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Gallien-Krueger MB800

#543
2milehighspike said:
It would be an awesome rig, but even with two 2x12 cabs rated for 800 watts, the MB 800 can overpower those. I know because I did it. When pushing them hard, be sure to back off if they aren't happy. I think Tom B stated that the MB 800 can spike at 1200 + watts when pushed hard.
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Agreed. The MB series (I've got the MB500) has a lot of power on tap. I've had overpowering issues of my own. And it's not always noticeable because they stay clean and clear at high volume.

Definitely exercise caution.
 
#544
Pat C. said:
Agreed. The MB series (I've got the MB500) has a lot of power on tap. I've had overpowering issues of my own. And it's not always noticeable because they stay clean and clear at high volume.

Definitely exercise caution.
Click to expand...

Man, that's confusing lol... What's the point of these power ratings if you can't use them to gauge what cabs to safely use with the amp?
I certainly don't want to overpower cab OR blow my amp, but how would i even be able to tell I'm overdoing it if everything is still clean and clear while it's being stressed like that?

Lets say I DO get the MB500 instead of the MB800. I'd think having only 250w to each 400w cab would be short changing my rig quite a bit. It'd probably be "enough", but lets say I'm playing some really loud/heavy stuff and need those missing watts. Now I've spent a decent amount of $$ on an amp that's not gonna drive my cabs as hard as I need it to when I could've gotten the MB800 and had the option...
 
#545
Resonance129 said:
Pat C. said:
Agreed. The MB series (I've got the MB500) has a lot of power on tap. I've had overpowering issues of my own. And it's not always noticeable because they stay clean and clear at high volume.

Definitely exercise caution.
Click to expand...

Man, that's confusing lol... What's the point of these power ratings if you can't use them to gauge what cabs to safely use with the amp?
I certainly don't want to overpower cab OR blow my amp, but how would i even be able to tell I'm overdoing it if everything is still clean and clear while it's being stressed like that?

Lets say I DO get the MB500 instead of the MB800. I'd think having only 250w to each 400w cab would be short changing my rig quite a bit. It'd probably be "enough", but lets say I'm playing some really loud/heavy stuff and need those missing watts. Now I've spent a decent amount of $$ on an amp that's not gonna drive my cabs as hard as I need it to when I could've gotten the MB800 and had the option...
Click to expand...
If your running 2 "400" watt cabs yes you will be putting 250 watts into each cab at 4 ohms. 2 "8" ohm cads. Will you be short changing yourself on watts? Hardly! If your running 410 cabs your going to be loud. Damn loud. And you'll hear if either your cabs or amp are in stress.

However if you were considering the MB800 you are capable of pushing 400 watts to each cab.

YOU WILL NEVER PUSH EITHER AMP TO FULL OUTPUT.

It's not possible. Volume alone would stop you.

The real advantage of the MB800 is the FET preamp in it that the MB 500 doesn't have.

Better tone.
 
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#546
Resonance129 said:
Man, that's confusing lol... What's the point of these power ratings if you can't use them to gauge what cabs to safely use with the amp?
I certainly don't want to overpower cab OR blow my amp, but how would i even be able to tell I'm overdoing it if everything is still clean and clear while it's being stressed like that?

Lets say I DO get the MB500 instead of the MB800. I'd think having only 250w to each 400w cab would be short changing my rig quite a bit. It'd probably be "enough", but lets say I'm playing some really loud/heavy stuff and need those missing watts. Now I've spent a decent amount of $$ on an amp that's not gonna drive my cabs as hard as I need it to when I could've gotten the MB800 and had the option...
Click to expand...
When the MB800 is pushing your cabs the the point of damaging drivers in your cab, it will be VERY loud. When I damaged mine the band IWas in at the time was playing outdoors, and the anal sound guy refused to add my signal to the main mix, so I was pushing them to the limit. And they were the GK 12 inch drivers that had issues at the time. Since then I have been using an Aguilar GS 412 for outdoors and a Bergantino HS 410 for indoors and I have never come close to exceeding the limits of both, and even when both gain and master are approaching 12 o,clock it is still ear damage loud. Thankfully I use in ear monitors and the rooms we play have great house systems and sound guys.Trust me the MB800 platform will never have to get to the point of damaging your cabs to be heard.
 
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#547
joel406 said:
If your running 2 "400" watt cabs yes you will be putting 250 watts into each cab at 4 ohms. 2 "8" ohm cads. Will you be short changing yourself on watts? Hardly! If your running 410 cabs your going to be loud. Damn loud. And you'll hear if either your cabs or amp are in stress.

However if you were considering the MB800 you are capable of pushing 400 watts to each cab.

YOU WILL NEVER PUSH EITHER AMP TO FULL OUTPUT.

It's not possible. Volume alone would stop you.

The real advantage of the MB800 is the FET preamp in it that the MB 500 doesn't have.

Better tone.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure why I'm weighing in here since I think the MB800 sounds great, but I actually prefer the sound of the MB500 and decided to keep that one when I owned both. The point being, there is no inherently better tone with one technology vs. the other, only what you like better.
 
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#548
TomB said:
I'm not sure why I'm weighing in here since I think the MB800 sounds great, but I actually prefer the sound of the MB500 and decided to keep that one when I owned both. The point being, there is no inherently better tone with one technology vs. the other, only what you like better.
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Could NOT have said it better! Whatever amps sounds best to you,is the best.It is a great time we are living in if you are a bassist with all the fantastic gear available.
 
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#554
This club started in 2011. I’m fully in now, MB800 head & NEO212 II cab, 6 years later. The used market is very good to me.
576BC160-F965-4ADA-9F0E-0A1F8EAB0EF3.jpeg
 
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#560
derekale said:
I have a problem with my MB800.
Unfortunately, a few days ago he began to play dirt and distorted, the sound changes by "tapping" the upper part.
No blow or fall, mainly used in the rehearsal room.
I attach a video to explain.
Do you know what it could be? It seems to be a defective solder.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mNnpZAP3bFZEMuz99
Click to expand...

Sumfin broke.
 

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