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GK MB Fusion 800 too loud!
- Thread starter Krikcet
- Start date
I also have the GK MB Fusion 800. (With only one 2x12 GK Neo cab, for now.)
The issue I have is that the main gain pot is almost too easy to turn. Even with the channel A pre-amp knob barely turned on, turning the main gain knob can result in a sudden increase in A LOT of volume. Once you know that, it's just a matter of ALWAYS being careful to keep that sucker wrangled down.
The Fusion version of this amp has actual pre-amp tubes. So, in order to get some warmth/fuzz out of them you need to increase the Channel A (or B) pre-amp to approximately around 10:00 to 12:00. When doing that, the main gain knob is even more susceptible to jumping A Lot louder.
I did find that using Channel B is more reasonable. For some reason, that separate circuit path seems more friendly to adjustments, or just lower initial volume?
All of that said. I Love This Amp!
I bought it with the goal of having enough headroom, being able to gig inside with the 2x12 cab and later add another 2x12 cab for outdoor gigs. For right now I'm just trying to keep the Knick Knacks and Chinaware from falling off the selves.
Also, these cabs are only around 50lbs. each. My Peavey TNT-115 is 96lbs!!!
The only thing I don't like is in the 2x12 GK Neo-II cab, it's horn/tweeter hisses when adjusted to about 1/2 way or higher. But, I don't really need it so I keep it around 1/4. The twelves are plenty bright enough for me. Even my Peavey 1x15 was bright enough. Maybe I don't understand the purpose of those higher frequencies. Then again, I like the sound of the older stuff that Carol Kaye, James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, etc. Oh, Getty Lee and Black Sabbath too (With Ozzy). Maybe if I start practicing Slap style I'll get into the tweeter more. Or, maybe other bass players are just trying to do the job of the lead guitarist and/or the drummer?
It's all good though. Music is Great! Playing Bass is Great.
Get in The Shed!
The issue I have is that the main gain pot is almost too easy to turn. Even with the channel A pre-amp knob barely turned on, turning the main gain knob can result in a sudden increase in A LOT of volume. Once you know that, it's just a matter of ALWAYS being careful to keep that sucker wrangled down.
The Fusion version of this amp has actual pre-amp tubes. So, in order to get some warmth/fuzz out of them you need to increase the Channel A (or B) pre-amp to approximately around 10:00 to 12:00. When doing that, the main gain knob is even more susceptible to jumping A Lot louder.
I did find that using Channel B is more reasonable. For some reason, that separate circuit path seems more friendly to adjustments, or just lower initial volume?
All of that said. I Love This Amp!
I bought it with the goal of having enough headroom, being able to gig inside with the 2x12 cab and later add another 2x12 cab for outdoor gigs. For right now I'm just trying to keep the Knick Knacks and Chinaware from falling off the selves.
Also, these cabs are only around 50lbs. each. My Peavey TNT-115 is 96lbs!!!
The only thing I don't like is in the 2x12 GK Neo-II cab, it's horn/tweeter hisses when adjusted to about 1/2 way or higher. But, I don't really need it so I keep it around 1/4. The twelves are plenty bright enough for me. Even my Peavey 1x15 was bright enough. Maybe I don't understand the purpose of those higher frequencies. Then again, I like the sound of the older stuff that Carol Kaye, James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, etc. Oh, Getty Lee and Black Sabbath too (With Ozzy). Maybe if I start practicing Slap style I'll get into the tweeter more. Or, maybe other bass players are just trying to do the job of the lead guitarist and/or the drummer?
It's all good though. Music is Great! Playing Bass is Great.
Get in The Shed!
If it's too loud you can always down, if not loud enough you in heap big trouble
This I believe too be one of the best bass amps in existence today. I switched back to GK after giving the Mesa Subway 14 months to make me love it. It didn't.
If you are having problems adjusting your volume adjust it from the bass. You have a volume control right at your fingertips. I use to be like most players and just jacked the volume and tone on the bass and adjusted volume at the amp.
I discovered that's the wrong way to do it.
I set input at about 10\11 and the master at 2\3. And adjust tone on the amp and then I walk away from the amp. I can control everything thing else I need from the bass.
But the MBF-800 shines at lower volumes like this. You keep the punch and clarity.
If you can't control your amp your doing it wrong.
