Going with the 2x12 then. I dont really need more than 500 watts. Are these amps loud for the wattage or not?
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.
GK Combo Shootout...MB210 vs. MB212
- Thread starter tallboybass
- Start date
I would never buy an amp if I "didnt like the tone at all"....or any amp like it. Sounds like this amp isn't your bag. The 212 is VERY close in tone to the 210, just a little more mids.
To answer your question, this is a bad idea. (of course by now you know that the 212 doesn't let you add a cab to it)
Well I will definately try it out again, but for the most part of me not liking the tone, I think, was due to the fact that I only played it for two minutes and it was on the floor in a very noisy GC enviornment.
While we're on the topic of tone ^^^ ...
... I must confess that, while some TBers have ridiculed the "contour" button as the "suck" button, I find I'm getting a lot of use out of it. It's a nice quick way to change the amp to a more 'mellow' sound. It does scoop the mids a lot, but I've been surprised to discover that there are some songs I'm playing w/ the 2 bands I'm in where that's *exactly* what we need. For quieter numbers where I want to just sit in the mix and occupy that bottom octave or two, it's just the ticket. If I want to just rock out, though, off goes the contour and up goes the boost knob. I'm discovering tonal options in this thing that I didn't realize came with it *for free*. Very nice stuff.
... I must confess that, while some TBers have ridiculed the "contour" button as the "suck" button, I find I'm getting a lot of use out of it. It's a nice quick way to change the amp to a more 'mellow' sound. It does scoop the mids a lot, but I've been surprised to discover that there are some songs I'm playing w/ the 2 bands I'm in where that's *exactly* what we need. For quieter numbers where I want to just sit in the mix and occupy that bottom octave or two, it's just the ticket. If I want to just rock out, though, off goes the contour and up goes the boost knob. I'm discovering tonal options in this thing that I didn't realize came with it *for free*. Very nice stuff.
Yeah, that's tough. Loud environment with a cab not broken in yet.
All that said, I'll be getting a call when one comes in so I can bring my bass in and check it out.
All that said, I'll be getting a call when one comes in so I can bring my bass in and check it out.
Yeah, there are musical styles, bands, or particular songs in which a scooped sound works well.
IMO, the specific scoop GK designed into their contour buttons is one of the better sounding, less drastic EQ curves and can be very usefull.
I don't see the GK contour as a "suck knob" at all, just another tonal option. I use it rarely for rock n roll , especially when playing very loud, but do like the tone for some Blues songs. I use it most for upright slap bass in my rockabilly/country band.
OK, I'm going to put a disclaimer in here after receiving a few PMs from people who had 'less than stellar' experiences with these combos.
I've had nothing but great results from the MB210 and MB212. Love the tone, portability, look, volume, reliability, etc. They've changed things for me and replaced some MUCH higher priced gear on my gig.
That doesn't mean they'll do the same for you. You'll need to use your own judgment on whether you like the sound. I've heard some things about GK's QC....all I know is that mine have been awesome so far. As far as customer service, GK has a great reputation. Bob Gallien has looked in on this thread a few times and seems to stay in touch with his customer base.
I don't have any affiliation with GK, and sure don't see myself as a GK fanboy. I have owned and loved MANY different brands of amplification. My GenzBenz Shuttle 3.0-10T is an awesome piece of gear for the times when 32.5 lbs. of MB210 is too much.
So, in summary....YMMV....
Thanks for listening,
Alan
I've had nothing but great results from the MB210 and MB212. Love the tone, portability, look, volume, reliability, etc. They've changed things for me and replaced some MUCH higher priced gear on my gig.
That doesn't mean they'll do the same for you. You'll need to use your own judgment on whether you like the sound. I've heard some things about GK's QC....all I know is that mine have been awesome so far. As far as customer service, GK has a great reputation. Bob Gallien has looked in on this thread a few times and seems to stay in touch with his customer base.
I don't have any affiliation with GK, and sure don't see myself as a GK fanboy. I have owned and loved MANY different brands of amplification. My GenzBenz Shuttle 3.0-10T is an awesome piece of gear for the times when 32.5 lbs. of MB210 is too much.
So, in summary....YMMV....
