• 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.

GK Amps question???

DWBass

DWBass

The Funkfather
Jan 24, 2003
24,631
1
22,476
67
Newport News, VA via NYC
www.facebook.com
#1
Which of the newer GK amp models sound closest to the 700RB/1001RB/MB500?? I have a few amps but my MB200 amp is 'MY' sound. I may be in for some money this summer (hopefully) and I want to buy something with more power with the same voicing. Are there any other brands that would give me the same or close? I have an Ampeg PF500 and a Bugera Veyron Mosfet which is very Ampeg-ish but I like the scooped (contour switch engaged) and brightness of my GK MB200.

Thoughts?
 
#2
I have both the GK MB200 and 500.
According to the manuals, they both have pots at 7kHz, 1kHz, 250 kHz, and 60 kHz. To me, they sound the same. You can buy a used 500 on Reverb for $350.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5523.jpeg
    IMG_5523.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 14
  • Like
Reactions: shoot-r, LowActionHero and DWBass
#3
bass player 53 said:
I have both the GK MB200 and 500.
According to the manuals, they both have pots at 7kHz, 1kHz, 250 kHz, and 60 kHz. To me, they sound the same. You can buy a used 500 on Reverb for $350.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm a little leery about buying one used so I'd much rather buy something new with a warranty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrentSimons and bass player 53
#4
Not a GK expert by any means.....so take this all with a grain of salt. IMHO most of the GK amps have the GK sound. I have owned 400RB, 1001RB and the 700RB in the past and I now own a 500 Legacy with an 800 Legacy on the way. I can't give you any opinion on the MB series but I've been told they pound, and are the cleanest sounding of the bunch.

What I'm not entirely sold on is that the Legacy series can get that patented growl, like the old RB's pushed to hit the rails. Additionally, I have not been able to duplicate whatever magic sorcery the RB series had going on with the boost control on my Legacy series amp.

All in all, the GK DNA is there but it's tough to get a class D amp to sound like a class AB or class H. They just respond differently.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar, shoot-r and pbass2
#9
If you change your mind about buying used, I've got my GK MB800 up in the classifieds for cheap. I love that amp, but I recently switched to a Mesa D800+ which I love slightly more. The GK has that great clean clean raw tone that I love, but I find I get I can coax that same tone out of the Mesa. It also handles lower volume allot better( living room practice). The Mesa feels more refined too. Only con to it is it's much bigger than the MB 800. Still only 6lbs I think, but that GK is just tiny. It's baffling that little package packs so much power.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass and red_rhino
#10
FWIW I have an MB200, and a Legacy 500, and they are very different (through the same GK cabs). The MB is my "clean, hi fi" amp, and the Legacy can get me into more grind and raunch if I want. That said, I never use contour or any of the voicing on the Legacy--I run it pretty "flat". Punches through a rock mix like nobody's business.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shoot-r and TomB
#12
I agree with all who said the G.K. RB's, MB's and Legacy's all share the basic G.K. voicing, but "to my ears", each series presents that voice in slightly different ways.

I've been gigging with the MB series of heads since their release, (prior to the MB's, I used a GK 800RB and Mesa M-6 Carbines). Also in the interim I've had two Ampeg PF500's (good sound but very undependable), a Subway 800+ (great amp but mild mannered and time consuming to dial in), Legacy 800 (great amp but couldn't get the low-end round enough for me), and a GB 9.0 (great amp and easy to dial-in, also mild mannered). After a short time of gigging with each I've went back to the MB's.

My solution has been, if a used MB series pops-up fairly locally in good condition and at a reasonable price, I scoop it up.

Over the years that I've been working with the MB series the only problems I've had has been with the scratchy pots syndrome, (and the GB does it also.)
 

Attachments

  • 20251003_074053.jpg
    20251003_074053.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 16
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass, bass player 53, ProbablyTooLoud and 1 other person
#13
shoot-r said:
I agree with all who said the G.K. RB's, MB's and Legacy's all share the basic G.K. voicing, but "to my ears", each series presents that voice in slightly different ways.

I've been gigging with the MB series of heads since their release, (prior to the MB's, I used a GK 800RB and Mesa M-6 Carbines). Also in the interim I've had two Ampeg PF500's (good sound but very undependable), a Subway 800+ (great amp but mild mannered and time consuming to dial in), Legacy 800 (great amp but couldn't get the low-end round enough for me), and a GB 9.0 (great amp and easy to dial-in, also mild mannered). After a short time of gigging with each I've went back to the MB's.

