With the contour knob, it has a very similar hi-fi "GK" thing going for it, but seems also to be (IMO) to be a little more the sound of the bass and less colored than other GK models.
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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500
- Thread starter deekay911
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With the contour knob, it has a very similar hi-fi "GK" thing going for it, but seems also to be (IMO) to be a little more the sound of the bass and less colored than other GK models.
When you compare a LMKII to an F1, even though the specs seem essentially the same, the class D power section of the F1 seems to deliver a "faster", more responsive, more present low end than the LMKII's analog power section. At least i assume it's the power amp that is responsible for that.
Bummer if that's true. Looking forward to trying and maybe acquiring the GK.
I travelled a bit in the last month, and tried an F1 in Singapore and a WTX 260 in Taiwan. Can't find them in shops in the UK to try them if I wanted to. Unimpressed with the F1, tried it through a MB 1 X 15 cab. Tried to like it I did... but .....I suppose i could use it but it had no 'hey' factor let alone a 'wow'.
Tried the WTX in Taiwan. 'Hey .. hello' I nearly bought the WTX 260 but for the comparative wattage, tried it and liked it a lot, the shop had some Eden cabs I tried it through (2X10 and 1 X 15). I liked the responsive tone controls and it sounded like I could use it. Maybe I should pick up the WTX 260 afterall and live with the limited wattage. To be honest, it will do for me for jazz trio/quartet and lounge use with a 1X12 cab, fretless and EUB; but somehow you do feel slightly shortchanged for the price of the WTX.
I travelled a bit in the last month, and tried an F1 in Singapore and a WTX 260 in Taiwan. Can't find them in shops in the UK to try them if I wanted to. Unimpressed with the F1, tried it through a MB 1 X 15 cab. Tried to like it I did... but .....I suppose i could use it but it had no 'hey' factor let alone a 'wow'.
Tried the WTX in Taiwan. 'Hey .. hello' I nearly bought the WTX 260 but for the comparative wattage, tried it and liked it a lot, the shop had some Eden cabs I tried it through (2X10 and 1 X 15). I liked the responsive tone controls and it sounded like I could use it. Maybe I should pick up the WTX 260 afterall and live with the limited wattage. To be honest, it will do for me for jazz trio/quartet and lounge use with a 1X12 cab, fretless and EUB; but somehow you do feel slightly shortchanged for the price of the WTX.
The diff. between a similar 8 ohm cab and a 4 ohm cab is roughly 3db, all things considered. I'd agree you'd have to match cabs, as with all gear; but in travels you don't that luxury. Maybe it works for you. I tried the LMII in London and was not impressed enough to buy it. Not looking for extreme wattage, and frankly in a small cabs, you'd probably hit speaker compression before you actually draw 250W anyway. I normally use a 3 way cab of my own design for 90% of my gigs. Maybe I should audition the MB stuff through some PA cabs which would be closer to what I use.
For my usage, I am looking to replace my Clarus which I part ex'ed for a rack preamp, and am looking for an easy carry/quick go to head for rehearsing and small gigs that won't offend my ear or give me tonal grief. FWIW, I usually bypassed the AI Clarus preamp and fed the bass to the fx return.
I'd pick up a WW if I can find one at the right asking price for me. For now, I'm looking with interest at the GK MB2-500 to see what it can do. I agree about the MB150 X 3, I like the MB150 too.
For my usage, I am looking to replace my Clarus which I part ex'ed for a rack preamp, and am looking for an easy carry/quick go to head for rehearsing and small gigs that won't offend my ear or give me tonal grief. FWIW, I usually bypassed the AI Clarus preamp and fed the bass to the fx return.
I'd pick up a WW if I can find one at the right asking price for me. For now, I'm looking with interest at the GK MB2-500 to see what it can do. I agree about the MB150 X 3, I like the MB150 too.
the comments by basss were a joke. the post where he replied "sike" seems to be missing now. is it possibly a markbass conspiracy perpetuated by the cia, george bush, and markbass's 007, ken "licence to kill" jung.
jk, but there actually was a post where basss did admit that it was a joke because he had some time on his hands waiting for the reviews, and it has been deleted. although some of the after posts kinda tell the same story, you just have to pay attention.
jk, but there actually was a post where basss did admit that it was a joke because he had some time on his hands waiting for the reviews, and it has been deleted. although some of the after posts kinda tell the same story, you just have to pay attention.
