GK MB 200 vs tc electronic bh-250 ? Which one ?

[Pimmsley]

Hi Guys,
been searching the threads and can't find any comparisons or recent comments RE BH-250... anyone used both of these, out in the open?

Which would you say is better out of the two to drive a Hartke 1x 210XL and 1x 115 cabinet (total 4 ohms) ?

I like the 'GK' sound, but some people mentioned hum issues, and dying units... would be buying from the USA to use in Australia )

also like the idea of the TC's Tone print for laughs... making practice more fun, but also want a solid little amp i can use for small gigs and rehersal so either seem a good deal...

Don't have the budget for more boutique mini amps (ie Mark Bass or GB etc) or is an amp like an Aguilar ToneHammer 350 really that much better ?

thank you !

 

[stepswork4me]

I bought the combo version of the TC, the BG250. I dug it so much that I bought a second one. Good tone, versitile, LOUD, and a great price point.

 

[jobo4]

I bought the combo version of the TC, the BG250. I dug it so much that I bought a second one. Good tone, versitile, LOUD, and a great price point.

Ditto. Buy the BG250 and sell your cabs. 35# for the combo. But you cannot slave an extension cab off of it.

 

[stepswork4me]

Ditto. Buy the BG250 and sell your cabs. 35# for the combo. But you cannot slave an extension cab off of it.

If you order from GC before Dec 31 and use the promo code DEC200 it's $304 before shipping. They're on sale for $324 and the promo drops $20. Plus you can send in the UPC from the box along with a copy of your receipt to TC and get a Corona Chorus pedal for free. The pedal alone costs $170.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Before you buy anything your first question should be whether the amp will even work in OZ. If the power supply can't be switched to 240V you'll have to tote a fairly large transformer around to operate the amp.

 

[Pimmsley]

Thanks guys... I want to keep my cabs... as I need them for larger gigs etc...
The amps can be set for use here in AUS (240V 50Hz), but great point, those stepdown transformers would defeat the point of the tiny amp
...and unfortunately the promo stuff is only for US residents, we miss out on a fair bit of cool stuff like that... wish I had a relative located in the US. doh !

good to hear the BG250 has fans... the BH-250 is effectively the same amp minus the cab right ?

I really need to hear from you guys that have played through both amps ?

 

[arai]

Before you buy anything your first question should be whether the amp will even work in OZ. If the power supply can't be switched to 240V you'll have to tote a fairly large transformer around to operate the amp.

If the bg 250 is anything like the rh450 it detects and changes to the correct voltage where ever you are.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Has anyone compared these amps or own both of them?

I have a GK MB200 at the moment & have been racking my brain all week trying to get the hum out of it.

It only mildly hisses when nothing is plugged in, but buzzes pretty good when I plug in & turn up the treble.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I consider getting the BH250, but am afraid I might be right back at square one.

 

[Linnin]

The answer to all your problems is the Fender Rumble 200, or 500. Honest wattage ratings. No hum. No Buzz. Take your pick.

 

[B-string]

I tried out the BG250 combo and returned it before the return period ran out. Might be okay for someone inexperienced, but just did not live up to the hype for me personally.

 

[Linnin]

I tried out the BG250 combo and returned it before the return period ran out. Might be okay for someone inexperienced, but just did not live up to the hype for me personally.

Agree. Compare to 100 watt amps, and that will be far more honest. Tone Prints strike me like 'Silly-Putty & Sunday Morning Comics'.

 

[Scottkarch]

Good grief. Please explain why this is only good for someone that's I experienced.

I'm quite an experienced player and I like one. Seriously. Anyone looking at TC electronic amps. Just ignore B-string's posts. He has a lot of great things to say about other topics but has some sort of ax to grind regarding TC electronic.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I will be taking the whole MB200 rig to my parents house tomorrow & see if a different location/environment & power grid helps.

I'm leaning towards taking the amp back to GC on Monday. It's noise issues have been talked about on a few threads in TB.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Sorry to hear about that bdwgml. My little MB200 runs perfect. Could be wiring in your place? Tried a line conditioner?

 

[Pimmsley]

Time-warp !
Well I went for an Aguilar TH-350 and one of the last NIB GB Shuttle 9.2's over a year ago also got a pair of DB112-NT's... Gigging heaven ! Lots of people love hearing the Aggie or shuttle and get a shock when they see the size.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I don't think it's the power, because it just hisses w/o anything plugged in. I tried using a UPS. I don't have a power conditioner.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Has anyone compared these amps or own both of them?

I have a GK MB200 at the moment & have been racking my brain all week trying to get the hum out of it.

It only mildly hisses when nothing is plugged in, but buzzes pretty good when I plug in & turn up the treble.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I consider getting the BH250, but am afraid I might be right back at square one.

I believe your MB200 is defective! There was a problem with some of the MB200 amps hissing a few years ago. The one that I owned worked flawless. I love the sound of GK's amps.

Not a big TC fan. If it's not too late you should exchange it for a new MB200.

P.S. - I own a GK 700 RB ll amp that I purchased new when I traded in my GK200. More tone shaping with GK 700 RB ll.
FWIW, I think the MB200 is a great portable amp that is extremely powerful!

 

[Chef]

People are in fact allowed to express their opinions here.
You don't have to agree with them, or, like them.

Good grief. Please explain why this is only good for someone that's I experienced.

I'm quite an experienced player and I like one. Seriously. Anyone looking at TC electronic amps. Just ignore B-string's posts. He has a lot of great things to say about other topics but has some sort of ax to grind regarding TC electronic.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Not a big TC fan. If it's not too late you should exchange it for a new MB200.

It's not too late, but the best I can do is return it, since I bought it used.

FWIW, I think the MB200 is a great portable amp that is extremely powerful!

I was pretty blown away by how low this thing is with the bass dialed up. It's a massive difference from the guitar tube amp I was using.

 

[CH Design]

I've owed both. I prefer the GK. It just seemed to have more "weight" behind the notes. When you compare them side by side, they actually don't sound that different with the eq controls set at noon. As you start to adjust the eq the differences become more apparent. I like both and could be quite happy to have either, but given a choice between the two, I'd pick GK.