Thanks for listening,
Alan
Hey tallboybass! (and others who have been working with the MB212 for a while)
I just got mine and just finished testing it at a rehearsal space. I am WAY impressed with this amp and have inserted my little review below for anyone interested.
But can someone tell me more about how the Boost control functions? Is this similar to the "drive" control found on some amps? I have a couple of Carvin heads and drive on those (as I understand it) introduces more harmonic content and grit to the tone.
But it also adds a bit of distortion, sonething I definitely don't want. Trying to get a handle on all the tonal options with this new GK.
BTW, if this thing develops MORE volume and low end as it breaks in it's going to be terrifying...mine already sounds unbelievably huge.
Thanks!
OK, I just came from the rehearsal studio and wanted to post this while it's fresh in my mind. I can sum up my first impression of this combo in just one word:
HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!!!
(alright, I was wrong about the one word)
I'll break it down now and try to be more coherent. I haven't done many reviews so I'll pretend to be one of you techy TB guys who knows what's he's doing
First of all, when I arrived at the studio the sidewalk in front of the building was completely ripped up and undergoing construction for the entire length of the block. I always park right in front and walk in so I hadn't brought along a cart. Now I had to park a block away and carry my bass AND the combo.
And I did! The fact that you can actually do that with this rig is amazing to me.
I set up the controls exactly as the GK manual advised: all EQ and Boost at 12 o'clock, contour and horn off, limiter on, master volume at 3 o'clock, then plugged in my trusty Jazz bass and rolled up the gain.
I got the gain to about 9 o'clock and it was loud. I kept going to about 10 o'clock and it was painfully loud, had to stop. The tone was deep, smooth and punchy.
I know lots of guys run their EQ basically flat, but I always seem to like mine closer to 2 o'clock (I'm like Edward G. Robinson...I always want MORE!). I turned all 4 eq knobs to 2 o'clock and began playing, and it felt a little like being in the subway and standing too close to the train rushing by. With both pickups on full and tone rolled up full the amp just had TONS of low end, chest thumping mids, and a clear round top end. I would say the tone was hi-fi, but definitely growly and aggressive. I don't really know how to describe it accurately, but everything I wanted was there.
BTW, I had to roll back the gain to 9 o'clock at this EQ setting, it was just too forceful to be in the same room with!
I played around with various combinations of EQ and pickup blends, and I couldn't get a tone I didn't like. Playing fingerstyle, favoring the bridge pickup and boosting the mids just a tad gave me the Jaco-on-steroids burpy thing, just stupid funky.
Rolling to the front pickup, using a pick, and engaging the Contour button was way cool too...deep boom with a nice click to it, somewhat JC Tool-ish.
The EQ on this amp seems to be really musical, everything is smooth and controllable, nothing ugly. I tried the horn, which many folks have noted is harsh. It seemed usable to me. I didn't really hear "harsh" but there is so much treble on tap already I don't see where I would ever need it (and I use a lot more high end than most players I know)
I don't know how, but GK seems to have disobeyed several laws of physics with this amp:
- It's about the same size as my 210 neo cab, but it's orders of magnitude louder.
- It's a fraction of the size of the 810 cabs I have owned, but it has a similar low end push and punch to the feel.
- It has (2) 12's and 500 watts, but it weighs the same as my Ampeg BA112 which has ONE 12" speaker and 50 watts.
I'll let someone with engineering expertise explain it all, but I am really impressed with this combo and I can't wait to gig it next week.
I just got mine and just finished testing it at a rehearsal space. I am WAY impressed with this amp and have inserted my little review below for anyone interested.
But can someone tell me more about how the Boost control functions? Is this similar to the "drive" control found on some amps? I have a couple of Carvin heads and drive on those (as I understand it) introduces more harmonic content and grit to the tone.
But it also adds a bit of distortion, sonething I definitely don't want. Trying to get a handle on all the tonal options with this new GK.
BTW, if this thing develops MORE volume and low end as it breaks in it's going to be terrifying...mine already sounds unbelievably huge.
Thanks!
OK, I just came from the rehearsal studio and wanted to post this while it's fresh in my mind. I can sum up my first impression of this combo in just one word:
HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!!!
