Gk mb500 vs mb800

[Ambrose1769]

Apart from power ratings, is there any difference in these amps from a tonal perspective, 500w is heaps for me I just want to know if they are the same tone wise

thanks

 

[Al Kraft]

Apart from power ratings, is there any difference in these amps from a tonal perspective, 500w is heaps for me I just want to know if they are the same tone wise

thanks

IME (and I own all three MB models) the 800 sounds a little less aggressive with all controls set at the same place. The MB200 and 800 just seem to have less of an inherent edge in their voicing to my ear - and I have no idea why that would be. That said, the 500 is an excellent head and with some tweaking you can get it very close tone/voicing-wise to its siblings.

I use the 500 for rock as well as country, folk, and bluegrass, so the difference is quite subtle and not a problem.
The 500 also feels more powerful than some other heads in its power range I have tried and own. A good example of this is my TH500 which I like very much, but just doesn't have the cutting presence, punch and powerful feel that the MB500 has.

In a busy mix and operating within their clean capabilities volume-wise, I don't think you'd be able to tell them apart.