Ah.... that's good! I have high hopes for this head (I had one on order for a long time, but just kind of gave up on it with all the delays). His post was just so close to the feedback I received on this head from the NAMM attendees, that it seemed real. I erased my post. I do understand they were working on the low end response versus the prototype they had at NAMM.
Cool. Again, if this head is a much louder GKMB150, they will have a winner on their hands.
And, I do love the MB stuff, but also LOT's of other stuff (I just ordered the new TecAmp Puma500 to try out). And, I guess I do call a spade a spade when something doesn't quite measure up!
We all live in hope. I have high hopes for it and at this point I am willing to buy it blind. My thinking is that they would have AB'ed it with the MB150 themselves as it is a market sector they carved out and still have to feed. Woe betide them if this is tonally inferior! Electrically, in terms of wattage... well....we shall see.
I'm not that worried, the Clarus worked for me and that is nowhere near these newer micros. I could also use the MB150. It's a psychological and 'watts for money' thing that it is not as 'loud' as brand XYZ's model XXX. Otherwise I would have bought the WTX 260!
+1 I dig the Clarus also. Lot's of nice stuff out there. I'm really looking forward to the feeback on the GKMB500.
I just heard from my local GC that they have a MB2-500 scheduled for delivery tomorrow with my name on it. With a 30 day return policy how can you lose?
I've got a blues gig rehearsal tomorrow night and a club gig with a 13 piece funk/disco band on Friday night. That would be a nice trial run for this little amp. I'd bring my GK 1001RB-II for some A/B comparisons.
I've got a blues gig rehearsal tomorrow night and a club gig with a 13 piece funk/disco band on Friday night. That would be a nice trial run for this little amp. I'd bring my GK 1001RB-II for some A/B comparisons.
I hope to hear good things about this amp. I like the simple, clean control panel. I am encouraged by the 1 meg ohm input. I do not believe the Markbass amps are optimal for piezo URB pickups, much in the way the AI amps are not optimal for electric bass. This may be a good doubling solution.
+1 I think that 1 mg input is the same as the Walter Woods, and it works great for everything.
Well bad news, it was DOA. Didn't even power up, so it's on the way back for replacement, which should be here tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed... 
Well bad news, it was DOA. Didn't even power up, so it's on the way back for replacement, which should be here tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed...
Whoops, hopefully better things ahead for this one...
Well bad news, it was DOA. Didn't even power up, so it's on the way back for replacement, which should be here tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed...
This is a joke right????
Well bad news, it was DOA. Didn't even power up, so it's on the way back for replacement, which should be here tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed...
Did you try plugging it in?
DOA is not what everyone was waiting to hear about this amp. Hopefully, the replacement will be fine.
MikeBass
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Sorry for the delay with the pics:
Seems to be built very very well. It's nice that they give you a footswitch if you use them. I didn't like the shuttle when I tried it - seemed to blah with no life for my tastes. But when I hooked this GK up to my Schroeder 1212L, it was like hooking up a pair of balls (pardon the expression). I love the 1212L, but I had no idea it could get such deep clear lows. The cab now sounds like a monster, and it just gets so damn loud. Reminds me of my old 410R now. I'll know more when I get it in with the band.
Seems to be built very very well. It's nice that they give you a footswitch if you use them. I didn't like the shuttle when I tried it - seemed to blah with no life for my tastes. But when I hooked this GK up to my Schroeder 1212L, it was like hooking up a pair of balls (pardon the expression). I love the 1212L, but I had no idea it could get such deep clear lows. The cab now sounds like a monster, and it just gets so damn loud. Reminds me of my old 410R now. I'll know more when I get it in with the band.
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