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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500
- Thread starter deekay911
- Start date
- Status
I don't have it in front of me right now, but I'd have to say without the feet it's 1U.
WOW!.....that is a similar rack setup to what I use minus the furman...do you run the GK through the power amp, preamp, or independently?
What kind of speaker set up is that?(Ashdown?) Does that cab eliminate the extreme lows mentioned here from the mb2500?
What kind of tone are you after in your setup?...music style, etc?
Thanks
Mark
I just got the GK a couple days ago. I think I'm going to run it by itself, although I'm thinking of maybe pairing it with the Sansamp. If I do that, I'll plug my bass into the SA and then the SA into the FX return of the GK so that I'm only using the power amp section.
The cab is an Ashdown 410 MAG. It sounds OK so far with the GK although, I usually need a couple weeks with a new amp to figure out if I really like the tone I'm getting from it.
I wouldn't say there are extreme lows that can't be overcome by adjusting the EQ, although I've only played this at home and at practice once. This weekend I have two bar gigs though, so I'll see how it sounds in that setting.
I play in a 5 piece, classic/top 40 dance band with both male and female singers. From the Black Crows, Doobie Brothers, Skynyrd, Doors, Zep to Sheryl Crow, Etheridge, Pat Benatar... Although we cover a lot of different styles, I like to set my amp's eq and volume/gain and then leave it for the night. I use the volume and tone knobs on my Jazz bass to get different tones for the songs.
Just a little update here: After owning this amp for about a week or so, I can definitely say that with some subtle EQ tweaks this thing has the ability to sound identical to my 2001RB and the 1001RB-II I just got rid of.
- Mar 24, 2003
- 809
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- Robert A. Gallien, President Gallien-Krueger
We are working on the rack ears. They will be die cast and match the front panel in shape and color.
- Mar 24, 2003
- 809
- 2,523
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- Robert A. Gallien, President Gallien-Krueger
- Mar 24, 2003
- 809
- 2,523
- Disclosures
- Robert A. Gallien, President Gallien-Krueger
- Mar 24, 2003
- 809
- 2,523
- Disclosures
- Robert A. Gallien, President Gallien-Krueger
In order to meet UL and CSA we have to design rack ears with captive screws. They will mount into the three holes on the side.
I ruled out the LMII for my personal preferences and I'm still trying to decide between the Shuttle and MB2 to use with Avatar 210. Has anyone compared these 2 units driving a 210 cab? I'll be using a Roscoe with 18v Bart/Bart and playing a wide variety of music. Not really concerned about headroom. I'm plan to keep rig minimal for now I can always add another single 10, 8 ohm PA cab to get more power at 4 ohms if I need. It is really confusing reading the posts about lack of lows in the Shuttle compared to mega lows from the GK. I hope to have time to eventually make my own comparison, but it may be awhile before thats possible.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Very cool! I'm glad to hear that you are making rack ears, for those folks who do want to make a lightweight rack with multiple components. If you could fit this head and a wireless on one rack tray, that might be pretty cool, too.
I think I was tricked into thinking it was smaller than 1U because it's such an incredibly compact and lightweight head. Very impressive.
I understand the confusion. I've got both and all I can talk about is my personal opinion. TO ME, the Shuttle has the right amount of lows, most folks feel it's deficient in that area. TO ME, the MB² has so much going on in the low end I can't get the kind of note definition I like, even after dialing down the lows and boosting the mids and highs. If you like a nice big bottom.....I ruled out the LMII for my personal preferences and I'm still trying to decide between the Shuttle and MB2 to use with Avatar 210. Has anyone compared these 2 units driving a 210 cab? I'll be using a Roscoe with 18v Bart/Bart and playing a wide variety of music. Not really concerned about headroom. I'm plan to keep rig minimal for now I can always add another single 10, 8 ohm PA cab to get more power at 4 ohms if I need. It is really confusing reading the posts about lack of lows in the Shuttle compared to mega lows from the GK. I hope to have time to eventually make my own comparison, but it may be awhile before thats possible.
eek.....you'd probably LOVE the GK.BTW, which Avatar 210 do you have? The older Deltas would benefit from the bigger lows of the GK.