I play this rig all the time... it has a volume control. Nice to have the extra oomph when you need it.
Small venues are not a problem...
Small venues are not a problem...
IMO GK makes the best tone stack and their controls are active so they interact differently. Turn the trim down and adj. the master? I just bought the GK legacy 115 combo. It too has the 800 watt head and puts 400 watts into the neo 15. If I get aggressive w/ the controls and drive I can overpower that speaker so an ext cab may be needed for larger gigs w/o PA support. However, unrelated I know, they just came out w/ the legacy 800 fusion s w/ tube preamp. Ugh...might have to send the combo back.
Wow, a lot of flippant, unhelpful rhetoric.
I own the GK MBF800, as well as the Mesa WD-800. The MBF800 is legitimately louder. It just is.
But, as was undoubtedly mentioned, the controls on the GK are the major culprit. It's true they are not very linear; moreover, they are floppy, dinky knoblets. When you transport the amp, they tend to all flop around away from their set positions.
I can totally see how it would be hard to tame this sucker in a low-volume situation, but it can be done. I would need my reading glasses and a pair of tweezers though.
Reducing gain with the switch is good, but that will have a tad bit of tonal effect.
BTW, I heartily recommend turning off the contour knob completely. It's one of the worst "features" of an otherwise excellent amp I've ever encountered. The only worse feature is the super confusing and flaky dual channel system in the MBF800
I own the GK MBF800, as well as the Mesa WD-800. The MBF800 is legitimately louder. It just is.
But, as was undoubtedly mentioned, the controls on the GK are the major culprit. It's true they are not very linear; moreover, they are floppy, dinky knoblets. When you transport the amp, they tend to all flop around away from their set positions.
I can totally see how it would be hard to tame this sucker in a low-volume situation, but it can be done. I would need my reading glasses and a pair of tweezers though.
Reducing gain with the switch is good, but that will have a tad bit of tonal effect.
BTW, I heartily recommend turning off the contour knob completely. It's one of the worst "features" of an otherwise excellent amp I've ever encountered. The only worse feature is the super confusing and flaky dual channel system in the MBF800
Curious to know which amp you prefer, the WD-800 or GK MBF800? I have a D800+ and looking to go for a different sound.Wow, a lot of flippant, unhelpful rhetoric.
I own the GK MBF800, as well as the Mesa WD-800. The MBF800 is legitimately louder. It just is.
But, as was undoubtedly mentioned, the controls on the GK are the major culprit. It's true they are not very linear; moreover, they are floppy, dinky knoblets. When you transport the amp, they tend to all flop around away from their set positions.
I can totally see how it would be hard to tame this sucker in a low-volume situation, but it can be done. I would need my reading glasses and a pair of tweezers though.
Reducing gain with the switch is good, but that will have a tad bit of tonal effect.
BTW, I heartily recommend turning off the contour knob completely. It's one of the worst "features" of an otherwise excellent amp I've ever encountered. The only worse feature is the super confusing and flaky dual channel system in the MBF800
Chef
In Memoriam
If you use the B channel, you can use Gain B, Level B, and Master to achieve lower volumes very effectively. No problem.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Old thread I know. Just plugged mine it for the first time in awhile because I'm sending my Mesa D800+ in for repairs. Anyway, I have noticed that on the surface the GK seems much more powerful than the Mesa with the same power rating, even when connected to my cabs in series and with the pad engaged. My theory is that this is simply how the amp is structured and you get all your usable (noise free) power in the first half of the knob settings whereas some other amps are made so that you there is more useful travel in the volume/gain controls. This is not unlike how Detroit car makers have often put a hair trigger on the throttle of certain cars to make them seem more powerful - 1 mm of travel on the gas pedal and you are going 90 mph type of thing (slight exaggeration). Could it be that GK has done the same with this amp? I think so. Of course as Chef (RIP) mentioned, using the B channel is also an easy workaround if the pad isn't enough. BTW, the Mesa issue is a bad capacitor passing fan noise into the signal which is a known issue with a very few very early builds - I bought mine right after it came out. Bought the Mesa to step in when the GK went in for service. Both great amps and it's nice to get reacquainted with an old friend.
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I have the same head and use it everywhere. Never really a volume problem. I also have a choice of different cabinets to choose from depending on venue. Paired with a single twelve it's tame enough for coffee shops if I'm careful.