(alright, I was wrong about the one word)
I'll break it down now and try to be more coherent. I haven't done many reviews so I'll pretend to be one of you techy TB guys who knows what's he's doing
First of all, when I arrived at the studio the sidewalk in front of the building was completely ripped up and undergoing construction for the entire length of the block. I always park right in front and walk in so I hadn't brought along a cart. Now I had to park a block away and carry my bass AND the combo.
And I did! The fact that you can actually do that with this rig is amazing to me.
I set up the controls exactly as the GK manual advised: all EQ and Boost at 12 o'clock, contour and horn off, limiter on, master volume at 3 o'clock, then plugged in my trusty Jazz bass and rolled up the gain.
I got the gain to about 9 o'clock and it was loud. I kept going to about 10 o'clock and it was painfully loud, had to stop. The tone was deep, smooth and punchy.
I know lots of guys run their EQ basically flat, but I always seem to like mine closer to 2 o'clock (I'm like Edward G. Robinson...I always want MORE!). I turned all 4 eq knobs to 2 o'clock and began playing, and it felt a little like being in the subway and standing too close to the train rushing by. With both pickups on full and tone rolled up full the amp just had TONS of low end, chest thumping mids, and a clear round top end. I would say the tone was hi-fi, but definitely growly and aggressive. I don't really know how to describe it accurately, but everything I wanted was there.
BTW, I had to roll back the gain to 9 o'clock at this EQ setting, it was just too forceful to be in the same room with!
I played around with various combinations of EQ and pickup blends, and I couldn't get a tone I didn't like. Playing fingerstyle, favoring the bridge pickup and boosting the mids just a tad gave me the Jaco-on-steroids burpy thing, just stupid funky.
Rolling to the front pickup, using a pick, and engaging the Contour button was way cool too...deep boom with a nice click to it, somewhat JC Tool-ish.
The EQ on this amp seems to be really musical, everything is smooth and controllable, nothing ugly. I tried the horn, which many folks have noted is harsh. It seemed usable to me. I didn't really hear "harsh" but there is so much treble on tap already I don't see where I would ever need it (and I use a lot more high end than most players I know)
I don't know how, but GK seems to have disobeyed several laws of physics with this amp:
- It's about the same size as my 210 neo cab, but it's orders of magnitude louder.
- It's a fraction of the size of the 810 cabs I have owned, but it has a similar low end push and punch to the feel.
- It has (2) 12's and 500 watts, but it weighs the same as my Ampeg BA112 which has ONE 12" speaker and 50 watts.
I'll let someone with engineering expertise explain it all, but I am really impressed with this combo and I can't wait to gig it next week.
More than the wife, kids, and dogs.
Kidding!
I love this thing. Now, if it blows up tomorrow and catches fire, all bets are off, but I was REALLY impressed with it's maiden voyage.
Tell me about the Boost control...what does that do exactly?
Kidding!
I love this thing. Now, if it blows up tomorrow and catches fire, all bets are off, but I was REALLY impressed with it's maiden voyage.
Tell me about the Boost control...what does that do exactly?
Totally understand. I remember when I got my MB210 AND the MB212. Kind of 'ran through TalkBass with my hair on fire' they were SO impressive (to me).
My MB212 has been gigged regularly for 2 months and played at some LOUD jams without whimpering. Tomorrow, I'm doing an outdoor gig...this will be quite a test. Of course there's a PA to plug into, but I'm looking forward to being able to crank it a bit and see what it will do.
Boost control adds even harmonics that make it sound 'tubey'...(that's distortion to you). I like it but in moderation, running the boost control at noon.
.....and YES, it will get louder and have more low end when it breaks in. That takes quite a long time to happen fully. Mine took about 8 4-hour gigs to stop getting lower and louder.
As always, YMMV.
My MB212 has been gigged regularly for 2 months and played at some LOUD jams without whimpering. Tomorrow, I'm doing an outdoor gig...this will be quite a test. Of course there's a PA to plug into, but I'm looking forward to being able to crank it a bit and see what it will do.
Boost control adds even harmonics that make it sound 'tubey'...(that's distortion to you). I like it but in moderation, running the boost control at noon.
.....and YES, it will get louder and have more low end when it breaks in. That takes quite a long time to happen fully. Mine took about 8 4-hour gigs to stop getting lower and louder.
