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))))))))GK MB Fusion 800!!(((((((

#124
ScottyBoy said:
I'm looking forward to Vics review/impression of this amp :hyper:
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Well, in a nutshell, it's a HAMMER. I mean, I'm already used to that with the MB800, but now I have the same horsepower available with the smoother/rounder tube initial gain stage and EQ.

I was going to try and A/B the F800/F500, but honestly, I've done a bit of it, and I'm not sure I'm hearing a significant difference.

Bottom line is, I'm HAPPY. I was already happy with the 800/F500 (and the 200 too, for that matter), but now I have both amps I really always wanted, which is the tube and non-tube versions of the 800. As much horsepower and tone as I'll ever need. Seriously.
 
#127
Vic said:
Well, in a nutshell, it's a HAMMER. I mean, I'm already used to that with the MB800, but now I have the same horsepower available with the smoother/rounder tube initial gain stage and EQ.

I was going to try and A/B the F800/F500, but honestly, I've done a bit of it, and I'm not sure I'm hearing a significant difference.

Bottom line is, I'm HAPPY. I was already happy with the 800/F500 (and the 200 too, for that matter), but now I have both amps I really always wanted, which is the tube and non-tube versions of the 800. As much horsepower and tone as I'll ever need. Seriously.
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Sounds like no amp GAS for Vic.
 
#128
Munjibunga said:
I went to my sub gig practice tonight with the MBF800/CN212 rig and it just kills. The guys in the band loved the tone. It's really tight. I'll be using it at the gig tomorrow night and, since we're in the bar area of the boat club, I'm not going to use PA support - it'll be plenty loud.

So how'd yours go, Doug?
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I'm kinda on the fence with the GK tone, turns out. I A/B'ed it with the 9.2 SMax and the 9.2 is tighter and smoother. The 800 just a hammer tonally and power wise. The master volume and pre-amp gain structure is also really different.

The 9.2 master volume and preamp gain settings have to be considerably higher to match the overall output of the 800.

Not that the 9.2 won't get there volume wise, it just requires more knob rotation. Honestly, that Fusion 800 is waaaay over kill for the gig's I do.

So being on the fence and not sure if it's going to go back, I stuffed my GK MB200 into my gig bag compartment and went off to my -not very loud- gig without the 800. The MB200 was PLENTY loud enough with the CN212.

I had to park blocks and blocks away downtown La Jolla and easily dollied in my CN212 feeling like I was carrying a small bag of grocery's. What an insanely light cabinet that thing is.
 
#130
Doug Parent said:
I'm kinda on the fence with the GK tone, turns out. I A/B'ed it with the 9.2 SMax and the 9.2 is tighter and smoother. The 800 just a hammer tonally and power wise. The master volume and pre-amp gain structure is also really different.

The 9.2 master volume and preamp gain settings have to be considerably higher to match the overall output of the 800.

Not that the 9.2 won't get there volume wise, it just requires more knob rotation. Honestly, that Fusion 800 is waaaay over kill for the gig's I do.

So being on the fence and not sure if it's going to go back, I stuffed my GK MB200 into my gig bag compartment and went off to my -not very loud- gig without the 800. The MB200 was PLENTY loud enough with the CN212.

I had to park blocks and blocks away downtown La Jolla and easily dollied in my CN212 feeling like I was carrying a small bag of grocery's. What an insanely light cabinet that thing is.
Click to expand...

I'm just going to say it - if you're not a fan of the MB800, you're probably not going to like the MBF800. They're definitely from the same family. I noticed you prefer your 9.2 over the UL-501, but the 9.2 sounds pretty dry to me. I'll have to dig out my 9.0 and see how it compares.

You know I'm not fond of the wooly tube sound, but the front end of the MBF800 just adds a tiny bit of warmth while still "keeping it clean."
 
#132
Munjibunga said:
I'm just going to say it - if you're not a fan of the MB800, you're probably not going to like the MBF800. They're definitely from the same family. I noticed you prefer your 9.2 over the UL-501, but the 9.2 sounds pretty dry to me. I'll have to dig out my 9.0 and see how it compares.

You know I'm not fond of the wooly tube sound, but the front end of the MBF800 just adds a tiny bit of warmth while still "keeping it clean."
Click to expand...

I like the 9.2 in general because of what it DOESN'T impart tonally, it seems pretty neutral but has immense flexibility. I'll have to give the Fusion Mega Hammer 8000 some more playing time.
 
#133
It's still "gonna sound GK," which I like, but, try:
treble at 10 clock; both mids at 1 oclock; bass at 10 oclock.

IIRC, this is "more or less flat" as per BGM testing, and, what I've found generally works as a good starting point for me that I seldom move from.
This seems to work for both the MBF500 and MBF800; for me.
 
#134
Chef said:
It's still "gonna sound GK," which I like, but, try:
treble at 10 clock; both mids at 1 oclock; bass at 10 oclock.

IIRC, this is "more or less flat" as per BGM testing, and, what I've found generally works as a good starting point for me that I seldom move from.
This seems to work for both the MBF500 and MBF800; for me.
Click to expand...

Sounds about the same as I end up doing with the MB200. Nudge the mids up a little. I DO like the presence boost on the Hammer800 though. Not sure what freq boost that is set at anybody know?
 
#135
I don't recall; the online manual for the MBF500 might say.
I play mostly active J5's, so I mostly don't use that;
though I do, occasionally, like that with a passive bass to add a little sheen....
 
#136
Doug Parent said:
Sounds about the same as I end up doing with the MB200. Nudge the mids up a little. I DO like the presence boost on the Hammer800 though. Not sure what freq boost that is set at anybody know?
Click to expand...

It's on page 6 of the manual. The link is not working at the G-K site but I have a saved copy. If you can't find your owner's manual PM me an email addy and I'll send you the pdf file.
 
#137
B-string said:
It's on page 6 of the manual. The link is not working at the G-K site but I have a saved copy. If you can't find your owner's manual PM me an email addy and I'll send you the pdf file.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I didn't break the plastic on the owners manual yet because Fickle Frank here isn't sure he's gonna keep it or return it.
 
#138
Chef said:
It's still "gonna sound GK," which I like, but, try:
treble at 10 clock; both mids at 1 oclock; bass at 10 oclock.

IIRC, this is "more or less flat" as per BGM testing, and, what I've found generally works as a good starting point for me that I seldom move from.
This seems to work for both the MBF500 and MBF800; for me.
Click to expand...

check it out. with the -10 db pad on the highs are reduced. The GK edge seems shaved off. smoother. Is it just me or do you guys hear this too?
 
#139
Here is an extract of the spec table:
"Bass +/-14dB @ 40Hz
Lo-Mid +6/-9dB @ 250Hz
Hi-Mid +5/-8dB @ 1kHz
Treble +10/-19dB @ 7kHz
Voicing Filters:
Contour -16dB @ 500Hz or
-15dB @ 800Hz
Deep +4dB @ 30Hz
Bright +4dB @ 10kHz"

There seems to be more tone shaping options than other models, the "Front Panel Controls" page is a must read.
 
#140
B-string said:
Here is an extract of the spec table:
"Bass +/-14dB @ 40Hz
Lo-Mid +6/-9dB @ 250Hz
Hi-Mid +5/-8dB @ 1kHz
Treble +10/-19dB @ 7kHz
Voicing Filters:
Contour -16dB @ 500Hz or
-15dB @ 800Hz
Deep +4dB @ 30Hz
Bright +4dB @ 10kHz"

There seems to be more tone shaping options than other models, the "Front Panel Controls" page is a must read.
Click to expand...

Nice thanks.
 

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