GK Comparison advice

[Basicplayer]

Used $275 total.-- Gallien-Krueger 400RB-IV 280 Watt Bass Amp Head --- Bought and No Regrets.. This thing rox

VS

NEW $ 419. total -- Gallien-Krueger MB115-combo -- 200w

VS

Used $400. -- Gallien-Krueger 500@4oh/350w@8 MB210-combo. like new

vs

NEW $319. total -- Gallien-Krueger MB112 combo -- 200w

I have decided on a GK but so many choices I come across.


I own two speaker cabinets with celestrians that are like new.
2x12
4x10

 

[B-string]

Are your cabs 8 ohm cabs? If they are the 400RB IV will let you use both cabs or with the MB210 you can use one of them with the MB210 combo's internal speakers.
The MB115 and MB112 you can't add your cabs to them.

 

[Basicplayer]

I'd guess they were 8ohm.
They are stock marshall cabinets

I'm having a difficult time deciding.
The 500/350w cabinet sounds like a good deal but 2-10's seems weak for bass even if I added 4-10s.
The guy selling went with a GK 2-12 combo.
So even he thought 10's were weak



.

 

[B-string]

Actually the MB210 tends to be boomy and most people back down on the bass control. The MB212 is smoother and a full 500 watts to the internal speakers. I think the MB210 with a 410 extension would shock you! (Unless those Celests are junk bass speakers).

 

[rdcowan]

You might be surprised what 2-10s can do. Have you played one?

 

[Basicplayer]

You might be surprised what 2-10s can do. Have you played one?

I played a Hartke 400w with 4x10s

 

[B-string]

A good 210 can be equivalent to a good 115.

 

[Basicplayer]

A good 210 can be equivalent to a good 115.

500w @4 ohms/350w@8hom should be able to get loud yes?
The guy played for a church, obviously a noob(takes lessons) and bought a similar GK 500w amp with 2-12's and said this one wasn't powerful enough for him. Who am I to argue.. Where is the Church PA?
I think he is a sucker that knows someone in a music store..
the 500w/350w 2-10 combo price is negotiable

They should be of a similar loudness?

 

[jtl1380]

That MB 210 combo is plenty loud and very boomy. It should have been plenty for all but the biggest churches (in which case he'd have lots of PA support and IEM's most likely, but that's a whole other conversation). The other nice thing about that particular combo is that it is especially light, weighing only about 30 lbs!

Pair it with your 410 that you already have (assuming it's 8 ohms) and it will peel your face off.

 

[B-string]

If the MB210 was not loud enough they must put all the deaf people in the first six or so pews! Or he had no idea how to set his gain and master on the amp. The 212 is louder due to more speaker area. The MB210 is NOT a quiet combo by a long shot though.
Always try to get the best price you can.

 

[Basicplayer]

Are the metal grills on the older GKs a problem or why did GK change to a mesh face?

 

[B-string]

Some did rattle, the cosmetic change also followed the addition of the "Chain out" to use with the MBP powered cabs. Makes it easy to know if a unit has the capability just by the looks.

 

[Basicplayer]

the 500/350w combo with 2- 10's has the old grill.
I'm learning a lot. You've been a big help.

Maybe I should try to haggle this guy down below 400

 

[B-string]

It is the old series 1 if it has the metal grill.

 

[Basicplayer]

Is the chainout feature real important?

 

[jtl1380]

Only if you plan on using one of GK's powered cabs.

 

[Basicplayer]

Only if you plan on using one of GK's powered cabs.

I dont know much about those either.
I'm guessing they crank even more being powered but I have no idea if I need that or not. I have separate non-powered cabinets and 350w@8ohms should be sufficient for now.

 

[jtl1380]

If you're curious [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Basicplayer]

the guy with the combo 350w/500w-MN210 wont answer his phone.
Thinking about going after that RB400

suppose to jam tonight
Need a new amp so I don't get drowned out

 

[B-string]

IMHO that is the best backup plan. You already have cabs and most that own the 400RB's really have trouble letting them go, they sound so darn good.