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GK Combo Shootout...MB210 vs. MB212

#922
kikstand454 said:
Wow.
I just sat and read all 92 pages of this thread (on tapatalk) and I think I've been convinced. :thumbup:

Instead of starting another thread about this......ill just stick my question here.
I'm in a three piece coverband, fairly quiet, that plays alot of outside- back porch type gigs here in Florida. We do classic rock, country, 90s stuff.. etc.
I'm currently running an acoustic B200H into a Hartke 410xl and a no name (seismic) 15. Its great. Sounds good....plenty of volume...etc. the problem is, I am done with toting the 88lb XL around. Its the heaviest piece of equipment by far in our whole load in.

so I'm looking at these two gk offerings to make the move to an all in one package. I'm debating though between the 210 or the 212.
The 210 will be able to do really small gigs and being modular, I could use it with my 15 or even my 410 to cover other gig sizes.
The 212 sounds like it would be a direct replacement for my rig in one box.

Advice?

Also.....are the second generation mb's that are around now as good or better than the original series that most of his thread is discussing?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is there a store near you that carries both the MB210 and MB212? The 212 seems to be harder to find in brick & mortar shops for some reason. Hearing the 2 side by side would probably tell the story for you. There's very little difference between them as far as size and weight, but no comparison in terms of tone...the 212 just sounds much bigger, clearer, and louder to my ears. Yes, the 210 will allow you to add another cab, but the 212 might very well cover your needs with a single box.

I tried a new MB212II at Sam Ash in Hollywood just yesterday. Sounded great, but it's hard for me to compare to my own because the instrument, room, and everything else was different of course.
 
#923
Sparkdog said:
Is there a store near you that carries both the MB210 and MB212? The 212 seems to be harder to find in brick & mortar shops for some reason. Hearing the 2 side by side would probably tell the story for you. There's very little difference between them as far as size and weight, but no comparison in terms of tone...the 212 just sounds much bigger, clearer, and louder to my ears. Yes, the 210 will allow you to add another cab, but the 212 might very well cover your needs with a single box.

I tried a new MB212II at Sam Ash in Hollywood just yesterday. Sounded great, but it's hard for me to compare to my own because the instrument, room, and everything else was different of course.
Click to expand...

Yes. I have a GC here.....don't know if they have both.....I'm sure they don't have the first and second generations to a/b.

My only concern is that earlier in this thread, the output of the 212 was compared to "almost" a 410. I gigged with only the 410 for a long time and just added the 15 last year or so.....it made a world of difference. Mostly in overall sound as opposed to volume....but obviously adding 15 inches of speaker and another 100watts (by going 4ohm) made a difference.

I guess I'm just nervous that 500watts into 24inches of speakers isn't going to cover the 200watts into 55inches I have now.

GC at least has a return policy....I guess I could get one and try it out at a gig and if it doesn't work...no harm no foul right? :o
 
#924
I just thought I'd add my experience here.

I gig almost exclusively with a MB210+115MBE rig. I love this thing. Sometimes I use these two as cabinets driven by another head, but most of the time I use it just like GK designed it. Gets the job done. I play rock, R&B, and funk in a cover band.

A pal of mine has the MB212--he got it because I love my MB210 so much (and because his dad was envious of how light my cabinet was). This weekend I asked to borrow the MB212 so I could take it on a gig to see how it compared to my MB210+115MBE setup. Here's my report:
  1. We hooked them up side by side in the living room before the gig. The MB212 was MUCH louder than my 210/115. This is NOT what I have read in this thread, so it surprised me. In the living room, my 210/115 sounded tighter and more "accurate;" the MB212 was a bit mushier but still had good punch.
  2. On the gig, the MB212 perfomed almost exactly like my 2510/115. Obviously the EQ was the same because it's the same amp. I noticed the sound was "lower" beaming at my legs, and it didn't project as far into the room (I walked out onto the dance floor a few times). But the tone was punchy and solid and it had the GK sound all night.
  3. It wasn't significantly easier carrying the single cab; my rig is about 33lbs per box, and I use a folding cart.

So for my money, the two were almost interchangeable on a gig. Both are 500w moving a fair amount of air. There was a slight difference in tone, but I am the only one who noticed. If I had not told the guys in my band what I was doing, they would not have detected any difference.

--Steve
 
#926
I'm used to using a GK MB800 into a 4 ohm Carvin BRX10.2 and a Carvin BX500 into a 8 ohm SWR Golight Jr 2x10. I'm finding I never get above 3 or 4 on the master on those amps these days. How will the MB210-II compare with those?
 
#927
I have gigged with my MB212 for a few years and it has held its own at in door and outdoor venues. It's loud, warm and clear. I also have a stack and only take it out for a change of pace. I can't think of a bar, church or party gig where this combo hasn't been more than enough power and presence. Highly recommended.
 
#931
I still have mine...two of them...and it's still my main work amp. The combination of light weight, big power, and ability to EQ it perfectly to almost any room makes it damn near perfect for me. Outdoors I run both of them and the massive low end muscle never fails to put a big grin on my face!
 
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#932
My MB115-II and MBP115 are my main rig for my weekly P&W gig. Light, affordable and most of all- thunderous. My MB115-I is now mainly a keyboard amp in my home studio/rehearsal room. Which also houses my MB800 that's powering a couple of Mesa Cabs that are too heavy to gig with lol. GK all the way. My poor 'pegs never get played any more either. just sayin'
 
#933
I had to move on from my MB212ii after the second speaker wasn't on me. The first one the voice coil fried and GK replaced both speakers under warranty saying that did have some manufacturing defects. A few months later the magnet fell off one of the speakers mid-show. GK replaced that one too but were mystified as to why it failed. I never abused the amp or pushed it hard and had never had issues with any other amps I've owned. I loved the tone, power and portability of the MB212 but, having been burned twice, decided to sell it.
 
#934
I am so late to the party, but definitely, 210 crisper and lighter. I tried both amps and decided to go with the 210 for my Ric-O-sound setup. Use a Fender stage 800 with a ampeg 115 for the bass, and use the GK210 for the treble. Sounds incredible. If I am using another mono instrument, I run two channels from my gt10-b into both combos and the GK shines here too. As a standalone amp, I would have probably went with the 212 to have more presence and cut through the mix a little better.
 

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