A work around for now would be four 32 ohm power resistors connected (in parallel) to a 1/4 inch jack on the speaker output. This should keep it from oscillating while being used as a preamp.
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GK mb200 ultra light head?
- Thread starter pigdog
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I'm pretty confident it isn't a clipping issue since I've tried it with a speaker load and with my passive mode bass volume cranked and gain on amp full up and it did not go into protect. It's in the local warranty repair center right now, so hopefully they'll resolve the issue in about a month.
What cabs are people using with their GK MB200? I have an Epi UL-110 Series 1 that I use and it sounds great, but I think I would prefer to have a single 4 ohm cab (still nice and compact though) to get the most out of the head. Any thoughts?
I use a Schroeder 15L 4 ohm. It is ballsy and loud. I have tried a few cabs with it and it is by far my favorite. I also have a Bergantino HT110 8 ohm and it is not nearly as loud and has less midrange but a cleaner bottom end. Actually thinking about getting a second mb200 for the Bergantino and try them together. At this point I don't need that much volume so will keep an eye out for a used one.
You could try this one:
Link Removed
I don't know the seller so I can't vouch for him. That's the lowest I've seen a used MB200 go for though so it might be worth emailing him to see if he will ship it.
i absolutely love my mb200! i had the mb2-500 until just recently. i was anxious to try out the smaller version and when i did, it just blew me away. the 500 was loud as hell, more than i needed, so i gave the little guy a shot and it totally amazed me. it's loud as hell too and sounds great. i use a GK MBE2x12 with it that is a 4 ohm cab so i can get the full 200 watts and it really is more than enough for any gig. i have a crazy loud drummer and a electric guitar and piano to compete with and it does the job just fine. and i don't even have to crank it. the amp and 12s sound so good together that i don't miss the extra knobs to twiddle with. and i have to say, with a fretless, this is an awesome rig! i can fit the head in my gig bag pocket or inside the storage compartment inside my hard case. the cab is light as can be too. i can carry my entire rig in one trip.
I use a Dr Ass 1x15 cab and a SWR 1x10 cab. When using only one cab, there is a noticeable drop in volume (140 watts vs 200 watts and the fact that I only have one speaker going vs 2) But with the whole rig up it is crazy loud. My only change would be to go with a 2x10 instead of the 1x10.
Carvin BRX 10.2 (4 ohm)
or
Seismic Audio 1X15 cab loaded with a 3015 and speaker foam padding (8 ohm)
The BRX at the last Jam was shaking the stage (I play it vertical). When I took the MB200 out of my bag one of the guitarist thought I was joking...until we started playing then he shut-up.
The 3015 even though its 8 ohms is so efficient that it still sounds like 200W. Now that I broke in the speaker with an oscillator it sounds sweet!
Just got my MB200 from MF today (10% coupon code, so $224 to the door, not to shabby). However, I wanted to fire up this puppy so I tried plugging my 1/4" speaker cable in an... it dun' fit! I tried several 1/4" jacks I had lying around, none fit. The connector is supposed to be a combo speakon / 1/4" plug but I'm thinking this unit was built with a standard plane jane speakon connector. I think I might have some speakon plugs around somewhere to put together a cable to try or I'll have to pick one up.
Has anyone else had this problem? Annoying as all he**.
Has anyone else had this problem? Annoying as all he**.
My new MB500 came with a manual update stating that they were no longer using the combined Speakon/.25". Maybe the MB200 is the same?
Interesting. I did manage to scrounge a speakon connector and wire it to one of my cables. Worked fine, so no problems, just a bit annoying. Have to play with this a bit and explore it's possibilities.
I'm using the Epi UL-110 Series 2, love the sound, love carrying a 20lb cab and a 2lb amp. Works for what I do.
But the sound does get huge when you add another speaker and run it at 4 ohms.
My MB 200 has the combo jack and it's only a few months old. As far as the no speaker load thing goes, I have used mine almost exclusively as a headphone amp with no problem at all for hours. I also tried it as a preamp into a QSC PLX 1202 with no problems either, although it was'nt an entire night.
I picked up an Ampeg SVT210AV(companion to the Micro VR) in the spring, and the MB200 tonally is absolutely a perfect match. The cab is light weight, and has a killer tone. I use it now for rehearsals, recording, and for upright gigs.
Do you miss any of the high end without a tweeter? I was thinking about picking up a pair of those but haven't been able try one out yet.
I thought I would, but the MB200 is pretty bright and I don't really notice any lack of high end. Its a pretty balanced sounding cabinet.
I've seen where some people are using the MB200(4ohm) with certain 8 ohm cabinets. I this OK? I'm looking at an Avatar 250 watt 8 ohm neo cabinet and wonder how it would work. Would I lose or gain any volume...any other consequences??
Thanx...
Thanx...
Anybody have any real world experience with the MB200 compared to the likes if micro heads from Genz Benz and Mark Bass?
4 ohms is just the minimum the MB200 can do. You can use it with 4 or 8 ohm cabs. I use mine with an 8 ohm 10" cab.
No problems, it will just pull less wattage than the 200 it is rated at with a 4 ohm cabinet. I think you will get about 140 watts out of it. I use an 8 ohm GK Neo 112-II cabinet and it sounds great.
Having said that, GK should have come out with some 4 ohm cabinets to pair with this head. Most people aren't pairing two cabinets to get down to 4 ohms. That defeats the portable nature of this head. I would have at least liked for them to offer their Neo cabs in 4 or 8 ohm options.
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