Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[JanusZarate]

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.

[...]

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

No, I'm 99% sure it DOES go through the preamp. The Line Out on most amps (and other gear, for that matter) is after the preamp. The Line Out on the current MB series (minus the MB^2) is post-preamp.

Think of it as a 1/4" version of the XLR output when set to post-EQ.

There's not much of a practical reason for a Line Out to bypass the preamp, IMO, especially since DI boxes allow you to achieve the same thing (clean bass to the monitor, clean bass to the amp) with better results, and you already have an XLR output on the amp which can be set to pre-EQ.

EDIT: An explanation of the Line Out from the MB150-III series manual:

11 Line Out: Provides a line level signal (post Boost) for interfacing with outboard power amplifiers or an external DI Box.

 

[Kro]

Thanks for the clarification. I was actually just kinda curious as to how I'd use the line out, as pretty much anything that I could think of would be better served by the XLR.

I can't even remember what I originally had in mind to do with it to be honest with you.

Oh, and about the power-up light show? That might have been the biggest thing that impressed my bandmates about the amp. They were standing around my rig in a semi circle to check out the newest piece of gear, and upon me pressing power immediately became hypnotized... I think one of our guitarists drooled a little.

 

[JanusZarate]

I just edited my previous post - I think the explanation from the MB150-III manual should shed some light on your question.

Basically, the only advantage is if you want to use a post-EQ line-level signal with a different DI box (instead of the DI on the amp).

Oh, and if for some weird reason you're working with a soundguy whose board is lacking in XLR inputs, it would be a good alternative output, too.

 

[zac2944]

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

I've been playing through a ZacLite 210 mostly (shameless plug). I built it, and started a thread about it if you are interested in the details. It is a very light 23lb 210 made with composite sandwich construction.

This cab has a pretty deep low end for a 210, and is very efficient. I find it a nice match for the MB2. The combo has been loud enough for 90% of my gigs. Pretty nice considering the entire rig weighs about 26-27 pounds!

For the other 10% I use a Schroeder 1212R. I've only done one gig with this set up, but it went well. Very similar to using the 1001RB-II with the 1212R. IMHO, the 1212R NEVER gets boomy. So it would a bad test cab for low end.

 

[BassJunkie730]

This head is next on my list of acquisitions.

it's a capapbility that's just too awesome to pass up desipte any drawbacks.

 

[Vic]

I've been playing through a ZacLite 210...
...
This cab has a pretty deep low end for a 210, and is very efficient. I find it a nice match for the MB2. The combo has been loud enough for 90% of my gigs...

Did you find that, with that cab and the 1001 you would typically boost the low end and/or engage the 4/5 string profile?

Do you hear the low end in the MB2 500 as being more similar than different to the 1001 when both are set "flat"?

 

[Kro]

Thanks for the explanation about the line out, and as far as:

Oh, and if for some weird reason you're working with a soundguy whose board is lacking in XLR inputs, it would be a good alternative output, too.

Never seen a sound guy run out of XLR inputs... but I HAVE seen a "sound man" with not enough working XLR cables. Oh man was that a sorry night...

 

[Gtrslngr]

I just had my new GK MB2 500 delivered today. I ordered from Music123 last weekend while they had 20% off most everything. Delivered to my door for 479.00 I'm currently running it into my 8ohm Avatar neo 210 and loving every minute of it. Roscoe LG3005+GK MB2+Avatar Neo 210 is providing me with what seems limitless tone options. I have wife + 3 young kids that limits my playin time abit, or I would still be back there playin and turning knobs and pushing buttons with a big grin. Its going to take a while to determine my prefered settings, but the options of what I hear as very useful tones seems endless right now. I can also throw in a single Carvin PA cab, that is 8ohm w/10" and tweeter to get 500w. I could also run the single Carvin by itself with limited volume and have a MOJO mini rig. With this boost feature and the Roscoe going into these 10's, I am confident I could cut through any mix. Probably push right through to the front of any mix w/aggresive midrange growl. Good times ahead

 

[rag]

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.

You should think of the string bass button as extended low end as opposed to a boost.

 

[rag]

I really like the head as it is too but so far I've only used it
live with smaller boxes that aren't bass heavy.
I wrote my opinion early on in one of these MB2 threads when
Bob Gallien was answering questions. I specifically asked him
to answer in the thread. He didn't. I called GK and got my
opinion confirmed over the phone.
As far as the "flat sound". I was told to turn the bass down a
bit, and turn up the contour to compensate. It sounded
great. I never use the contour but it sure worked for this
application. I like this head. This is just an early hiccup.

