GK MB800 Fusion vs GB1001RB Mark 2

[SweetEmotion]

Hey gang! New to bass. Never had a proper bass amp, but I bought me a fun 4x12 bass cab, and I'd like to get a 'decent' head. I'm stuck on the MB800 Fusion and the 1001RB. I haven't heard any of them, and I don't know what I like - but I don't have too much of a choice in terms of trying a bunch. I like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and all those 70s/80s rock. Between those two, is one more favored than the other?

 

[2saddleslab]

No history w/ the MB800 but have owned a GK1001rbii for over 15 years. It has headroom to spare and has enough punch to drive nails. Paired w/ a 412 it will sound huge.

 

[DWBass]

Had the GK as a backline. Holy cow was that a great sounding amp!

 

[blizzard]

Honestly with a 4x12 cab, I would probably choose the Gk700RB over the 1001RB. Part of the RB series magic is running the amp hard and getting some overdrive. With the 1001RB and a 4x12 it's going to be ridiculously loud.

 

[Marko 1]

Can those RBs still be reasonably serviceable?

 

[PB2578]

Have owned both, both are fantastic

You'll love the size/portability of the mb800, it has a lot more natural tube warmth if that's what you're looking for - still punches thru the mix amazingly as any GK will
1001rb is an all-time great bass amp, the punchiest I've ever owned. Truly a fantastic piece of equipment with more headroom than you'll ever use.

1001 is definitely much more of a pain in the butt to move around due to size/weight, I feel so spoiled with my tiny mb800 now

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I have had the 1001 in the past

currently own a 500MB fusion

and have to say
Even when using a Gk bass plugin on my computer

I found the rb series had a girth and authority that was un matched

Plus with the ability to "hit the rails" you get a nice growly tone

The fusion mb I have compared to even the solid state warmed it up but not by much. It's still very much GK in tone bright and in your face but still different to the rb

more clean and I find with the tube gives it more depth in the low end
All though I have the "boost side" channel which to my ears sounds warmer and more grit which gives it more authority. It doesn't match the rb

I know some guys who use the rb 1001 for reggae and another guy uses the 2001 rb for reggae and both have super deep tones but for me the mb does a good tone that can be very versatile

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I found the rb series had a girth and authority that was un matched Plus with the ability to "hit the rails" you get a nice growly tone

Excellent description.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Can't go wrong with either amp, but what 4x12 cab did you get? That will make a big difference on tone and perceived volume. The GK's EQ section is versatile enough to where you can get a wide range of tones or do room correction, with a lot of flexibility on tap to get "your sound".

I have the 700RB-II still, but I've owned the Backline 600 (my first REAL amp), MB200 and MB500, as well as the Fusion 550....

Backline 600 - Looking back, I PROBABLY would have kept this amp for old time's sake and as a backup. I was young when I owned it and needed the money to fund other purchases. It's a solid amp and they were pretty well-made.
MB200 - Fantastic little amp and much louder than you'd expect. Only one speaker out and cabs you could daisy chain weren't AS common back then. Shoulda kept this one too.
MB500 - Things were getting hairy financially...it was a great head and shipped for cheap, so it left while the 700RB-II stayed.
Fusion 550 - Not a bad amp by any means, it was my realistically achievable "Dream Amp" since it was a tube front end and GK power section. Not different enough from the 700RB-II to warrant the weight and cost. This lost out to the 700RB-II and MB200 (still had it at the time).

 

[Ken R]

@Plucky is right asking what 4x12 you bought.

I was using a Peavey TVX4x12 (4ohm) during this time.
I have owned a 1001rb first gen 2x10 combo and a EA 2x10 under it. It was stupid powerful and had great tone.
I was using (and still own) a 400rb from 1984. This pairing (TVX and 400rb) proved to be plenty loud for any gig, including outdoors without PA support. Using an MB200 worked pretty well, but didn't have the beef of the 400rb. The 800rb Fusion arrived after selling the TVX, but I think that combo would have been really good too.
What I can tell you is that the 400rb and the 800rb Fusion, paired with a Genz-Benz 2x12 neo is a stellar combination.

So, what 4x12 DID you buy @SweetEmotion?

 

[LittleRicky]

I had both and sold the 800MB.
The RB is just warmer and thicker than than Class D MB. I run it though a Neo 212.
If portability is most important there's also the older 150MB series combos and heads which also sound warmer than the class D MB series.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

MB800.
Way easier to deal with.

