Cut at 7kHz +14dB
Hi-Mid - Boost and Cut at 1kHz +6dB
Low-Mid - Boost and Cut at 250Hz +6dB/-10dB
Bass - Boost and Cut at 60Hz +10dB

 

[JanusZarate]

Classic GK EQ, it seems. No different than the rest of the Mark II series.

To make a mild correction: the Hi-Mid can also cut up to 10dB, and the Treble/Bass controls can cut by the same amount that they boost (14 and 10dB, respectively).

 

[MikeyB]

Does anyone know the slope of the bass eq? (db/octave).

Thanks,

-M

 

[jnewmark]

Well, so far, it seems to me that the general consensus is that this head does not lack low end at all and has major booty. Not many are talking about the other other end of the spectrum, namely high end, and that has me a little worried about it not being a " do it all " type of head , which was what I was hoping to hear. I'm not necessarily looking for a HiFi type of head, but one that can do the slap thing on occaision without a whole lot of knob twidling. Anyone care to comment?

 

[JanusZarate]

I think that if people are still able to make similarity comparisons to other GK heads, you could safely assume that top end is not an issue.

It's a reasonable, but speculative, conclusion. Wait for one of the owners to chime in.

I need to get my hands on one to try out...

 

[MikeyB]

or PM basss... he's sure to give you a relevant answer.

sortof.

maybe.

well, at least in a gooey, messy, sort of oatmeal exploding in the microwave sort of way....

 

[DaveKirkpatrick]

I played it at GC, the top end is all there. It does have a "badonkadonk" factor of about 8.5 in the low end. TomBowlus, feel free to use that in the review in issue #3.

 

[deekay911]

The top end is there, its just that the bottom seems heavily weighted.

 

[Hizzoner]

My new favorite term..
better get the copyright on it..
is there a badonkadonk.com yet?

Thanks for the info on the mb2500 too!

Mark

 

[rappa29]

After reading this thread, I stopped by the local GC to check one out. They had 1 in stock (floor model). It was hooked up to a goldline 810. Plugged in a Stingray. All jacked up to rock this thing! Turned Gain and Master and Master B up to Noon. All EQ flat. Turned up the volume on the Stingray and........NOTHING!

Checked the speaker cable, checked mute, checked the instrument cable. Unplugged and plugged into a GK700RBII. It was cranking.

Switched back to the MB2......nothing.

Asked a salesman to help me. He twiddled knobs while I played the bass..nothing.

We determined they had a bad unit. The bass salesman said they had just put this on the floor today. So I guess I won't get to check it out until they get a new one from GK!

 

[gil_mor]

I really want to want this amp, but I'm hearing a lot of QA problems, what gives?

 

[Gtrslngr]

Anybody know if the warranty is transferable on these units?

 

[fdeck]

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 a very good point. I think that the new micro heads add a new wrinkle to the combo-vs-separates debate. Indeed, the bass head now takes up less space than all of the other crap that we carry to gigs -- cables, music stand, preamp, Leatherman, light, etc.

Now that I have a choice of a combo (MB150E) or separates (Micro300 and DIY neo 1x12), I have gradually realized that the appeal of the combo is at least partly psychological. The combo seems more portable. On the other hand, with the combo, there is certainly less stuff to misplace or forget.

Of course the question you have to ask is whether the psychological appeal of combo amps justifies the cost and risk of developing a product.

Here's an idea. Rather than turning the MB2-500 into a combo, use the switchmode technology and maybe the new preamp to update the MB150 combo. This would involve developing a neo speaker (it could be a long throw 10") and eliminating the heat sink.

I think the "other crap" is the next frontier. Speakers are as small as they can be (thanks to Hoffman's Law). Amps are tiny. Now it's all of the other stuff that is the biggest hassle. I have two suggestions:

1. Remember those old Tektronix oscilloscopes, that had a pouch for probes and accessories? One of those would be a great add-on for the MB combo.

2. Switch to a 14-foot power cord. The added length eliminates the need for an extension cord in most situations.