• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

Status
Not open for further replies.
#501
B String said:
I think I understand why some people think the GK mb2-500
has too much low end!!!!

It finally hit me during all my a/b'ing with boxes. My Bergantino
HT112 had much more bass extension with the GK than the
LMII. Spec's wise, and eq points wise, it should be the other
way around... BUT!!
Both the 1001rb and 700rb have a "String Bass" push button.
When engaged, this adds about +11 db at 20hz. You have the
option of using it or not.
I believe (my opinion) GK eq'd this amp with the "String Bass"
eq effect on. Perhaps because there wasn't any more space
for another button to switch it off and on, so they figured it
would be good to have a very small, powerfull head, with a
huge sound. As a result, the amp will be a killer with small
boxes or bass shy boxes. This is a VERY nice amp!

Maybe Mr.G will substantiate my opinion, or tell me I'm full of
reptile refuse. Whadda ya think Mr. Gallien?
Click to expand...
It DOES feel like that darn 'boom button' is pushed in. However they did it, there are a lot of uncontrollable sub-lows in the MB². Mine may be going back. :crying:
 
#502
Web_GKCombo2.jpg
 
#505
tallboybass said:
However they did it, there are a lot of uncontrollable sub-lows in the MB².
Click to expand...

I'm still blown away when I hear this. The MB2-500 definitely has a lot of booty, but "uncontrollable sub-lows"? I just don't hear that with mine into a Schroeder 410R or through the studio monitors at my band's studio. I'll be giving it a workout tonight on it's first gigs, and I doubt I'll have any problems there... What am I doing that's so vastly different to alleviate this problem? :confused:
 
#506
silky smoove said:
I'm still blown away when I hear this. The MB2-500 definitely has a lot of booty, but "uncontrollable sub-lows"? I just don't hear that with mine into a Schroeder 410R or through the studio monitors at my band's studio. I'll be giving it a workout tonight on it's first gigs, and I doubt I'll have any problems there... What am I doing that's so vastly different to alleviate this problem? :confused:
Click to expand...

Shroeders aren't generally known for putting out sub lows. Super fat low mids - yes - but not sub lows. Some studio monitors are designed to roll off at about 50hz to mimic real world listening conditions. It may be that you haven't yet heard the amp through a speaker capable of reproducing extended low end.
 
#511
bassrique said:
Didn't Mr. Galien post that GK wasn't doing that yet? :confused:
Click to expand...
Well, it's not available yet, so all that means is the one at NAMM was a prototype. I'm going to predict they're still figuring some things out on it, which is why it's not out yet, but the general design will be same when it is finally officially introduced.
 
#512
Was at Tigard OR GC yesterday looking to purchase headphones and wandered over to the miserably bleak bass section hoping to test drive a Shuttle 6 and the MB F1. The F1 was available, but no Shuttle - they did however have the GK MB2500. I started out playing a Bongo with the F1 into a 115 MB cab and was relatively impressed by what it was able to do, I then tried the MB2500 into a GK 115 (this cab is physically larger than the MB) and I must say I was quite impressed, so I bought it.

My main rigs are: Thunderfunk 750/Berg HTT322 for giggin, TF750/Acme Low B2 for Worship team, Mesa Walkabout Scout for rock band rehearsal and a TF550/2 Aggi GS112's for practice - some mighty fine rigs to be sure. This sure gives the diminutive MB2 500 some very tough competition.

My planned use for this head is Sunday Worship team (my Acme lives at Church) and the occasional jam session, ie bass in gig bag, MB in pocket with cords and strap, GS 112 in right hand and bottle of bourbon in the left hand!

So far the MB is cool, it is no Thunderfunk, nor did I expect it to be. The TF just does everything better except (in road case) it weighs 20lbs more.


I am however getting a lot of radio interference in the MB2 500... and was wondering if anyone else has had this issue...
 
#514
basss said:
Shroeders aren't generally known for putting out sub lows. Super fat low mids - yes - but not sub lows. Some studio monitors are designed to roll off at about 50hz to mimic real world listening conditions. It may be that you haven't yet heard the amp through a speaker capable of reproducing extended low end.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree about Schroeder cabinets now putting out sub lows, but even through the 410R I can make the MB2-500 boomy with some drastic EQ'ing, but the flat voicing (which I always use as a starting point for any amp) isn't boomy to my ears at all. The studio monitors in question might very well roll off at 50hz as you suggested, but we have a subwoofer for playback as well, and even then it wasn't out of control.
 
#516
atrapp said:
Was at Tigard OR GC yesterday looking to purchase headphones and wandered over to the miserably bleak bass section hoping to test drive a Shuttle 6 and the MB F1. The F1 was available, but no Shuttle
Click to expand...

I don't believe GC is a dealer for Genz products. I know that MF has it but I've never seen any in a GC store.

I stopped by the local GC today in hopes of trying out the MB2500, but they didn't have any. They did have a lot of MB stuff (210 combos, 12 combo, LMKII, and two F1's) but nothing was plugged in and there weren't any cords to plug a bass into any of them anyway (I did find one eventually but still the amps weren't plugged in). I didn't bother to ask anyone for help b/c I figure if they don't care to get their products set up properly, why should I. I left. I'm not impressed with the new manager at this location and much prefer the one they transferred.
 
#517
atrapp said:
I am however getting a lot of radio interference in the MB2 500... and was wondering if anyone else has had this issue...
Click to expand...

YES!!! I had exactly the same. I have had it occasionally with my 4003 and Shuttle, and put it down to the Ric being so noisy. However I was getting it most of the time really bad with the MB2, and switching over to the Shuttle, it went away entirely. Does GK have any thoughts on this??
 
#518
deekay911 said:
YES!!! I had exactly the same. I have had it occasionally with my 4003 and Shuttle, and put it down to the Ric being so noisy. However I was getting it most of the time really bad with the MB2, and switching over to the Shuttle, it went away entirely. Does GK have any thoughts on this??
Click to expand...


This is a new one to me. I will look into it.
 
#520
I accidentally bought one 2 days ago... and played it at a gig last night.

Awesome little amp. Amazing slap tone. The finger tone wasn't amazing, but definitely not bad and probably something that'll I will be able to tweak. Still, I found it to be extremely responsive to my playing dynamics... from traditional to funky blues with some classic rock thrown in and it killed em' all night. People were dancing like crazy.

I was even slapping through a cover of pride and joy and it killed. haha

In comparison to my shuttle 6.0... the GK smacks it around like it's a little boy. BUT... that's opinion based on my playing style. For instance... I find the Shuttle to more resemble my Mesa Titan in tone... I find the GK to be tighter like a full size GK or GB for than matter.

And yes... it's got some serious low end. The shuttle would run out of headroom quick if I played with that much low dialed in.

Anyway... I like it. :) It's the first GK that'll I'll own and it's definitely a keeper. I'll probably sell my shuttle and titan and get one of those fusion things for a bigger head.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back