My solution has been, if a used MB series pops-up fairly locally in good condition and at a reasonable price, I scoop it up.

Over the years that I've been working with the MB series the only problems I've had has been with the scratchy pots syndrome, (and the GB does it also.)
Click to expand...
My love for GK revolves around the fact that for me, it's easy to add (dirt, grit, warmth, whatever) to a clean default tone than it is to coax clean and crisp out of an amp that defaults to warm/grindy/not clean and crisp. Maybe I need to get better with the knobs, dunno. It also helps that I've been messing with GK amps since the late 80s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar, Nuisance and shoot-r
#14
shoot-r said:
I agree with all who said the G.K. RB's, MB's and Legacy's all share the basic G.K. voicing, but "to my ears", each series presents that voice in slightly different ways.

I've been gigging with the MB series of heads since their release, (prior to the MB's, I used a GK 800RB and Mesa M-6 Carbines). Also in the interim I've had two Ampeg PF500's (good sound but very undependable), a Subway 800+ (great amp but mild mannered and time consuming to dial in), Legacy 800 (great amp but couldn't get the low-end round enough for me), and a GB 9.0 (great amp and easy to dial-in, also mild mannered). After a short time of gigging with each I've went back to the MB's.

My solution has been, if a used MB series pops-up fairly locally in good condition and at a reasonable price, I scoop it up.

Over the years that I've been working with the MB series the only problems I've had has been with the scratchy pots syndrome, (and the GB does it also.)
Click to expand...
Yes, I’ve been gripping elsewhere on TB about the scratchy pots on most of my GK heads and combo amps. It’s really a shame, because they’ve been reliable otherwise. The pots issue would be my main concern for anyone buying used.
 
#15
bass player 53 said:
I have both the GK MB200 and 500.... To me, they sound the same.
Click to expand...

I had an MB500 for several years (just traded it about a week ago), and a guitarist buddy has an MB200 I've used on numerous occasions.

I find the character of the MB200 to be a bit smoother, refined, sweeter (?) than the MB500 which had a more immediate feel, and was significantly more aggressive (i.e., more of that signature GK sound).
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass player 53
#16
H Nighttrain said:
I had an MB500 for several years (just traded it about a week ago), and a guitarist buddy has an MB200 I've used on numerous occasions.

I find the character of the MB200 to be a bit smoother, refined, sweeter (?) than the MB500 which had a more immediate feel, and was significantly more aggressive (i.e., more of that signature GK sound).
Click to expand...
Yes, I can understand why you say this. The 200 only has a gain control, while the 500 has a gain and master. So, you can set the 500 to have different gain staging, perhaps more aggressive if you want. I play jazz and salsa music, so I set things to give good fundamental root notes. I can set the two amps to sound very similar in this way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: H Nighttrain and TomB
#17
I wouldn't be trying to use anything but the contour to scoop. I just want a deep and bright sound like I get from my MB200. Just want more headroom. If the Legacy can achieve that, then I may go that route. Also, it doesn't have to be a GK. Any amp that can get me a clean deep and bright sound. The MB800 may be a bit much for my needs. Want to stick to 500w. I'd also consider a Markbass Marcus Miller model.
 
#19
DWBass said:
I wouldn't be trying to use anything but the contour to scoop. I just want a deep and bright sound like I get from my MB200. Just want more headroom. If the Legacy can achieve that, then I may go that route. Also, it doesn't have to be a GK. Any amp that can get me a clean deep and bright sound. The MB800 may be a bit much for my needs. Want to stick to 500w. I'd also consider a Markbass Marcus Miller model.
Click to expand...
I think GK will be the most affordable option
 
  • Like
Reactions: shoot-r and DWBass
#20
I can’t speak to the similarities or differences in tone. But for the previous decade I was using mainly a GK 700RBii into a tricked out SWR 2x10 cab. Best sounding and most portable loud rig I had put together - up to that time.

However with the rack case, head, and burly replacement speakers I was still rolling in close to 100lbs with that relatively compact rig.

During the pandemic reckoning, I decided to “downsize” so I bought the then brand new GK legacy 800 1x12 combo plus 1x12 neo extension cab.

If clean and loud and scooped is your thing I highly recommend giving one a try. I’ve been more than satisfied with my GK purchase. I can get away with using just the 1x12 combo on most gigs. Adding the second cab is sonic bliss. And that’s what we’re all talking about right? lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass player 53

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back