GK MB Fusion 800 too loud!

[Krikcet]

Hey guys! I just recently purchased a Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion 800 amp from Sweetwater. It sounds absolutely fantastic. The only issue is that it is much more powerful than I had expected. I mean, I can only turn the output up probably 5% of the way without being wayyy too loud in a band with two drummers, two guitarists, and keys. I'm running it through an Ampeg 410he (500 watts RMS) and an Orange OBC 115 (400 Watts RMS). I would hate to send it back, as I've already done that with a bass and I don't want my representative to hate me, plus the tone is so beautiful. I'm considering swapping the 410 for a GK neo 212 (600 watts RMS). Would that give me a bit more room to move around? I also considered grabbing a preamp pedal(like the Aguilar Tonehammer) and just using the volume controls on that to work as a pad. Thanks in advance!

 

[GK Growl]

So let me understand. You bought an 800 watt amp and it's too loud?

 

[fretter]

Get one of these?

 

[lz4005]

I can only turn the output up probably 5% of the way without being wayyy too loud ...

What are the rest of your knob settings? Because you should be able to play it anywhere from bedroom to large gig volume.

If it's too loud why are you still using two cabs? Unplug one.

 

[MCS4]

But seriously, maybe try using only one of those two bass cabs. If your volume needs are low enough that you're having difficulty even setting your amp to a quiet enough setting, then odds are you can get away with just one of them.

 

[Jack]

There's always the -14dB pad too.

 

[aproud1]

Make sure to turn you gain down. Not just your master volume.

And yes that is a stupid loud head.

 

[bherman]

It sounds crazy but I had one and agree with you - I prefer amps where the volume control is more linear. Try the -14 db switch, turn down the gain, or trade it in on a 500 watt amp. And it's not just the 800 watts - I've used two other class D 800 watt heads (MESA and Genzler) and the volume controls are not nearly as sensitive.

 

[John Swartz]

You could always send it to me - I got a 20 watt practice amp I could trade you for...

 

[waveman]

Yeah, I dumped my Fender Rumble V3 500 because it was too loud with the gain settings I like. Great sounding head, but it was a balancing act to not overwhelm my 210 cab, and it was too loud with my 410 in certain venues. I relegated it to outdoor gigs and large venues for a year or two. I have had several other 500 watt heads and have yet to see a scenario where I needed any more than that.

 

[bolophonic]

Turn it down.

 

[Hounddog409]

What are the rest of your knob settings? Because you should be able to play it anywhere from bedroom to large gig volume.

If it's too loud why are you still using two cabs? Unplug one.

exactly. not rocket surgery....

I have a Mesa D800. I use either 1 or 2 Epifany UL2 1x15 cabs depending on venue. 90% of the time I am using only 1 and it is plenty with 2 guitars, drums, and keys. The drums and bass are NOT sent through our PA. just vocals and guitars.
its a good way to keep the guidards sound down to a reasonable level......

I used both this summer at an outdoor gig and it was plenty. Don't remember ever turning the master volume past 1/2 way.

OK, I did once. at home. in the bedroom with both 15's hooked up.
There was damage when the wife's knicknacks fell of a shelf in the living room.
I'm not really allowed to talk about it. needless to say I am only currently authorized to use the Fender 40w combo amp for home practice.

 

[morgan138]

Passive volume control in the effects loop. I've seen them for like $40 new (EHX I think?), I'm sure it'd be easy to build too.

 

[lakefx]

I feel the same about my MB Fusion 500 sometimes. I can't even imagine how loud the MB800 gets! I just use the volumes on my A/B pedal for fine adjustment.

