Try using 1 cabinet and use the pad switch on the front.
With 2 cabinets the amp can push up to 800 watts.
With 2 cabinets the amp can push up to 800 watts.
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GK MB Fusion 800 too loud!
- Thread starter Krikcet
- Start date
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Besides the -10db switch, if you use channel b there are three gain/volume knobs you can use. Also, you can turn down the volume a little on your bass. I always do that anyway so I have a little turn-up-room at the bass.
I use the pad on the amp, and using channel B might be the way to go. I'm playing a Guild Starfire ii reissue, which has a master volume knob that is uncharacteristic of previous runs, but I find that I lose a lot of tone the instant I turn down the volume on the bass. These pickups are extraordinarily hot for a passive instrument.
REALLY!...........SERIOUSLY.............There's these thingys called (wait for it) ... VOLUME KNOBS....
I use a 1000 watt amp at bedroom volumes, it can be done.
I use a 1000 watt amp at bedroom volumes, it can be done.
My previous setup was an alembic f1x through a carvin dcm3000. The carvin, even bridged at 3000 watts, wasn't as difficult to control as the gk mbf800.
I had to keep the volume really low on a Darkglass Microtubes 900 through a 410 this last week. I'll probably be using an 810 from now on and I'm starting to fear for my health... Then again, I've never really seen a problem with lowering the volume somewhere in the chain to get quiet enough for use. You have a lot of instruments in the band so either they play really softly or that head really is ridiculously loud.
There, there, it's ok those uncontrollable amps are gone for now. Ssshhhh... easy, now. So yeah I guess turning down volume and gain just won't work then. I know, buy more gear! You need a practice amp for home, a 1x15 for practice, a rig for gigs, and a 8x10 rig for outdoor shows.
Oh man, hadn't thought of that angle! BUT if it's truly passive the pedal shouldn't actually need power to work...
Or just make sure it's not true bypass, so it cuts the signal without power.
Using Channel B is what I usually do because the extra level knob helps keep the volume down. I don't really like doing this because a couple times I've done soundcheck then powered down the amp to go eat dinner, then forgot to select channel B again when powering back up. I know, 1st world amp problems.
OP, channel B is your solution.
Set Gain B to where you like, set level B at somewhere between 9 and 12 O'Clock and then your master volume will be under control and won't blow your head off.
As SLO says, if you power it down then don't forget to switch it over to channel B or you'll be deaf
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Ive always considered a 500 over the 800 seems like overkill to me, i mean if your gonna need that much volume for a gig its probably gonna have FOTH anywway...
I love it. A bass amp that is too loud. Just love it.
I know, makes no sense. It's not that the amp is too loud, its that the volume and gain controls are non-linear. To explain, if the amp volume and gain controls go from 1-10, instead of each notch up increasing the volume/gain by 10%, its like the first few notches (0-3) account for 1/2 of the total output of the amp. Whereas the volume/gain controls on other amps (such as the Magellan that I use) are more linear - each notch up is an equal increase in volume. The only reason this matters is that the volume/gain controls are very sensitive at the lower end of the volume scale. Not really a big deal once you get used to it, but I found it annoying and greatly prefer a more linear (rather than exponential) approach.
Either lower the gain or use the -10 input gain....I have one and never had a problem.
No, I'm not dissing your experience, it just blows my mind how over the top powerful amps have become in the last few years. I have an amp sitting behind me that is 300 watts and 450 with a second bottom, Can't even imagine these monsters. The manufacturers dived headfirst into the 600-1000 watt waters and it's still just amazing to me how cheap and light raw power has become.
Hope you find a solution. It's a good feeling to have a pants flapper behind ya.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
I had the same experience. The gain structure on that amp is weird and the knobs are way small and tight together it's hard to make small adjustments on the fly. Plus the knobs turn super easy so it's easy to rotate past sane-volume into ludicrous speed. (name the movie)
Actually, the power's not that much of a problem - I've had 4 amps that are 8-900 watts (Streamliner, Mesa 800, GK Fusion 800, and currently a Magellan), and all were manageable for me except the GK. The gain structure perhaps is best for loud rock and roll (lol)
Space Balls! The master volume knob has a push-option to turn off the limiter (I don't know why anyone would ever turn the limiter off on this monster truck), which makes the knob ever so slightly loose, thus increasing the difficulty in making slight adjustments.
In fact, both gain buttons also have push buttons making the gain and master knobs difficult to move with precision.
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