The change will only adjust the flat setting base line. Nothing you can't get with the small EQ adjustments that have already been discussed. The idea is to make it so the starting sound is closer to what people expect from GK with the EQ flat. After reading all your posts I decided to make this change. Our next run will not be in stores until mid November. Any one who wants this adjustment will be accomodated free of charge.

 

[rag]

No, I'm 99% sure it DOES go through the preamp. The Line Out on most amps (and other gear, for that matter) is after the preamp. The Line Out on the current MB series (minus the MB^2) is post-preamp.

Think of it as a 1/4" version of the XLR output when set to post-EQ.

There's not much of a practical reason for a Line Out to bypass the preamp, IMO, especially since DI boxes allow you to achieve the same thing (clean bass to the monitor, clean bass to the amp) with better results, and you already have an XLR output on the amp which can be set to pre-EQ.

EDIT: An explanation of the Line Out from the MB150-III series manual:

the line out is post pre and can be switched to headphone level.

 

[B String]

You should think of the string bass button as extended low end as opposed to a boost.

I aggree. This is how I should have stated it. The low end
isn't boosted, its more extended. Perhaps that's why my Berg
HT112 sounds so rediculous with this head. It just kills.
In early testing, it seems to like my UL310 too.

 

[fretster]

The change will only adjust the flat setting base line. Nothing you can't get with the small EQ adjustments that have already been discussed. The idea is to make it so the starting sound is closer to what people expect from GK with the EQ flat. After reading all your posts I decided to make this change. Our next run will not be in stores until mid November. Any one who wants this adjustment will be accomodated free of charge.

This is simply awesome. I'm so impressed that you are listening to your customers like this! What a feel-good moment!

 

[Kro]

The change will only adjust the flat setting base line. Nothing you can't get with the small EQ adjustments that have already been discussed. The idea is to make it so the starting sound is closer to what people expect from GK with the EQ flat. After reading all your posts I decided to make this change. Our next run will not be in stores until mid November. Any one who wants this adjustment will be accomodated free of charge.

Perfect! Exactly the information that I wanted to know. I'm just fine with making a few EQ adjustments on my amp, and don't see any benefit in updating mine if the update can't get me anything I can't already get on my own.

Thanks!

 

[NorCal Dog]

The change will only adjust the flat setting base line. Nothing you can't get with the small EQ adjustments that have already been discussed. The idea is to make it so the starting sound is closer to what people expect from GK with the EQ flat. After reading all your posts I decided to make this change. Our next run will not be in stores until mid November. Any one who wants this adjustment will be accomodated free of charge.

& a huge ATTA-BOY to you sir.

i don't own the MB2 ( yet ) but i do own a couple of GK heads, & i love 'em

the MB2 WILL BE my next purchase indeed

 

[Phillip Jordan]

Im picking mine up this wee, should be nice through an UL310 with an ask/wenge Valenti.

 

[zac2944]

Did you find that, with that cab and the 1001 you would typically boost the low end and/or engage the 4/5 string profile?

Nope. Kept the the EQ knobs on the 1001 at noon, and the 4/5 string button set to 4.

Do you hear the low end in the MB2 500 as being more similar than different to the 1001 when both are set "flat"?

Much more similar than different. I mentioned this in my initial impressions, but I don't hear any extra low end.

 

[deekay911]

Perfect! Exactly the information that I wanted to know. I'm just fine with making a few EQ adjustments on my amp, and don't see any benefit in updating mine if the update can't get me anything I can't already get on my own.

Thanks!

I contacted Bob (who responded from China) and will have mine returned for the upgrade. It's possible that GK customer service is up there with the GB boys

 

[MikeyB]

I'll have to give these another critical listen, because I'm thinking the un-defeatable "5-string" +11db @ 20hz might be to blame for the boominess I heard (IMHO) thru some cabs, and might be a deal-breaker.

Anyone else thinking the same thing?

And call me crazy, but I still want to love this amp, so maybe it would be possible to mod the pre-amp to defeat the +11db boost.

Thoughts?

-M

 

[KJung]

I'll have to give these another critical listen, because I'm thinking the un-defeatable "5-string" +11db @ 20hz might be to blame for the boominess I heard (IMHO) thru some cabs, and might be a deal-breaker.

Anyone else thinking the same thing?

And call me crazy, but I still want to love this amp, so maybe it would be possible to mod the pre-amp to defeat the +11db boost.

Thoughts?

-M

If you go back a few pages in this thread (and actually just a few posts), it sounds like GK has already incorporated this change and the next batch of these amps will have a tone more similar to the larger heads with that boost not engaged.