 

[InhumanResource]

Hey guys! I just recently purchased a Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion 800 amp from Sweetwater. It sounds absolutely fantastic. The only issue is that it is much more powerful than I had expected. I mean, I can only turn the output up probably 5% of the way without being wayyy too loud in a band with two drummers, two guitarists, and keys. I'm running it through an Ampeg 410he (500 watts RMS) and an Orange OBC 115 (400 Watts RMS). I would hate to send it back, as I've already done that with a bass and I don't want my representative to hate me, plus the tone is so beautiful. I'm considering swapping the 410 for a GK neo 212 (600 watts RMS). Would that give me a bit more room to move around? I also considered grabbing a preamp pedal(like the Aguilar Tonehammer) and just using the volume controls on that to work as a pad. Thanks in advance!

It sounds like you don't need quite so much cabinet! The ampeg 410HE is pretty loud, and doubled up with another cab is VERY loud (I use two of them in an irresponsibly loud band and, like you, rarely turn up my master volume past 2 or 3 on the dial). It sounds like this configuration would be way, way too loud for what you are doing.

The GK Neo 212 is going to sound very different from your sealed 410HE (and may not be much quieter). I notice you said things sound beautiful right now, so swapping these units may change it unfavorably to your ear. Or maybe you'll love it

Just for kicks, my process for approaching this would be something like:

Fusion 800 + Ampeg 410HE alone:

1. Do I like how it sounds?
-YES: go to question 2
-NO: end. Try different cab!

2. Is it loud enough?
-YES: I like how it sounds and it is loud enough. I'm done!
-NO: Look for a similar sounding, louder cabinet arrangement. (610 HLF, Berg NV610, pair of SVT212AV's all come to mind while being completely insensitive to budget).

If none of this works, go to scenario 2:

Fusion 800 + Orange 15 alone. If you like how it sounds, stick with it. If more horsepower is needed, get another Orange 15. I haven't any experience with this particular cabinet and driver, however typically 15's push less air than a 410 (I know, driver sensitivity and efficiency count but I can't be bothered to do the research). If this cab's tone makes you happy, 2 of them may be just the ticket to having enough volume on tap in case things get loud without creating a runaway train issue.

My own experience with the 410HE is that it sounds a little bit thin on its own, but fattens up to super greatness when doubled up. I'm sure the Orange 15 would change a bit in character if you added another, but generally if you double up on more of what you already like the result will be goodly.

Look forward to hearing how you solve this!

 

[ctbass]

Hey guys! I just recently purchased a Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion 800 amp from Sweetwater. It sounds absolutely fantastic. The only issue is that it is much more powerful than I had expected. I mean, I can only turn the output up probably 5% of the way without being wayyy too loud in a band with two drummers, two guitarists, and keys. I'm running it through an Ampeg 410he (500 watts RMS) and an Orange OBC 115 (400 Watts RMS). I would hate to send it back, as I've already done that with a bass and I don't want my representative to hate me, plus the tone is so beautiful. I'm considering swapping the 410 for a GK neo 212 (600 watts RMS). Would that give me a bit more room to move around? I also considered grabbing a preamp pedal(like the Aguilar Tonehammer) and just using the volume controls on that to work as a pad. Thanks in advance!

Ha! I know EXACTLY what you mean. I AB'd this amp with a few others. I wanted to love it but found it nearly uncontrollable.

 

[Krikcet]

Thanks for all the replies! I know it sounds ridiculous, but I've previously owned a Markbass LMT800, and that didn't come close to the volume on the GK!

It sounds like you don't need quite so much cabinet! The ampeg 410HE is pretty loud, and doubled up with another cab is VERY loud (I use two of them in an irresponsibly loud band and, like you, rarely turn up my master volume past 2 or 3 on the dial). It sounds like this configuration would be way, way too loud for what you are doing.

The GK Neo 212 is going to sound very different from your sealed 410HE (and may not be much quieter). I notice you said things sound beautiful right now, so swapping these units may change it unfavorably to your ear. Or maybe you'll love it

Just for kicks, my process for approaching this would be something like:

Fusion 800 + Ampeg 410HE alone:

1. Do I like how it sounds?
-YES: go to question 2
-NO: end. Try different cab!

2. Is it loud enough?
-YES: I like how it sounds and it is loud enough. I'm done!
-NO: Look for a similar sounding, louder cabinet arrangement. (610 HLF, Berg NV610, pair of SVT212AV's all come to mind while being completely insensitive to budget).

