Double Bass GK MB500 vs. Aguilar TH350 for doubling.

[thmsjordan]

Hey gang.

Just returned a defective Genz Benz 3.0 (used) to replace the one that was just permanently borrowed by someone I have never met. I don't want to say it was stolen because I hope it will be magically returned to me some day. I am facing the dilemma of finding a substitute, since the Genz Benz pipeline is no more.

I have it narrowed down to either an Aguilar Tone Hammer 350, or a Gallien-Krueger MB500.

Any thoughts on these? I am especially interested in what upright players are thinking of these amps when compared to my Former 3.0. I have heard good things about both amps. I am pretty aware of how these sound for electric. I have also owned a GK 150-MBS so I have an idea of how that amp sounds. Not familiar with the MB500 or the TH350 with Acoustic bass.

Anyone want to chime in here?

 

[BHBassman]

I have the GK MB500- Great amp for UB,EB& EUB.
Use it with a GK NEO112, also Markbass T210( also 2 Markbass T210s when necessary)
with great results.
Many EQ possibilities-depends on your cab, room, PU, etc.
The Aguilar would also be great, but I'd recommend the 500.
Also own an Ampeg 350-wish I spent the extra $ & bought the 500

 

[basss]

I have both the MB500 and 3.0 and like both for slab and doghouse. The GK is a bit more scooped sounding than the Genz but with some EQ I get a sound that I like out of either. The GK is a lot louder. Never tried the aguilar but I did have a DB659 pre that I loved for electric but didn't like with upright.

 

[thmsjordan]

Thanks very much for the responses. I pulled the trigger on an MB500 yesterday. I have always been very happy with GK's stuff for both upright and electric. I do agree with the scooped comment too when comparing the amps. GK just seems to have nailed the tone I like most. I don't need to fiddle around with the tone controls to find it. Of course GB has an amazing tone for double bass but I always liked GK better for the slab.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I'm about to compare these two side by side. I've got a TH350 that I like, but I soon found out the Drive knob doesn't do what I thought.
I'll get the MB500 next week.

 

[Ric Vice]

Hey gang.

Just returned a defective Genz Benz 3.0 (used) to replace the one that was just permanently borrowed by someone I have never met. I don't want to say it was stolen because I hope it will be magically returned to me some day. I am facing the dilemma of finding a substitute, since the Genz Benz pipeline is no more.

I have it narrowed down to either an Aguilar Tone Hammer 350, or a Gallien-Krueger MB500.

Any thoughts on these? I am especially interested in what upright players are thinking of these amps when compared to my Former 3.0. I have heard good things about both amps. I am pretty aware of how these sound for electric. I have also owned a GK 150-MBS so I have an idea of how that amp sounds. Not familiar with the MB500 or the TH350 with Acoustic bass.

Anyone want to chime in here?

It's so unfortunate that your Genz Benz was stolen. I had a Headway EDB -2, Ehrlund Preamp, and two Asterope Cables stolen from my car in August. The FET's in the Shuttle gave it warmth that I've only experienced with two other amps the, GK 200MB combo and the older Walter Woods MI-100/400-8's.
I did try the GKMB500 out, but I've never gigged extensively with one. As I recall, setting the Contour
control correctly is the secret to getting a good DB tone from the MB's.

Ric

 

[thmsjordan]

It's so unfortunate that your Genz Benz was stolen. I had a Headway EDB -2, Ehrlund Preamp, and two Asterope Cables stolen from my car in August. The FET's in the Shuttle gave it warmth that I've only experienced with two other amps the, GK 200MB combo and the older Walter Woods MI-100/400-8's.
I did try the GKMB500 out, but I've never gigged extensively with one. As I recall, setting the Contour
control correctly is the secret to getting a good DB tone from the MB's.

Ric

I actually found a new GB Shuttle 3.0 shortly after my April 20134 post at a store in Canton province in Ohio. Happy Camper once again!! I did pick up a MB500 for electric, but the Genz is my choice for upright, no two ways about it.

