Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[bassrique]

After posting my opinion that the low end on the MB2 sounded
like the "string bass" option from the 1001rb and 700rb, was
used in this amp, I called GK to ask. They confirmed that this
was true. Sort of like the "string bass" option on, without the
on/off switch. According to the 1001/700rb manual, there is
a +11db boost at about 20hz, which is giving this head a
pretty wide low end. This is great for smaller or bass shy
boxes like my Berg HT112. (sounds amazing) Not as good for
boxes with lots o lows.

The tech at GK said they will be changing the eq points and
value starting with the next run of amps. When that happens,
I think this amp will be a killer.

Just so my thick skull gets it, the next run of GK MB2-500 heads will sound less bass heavy, or "boomy" because the current eq ["a +11db boost at about 20hz"] will be tweaked?



I wonder if GK could put a stacked knob on the MB2-500 for "normal bass" and one for the "string bass"/sub-bass frequencies?

 

[B String]

As I said above, this gets my gears turning. I'm very curious if it's simply just an EQ readjustment - meaning that if I were to tweak my EQ a bit the difference would be negligent... or if it would be a more substantial change - in which case I'd be extremely interested to hear the difference.

The advice I got was to turn the bass control down a bit,
then add a little contour. This worked VERY well. I don't even
think I'd get my amp changed. I'll state again.... This amp
rocks! It gives my smaller boxes a much bigger sound that I
can tame for bigger boxes. I was just addressing the opinions
I was reading about the over abundance of lows that guys
were experiencing with this head. Perhaps we need to learn
how to use the eq instead of GK making a change in specs.

 

[MikeyB]

The MB2 is voiced exactly like the 700RB with out the presence control. Removing the presence control eliminated a slight high mid boost that remained even when the presence was on zero. Setting the Low Mid, High Mid and Treble to about 1:00 duplicates the 700RB with the EQ flat and the Presence on zero. It is a simple matter to put the slight presence boost into any unit and we will do it for free for anyone who wants it, but frankly these tone settings bring it very close. The issue isn't extra Bass it is less high mid.
Bob Gallien

I wonder if the EQ on the next run will reflect the settings Mr. Gallien outlined earlier, or something more. Specifically (hopefully!) the "5-string" vs "4-string" voicing as well?


-M

edit: Curious that B String got some advice to add some contour (removing mids)?

 

[B String]

edit: Curious that B String got some advice to add some contour (removing mids)?

The eq I ended up with was extracting a little bass, in order
to lessen the amount of sub bass. I then added a little
mid bass and contour. That brought back the low end while
giving me a bit less sub bass.

Its funny. The eq on this amp reminds me of buying the new
tires for my car. I ended up with V rated performance tires
instead of my usual luxury passenger tires. I now have much
more control over my car. The eq on the MB2 give me more
control over my sound than some of my older GK amps.
This is a good thing. It just takes a little experimenting with
the knobs to find out how things work. I also would never use
the Boost feature on any of my older GK's. On the MB2 I find
myself using a little boost at lower volume. It works well.

 

[keyboardguy]

After posting my opinion that the low end on the MB2 sounded
like the "string bass" option from the 1001rb and 700rb, was
used in this amp, I called GK to ask. They confirmed that this
was true. Sort of like the "string bass" option on, without the
on/off switch. According to the 1001/700rb manual, there is
a +11db boost at about 20hz, which is giving this head a
pretty wide low end. This is great for smaller or bass shy
boxes like my Berg HT112. (sounds amazing) Not as good for
boxes with lots o lows.

The tech at GK said they will be changing the eq points and
value starting with the next run of amps. When that happens,
I think this amp will be a killer.

I went to the GK forum and asked for more clarity on this issue.
I have an order that's supposed to be delivered today to RMC Audio, and need to know if this is a 'big' deal or a non- issue.

I have a 4 ohm Avatar Neo 410 and a 4 ohmCarvin BRX10.2Neo cab.
I would be using either of them depending on playing venue.

Comments?

Mike

 

[jokerjkny]

dang!

 

[Kro]

I have an order that's supposed to be delivered today to RMC Audio, and need to know if this is a 'big' deal or a non- issue.

Now that I've cooled my jets, here's my plan:

First off, I really like the MB2 as it is now... I might like it better with the tweaks - who's to say really. So...

I'll just enjoy the amp for what it is until it comes time for me to try out the new version (once I can figure out how to distinguish the two). At which point I'll either decide to keep things as is - and be happy that I did get a first batch one, or I'll decide to go for the upgrade from a service center.

As far as I'm concerned, there's only one amp that gets the GK tone I love that'll fit into one rack space - now it'll just come in two flavors, and I get to choose which one I want.

Variety is the spice of life eh?