If none of this works, go to scenario 2:

Fusion 800 + Orange 15 alone. If you like how it sounds, stick with it. If more horsepower is needed, get another Orange 15. I haven't any experience with this particular cabinet and driver, however typically 15's push less air than a 410 (I know, driver sensitivity and efficiency count but I can't be bothered to do the research). If this cab's tone makes you happy, 2 of them may be just the ticket to having enough volume on tap in case things get loud without creating a runaway train issue.

My own experience with the 410HE is that it sounds a little bit thin on its own, but fattens up to super greatness when doubled up. I'm sure the Orange 15 would change a bit in character if you added another, but generally if you double up on more of what you already like the result will be goodly.

Look forward to hearing how you solve this!

As far as the cabinets go, the 410 alone is just too thin for what I need. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful sounding cabinet, but I'm using it in a band that primarily covers the Grateful Dead! I like the way the 115 rounds out the 410, but I'm well aware of the 410 surpassing the 115 in volume. That's why I'd hoped that the 212 might be a nice compromise. Plus, a higher RMS adds peace of mind.

Passive volume control in the effects loop. I've seen them for like $40 new (EHX I think?), I'm sure it'd be easy to build too.

I might have to give that a go. God forbid it ever lost power or got stepped on by accident. My cabinets would explode!

Like I said, I know it sounds ridiculous, so I appreciate your suggestions!

 

[InhumanResource]

Thanks for all the replies! I know it sounds ridiculous, but I've previously owned a Markbass LMT800, and that didn't come close to the volume on the GK!



As far as the cabinets go, the 410 alone is just too thin for what I need. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful sounding cabinet, but I'm using it in a band that primarily covers the Grateful Dead! I like the way the 115 rounds out the 410, but I'm well aware of the 410 surpassing the 115 in volume. That's why I'd hoped that the 212 might be a nice compromise. Plus, a higher RMS adds peace of mind.



I might have to give that a go. God forbid it ever lost power or got stepped on by accident. My cabinets would explode!

Like I said, I know it sounds ridiculous, so I appreciate your suggestions!

I hear you, the 410HE is a hair anemic on its own and really not a great solution without a partner. Out of curiosity, have you have come across an SVT-115E? They sound really good, are lighter than the 410HE and are cheap on the used market. A pair of them might solve the issue without being absurdly loud. I'm going to maintain that your amplifier is fine and the cleanest resolution here is making a change on the cabinet side.

 

[SLO Surfer]

It's the head! As people who have owned/used one before have replied to you here, they are way louder than any other 800 watt class D amp. I don't think you need to mess with your cabinet set up. The GK MBF 800 is hard to control. I can't turn my gain or master up past 9:00 on the dials, and trying to do small accurate adjustments in volume down there is near impossible.

I owned the Mesa D800 for awhile to compare and would have the gain and master set at about 1:00 to match the GK's volume where the gain and master were a little below 9:00. Both were as loud as I'd ever need them at those settings.

I'm looking to scale down to the 500 MB Fusion. I just love the tone of my MBF800, but have had the same problems as you trying to control the volume.

Edit: while you are getting good overall advice about amps and cabinets from everyone, I'd pay extra close attention to the advice from those who have owned/used this particular amp. It's hard to believe how powerful it is until you've tried one yourself.

 

[Plutonium244]

I have an MBF800. I don't play in loud bands. Never had a problem turning it down to a reasonable volume. And, it has plenty of headroom, having the extra watts there but not cranked. Definitely, no need to run 2 cabs if it's too loud-- that, more than the amp, is likely the source of the"too-loud"ness. That an a volume setting that is too far to the right.