 

[thmsjordan]

It's so unfortunate that your Genz Benz was stolen. I had a Headway EDB -2, Ehrlund Preamp, and two Asterope Cables stolen from my car in August. The FET's in the Shuttle gave it warmth that I've only experienced with two other amps the, GK 200MB combo and the older Walter Woods MI-100/400-8's.
I did try the GKMB500 out, but I've never gigged extensively with one. As I recall, setting the Contour
control correctly is the secret to getting a good DB tone from the MB's.

Ric

Sorry to hear about your loss as well. I wish we lived in a world without thieves. but I suppose there is nothing for it.

 

[Gremson]

I don't have the MB500, but I've got the MB200. Which from what I've read is basically the same tone circuit, just less wattage.
I double with mine through an Avatar B115 and it's great for me. I use an original Radial Bassbone to switch between my Rev Solo equipped upright and my Bass VI.
It's been a great amp for me. Tone has been perfect for what I do, which has been a smattering of soul, to folk, to more progressive stuff. Only thing I wish I had was more headroom. But with the MB500 I'd be set. YMMV.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The MB200 doesn't have a boost knob.
I had one, and you can only get clean out of it.

 

[Ric Vice]

The MB200 doesn't have a boost knob.
I had one, and you can only get clean out of it.

While that's certianly true, the boost knob isn't as useful for Double Bass as it is for EB. Actually, I prefer the EQ section of the MB200 for Double Bass. If it only had a 500 watt power section, it would be ideal. Just my opinion of course. Desigining an amp for both DB and EB is trickier than you'd think. Double Bass usually needs sensitive EQ, that can cut back low frequencies, upper midrange, and treble, in small increments, while boosting the lower midrange just slightly. EB benefits from the amps ability to do the opposite. Building an amp that can do both well is possible but not that frequenty done. Even the finest amps, tend to work better with either EB or DB. So amps tend to divide themselves into DB or EB. Respectively, the MB200 is a great DB amp and a decent EB amp while the MB500 is a great EB amp but only a decent DB amp.


Ric

 

[Killed_by_Death]

So, the EQ on MB200 & MB500 isn't the same?

 

[Gremson]

So, the EQ on MB200 & MB500 isn't the same?

Everything I've believed is a lie...

 

[PaperbackRyder]

Double Bass usually needs sensitive EQ, that can cut back low frequencies, upper midrange, and treble, in small increments, while boosting the lower midrange just slightly. EB benefits from the amps ability to do the opposite

I agree with this, and to the OP's question, both the GK and Aguilar have their own baked in sound. I prefer the Aguilar tone profile and now own the TH350. To my surprise, the Aguilar is a wonderful amp for my upright (Upton ply w Full Circle). While initially wishing for a second midrange, the gain/mid/drive controls produce great tones and plenty of volume while controlling the dreaded Boom & Flub. Put the FDek in front, and piezo quack/honk is mitigated. Apologies for all the tech jargon.

 

[Ric Vice]

So, the EQ on MB200 & MB500 isn't the same?

Everything I've believed is a lie...

Well, according to the GK EQ specs their identical, but after playing through both of them side by side with the same bass and cabinet, I preferred the tone of the 200MB. The only striking differences between the two amps, are a smaller power amp section, the drive circuit and control in the pre amp on the MB 500, and a Contour switch on the MB 200, vs the variable Contour dial on the MB 500. My guess is that the differences in the Contour circuitry are the reason. GK redesigned the midrange controls on the original 200MB's (combos) when they built the MBE's, and added set of semi parametric mid range controls vs the older models, low and high midrange setup. IME, it totally altered the midrange sound of that amp, making it better for EB, but worse for DB IMHO. Just a slight change in the voicing of midrange controls makes all the between a great Double Bass amp and a mediocre one. Just my take. GK eventually released the MBS without the semi parametric mid controls to rectify the problem. Just my take.

Ric