GK MBF800 + HPF - What a surprise!

[Jim C]

My MBF800 has become a backup as the low end was murky when using a P bass and a GB 2x12 NeoX cabinet.
I did not have this problem with other amps (Fender 800 Pro, Ashdown ABM500, and SVT-CL).
It sounded as though the center freq. was higher than the 40 Hz. that is advertised and that there was this boomy, muddy, tonality at most volume settings.

I hadn't actually turned the amp on for over a year and decided it was time to make sure my backup was still working OK as I have a number of gigs coming up.
This time it sounded so much better!

I immediately thought that this was all in my head, but the memory of an inarticulate low end was so strong.
Turns out the P was still connected to a f'Deck HPF3 (the last amp used was a SWR SM400). I rolled the setting from approx. 60 Hz. (2:00) to 35 Hz. and the unpleasant mud returned. Back to 2:00 and the low end tightened up nicely. Still plenty of bottom but so much cleaner / clearer.

And to think, we've only had MI specific HPF's for a few years.
Too bad the P is a 1972 as I just assume have it built in.

Worth a try if your low end is messy.

 

[JMV]

I learned about HPF’s fairly recently here on TB ... agreed Jim C, a real game changer if used appropriately

 

[Blankandson]

I was thinking of putting my fDeck HPF3 on my new rig but not sure how to do it. Legacy 500 into Phil Jones CAB20 and CAB40. The only option to put it between them is using the Speakon connectors which the HPF doesn't have. Can I put the HPF3 just ahead of the Legacy input, after my pedals?

 

[mmbongo]

I was thinking of putting my fDeck HPF3 on my new rig but not sure how to do it. Legacy 500 into Phil Jones CAB20 and CAB40. The only option to put it between them is using the Speakon connectors which the HPF doesn't have. Can I put the HPF3 just ahead of the Legacy input, after my pedals?

Yes it's a pedal so would go before your amp somewhere. Definitely do not hook it to the speaker outputs!!

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I use my fDeck hpf3 into the effects loop of my Ampeg PF800 . You could do the same with your GK head . Just remember to unplug your output on the HPF so the battery doesn't run all the time . Works great for me .

 

[two fingers]

It's a powerful tool that is often dismissed because it is also a "fad" right now. Then, of course, there's the get off my lawn Jaco and Jamerson didn't need one crotchety old fuddy duddies.

It really does help in many (I would argue most) situations. If you only ask bass rigs to produce the frequencies for which they were designed, they sound tighter and fuller. Period.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I was thinking of putting my fDeck HPF3 on my new rig but not sure how to do it. Legacy 500 into Phil Jones CAB20 and CAB40. The only option to put it between them is using the Speakon connectors which the HPF doesn't have. Can I put the HPF3 just ahead of the Legacy input, after my pedals?

Fx loop or before the amp is fine. Hooking it to the speaker out would just make expensive smoke.

 

[Jim C]

I tried both ways and not sure it made that much difference but prefer it from bass to HPF to compressor to amp.
Nothing in the effects loop.

 

[wizard65]

I started using a HPF about a year ago and it’s improved my tone more than everything else I’ve tried combined.

 

[Blankandson]

I'll try it ahead of my compressor tomorrow. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Blankandson]

So if I run it in the pedal pile into the FOH and do NOT use a speaker, I'm just wasting pedal board space?

 

[lomo]

After getting introduced/ used to an HPF on my Mesa D800+, it has become a "must" for me.....I bought a Broughton HPF pedal and use it in front of my Walkabout, with great results. Another use I happily discovered while putting together a nano rig for travel..........I bought a JBL Xtreme bluetooth speaker but it wasn't useable for bass.......until I put
an HPF in front of it (bass>>HPF>>pedal preamp>>JBL) .....wow....now I can get enough volume out of it tp play along with an acoustic guitar.....in this context my 5 strings are no longer deep and throaty, but it allows me to travel with a nano rig that fits in a small carry on ....that's also great for playing tunes from my phone.....handy tool, that HPF.

 

[Stumbo]

So if I run it in the pedal pile into the FOH and do NOT use a speaker, I'm just wasting pedal board space?

Not necessarily. If the FOH is making you sound like a boom box, you can dial out the lows enough to keep your tone the way you want.

That's what @JimmyM has posted about.

 

[Funkmabassup]

My MBF800 has become a backup as the low end was murky when using a P bass and a GB 2x12 NeoX cabinet.
I did not have this problem with other amps (Fender 800 Pro, Ashdown ABM500, and SVT-CL).
It sounded as though the center freq. was higher than the 40 Hz. that is advertised and that there was this boomy, muddy, tonality at most volume settings.

I hadn't actually turned the amp on for over a year and decided it was time to make sure my backup was still working OK as I have a number of gigs coming up.
This time it sounded so much better!

I immediately thought that this was all in my head, but the memory of an inarticulate low end was so strong.
Turns out the P was still connected to a f'Deck HPF3 (the last amp used was a SWR SM400). I rolled the setting from approx. 60 Hz. (2:00) to 35 Hz. and the unpleasant mud returned. Back to 2:00 and the low end tightened up nicely. Still plenty of bottom but so much cleaner / clearer.

And to think, we've only had MI specific HPF's for a few years.
Too bad the P is a 1972 as I just assume have it built in.

Worth a try if your low end is messy.

Agree, Ive owned a couple of GK heads myself and they were all messy in the low end in need of hpf

 

[delta7fred]

I'm confused. I'm sure I read somewhere on TB that the GK MB800 (and all the MB series) has some form of internal HPF.

Is it substantially different to the MBF800?

 

[Jim C]

I'm confused. I'm sure I read somewhere on TB that the GK MB800 (and all the MB series) has some form of internal HPF.
Is it substantially different to the MBF800?

Most amps have some sort of HPF built in as does the GK.
Since most are fixed frequency, the question becomes do you like the corner frequency and the slope of the filter?
Also, having an adjustable frequency can be very helpful for some rooms.

Sending a DI with HPF to front of house is not something I would normally do assuming a knowledgeable sound man. His requirements are often very different for stage monitoring and these days most consoles have a HPF of some kind or another per channel as well as on the house main EQ.

 

[MrLenny1]

Hmmm,I just did a quick search for an fDeck and not getting
his site, pricing & info. Just articles in various Bass Mags

 

[delta7fred]

Most amps have some sort of HPF built in as does the GK.

Thanks .

This is what I thought, when I was using a pre plus power amp I added a HPF to stop my speaker cone visibly bouncing about, this hasn't happened since I switched to the MB800.

I haven't noticed any mud so guess that a HPF isn't required (I do use an Fdeck 2 on my EUB and DB for impedance matching and for when I use a smaller cab that is not as robust as my fEARful).

 

[Blankandson]

I used the fDeck HPF3 today. Put it on the pedal board after the compressor, then it went into the Legacy 500, then into PRE DI into the house. Not sure about the dial so I had it about 3 o'clock. Still had some boom in my phones but as I can't really hear what's out in the room I don't know if it helps at that setting. I'll adjust it here at home to see the the phones boominess goes away. Sound engineer today said she wasn't listening to me much so she didn't notice any change. Next week I may drop the setting back to 1:30 o'clock or so and see if that changes anything.

 

[aproud1]

I keep a HPF I’m my effects chain on my Markbass LMT800 combo. Never leave home without it. I have 2 and am considering a third.

At this point I consider a HPF as important as my bass and amp.