Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[tallboybass]

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

Yeah, if there was a mod to delete the big low end boost it would totally transform this amp IMO. I just DON'T want that....the old GKs had the opposite, a big rolloff of the lows, which worked in most rooms.

That being said, I WANT to love this amp! (and with 'low-deficient' cabs it sounds great) IMO!

 

[Vic]

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.

+1

And, Bob has offered a free mod to anyone with a current amp that wants theirs to be like the new version, tho he also says eq'ing on the current model should also be able to get you there.

 

[zac2944]

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.

I don't believe the modification Mr. Gallien was talking about had anything to do with trimming off low end, but actually a relative boosting of the mids and highs to emulate the presence feature when set at zero on the 700/1001.

He mentioned earlier in this thread that there isn't actually any more low end coming from the MB2-500, but rather slightly less mids and highs. This gives the illusion that there is more bass.

So you all don't have to go searching for it:

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

So he's not talking about anything more than resetting the zero point or 12:00 positions on a few knobs. IMHO, if you can get this with a simple turn of a know, I don't see any point in sending it in.

Some thought on the "String Bass" button from the 700/1001 amps and the MB2-500. Just above, Mr. Gallien said:

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

I know that in the manual the specs list "String Bass Button +11db@20Hz", but my guess is that Mr. G is hinting at something a little different. I'm thinking that with the button set to "4-string" you actually get -11db@20Hz and with the button engaged (set to 5-string) that sub bass cut is removed allowing more of the extended range to come through. Most cabs are going to sound tighter in the low end with a cut at 20Hz because the drivers aren't hitting their excursion limits and don't have to handle as much power. I some instances though (recording, huge rig, dub, etc.), you might want this sub bass coming thorough. I'm also guessing the GK doesn't want to advertise this feature as a 20Hz cut since a lot of knucklehead bass players who don't know any better would consider that a bad thing.

I haven't heard Mr. Gallien comment on how the MB2-500 handles information around 20Hz, or how the MB2-500 was voiced in relation to the String Button on the 700/1001. Is it more similar to 5-string setting, or the 4-string setting? Is it somewhere in between? Only he knows for sure. I think this would clear up a lot of the confusion were hearing about the low end on this amp.

 

[B String]

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.

It would be nice to perhaps get somewhere in the middle of
the bass extention being all the way on or all the way off.

 

[MikeyB]

Zac - thanks... I was just putting together a similar reply to pull this info together and your post came in whilst I was cutting/pasting.

+1... think the confusion comes from comparing the MB2 to the 700RB "flat"... but without clarifying if "flat" means the 5-string button is engaged.

+2... on getting some more info on exactly what's up around 20hz!

Sounds like a call for... TEAM BASS GEAR!!

-M

 

[JanusZarate]

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

Ah, yes, I forgot about that nifty new feature.

 

[zac2944]

Sounds like a call for... TEAM BASS GEAR!!

I'm really looking forward to their review of this amp. Despite some of the controversy the first issue generated I thought it was fantastic.

 

[tombowlus]

Sounds like a call for... TEAM BASS GEAR!!

As stated previously, we will have a 'Quick Look' review of the MB2​-500 (and Fusion 550) in issue #2, and a full review of the MB2​-500 in issue #3.

 

[jokerjkny]

i gotta admit, despite all this hoopla about the rather voiced "flat" signal, i still like it!

 

[KJung]

I don't believe the modification Mr. Gallien was talking about had anything to do with trimming off low end, but actually a relative boosting of the mids and highs to emulate the presence feature when set at zero on the 700/1001.

He mentioned earlier in this thread that there isn't actually any more low end coming from the MB2-500, but rather slightly less mids and highs. This gives the illusion that there is more bass.

So you all don't have to go searching for it:


So he's not talking about anything more than resetting the zero point or 12:00 positions on a few knobs. IMHO, if you can get this with a simple turn of a know, I don't see any point in sending it in.

Some thought on the "String Bass" button from the 700/1001 amps and the MB2-500. Just above, Mr. Gallien said: I know that in the manual the specs list "String Bass Button +11db@20Hz", but my guess is that Mr. G is hinting at something a little different. I'm thinking that with the button set to "4-string" you actually get -11db@20Hz and with the button engaged (set to 5-string) that sub bass cut is removed allowing more of the extended range to come through. Most cabs are going to sound tighter in the low end with a cut at 20Hz because the drivers aren't hitting their excursion limits and don't have to handle as much power. I some instances though (recording, huge rig, dub, etc.), you might want this sub bass coming thorough. I'm also guessing the GK doesn't want to advertise this feature as a 20Hz cut since a lot of knucklehead bass players who don't know any better would consider that a bad thing.

I haven't heard Mr. Gallien comment on how the MB2-500 handles information around 20Hz, or how the MB2-500 was voiced in relation to the String Button on the 700/1001. Is it more similar to 5-string setting, or the 4-string setting? Is it somewhere in between? Only he knows for sure. I think this would clear up a lot of the confusion were hearing about the low end on this amp.

From my reading of his comments, and also from speaking with TBers who have talked to their tech guys, I don't think the above is correct. However, I'm surely not 'in the know', but my understanding is that the default of the MB2-500 low end is set similar to when the newer model GK heads have the '5 string' low end extension engaged, and the fix will result in that low end being revoiced just a touch.

