• 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

#381
Update.

Just came back from the gig. I really like the tone I got. I usually use a compressor (t.c. electronics Nova) but today I went straight from my bass to the amp (bass is a Carvin B5, in Jazz-bass mode, running active but EQ flat).

The sound was very filling, and very balanced to my ears. I guess I'm used to the aggressiveness of the Schroeder, so it sounded tame in comparison, but in a good way.

This is the first gig I've done in maybe 10 years where I didn't hook up to the P.A. (funny it happened today when I was testing the MB), and sounded just fine. The place was outdoors, but ended up being a volume-conscious venue, so the amp was okay.

I had the gain at 12, EQ flat other than boosting the hi mids (for more clarity) and the Boost and Master at 12. I could only feel the limiter kicking in when I hit my low C, for example. I didn't want to push it too hard, but I got the volume I needed.

I was playing in 100% humidity, no breeze, and 90 degrees, and the amp got pretty hot, but nothing alarming.

So, yes, kids, it's a success. It ain't the best amp I've ever played through (try a Mesa Carbine M9 paired with two Mesa Powerhouse 2x12s. . !) but it's just a great gigging amp for those who want plain and simple amplification, and it's 37-lb, and under $700 (got mine for much less with a Musicians Friend coupon...)

I'm foreseeing that when I pair this amp with my 1212L/LMII rig for larger venues, it's going to punch like a mule.

Thanks, Alan, for all the time you've put in these threads.
 
#384
Hi Guys,

I have read all of this thread so far, but i cant remember if this has been asked, so here it goes. (sorry if this sounds nooby!)

could i pair two 212 MBE cabinets (not the combos) with a head like 700RB or 800? Would it sound solid enough? and would the cabinets be fully powered? Or would i need a more powerfull head?

I just thought this would be awesome for mega loud ness and rocking, but plenty portability?

thanks chris
 
#386
69 Lefty P Bass said:
Has anyone A/B ed the TC Electronics 500 watt 15" combo against either the MB210 or MB212? Or has anyone even tried one out?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Lefty, the best we've got so far is Tom's post from a couple pages back:

tombowlus said:
I just received the 1x15" BG500 combo in for review, and so far, I'm pretty impressed. It's very big and beefy sounding, and far louder than I would have thought a 1x15 was capable of getting. The features seem pretty cool and usable. The input gain, SpectraComp, and Tubetone are all fairly interactive, so it can take some experimentation to really fine tune. In general, with the tone controls set to noon, the MB212 is going to be more clear and articulate, and the BG500 is a little darker and more full. The difference in weight is pretty notable, though.

Tom.
Click to expand...

At 70 lbs. vs. 38 for the MB212, the lift alone would do it for me.
 
#388
For Tallboy and others that own two of these combo's, a quick question. When stacking these combo's, how are you splitting the signal from your bass for each of the amps? Splitter box, line out to line in, what? I haven't been able to get a good picture of the input and output section on any of the MB combo's yet, so I am a little lost here.:help:

And to Mr. Gallien, with respect, but no kick back for monitor use? This combo just SCREAMS for a kickback version. Just food for thought.:D
 
#389
chepo06 said:
Tall boy, well im sad to inform you i was very dissapointed in my mb210. first and most major problem, was it rattled very badly!!! Sending it back tomorrow!!!
Click to expand...
Sorry chepo.

kevin newsham said:
For Tallboy and others that own two of these combo's, a quick question. When stacking these combo's, how are you splitting the signal from your bass for each of the amps? Splitter box, line out to line in, what? I haven't been able to get a good picture of the input and output section on any of the MB combo's yet, so I am a little lost here.:help:

And to Mr. Gallien, with respect, but no kick back for monitor use? This combo just SCREAMS for a kickback version. Just food for thought.:D
Click to expand...
Kevin, I haven't actually used them together yet. An ABY box should do the trick though.
 
#390
69 Lefty P Bass said:
Has anyone A/B ed the TC Electronics 500 watt 15" combo against either the MB210 or MB212? Or has anyone even tried one out? Thanks
Click to expand...

Howdy Lefty. I asked the same question and got Tom's response. Weight, features and build are different. Both are great. Check out BG thread for user reviews, and eventually Tom's BassGear review: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9394694#post9394694

Here's the Dream Machine for a 212 combo IMHO... and humble wallet :atoz:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Amps/carbine/M9Carbine.html
 
#392
kevin newsham said:
For Tallboy and others that own two of these combo's, a quick question. When stacking these combo's, how are you splitting the signal from your bass for each of the amps? Splitter box, line out to line in, what? I haven't been able to get a good picture of the input and output section on any of the MB combo's yet, so I am a little lost here.:help:
Click to expand...

Hi. My last pedal has two outs. :bassist: :bassist:

--Bomb :bassist:
 
#393
#395
An apdate (if it's relevant to anybody).

Like the old post starts: "I wanted to like it, but..."

This is a nice amp, but, it just doesn't stack up to my LMII/1212L rig. I also compared it with myLMII and an Ampeg Portabass 2x10, and still, the MB212 sound undefined and unrefined in comparison - I would even dare to say "muddy" in comparison (and I'm playing bright basses). The LMII has a lot more richness in the overall sound, along with more clarity. the MB 2121 sounded just fine during my weekend gig, but it's when comparing it side to side to the other rig that I realize the difference in sound quality. But don't get me wrong, the MB 212 is probably one of the best small combos out there, especially for those coming from cheaper and heavier rigs. IMHO.
 
