GK MB112 and MB115

I have the MB115 and love it for a solo practice amp.... Not sure I would gig it though...

 

Will, what is/are the situation(s) you're using this amp in? And for what style of music? And what are you competing with on stage?

 

The MB115 will be a little louder because of speaker area and sounds a little different. The MB115 also has the "Boost control", switchable limiter and "Horn defeat (off button)". The MB112 does not. Any help?

 

+1 to the MB115.

 

I own both of these amps. The MB115 is a much fuller sounding amp and much bassier. The gain and boost knobs make a big difference in the tone you can achieve at low volumes regarding the low end.

I've gigged medium venues with the MB115 and it rocks. Perfect.

I also really like the MB112 because it is so convenient at 28 lbs and will get loud. The 112 sounds better the harder you push it, almost tube like in that regard. "Hitting the rails" I believe is the term. I've used it at practice and it sounds great. The 112 is tiny and gig worthy, so I really love the amp for that. It's just easy to use. I love showing up with an amp in one hand and my bass case in the other hand, comfortably.


These amps serve 2 different purposes for me, so I own both.

If I could only have one of them,

The MB 115 is the better of these two amps for an all around lightweight practice and gigging amp.

 

I own an MB115. It honestly is a great amp... sounds very full, it will more than keep up with any drummer acoustically and hang it's own with any amplified group short of heavy metal. It's also very light and a reasonable size, although a bit large pound for pound.
I actually got to try out an MB112 yesterday and I was intrigued because it has the same head components at the MB115, is noticably smaller by volume and 6 pounds lighter. My conclusions were the MB112 is a very nice amp. It's noticeably smaller size-wise than the MB115, but also does not have the depth or volume. While it is 6lbs light the difference is weight is not that noticable. Both great amps but the MB115 is a definite step up and will hang in places the MB112 could not reach.

 

The 115 is only $50 more than the 112, and it’s only 35lbs.

I can appreciate small/light, but for cryin’ out loud, where does it end?

 

After a few gigs I returned my MB115 as it was just not enough for a regular giging amp,,,, but it was really really close.

With live shows my rock band is fairly loud, I think if GK would have givin the MB115 300watts or more it would one of the top selling giging combo's of all time, but sadly the MB115 is only 200watts.

Im a huge GK fan (I currently own the GK MB210, MBE115, MB112, Neo 410, Neo115, MB200 and MB500),,, geeze, I didnt realize I had so much GK gear until I just typed that out.

Why GK hobbled the MB115 with a mere 200 watts I will never understand,, they stopped just short of making it so much more if they would have just beefed up the wattage.

Anyhow, enough of my rant,,, I use my MB112 for rehearsals and the tiny'est of gigs,, and it does great.

For rehearsals and small to mabey "some" medium sized gigs, between the MB112 and MB115 my pick would be the MB115.

My GK amp pecking order is,,,, the MB112 for rehearsals and gigs with 17 to 26 people in attendance,,,, 27 to 43 people in attendance I use my MB210,,,,44 to 78 people in attendance I use my MB210 and MBE115,,,, gigs with 79 to 123 people in attendance I use my GK MB500 head with Neo 410,,, 124 to 347 people in attendance I use my GK MB500 head with Neo 410 with my Neo 115,,, more than 347 people I just plug into the PA and use my MB112 as a monitor

My MB200 head stays in the truck as back-up in case something Im using blows up.

Cheers
Davyo

 

If you want more volume then get more speakers.

 

Some of those combos don't accommodate additional cabs.

I would get as big/powerful a rig as I could in the context of what I can afford and physicaly handle, and just turn it down if it’s more than I need for a particular gig.

 

Well yeah that's what I meant. If you're looking for an amp for rehearsal/gigs I'd start looking for a cab/amp or one of those big 212/410 MB combos GK makes.

 

Only 115 I ever had was a TC Electronic BG500 combo (was stolen), and whatever the actual wattage was, via whatever processing it had, it handled even loudish bar gigs sufficiently. I never tried the GK 115 combo, but I doubt they can keep up.

I do have a GK MB500 head and 212MBE cab (not the most durable cab unless you add some internal cross bracing, which I had to do) that can keep up with all but the loudest gigs, but a 200-watt 112… that’s a bedroom practice amp.

 

It really depends on the gig. Let common sense rule the day.

The MB112 is a great amp for a great many live venues and musical settings.

Determine your volume needs and then address the right tool for the right job.

 

why dont you get the new version of the mb112 its coming out this summer and you can hook up to the new powered cabs coming out this summer,the combinations are endless and theres no limit to how many cabs you hook up to the combo(problem solved) I am waiting on a GK MB112 that I ordered back in march,I will be able to use the combo alone for rehearsals and if need be hook up to the 112 powered cab or whatever size cab I want to for gigs if I need to!!!

 

I wish they were making a 12 with the amp of the 15.

I have the 12 now and like it. And love the weight.
I'd really like that 15 amp with a 12 inch speaker though.
I have always preferred the sound of 12s over 15s.

 

Both are nice - but, the MB115 has more oomph than the MB112.

 

Unless you gig with it...



I had it set at about 11:00 in this little gig. No P.A. All stage sound. Playing a 51RI P bass with flats. It sounds really bassy but - believe it or not - I usually played with the bass all the way down, and the 2 mid controls boosted.

 

Sounds great.

I'd have So Much Fun playing material like that. I'm jealous.