K

 

[zac2944]

From my reading of his comments, and also from speaking with TBers who have talked to their tech guys, I don't think the above is correct. However, I'm surely not 'in the know', but my understanding is that the default of the MB2-500 low end is set similar to when the newer model GK heads have the '5 string' low end extension engaged, and the fix will result in that low end being revoiced just a touch.

K

Interesting! Hopefully Mr. Gallien can clear this one up.

 

[atrapp]

Still waiting to hear about the noise/radio interference issue. Any bass I plug into this amp turns it into a country western radio station; plugging the same bass, same cable, same cab (in the same house) into the TF750 yields little to no noise.

I can send this head back to GK for an EQ mod that'll fix the huge bass bump - correct?

 

[silky smoove]

I can send this head back to GK for an EQ mod that'll fix the huge bass bump - correct?

According to Bob Gallien earlier in this thread that is the case. Also according to Bob Gallien, and backed up by me; A rather subtle EQ tweak can get you a voicing that closely matches a 1001RB-II or a 2001RB with the 5-string button disengaged.

Ultimately I think people are making a lot of noise about an issue that can be resolved by understanding how to turn a few EQ knobs. It will mean that your amp won't be operating with the EQ knobs set to noon, but.... who cares?

I'm not trying to come as insulting, but I still simply don't get it. My A/B between a 1001RB-II and a 2001RB to the MB2-500 only confirmed my suspicions.

 

[atrapp]

yeah I run the MB2 with the bass knob ~9 o'clock, this seems to do the job. Dunno what a 1001 or 2001RB sound like as I've never messed with 'em, I do know this little head is amazing at < 4 lbs, I also dig it's little bit o' nasty tone... just fix the noise issue!

 

[silky smoove]

just fix the noise issue!

That's an issue I can see making some noise about. I've never experienced that with mine, but it does sound pretty awful. I had an old 1997 Warwick Corvette that I functioned perfectly until I added an Aguilar OBP-3. As soon as I added the OBP-3 it was picking up some high school football game on the radio!

 

[thejohnkim]

Still waiting to hear about the noise/radio interference issue. Any bass I plug into this amp turns it into a country western radio station; plugging the same bass, same cable, same cab (in the same house) into the TF750 yields little to no noise.

I can send this head back to GK for an EQ mod that'll fix the huge bass bump - correct?

stupid question, but have you tried a different IEC power cable?

 

[deekay911]

Still waiting to hear about the noise/radio interference issue. Any bass I plug into this amp turns it into a country western radio station; plugging the same bass, same cable, same cab (in the same house) into the TF750 yields little to no noise.

I can send this head back to GK for an EQ mod that'll fix the huge bass bump - correct?

My MB2 is on the way back to GK as we speak, for the EQ mod, and I also asked that the interference I too experienced be investigated. Hopefully they will figure it out as I could reproduce it at will. Top class customer service form GK !!!

 

[BillisCool]

Ok... so I'm totally new to GK... so heres a 1001 vs 500 'story.'

I picked up the 500 and played a show with it... those thoughts are earlier in this thread. But, what did bother me was that it kind of hurt my ears. Like an ear fatigue thing. I just felt like it was tuned perfectly to punch and irratate my head.

Still... I'm like "man this is a fun amp... let me go to GC and try the 1001." Well... I loved it and returned the 500 hoping to wait it out for the updates that may or may not happen... So, I get home and plug in the 1001... jam for like 10 minutes... man my GB 212t kills the goldline 8x10... haha... anyway... it totally exploded! I actually a little scared for a few seconds.

So after I drove back to GC and swapped it out... I actually got to sit down with it for a while and immediately noticed that it didn't make my head hurt like the little one. And... with the 4/5 button out it sounded a lot tighter and clearer down low. They both sound EXTREMELY similar with the 4/5 string button pushed in. The little one may be a tiny darker... but they can be EQ'd to sound almost exactly the same.

Anyway... I can't recommend the 500 as a 1001 replacement... but if you need a little amp... it's amazing. I'll probably pick one up again in the near future... for small gigs and more importantly, impromptu jams, backlined gigs that have crappy bass heads, and practices.

I definitely think I'll cruise the 1001 for my shows for a while... I'm really digging it big time. It kills with both my MIA P and my SR4.

:::Amps I've played this year... at 4 hour bar gigs, funky blues:::

BB750, GBE750, Shuttle 6.0, Carbine, Titan, MB2 500.

The bb750, titan, and shuttle 6.0 all sound very similar. The GBE750 sounded like the GKs, but the GKs seem to feel a little 'bigger.' to me and the slap tone is amazing... both the GK and GBE have great control of the speakers... I've never seen anything like it. The Carbine was amazing, but I had two that died mid show so I gave up. We'll see how this 1001 does tomorrow night, but I'm thinking that it'll be a lot of fun... Hopefully it doesn't explode like the first one I tried.

 

[Freddels]

I guess that what made your head hurt was the mids.

 

[atrapp]

stupid question, but have you tried a different IEC power cable?

No question is a stupid question.

Yes I have tried different power cables, houses, basses and cabinets.