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GK MB 200: Part Two

#161
dtotheatothevto said:
So, if I order an MB200 today it should show up with "Made in the USA" on it? That would be cool.

When looking for a cab, should I be looking for the most efficient one? I'm going to run back through these threads & write down what everyone is using & then grab the prices.
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The one I have has a sticker that says "Designed and assembled in United States". Not sure if there is a correlation between switch to US assembly and fixing treble hiss but I've not noticed it.

Not being a huge GK fan in the past I have to say I am loving this amp.
Ran with my Avatar TB153 for 4 hour rehearsal and loud drummer last night and sounded great. Played it with my Bergatino AE12 and some Eden 1 x 15 on Wed night and closest to the sound I've been looking for than ever before. I know a 1x12 and 1x15 together is not optimal but they were both 8 ohms and matched nicely.

For speaker choices, lots of options. I don't think that a restriction with this amp. If only 1 cab, I'd go with a 4 ohm as I think it matters more at this power level.
 
#168
HeavyDuty said:
Be aware that RMC still has PRC ones if that matters to you. I just received one from them this week that they themselves received from G-K in late February per the original box label.
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I think I will go ahead and order mine from MF. I have done business with them several times and I always get my stuff within a couple of days. Plus I would prefer to have a US made MB200 if possible.
 
#169
After several different rehearsals and cabs, had my first gig Sat night with the MB200. Used with my Avatar TB153 cab and AM Std PBass for an old school soul and r&b gig. Amp sounded fantastic!

You can see from the controls, I'm running everything essentially flat and volume 10-11:00 on the dial. This is pretty loud band with full horn section and hard hitting drummer. Never touche the amp all night. Sounded huge on stage and although I had no way to verify, the sound guy said it sounded great in the room. No PA support, just the amp. Listening to my portable Sony recorder that was on the stage it sounded great with this cab. Nice and full but with enough upper mids to cut through.

I'm really loving this amp. Also, love the simplicity of single volume control and useful EQ. Nice job GK.

IMG_0877.png
 
#173
GrooveWarrior said:
I think the point he was probably trying to make is that it doesn't take a lot of knob twiddling to get a great sound out of this head.
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Yes, that was the point I was making. Using with several different basses and cabs, have only tweaked the mids and bass controls slightly. The contour control, which does a major mids scoop, was turned off. I've never used it.
 
#175
My MB200 just arrived! USA version too! Wow this thing is tiny! Can't believe how loud and punchy it is for such a small amp. I don't remember my Ampeg PF350 getting this loud and it was 350 watts instead of 200. My 1001RBII is still in the shop so I will probably end up using the MB200 for my gig this coming Saturday.
 
#177
I am having a serious problem with this amp.

The problem is, how is this amp so awesome it's size and $250!?

In the last 2 weeks, I've used the amp for 3 different band rehearsals and a gig. Bands are r&b/soul/blues, rock covers band and original alt rock band. I've tried with a host of cabs including Avatar TB153, Bergantino AE112, Eden 1x15 and SWR 2x10. I used my AM Std PBass, AVRI 62 Jazz and Lakland 55-01.

In all cases, the amp sounds fantastic! Generally run with controls straight-up, no contour. Volume never gets above 10:30. Have done some minimal tweaking to adjust for different cabs and basses but otherwise set and leave it. The amp stays cool - I've never noticed the fan running.

For reference, my main amp for last couple years has been a Markbass LMII. I've also been using a Carvin R600 and sometime a Aguilar Tonehammer Preamp into just the power section of the Carvin. I've certainly checked out most of the other popular amps - Ampeg, Mesa, Acoustic, Genz Benz, and other GKs. I keep thinking I'll run into a situation where I'll say "Ah ha! That's where it doesn't do so well!" but haven't yet. At rehearsal on Tues, I actually had to turn down - a lot - to about 8:00 when playing thru the SWR 2x10 cab. Certainly always gassing for other amps but at the moment it's hard to say what this one lacks that another may have at least for my purposes. The fact that it fits in my gig bag is just icing on the cake.
 
#179
Playing tag with FedEx to get mine...they tried to deliver today and although I left a note they won't leave it w/o signature...jeez it's only $200! I've had $2700 Mac Pros left on the doorstep by them before...LOL.

So they are going to hold it at the FedEx location but it might not arrive there until Monday...I hope I don't have to wait all freaking weekend...
 
#180
Picked it up today...the made in USA thing is just a sticker stuck over the old made in China graphic that was printed on the chassis...it almost covers it up...haha!

Just playing through headphones and moving the knobbies around a bit...sounds pretty cool with the ol' P-Bass!

But, it does have hiss mainly in the Gain, Treble and Hi-Mid knobs...not sure if it's just my old 70s headphones. Just like a constant white noise...with the gain, treble and hi-mid all the way down it's still there and it gets progressively worse turning up Gain and Treble. If gain or treble are up then adding hi-mids makes it hiss more.

I'll hook it up to my MOTU Ultralitemk3 and record something...if it stays hissy it may go back...
 

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