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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

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#641
jnewmark said:
So now that you have had it for awhile, how does it compare to the 700?
Click to expand...

It doesn't have the same exact sound of the 700RB which I've gotten used to, but it has its own very nice voice - particularly at higher volumes

The sound is still very GK though - especially with a little boost dialed in.

At the moment I'm still more used to my 700RB (though I guarantee you no audience member will be able to tell the difference), though the size and weight advantages of this thing are undeniable. I'm extremely satisfied with it.
 
#642
kap'n kro said:
It doesn't have the same exact sound of the 700RB which I've gotten used to, but it has its own very nice voice - particularly at higher volumes

The sound is still very GK though - especially with a little boost dialed in.

At the moment I'm still more used to my 700RB (though I guarantee you no audience member will be able to tell the difference), though the size and weight advantages of this thing are undeniable. I'm extremely satisfied with it.
Click to expand...

Any other differences you would care to mention? I'm really torn between this amp and the 700. I'm really looking for an all purpose, do it all head.
 
#644
jnewmark said:
Any other differences you would care to mention? I'm really torn between this amp and the 700. I'm really looking for an all purpose, do it all head.
Click to expand...

They're both very good, very usable sounds. Just they're not identical.

So, as far as sound is concerned I'd rate them as different but equal. Then you factor in the size and weight of the MB2 - and the scales become a bit unbalanced if you ask me.

They'd both be solid choices in my opinion. You already saw where I cast my vote though for my main rig. It hasn't been as thoroughly tested as my 700RB (5 years of use for hundreds of shows) but with the GK name I don't think I have too much to worry about.
 
#645
Willem said:
Your rack looks great!
3 space shallow rack with everything you need.
I want it too!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

It is in fact everything that I'd need. I don't run any pedals or effects aside from the GK boost, which suits me just fine.

If it wasn't for the wireless I probably would have stuck with the 700RB with my Korg hand held tuner being fed from the tuner out and been quite happy with it (as I said it served me perfectly for 5 years) - having the option to have a true GK in only one rack space (vs. 3 for the 700RB) paired with the wireless was just too good to resist though. This thing couldn't have come out at a better time for me.

Oh yeah, and the extra flashing lights and what not are nice too. :smug:
 
#646
Vic said:
So I infer from this that it definitely solves the problem for you, right?
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It fixed the problem, plus I have two more that I can clamp onto the speaker cable end that plugs into the rear of the amp for even MORE protection; that's half the reason Yamaha supplied four with its amp; two for two speakers, one for input and one spare. The other reason, as anyone stationed in Japan knows, is that Japanese AM and FM stations are on different frequency bands than their U.S. counterparts, so Yamaha anticipated potential problems.
 
#647
the wait is killing me. My local store has had it on order for awhile. they ordered 2 and 2 fusions and a 700rb combo and a few rbx cabs. the combo and cabs where there in a week. Was waiting on the production run to finish. They where one of the 1st shops with the Fusion 550 wish I could have kept it.

Just venting till I get my amp
 
#650
barroso said:
When using the GK MB500 with headphone, is it possible to run it without cabinet load?

I mean, if I buy one and leave the cabinet(s) at reaharsal room and bring home only the small head, can I use it for practicing purpose without having cabinets at home?
Click to expand...

Yes, with no problem. Just remember to switch to jack button out to "headphone" mode. I practiced again with mine last night, I'm still getting accustomed to the G-K sound. This little thing can get LOUD with headphones; you can set your bass on the stand, tap the floor nearby and hear your bass sympathetically ring through the headphones. Could be useful in a recording now that I think about it.
:bassist:
 
#652
just tested one out at GC...very cool...A/B'd it against a LMII...the GK had more growl, but not as much tonal variety as the markbass...
anyway, had a tough time seeing (or hearing) what the contour dial did...very very subtle...was i missing something...
 
#655
geremia said:
...
anyway, had a tough time seeing (or hearing) what the contour dial did...very very subtle...was i missing something...
Click to expand...

