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GK 1001 v MBFUSION/MB500/MB800
- Thread starter rodl2005
- Start date
All good info for me tho. Please keep it coming.
Rod,
I thought you were groovin pretty well with the 7-Pro and the TH500?
Looking for a new sound, a new toy, or fallen out of love with one of the crew?
I thought you were groovin pretty well with the 7-Pro and the TH500?
Looking for a new sound, a new toy, or fallen out of love with one of the crew?
I sold the 7 pro as the tiny TH500 works fantastic for me in its regard.
Certainly nothing wrong with the 7 pro & if it were me, I'd've kept it too!
Just thinkin of trying a TOTALLY different route-thoughts?
I've used a few GK's over the years, mainly as supplied backlines, & always got a good sound outta them, but I've always been an "all tube" type. I'm set in that regard
The mbfusion 500 seems like a good amp, just wish I could try one.
There are a cuppla 1001RB's & one 1000RB for sale here, for cheaper than I could get a mb Fusion.
Ain't rushing anything, but would appreciate as many opinions as possible.
Have you had much fun with GK gear Jim?
For me, personally, id certainly take a 1001 over a TH500. Just more of an honest grunty focussed punch. Pretty amazing heads. Want to try an mb fusion. Also really like my svp pro into the effects return of the 1001 (which is post eq but pre "boost").
Chef
In Memoriam
Again, I have and use the 1001; but really, only for the biamp feature with the GK Neo cabs. Nice enough, but if I didn't have the cabs, I wouldn't have that head. ymmv
I prefer the MBFusion. Cleaner, clearer, nice warmth and and roundness over the other MB heads.
That's my place in the GK lineup.
Til the MBF800 comes.
I prefer the MBFusion. Cleaner, clearer, nice warmth and and roundness over the other MB heads.
That's my place in the GK lineup.
Til the MBF800 comes.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
Yes indeed! Just like da tomato sauce.... Thick 'n Rich
We're off recording for a few weeks. When we get backto it I'm going to try bot the Heil and an Audix D6 on the MM rig. I figure those two might play nice as the Heil has the super gucci low mids and the Audix is scooped. May sound like crap but it just has to be tried...
Just thinkin of trying a TOTALLY different route-thoughts?...
I've used a few GK's over the years, mainly as supplied backlines, & always got a good sound outta them, but I've always been an "all tube" type. I'm set in that regard
Ain't rushing anything, but would appreciate as many opinions as possible.
Have you had much fun with GK gear Jim?
I've had one of those GK metal practice amp for years; it's at the GF's house - 1x12 with something like 100 or 150 watts.
Haven't played a proper GK head in years.
I really like the TH500 and it is close to a 500 watt SVT; it's funny, often times I don't love it so much by itself but it kills in the mix. At our rehearsal space there is a SM400 and a Yamaha PB-1 / QSC rig. I surprise my lazy self by carting the TH to and from all rehearsals.
Sometimes I think the TH is not clean enough; almost murky low mids. I can get cleaner by turning down the pre volume and turning the drive off but that makes it sterile and wimpy, it looses sustain and touch sensitivity; I like them both up 11:00 - 12:00. If only a real SVT weighed 4 lbs. I'd be done.
I'm pretty sure I'll like the clean of an MB but wonder if the "grind" will satisfy my warm and punchy tube needs.
Have any of you guys tried the GK's with some of these new unusual cabs like Glasstone, X-sonics, Big E?
Ok.
I'm loving the TH500 & definately don't "need" another, but hey, TB rules!
I think I'll try & audition a cuppla diffrrent GK's & see how I go.
The search widens..:what:
I'm loving the TH500 & definately don't "need" another, but hey, TB rules!
I think I'll try & audition a cuppla diffrrent GK's & see how I go.
The search widens..:what:
Ive tried the MB800, TH500 and MBFusion. I kept the MBFusion. So good. The MBfusion is the most versatile, and once i figured out the Contour knob, it was over with. The TH500 was a good head, but seemed to me like a 1 trick pony. The mb800 had the highest highs and the lowest lows, but it was a little much. The first time i used my MBfusion/ mbe 212 at a gig, i was play with 2 guitarists who like to have volume wars amongst them selves... Needless to say, I won that war.
Thanks for this input.
Many on this board say that the difference between the Fusion and standard MB series is very subtle. did you find this to be true?
Many on this board say that the difference between the Fusion and standard MB series is very subtle. did you find this to be true?
I gigged with an original 1001RB for years. I looked at Class D heads, but compared to the other bass heads I have, the GK was compact and light enough that I couldn't justify buying a new head...until a spilled glass of ice water took out the Gk.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
ouch. agreed the 1001RB is a worthy beast as is the 700RB and not a hard schlep at all. Main reason I see to move into MB-land would be the tonal difference. Especially what the MBFusion 500 purportedly offers. I say it that way because I don't have one, but I WILL own the MB Fusion 800.
I've owned an original 700rb, a 700RBII, an mb500, an LM3 and am back to GK with a new 700RBII - all in the last 6 months! IMHO The LM3 can't growl well and is not responsive enough for slap, if your into that. MB500 has great GK tone, but the class D power amp is too sterile and thin compared to the toroidal transformer in 700RBII.
I've been very happy with my MB800 so far. I purchased it after loving my MB200 but wanting more power. No issue there now. I like that there are so many tone shaping options and I'm still working through them. I use with 2 different cabs, a Berg AE112 and Avatar TB153 depending on the gig/room. I also play in few different bands so the sound is different depending on the band.
I tried something recently at a rehearsal that I really liked. I ran my Aguilar Tonehammer pedal into the effects return of the MB800, essentially swapping the GK front end for an Aggie front end. Really liked the tone I was getting for a more classical soul/r&b thing with 57 AVRI PBass and flats. Plan to try on a couple gigs this week. May one set with each.
I tried something recently at a rehearsal that I really liked. I ran my Aguilar Tonehammer pedal into the effects return of the MB800, essentially swapping the GK front end for an Aggie front end. Really liked the tone I was getting for a more classical soul/r&b thing with 57 AVRI PBass and flats. Plan to try on a couple gigs this week. May one set with each.
I've owned or used a few GK's over the years and have also played a LOT of backline rigs. I always really liked them, though my tastes mostly leaned towards warmer flavors. The MB Fusion has bridged that gap for me. It adds a warmth to the GK sound that I can't get enough of. As much as the MB 800 looks like it will have a lot of cool features, I can't imagine needing more headroom than the 500 offers today, and it has the right features to meet my needs. I'm very fond of its double input, double output control layout (with footswitch), and the EQ is foolproof GK, instantly familiar.
Well, I sold the TH.
It just had too much wool and wouldn't get warm, clear, clean and 3D like my SVP-CL / iron amp rig, but man I miss carrying a little box in a laptop bag that has tons of power.
A used 7 Pro reliability scares me; haven't found an Orange to demo
Think I'll go with either a lightweight power amp in a 3U rack, Streamliner, RB1001, or Fusion, as the next amp to try. Just have to figure out which one.
It just had too much wool and wouldn't get warm, clear, clean and 3D like my SVP-CL / iron amp rig, but man I miss carrying a little box in a laptop bag that has tons of power.
A used 7 Pro reliability scares me; haven't found an Orange to demo
Think I'll go with either a lightweight power amp in a 3U rack, Streamliner, RB1001, or Fusion, as the next amp to try. Just have to figure out which one.