 

[LuckyScott]

I've had them both. Currently happily playing the MB800 fusion.
Love them both but the MB800 has a nice tube preamp and it gives you a far superior tone.
I forget what the 1001RB has for a direct out, (it's been a lot of years), but the MB800 has an XLR output so no direct box needed.
Really, the MB800 is just a more modern and superior micro head, but it will cost you a little more.

 

[groovaholic]

Just to clarify; are you talking the solid-state MB800 or the MB Fusion 800 (with the tube preamp)?

Either one will have deeper lows and brighter highs than an RB-Series amp, at the expense of some of the classic GK punch.
The tubes in the Fusion preamp will soften the highs a bit and give a bit more blur to the lows.

With a 4x12, I'll second the suggestions for a 700RB-II - it would be more than enough and IMO sounds a bit sweeter than the 1001RB.

But since you say:

I like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and all those 70s/80s rock.

I'm wondering if either GK amp might be too modern of a sound for you?
Sure, Tom Hamilton played GK later in Aerosmith's career - but the Ampeg SVT was the go-to bass sound of 70s-80s rock...and GK tone is VERY different from SVT tone.

Don't want you shopping for a steak at KFC, so to speak.

 

[Scarey Larry]

I have an MB800 fusion and had a couple 1001's. I prefer the 1001's over the 800 BUT they are old, and at least where I live, impossible to get fixed. The 800 is very good though and the A/B channels are nice. I have also had the 700's and they sound the same as the 1001. I preferred the 700's to the 1001 but same repair problem in my area. I guess I am basically saying the 1001's and 700's broke and was age related. That said 1001/700 never cost over $300.00 and can be found easily enough.

 

[SweetEmotion]

@Plucky is right asking what 4x12 you bought.

I was using a Peavey TVX4x12 (4ohm) during this time.
I have owned a 1001rb first gen 2x10 combo and a EA 2x10 under it. It was stupid powerful and had great tone.
I was using (and still own) a 400rb from 1984. This pairing (TVX and 400rb) proved to be plenty loud for any gig, including outdoors without PA support. Using an MB200 worked pretty well, but didn't have the beef of the 400rb. The 800rb Fusion arrived after selling the TVX, but I think that combo would have been really good too.
What I can tell you is that the 400rb and the 800rb Fusion, paired with a Genz-Benz 2x12 neo is a stellar combination.

So, what 4x12 DID you buy @SweetEmotion?

Nothing real special on the cab front. I found a 'Tube Works' 412 - these were made by GenzBenz back in the day. They seem to have a decent reputation on here from what I could find.

@grooveaholic - I am talking about the MB800 fusion. Which is slightly cheaper than the RB1001

 

[SweetEmotion]

There's also an Ampeg SVT 4-Pro which I think I'm gonna move to the top of the list.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

As a GK player exclusively right now, I would go with the 700Rb II. I think it will really suit what you're going for for and sound amazing with that cab. I have an 2009 700RB II that has never failed me and I've never been in a situation where I needed more volume or a different tone. My brother had the 1001RB and it sounds good but unless you are playing stages where you need a lot of stage volume, it's not necessary. At moderate volumes it sounded almost sterile and too clean. That can be a good thing but if your going for a classic rock tone, the bloom and growl of a 700RB with the boost knob up will sound amazing.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Just to clarify; are you talking the solid-state MB800 or the MB Fusion 800 (with the tube preamp)?

Either one will have deeper lows and brighter highs than an RB-Series amp, at the expense of some of the classic GK punch.
The tubes in the Fusion preamp will soften the highs a bit and give a bit more blur to the lows.

With a 4x12, I'll second the suggestions for a 700RB-II - it would be more than enough and IMO sounds a bit sweeter than the 1001RB.

But since you say:
I'm wondering if either GK amp might be too modern of a sound for you?
Sure, Tom Hamilton played GK later in Aerosmith's career - but the Ampeg SVT was the go-to bass sound of 70s-80s rock...and GK tone is VERY different from SVT tone.

Don't want you shopping for a steak at KFC, so to speak.

Blur in the lows? I had a 1001 as a loaner for a bit and between that and the fusion 500 I have with deep switch. I had no shortage.

infact like I said I found the fusion to have more depth then then the solid state mb

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've had them both. Currently happily playing the MB800 fusion.
Love them both but the MB800 has a nice tube preamp and it gives you a far superior tone.
I forget what the 1001RB has for a direct out, (it's been a lot of years), but the MB800 has an XLR output so no direct box needed.
Really, the MB800 is just a more modern and superior micro head, but it will cost you a little more.

The 1001 RB has a nice XLR DI out with volume control right on the front of the amp.