Ok, to be completely fair when I received an email back from GK customer service I was told to check back in 30 days to see if any plans had materialized yet... I hope I didn't make it seem like they never planned on producing the things.
Getting a response from the president is certainly a nice touch though. I have to say the MB2 has been the only amp that has seriously given me thoughts about trading in my beloved 700rb for something smaller.
However, I will have to wait until I can get the rack ears, so that I can can rack it with my wireless and tuner for the ultimate 3RU mini rack.
While I'm on that topic, I noticed that the cooling fans for the MB2 are on the side, which leads me to believe that unlike my 2RU 700rb which really takes up 3RU itself due to cooling requirements, will be a true 1 rack space unit.
Right?
- Mar 24, 2003
- 809
- 2,523
- Disclosures
- Robert A. Gallien, President Gallien-Krueger
Ok, to be completely fair when I received an email back from GK customer service I was told to check back in 30 days to see if any plans had materialized yet... I hope I didn't make it seem like they never planned on producing the things.
Getting a response from the president is certainly a nice touch though. I have to say the MB2 has been the only amp that has seriously given me thoughts about trading in my beloved 700rb for something smaller.
However, I will have to wait until I can get the rack ears, so that I can can rack it with my wireless and tuner for the ultimate 3RU mini rack.
While I'm on that topic, I noticed that the cooling fans for the MB2 are on the side, which leads me to believe that unlike my 2RU 700rb which really takes up 3RU itself due to cooling requirements, will be a true 1 rack space unit.
Right
After using the MB2-500 for a wedding gig last night ( huge ass room - about 250 people ), I've decided that this little sucker is not going anywhere. Just perfect for me with my setup. Great definition from lows to highs, and gobs of volume available. All was pretty much set flat with the bass at 11 o'clock, and the contour off.
After I tried the shuttle - which was a fine amp, but just not me - I was going to give up on the micro amps. I'm glad I didn't. I still want to try the LMII, but probably won't since I don't really want to add another 3lbs, and more importantly I am very happy right now.
After I tried the shuttle - which was a fine amp, but just not me - I was going to give up on the micro amps. I'm glad I didn't. I still want to try the LMII, but probably won't since I don't really want to add another 3lbs, and more importantly I am very happy right now.
- Jul 15, 2003
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- I am a determined follower of Jesus Christ and am a Mormon.
Hey GK fans!
Seriously considering this amp as a backup to my LMII. I want an amp this weight and size to just plop into my outer pocket of my bass case. My LMII is racked and wired up and I dont always want to bring that one out to rehearsals and living room jams. I also really want a micro that has a headphone jack. Thats a super nice touch on this amp.
I've considered the eden wtx260 and shuttle 3.0 which I know both sound great, but in terms of power the GK is much more appealing. I often use my UL115 (8ohm) and 150 "shuttle" watts is not likely to cut it. I owned the shuttle 6.0 and felt it was underpowered... at least compared to the LMII. Also, too much tubey grind for my taste.
My questions....
Can the mb2500 properly drive a poweramp?
Can the mb2500 pre section be by-passed and just the poweramp used?
Seriously considering this amp as a backup to my LMII. I want an amp this weight and size to just plop into my outer pocket of my bass case. My LMII is racked and wired up and I dont always want to bring that one out to rehearsals and living room jams. I also really want a micro that has a headphone jack. Thats a super nice touch on this amp.
I've considered the eden wtx260 and shuttle 3.0 which I know both sound great, but in terms of power the GK is much more appealing. I often use my UL115 (8ohm) and 150 "shuttle" watts is not likely to cut it. I owned the shuttle 6.0 and felt it was underpowered... at least compared to the LMII. Also, too much tubey grind for my taste.
My questions....
Can the mb2500 properly drive a poweramp?
Can the mb2500 pre section be by-passed and just the poweramp used?
I understand the confusion. I've got both and all I can talk about is my personal opinion. TO ME, the Shuttle has the right amount of lows, most folks feel it's deficient in that area. TO ME, the MB² has so much going on in the low end I can't get the kind of note definition I like, even after dialing down the lows and boosting the mids and highs. If you like a nice big bottom.....
I have both and these were my feelings EXACTLY....
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