#396
lefty007 said:
An apdate (if it's relevant to anybody).

Like the old post starts: "I wanted to like it, but..."

This is a nice amp, but, it just doesn't stack up to my LMII/1212L rig. I also compared it with myLMII and an Ampeg Portabass 2x10, and still, the MB212 sound undefined and unrefined in comparison - I would even dare to say "muddy" in comparison (and I'm playing bright basses). The LMII has a lot more richness in the overall sound, along with more clarity. the MB 2121 sounded just fine during my weekend gig, but it's when comparing it side to side to the other rig that I realize the difference in sound quality. But don't get me wrong, the MB 212 is probably one of the best small combos out there, especially for those coming from cheaper and heavier rigs. IMHO.
Click to expand...
I'm glad you shared your opinion here Carlos. It's good for all to see...it's not for everyone! There are many better sounding rigs out there. Before I sold my Bergantino AE410, I A/Bed it with the MB212...with predictable results. The Bergie was louder, smoother, etc. But I was having a hard time with the weight and needed something lighter, and the very first time I plugged in the MB212 and played, I freakin' LOVED the tone! Didn't have to try and talk myself into it, it was the sound I'd been looking for.

It's pretty obvious we have different tone goals...I've owned an LMII and a Schroeder 1210 and didn't care for either (never tried them together though). The MB212 is a compromise of weight, tone, loudness and if you love the way it sounds, it's a great compromise. No amount of load-in ease will make up for bad tone however. I 'think' I'd love the tone if it weighted 76 lbs....who knows....doesn't matter.

Anyway, thanks Carlos, sounds like this little amp isn't your thing....and luckily your rig doesn't weigh much more so ........ "it's all good!" :bassist:
 
#397
I agree with you lefty007. I played it next to my ampeg and it wasnt as clear and did sound muddier. But thats with the bass going directly into the combo.

However, once I plugged into my sansamp and tweaked the EQ, I couldnt tell the difference.

And due to the volume, weight, and ease on my back, even though when I plugged straight into the ampeg it sounded better, Im currently gigging with my MB210, tech 21 programmable sansamp, and tuner. Thats it. I havent had a need for anything larger and its been more than enough volume for 5 gigs in the area of varying sizes.
 
#399
Well I think everyones ears and tastes are different, and one Ampeg amp sounds much different than another. I was comparing it to my old BA115hpt.

That amp was a warm clean sound. Not much grunt on it. I had the 5 band preshape EQ switch set to flat and I had the lows and highs set flat and boosted the mids a little bit.

It probably helps to know the amp and EQ settings I was comparing it to.

But overall as Ive said months ago when I was making the comparison, once you put the sansamp in line, you cant tell the difference because Im using the sansamp preamp to shape my tone.

My current settings on the MB210 are bass about 11ish, high and low mids between 1 and 2, and the treble at noon.

I tried to set it up to sound like a "flat" eq...... although everything isnt at noon because I think the amp is a little bassy and needs the bass cut a little bit and the mids turned up a little bit.

And just for the record, after a handful of gigs, I still havent had to turn up the master or boost anywhere near 12:00. (Although Im getting more of a boosted signal from the sansamp preamp)
 
#400
In the interest of sharing I thought I would post an update now that I've done a handful of gigs with my MB212.

The most recent was last night, I played with my 5 piece blues band in a 185 person capacity club (I know because they have a little plaque on the wall with the number)
This place can be hard to get good tone in, it's very lively. One entire wall is mirrors, and most of the room has hardwood floors. Stage is good sized, elevated, and hollow.

I set the amp with everything at 12:00 to start, ended up with the Gain at 10, Master Volume at 2, and a tiny boost in the low mids, say 1 o'clock. I was playing a Fender Jazz strung with DAD flats, both pickups and tone on full.

This band is not what I would call loud (it can get that way, but not in a hard rock sense), but very powerful and dynamic. The tone from the MB212 was PERFECT in my opinion. It was deep and smooth, but so balanced and articulate.

My lead guitarist is not only an incredibly schooled musician, but also a professional mixing engineer, and he couldn't stop talking about the bass tone. He said the tone was "sonically perfect" because it was round, full and clear but didn't intrude on the space the guitars and keyboards were in.

For me it was really sweet being able to pluck right at the base of the neck and get a deep old school thump that was still articulate and let me hear the character of the strings themselves...Chromes, which have this wonderful combination of brightness AND woody thump...it was all there in the tone.

Then when I moved back to plucking right behind the front pickup it had the classic Jazz stacato burp, especially if I favored the bridge pickup a bit, and again, it was just all right there with clarity and definition. This amp seems to be really touch sensitive.

We have a lot of musician buds that drop in when we play, and I had 5 different guys come up and comment on the bass tone. That NEVER happens (c'mon, nobody cares about bass tone except bass players!) so that tells me the sound was really exceptional out in the room.

One humorous note - Every time we took a break my drummer stopped at my amp as he was leaving the stage and lifted it by the handle, he couldn't quite believe that sound was coming out of that little box :)

OK, enough kudos, I'll just say that I absolutely love this rig and I know for a fact these guys will no longer allow me to bring anything else on stage because they loved it too.

And that's fine by me, my 80 pound 410 can live in the garage for a while!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back