 

[Wes Whitmore]

I wouldn't let it bother you, and wouldn't cancel your order until you hear it. Try it first and return it, or get the mod done if you don't like what it does to your sound. These units are really hard to find right now...waiting time was over 23 days when I got a quote from RMCaudio. People seem to love this thing. It's better to have too much bass, and turn it down and use the contour knob to taste. You can't usually EQ in 20Hz on any GK amp, so consider it a gift. I assume GK targeted the portable neo 1x10 or 1x12 for this head when they disigned it, and found this to be a great solution for speakers crammed into too small of a cab. I'm not sure why 20Hz was chosen, but there must be some overtones of EQ bleading into the area that we can acutally hear, and a 4 string bass actually plays...regardless, you guys are hearing it, so it must be a concern, and GK is listening!
Wes

 

[B String]

I wouldn't let it bother you, and wouldn't cancel your order until you hear it. Try it first and return it, or get the mod done if you don't like what it does to your sould. These units are really hard to find right now...waiting time was over 23 days when I got a quote from RMCaudio. People seem to love this thing. It's better to have too much bass, and turn it down and use the contour knob to taste. You can't usually EQ in 20Hz on any GK amp, so consider it a gift. I assume GK targeted the portable neo 1x10 or 1x12 for this head when they disigned it, and found this to be a great solution for speakers crammed into too small of a cab. I'm not sure why 20Hz was chosen, but there must be some overtones of EQ bleading into the area that we can acutally hear, and a 4 string bass actually plays...regardless, you guys are hearing it, so it must be a concern, and GK is listening!
Wes

I think the reason the eq is set where it is, is because that's
where its set on the 1001rb and 700rb when using the
"string bass" option. I got the spec's from the manual.

I'm tending to agree with the opinion that if the sub lows can
be tamed with the bass control and adding a little contour,
I would prefer to keep the amp I have because with my
smaller boxes, (Berg HT112) this thing is gold.

 

[tallboybass]

I never used that extended low end setting on the 700 that I had for a short while. That's not really what the GK tone is all about to me. If anything, the original heads (400/800) had some of the most severe low end attenuation I ever heard, but it allowed all that grit and grind to come through.

+1

That's why I bought this amp. Looking for the beautifully grindy, growly, midrangey GK sound. I NEVER used the "string bass" button on my 1001RB-II. Let's not even talk about the 800RB (wish i could get it back).

I'm just glad to find out I'm not crazy (in this one area).

Alan

 

[Vic]

Ruh-oh. I was juggling between the LMII and the MB2. I'm sure G-K will get it worked out but I want something that is ready now.

Uh oh, here we go...

 

[Wes Whitmore]

What's the word on the rackmount kits for these?

 

[Kro]

What's the word on the rackmount kits for these?

According to the president himself:

"We are working on the rack ears. They will be die cast and match the front panel in shape and color.

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."

In the meantime I've managed to work out a temporary solution that involves Velcro tape and a lot of love.

 

[Kro]

If you guys remember, I said that I was looking in my manual earlier for a detailed explanation of what the line out output sends.

To many of you, this is probably obvious, however in my defense I couldn't even find it on the wiring diagram found in the manual.

Either it wasn't listed, or my poor grasp of technical know-how is even more firmly cemented.

Either way I could use some help, manual is here.

I'm guessing this sends out exactly what is being put in, without going through the GK preamp at all?

 

[jokerjkny]

According to the president himself:

"We are working on the rack ears. They will be die cast and match the front panel in shape and color.

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."

In the meantime I've managed to work out a temporary solution that involves Velcro tape and a lot of love.

interesting cause there's 5 holes on each side...

 

[Kro]

interesting cause there's 5 holes on each side...

Check out the pics of the proposed combo... its using all five.

For regular mounting it should use only the front three... exactly like an F1

 

[jokerjkny]

Check out the pics of the proposed combo... its using all five.

For regular mounting it should use only the front three... exactly like an F1

noted!

 

[zac2944]

It has been about four weeks since I got the MB2-500 and I'm still impressed with this amp. I've been able to use it on six or seven gigs and a bunch of rehearsals. I thought I would post an update.

So far no quality issues. Everything is working great.

I'm still not hearing the "too much low end" thing that some hear. Maybe it is just my old ears?

I've yet to need more power.

The light on the power switch is really slick. When you turn it on it slowly fades from red to purple to blue. Not that it really adds anything to the amps capabilities, but I get a kick out of it.

I've been able to find more growl in the MB2-500 than I could get from my 1001RB-II. With the right set up I've been able to get a tone similar to the 400RB (which I LOVE). I found the key is getting the right gain and boost settings. It's not hard to do, but if you don't have enough gain it won't be there. IMHO, this tone really nice to have when you want that burpy/jaco-ish/finger tone. I don't use it all night long, but playing in cover bands it comes in handy. And it is on a foot switch!

Now that I've got more confidence in this amp, I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep the 1001 around.

 

[AK Rev]

Interesting report Zac. For those looking, RMC had 2 in stock yesterday.

 

[MikeyB]

Zac - which cab have you been running the MB2 thru?

From my GC trial, the low end issue was much more obvious thru some cabs than others. FWIW and IMHO, I thought it sounded pretty darn good thru the GK 410 NEO and very boomy thru the GK goldline 810.

-M