It's not as big a dip or notch as one may expect, but the cabinet used may have contributed to your disappointment. When I tried one in GC it was mated to a G-K 8X10 and I heard every nuance of that knob. I have my contour set at 2:00 for the MTD Artist (it needs it) but I turn it anywhere from 2:00 to 10:00 for my Peavey GV and hear differences.
 
#656
rag said:
We ordered the tooling today, should have parts in about 90 days. I will post the rendering as soon as I figure out how to do that on TB.
Click to expand...

What would be awesome, and something no other manufacturer offers, is a rack mount kit where the MB2 was removable. Sort of like a removable hard drive.

This way you could rack mount your MB2 and then when you just wanted to grab it and go you could eject it from the mount and stuff it in your gig bag. This would be the best of both worlds: part of your full rack mount rig when needed and also available for quick rehearsals when you want to travel light.
 
#657
Perfect!

pajohnso58 said:
What would be awesome, and something no other manufacturer offers, is a rack mount kit where the MB2 was removable. Sort of like a removable hard drive.

This way you could rack mount your MB2 and then when you just wanted to grab it and go you could eject it from the mount and stuff it in your gig bag. This would be the best of both worlds: part of your full rack mount rig when needed and also available for quick rehearsals when you want to travel light.
Click to expand...
 
#658
Washishimi,

i see your signature reads

GK MB2-500 :: Schroeder 1212L

i'm looking at getting a mb2-500 (especially if i can get someone to go in on this deal with me - can't believe no one has jumped on it yet) and i'm trying to think of what cab to go with it. the three on my list are the gk neo 112, dr. bass 112, and a schroeder 1212 (or something like it).

just curious what sort of music you play and how you think the two go together.
 
#659
dean owens said:
Washishimi,

i see your signature reads

GK MB2-500 :: Schroeder 1212L

i'm looking at getting a mb2-500 (especially if i can get someone to go in on this deal with me - can't believe no one has jumped on it yet) and i'm trying to think of what cab to go with it. the three on my list are the gk neo 112, dr. bass 112, and a schroeder 1212 (or something like it).

just curious what sort of music you play and how you think the two go together.
Click to expand...

What exactly does " blemished " mean?
 
#660
dean owens said:
Washishimi,

i see your signature reads

GK MB2-500 :: Schroeder 1212L

i'm looking at getting a mb2-500 (especially if i can get someone to go in on this deal with me - can't believe no one has jumped on it yet) and i'm trying to think of what cab to go with it. the three on my list are the gk neo 112, dr. bass 112, and a schroeder 1212 (or something like it).

just curious what sort of music you play and how you think the two go together.
Click to expand...

I own a 1212R (not the L neo version) and have used it on a few gigs with the MB2-500. I use that rig on a 14 piece disco/funk gig. The 1212 smashes through a mix like Thor's hammer. Paired with the MB2-500 it is no exception. I do find the 1212 tone a bit obtrusive and fatiguing for smaller more intimate gigs though. If you play loud gigs and need to cut, this is a fantastic rig and I'm sure the 1212L will be very similar. If you play in a smaller band that doesn't get very loud and you want a more supportive tone, the 1212L might not be best for you. By comparison I find the more open tone and deeper low end of my ZL210 more pleasing when soloed or in a more sparse stage mix.

To me the 1212R and MB2-500 sounds just like my GK 1001RB-II and the 1212R, except I find that the MB2-500 can get more of the GK signature growl from the boost than the 1001 can. It reminds me of the old 400RBs.

I don't see why the 1212L and MB2-500 won't play nice together. The GK will give you that fast and growly "GK Sound", while the 1212L will give you a very in-your-face cutting tone with a low-mid hump. If you like a more pillowy smooth and deep tone, you might want to look at another cab. You can turn off the GK growl and keep it very clean which makes it fairly versatile.

Hope that helps.
 
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