GK Combo vs Ampeg Stack

[Cloudspine]

Hey all,

My goals are:

to be able to play in a variety of situations,(up to a band but nothing ridiculous for quiet jamming with an acoustic guitar either), portability, sound quality, and build quality.

I have available to me a GK MB210ii 500 Watt combo for about $500 dollars (from a local store I'm friends with).

The other option is to buy online a Ampeg PF350 and the 210AV cabinet. It looks like if I wanted to buy this any time soon I'd probably end up spending more or less $100 more than the GK.

So, thoughts on which path to take greatly appreciated by people who know much more than me about amps, which is basically everyone.

Thanks!

 

[SJan3]

I've not played either but I'd think the GK would have better performance with more watts, a ported enclosure and a horn. And you can always add another cabinet if necessary.
I think the PF350 and 210AV cab would sound good but not enough beef for anything beyond moderate volume.

 

[Cloudspine]

thanks for the response!

 

[Gearhead17]

In this situation, that combo is the better buy. SJan3 nailed it. What is available to you on the used market?

 

[Cloudspine]

The Combo is available to me for $450. There is not a lot else on the used market. Mostly weaker combos or really heavy big rigs. So if I go used I pretty much have to buy online if not the GK combo.

 

[CallMeAl]

Gk! More horsepower, more flexible EQ (imho) more reliable (granted, not from personal experience, just reviews), more portable.

my local store also has one for 500; wow what a combo. I don’t need it, really had to talk myself out of buying it Anyway! And it’s the only GK MB that takes an unpowered extension. Get it now before someone else does!

 

[sharpiemarker]

I am a biased full ampeg fan boy. With that said, go GK. I really like those ampeg products but just not enough power to properly hear yourself in a band situation when the drummer starts hitting the crash.

 

[arbiterusa]

Buy the GK. That’s a heck of a deal for it BTW.

 

[Cloudspine]

Thanks everyone. After considering your comments I bought the GK combo, which oddly enough was the one CallMeAl was talking about since apparently we are from the same place. Thanks everyone for your input!

Hoping it will be my do-everything-amp.

 

[CallMeAl]

Thanks everyone. After considering your comments I bought the GK combo, which oddly enough was the one CallMeAl was talking about since apparently we are from the same place. Thanks everyone for your input!

Hoping it will be my do-everything-amp.

Awesome , enjoy!

 

[Darkhorse1962]

To me...the best thing about GK is THEY'RE LIGHT!
At my age load in and load out are important factors

 

[G On Bass]

IME, my 210AV cab benefits most in a band situation by having another 210AV cab, but the sound is just so perfect for me. I've never really been a fan of GK, but at just more than your PF350/210AV budget you could maybe look at one of the new Ampeg Rocket Bass 500W 210 combos. Just a thought.

 

[farace]

I have its sister, the MB212-II and couldn’t be happier. I’m an Ampeg fan, too (B-15N, B-15S, Jet, Soundcube, Buster, five Ampeg basses, a guitar, Phazzer, all the ‘80s pedals). I sold my SVT-III/SVR215 to buy the GK.