As always, YMMV.
I just bought a MB210 today. Very cool how light it is.
I cranked everything up to three or four o'clock and started pounding away on the low B caveman style. Surprisingly, it held up just fine, but I did get it to fart out a couple times. This is my first ever experience with GK gear. A fine little combo indeed is this MB210.
-Mike
I cranked everything up to three or four o'clock and started pounding away on the low B caveman style. Surprisingly, it held up just fine, but I did get it to fart out a couple times. This is my first ever experience with GK gear. A fine little combo indeed is this MB210.
-Mike
This can also be an effect of psycho-acoustics where you get more used to the sound of your rig and hear it better in the mix
Mmmmmm.....could be. This was a dramatic shift from having slightly rolled off lows to BIG lows in the case of the MB212. The MB210 went from BIG lows to FREAKIN' HUGE lows. I've owned a LOT of amps and cabs "in my day" and never experienced this.This can also be an effect of psycho-acoustics where you get more used to the sound of your rig and hear it better in the mix
As always, use your own judgment, IMO, YMMV, and all that.
Yes, own judgment is always the key. Especially since the sound of the drums and the guitars in the band have to be considered in addition to the many variables in the bass rig
I have no chance to try out any GK stuff before buying, but I intend to order a 210MBE once they are available.
I have no chance to try out any GK stuff before buying, but I intend to order a 210MBE once they are available.
I will be very interested to get your opinion on the MBE210 as time goes on. You may find it changing a bit. I made my judgments with AND without a band. Listening to it by itself, at home takes the band variable out of the equation.Yes, own judgment is always the key. Especially since the sound of the drums and the guitars in the band have to be considered in addition to the many variables in the bass rig
I have no chance to try out any GK stuff before buying, but I intend to order a 210MBE once they are available.
YMMV
OH! I almost forgot....played outdoors last night!! Using only the MB212....it kicked @$$!!
At home before the gig I tried out the DI and deemed it 'not good enough'. There was some noise in there (which could have been my house wiring) and the XLR cable didn't fully latch in the DI out, don't know what's up with that. So I told the sound guy to mike the amp.....and it sounded great! I'm really glad it happened like this because that sweet GK sound was pumped into the monitors and I got to hear it much better than usual (I'm 6'7" and a looooong way from the speakers).
I was very happy with the sound....actually used pretty much the same settings as usual, only I brought up the gain from the normal 12:00 to 2:00 and left the boost at noon. This seemed to fatten it up a bit and made me ease up on my attack. Just sounded gorgeous to me!!
When we were soundchecking, with just the sound of my amp providing stage volume, everyone but me and the drummer wanted NO more bass in their monitors. The amp itself covered the stage pretty well! Now this is NOT a loud band, just a bunch of veteran musicians who know what they want to hear and what they DON'T want to hear.
Funny sidenote....the guitarplayer's Fender Deluxe started picking up either CB calls or talk radio halfway through the gig.
Unfunny sidenote...the power went completely off once and the PA mains went out numerous times. Keyboards started changing patchs on their own! Not
At home before the gig I tried out the DI and deemed it 'not good enough'. There was some noise in there (which could have been my house wiring) and the XLR cable didn't fully latch in the DI out, don't know what's up with that. So I told the sound guy to mike the amp.....and it sounded great! I'm really glad it happened like this because that sweet GK sound was pumped into the monitors and I got to hear it much better than usual (I'm 6'7" and a looooong way from the speakers).
I was very happy with the sound....actually used pretty much the same settings as usual, only I brought up the gain from the normal 12:00 to 2:00 and left the boost at noon. This seemed to fatten it up a bit and made me ease up on my attack. Just sounded gorgeous to me!!
When we were soundchecking, with just the sound of my amp providing stage volume, everyone but me and the drummer wanted NO more bass in their monitors. The amp itself covered the stage pretty well! Now this is NOT a loud band, just a bunch of veteran musicians who know what they want to hear and what they DON'T want to hear.
Funny sidenote....the guitarplayer's Fender Deluxe started picking up either CB calls or talk radio halfway through the gig.
Unfunny sidenote...the power went completely off once and the PA mains went out numerous times. Keyboards started changing patchs on their own! Not
