Hey all, I recently submitted an inquiry to GK regarding the MBP112 and MBP115 powered cabs. Here is the reply for those interested. 
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Gallien Krueger Powered Cabs
- Thread starter Dana R Gregory
- Start date
MB 115
The original MB combo line with the silver grill. These have the updated MB electronics, but the older/original cabinet, speakers. wood etc. Sounds very similar/almost identical to the newer versions. Brand new off the line, we just found the untouched cabinets in storage. *1-Year Warranty
gallien-krueger.myshopify.com
That is a 115 combo not an MB powered cabinet. GK made powered extension cabinets for the MB series which were driven by the combos. They essentially cloned the head settings of the amp driving them and added total power rather than dropping ohms and raising wattage as with a traditional extension cabinet.MB 115
The original MB combo line with the silver grill. These have the updated MB electronics, but the older/original cabinet, speakers. wood etc. Sounds very similar/almost identical to the newer versions. Brand new off the line, we just found the untouched cabinets in storage. *1-Year Warrantygallien-krueger.myshopify.com
It's a shame that they are not more popular. It's a good idea IMO - I use a MB410 + 410MBP.
I have a MBP 112 and MBP212.
I love them.
GK has officially been saying " next year" on these since 2020.
I love them.
GK has officially been saying " next year" on these since 2020.
My son was able to snag an MB212 and a MBP212 used locally. Both were in great shape although the amp needed a small repair, it was an easy fix. The MB212 is formidable on it's own and all he uses most of the time for his gigs. Together you can probably cover just about any gig.
That MB112ii is a sneaky-good gigging combo. I replaced it with a higher end, hybrid tube combo, and actually regret it. It's voiced in such a way that is extremely easy to hear in any room, just tilt it back and go. I had the 12 inch powered extension, but rarely used it as I normally have FOH support.
I've the older RB400mk4 15" lean back combo and it's voice has no peer.
Pairs amazing and unexpectedly with a 2x8.
Pairs amazing and unexpectedly with a 2x8.
the mb212ii was the best combo i have ever used, I can't imagine combining it with an mbp212. bring the boom.
I had the MB112 and MBP112 stack. Was killer and the combo alone was often enough. Then the combo died and I was stuck with a cab I could only use with the proprietary GK stuff. I decided that limited flexibility was a deal breaker and moved back to regular head/cab separates. I suspect that was the case for lotsa folks.
If they reintroduce them and make it so you can use any pre you like w the cabs I think they’d sell like hotcakes.
If they reintroduce them and make it so you can use any pre you like w the cabs I think they’d sell like hotcakes.
I was about to say the same thing! While the MB+MBP stack looked awesome, the issue was flexibility. If the combo died, the MBP was basically useless. That risk pushed me toward a cab + head setup instead. My go-to is a GK 700RB with a GK Neo 2x12, which feels way more reliable and modular.
Gotta add here that I have two Plex preamps too. So with the MB212 ii, MBP212, and MBP112, there's versatility, redundancy, 1200 watts of power on tap, and 500 or 200 if the combo fails. Sure, Im locked in the GK system, but there's always an MB class amp for sale, so it's not like any of these powered cabs are no good if your first amp or combo dies. They will be when you stop seeing mb amps and combos without "chain out" available, but that's not the situation.
I acknowledged that the back of the MBPs do say this but is there any difference between running a PLEX into the MBP112 versus any other preamp on the market?
Apparently yes. GK says only the Plex will work, or an MB head with the Chain Out connection(some older ones don't have it).
Same here. I now have a Legacy head and a GK Neo 2x12 and a Neo 1x12. Way more flexible, I'm covered for anything.
Not all of them will work, but if you comb through the threads here, you'll find a couple TBers have had success powering them with other preamps, but I can't remember which.
I ended up buying an MB200 as a stop-gap measure just so I could use the cab until I transitioned away from it but then it was kind of silly as I had a 200w head and a 200w powered cab but only getting the cab's power. That said, the MB200 is a keeper, it's a no-brainer to keep around as a backup head, and not much bigger than some preamps!
MB200+MBP112=400 watts.
MB series power is additive, so an MB200 + MBP112 = 400 watts.
Actually no. If you use the MB200 head with the MBP cab, the head acts as a pre, and you only get the power amp section of the cab.
200w is plenty of juice for a single 12" of course, but still, while I found the basic concept of the MBPs great, it's just too much of a closed system.
Last edited:
