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Got my GK MB Fusion today!!!!

#201
I now have done a number of gigs with this head, and I've warmed up to using the 210. I'm interested to get my Thunderchild at some point, and the Fusion will have a directo competitor as I have a Streamliner head showing up soon. The LMTube is still in the shop awaiting a new preamp board. Yet another reason to have multiple heads.

As for the Fusion, still impressed. It is a very "present" sound, and the Rob Allen has a lot more punch than it did with the LMTube (running all eq flat). It'll be an interesting battle with the Streamliner but the plan is to keep both and sell the LMTube when it's fixed. My hunch from my quick listening to the Streamliner is that it is a rounder tone than the Fusion, and has more variations of grit due to the extra degree of control afforded by the gain button and gain/vol/master setup.
 
#202
"after some gigs" report on my MB Fusion...

This head has LOTS of ooomph, but I do find it a little bit heavier down low with everything set at noon compared to my Markbass head (which I have a LOT of miles on at this point). When I pair it with the GK Neo112-II's (rapidly becoming some of my fave cabs ever), I do find myself bumping the mids a tad... and maybe sometimes cutting the bass a bit. But then it's perfect. And I do actually play it "flat" a lot too.

What I find the coolest about this head, and what I'll be VERY interested to hear in the Streamliner competitor, is the richer harmonic content of having that all tube front end, and unlike some other hybrid designs, having the tubes driven with the proper voltages, so they do what they're really supposed to. IMHO, that's what really sets this head far apart from the rest. Not categorically better of course, just very noticeably different in some pleasant and interesting ways.

I'm particularly excited about the MB 800 at this point too. We'll see what shakes out of that tree when I get one. :)
 
#203
Vic said:
"after some gigs" report on my MB Fusion...

This head has LOTS of ooomph, but I do find it a little bit heavier down low with everything set at noon compared to my Markbass head (which I have a LOT of miles on at this point). When I pair it with the GK Neo112-II's (rapidly becoming some of my fave cabs ever), I do find myself bumping the mids a tad... and maybe sometimes cutting the bass a bit. But then it's perfect. And I do actually play it "flat" a lot too.

What I find the coolest about this head, and what I'll be VERY interested to hear in the Streamliner competitor, is the richer harmonic content of having that all tube front end, and unlike some other hybrid designs, having the tubes driven with the proper voltages, so they do what they're really supposed to. IMHO, that's what really sets this head far apart from the rest. Not categorically better of course, just very noticeably different in some pleasant and interesting ways.

I'm particularly excited about the MB 800 at this point too. We'll see what shakes out of that tree when I get one. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, you can DEFINITELY tell that the tubes are affecting the tone. That definitely sets it apart from the other micro amps on the market. Dig all the features as well...limiter, contour, deep and presence switches, etc. Great amp!
 
#204
DaveAceofBass said:
Dig all the features as well...limiter, contour, deep and presence switches, etc.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, forgot to comment on these.

I pretty much leave the limiter on all the time, as I really like how clean and musical it is, but I will probably never use the contour or deep features. Both of those go in the wrong direction tonally for my preferences on this particular amp... and really, on most amps with these types of features. Anyway, FWIW.
 
#205
Vic said:
Oh yeah, forgot to comment on these.

I pretty much leave the limiter on all the time, as I really like how clean and musical it is, but I will probably never use the contour or deep features. Both of those go in the wrong direction tonally for my preferences on this particular amp... and really, on most amps with these types of features. Anyway, FWIW.
Click to expand...

That all depends on what bass you use, tonal preferences, etc. I like the deep switch, but the presence is a bit much. The contour cuts the mids more than necessary, but that all depends on how high you set it. It's nice to be able to boost the low/high mids but cut a specific band with the contour. Just plenty of tonal shaping but still easy enough to use. The overdrive is not as warm as the AG500, but I pretty much only used the Aguilar's clean channel. The clean tone on the MB Fusion has way more character, sounds much richer IMHO. It's more like the DB750 than the AG500, even though it's a different brand of amp!
 
#206
DaveAceofBass said:
That all depends on what bass you use, tonal preferences, etc....
Click to expand...
Of course... please notice...

Vic said:
...Both of those go in the wrong direction tonally for my preferences on this particular amp...
Click to expand...
I tried to word it very carefully so you wouldn't take it as a challenge to your (completely valid) opinion. :)
 
#209
Vic said:
"after some gigs" report on my MB Fusion...

This head has LOTS of ooomph, but I do find it a little bit heavier down low with everything set at noon compared to my Markbass head (which I have a LOT of miles on at this point). When I pair it with the GK Neo112-II's (rapidly becoming some of my fave cabs ever), I do find myself bumping the mids a tad... and maybe sometimes cutting the bass a bit. But then it's perfect. And I do actually play it "flat" a lot too.

What I find the coolest about this head, and what I'll be VERY interested to hear in the Streamliner competitor, is the richer harmonic content of having that all tube front end, and unlike some other hybrid designs, having the tubes driven with the proper voltages, so they do what they're really supposed to. IMHO, that's what really sets this head far apart from the rest. Not categorically better of course, just very noticeably different in some pleasant and interesting ways.

I'm particularly excited about the MB 800 at this point too. We'll see what shakes out of that tree when I get one. :)
Click to expand...

+3, one each for the comments on the MB Fusion, the comments on the Neo112-II's (man, whoever recommended that you try those out must be a genius! :smug: :p :D), and one for the excitement about the MB800. :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :cool:
 
#210
Just picked up a "like new" Fusion on ebay! Can't wait especially after being glued to this thread.

I'm a long time Hartke 7000 guy. I really like the Hartke sound but wanted that GK sound again. I had an old 200 RCB back in college that I really loooved.

Any thoughts on the Fushion vs. the Hartke? At first I'll be running it through my Hartke 410 and 115. May get some different cabs depending...

Thanks guys!
 
#212
Got mine today! Super pumped. It has that GK sound that I fell in love with in the 80's. Punchy, clear, LOUD! Anywho's I have a few newb type questions for the class:

1. Does this thing have 2 fans? I see there is a small one on the right side (as you look at the face). I "think" I hear one running but the one on the right side is not spinning?

2. Countour switch - I'm not using the countour so is it safe to assume the switch doesn't have any bearing on the shape of the mid scoop if the dial if OFF (all the way left)?

3. Will running my Line 6 Bass Pod Live XT make the Fusion run hotter? I'm running it in front and swear the fan (or at least what I'm hearing) comes on sooner at the same volume levels.

Thanks for any help fellas. Can't wait to dial this thing in.
 
#213
husky123 said:
1. Does this thing have 2 fans? I see there is a small one on the right side (as you look at the face). I "think" I hear one running but the one on the right side is not .
Click to expand...

uhhh dunce alert for me. I just realized I was looking at the black inlet cover (under the chrome guard) and not the actual fan. Doh!

Glad I could answer one of my own questions. :D

Now for the other 2.....
 
#214
Man I must be a THREAD KILLER!

Anywho's I'll keep talking to myself.:D

Had band practice this weekend and was seriously disappointed with my Fushion's sound. I had it pumping through my Hartke 115 and 410 TP's. I'm hoping it's just the cabs.

I just couldn't dial in much growl and snarl.

I'm thinking about picking up the Neo 212 and give that a whirl. Any thoughts on the Fushion mated to the Neo 212's? Are they a good compromise between 10's and 15's?
 
#215
husky123 said:
Man I must be a THREAD KILLER!

Anywho's I'll keep talking to myself.:D

Had band practice this weekend and was seriously disappointed with my Fushion's sound. I had it pumping through my Hartke 115 and 410 TP's. I'm hoping it's just the cabs.

I just couldn't dial in much growl and snarl.

I'm thinking about picking up the Neo 212 and give that a whirl. Any thoughts on the Fushion mated to the Neo 212's? Are they a good compromise between 10's and 15's?
Click to expand...

Interesting. I wonder if it will sound better with the 12s. I'm way impressed with my MB200 and really like it with the Schroeder 1212L I have. Enough so that I've been thinking seriously of getting an MB Fusion (when I really have no need for another amp...) I've never got on too well with the Hartke cabs (but my experience is limited to when they've been provided backline at festivals - just have not been my favorites - not dissing them...).
 
#216
husky123 said:
Man I must be a THREAD KILLER!

Anywho's I'll keep talking to myself.:D

Had band practice this weekend and was seriously disappointed with my Fushion's sound. I had it pumping through my Hartke 115 and 410 TP's. I'm hoping it's just the cabs.

I just couldn't dial in much growl and snarl.

I'm thinking about picking up the Neo 212 and give that a whirl. Any thoughts on the Fushion mated to the Neo 212's? Are they a good compromise between 10's and 15's?
Click to expand...

GK's Neo line of cabs all sound very good to my ear, but their 12" models are the most impressive, IMHO. Both the Neo112-II and Neo212-II challenge or beat the very best, top-tier manufacturers in their respective form factors, and do so at a ridiculously low (again, IMHO) prices.

To cut to the chase, yes, the MB Fusion sounds great with the Neo112/212, and yes, I think it'd be a marked difference from your Hartke cabs (which are nice in their own right, but not a great match for the MB Fusion, IME).

Tom.
 
#217
husky123 said:
I'm thinking about picking up the Neo 212 and give that a whirl. Any thoughts on the Fushion mated to the Neo 212's? Are they a good compromise between 10's and 15's?
Click to expand...
I'd say maybe even better than either. I can not recommend the Neo112-II cabs enough... both with the MB Fusion and with other stuff. The more I play mine, the more impressed I am.

Noting the whole controversy over the lack of batting material in these, it makes you wonder if cab designers have been chasing the wrong target all these years... trying so hard to satisfy a technically accurate spectrum analyzer... instead of trying to find the best way to please the inherently imperfect human ear.

Anyway, I'm not sure what the technical term is for it, but they kicka$$. :)
 
#218
I have the Neo 412 and its beaten many cabs i've put it against,, including the Ampeg 810e and 810pro ,
not to mention its so perty and weighs next to nothing,

I Can't wait to hear what the Fusion Sounds like paired up with this Beast!

Can anyone Discribe the Distortion a bit more on the Fusion?

I used to have the 550 so i know how it breaks up on that model but am curious if the Class D does something totally different to the sound, I really like the Aggressive-ness the drive had on my sound from the 550 tho!
 

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