Got my GK MB Fusion today!!!!

[CLMSHQ]

I don't buy amps often. Since '95 I've stuck w/my Nordschow-modified Eden WT-400, and before that used an old Acoustic for 20 years. Somewhere in between there was a 400RB, but it was not reliable and I ditched it, even though it sounded good. Still, along the way I've encountered lots of GK backline and borrowed rigs, and I have always walked away thinking that I really do like that sound. It's a contrast to my beloved Eden, but it's a good one.

But this week I made the leap, and tonight I gigged my new MB 500 Fusion for the first time. Man oh man, what an amp! It has a great full sound, thick and juicy down low but keeping that GK growl at every level. I ran it with my pair of Ag DB 112's, what a great combo... very satisfying.

I didn't need or use any of the low boost, presence or contour features, but I had no trouble dialing in a great sound just by rolling off a tiny bit of both low and high, and fattening up the low & high mids just a smidgeon.

After some of the comments in this thread I was a little concerned about the overdriven sound, but I found the B channel to have a wonderful grittiness once I found the sweet spot, and the footswitch did just what I hoped in letting me punch in that tubey thickness whenever needed. Just a touch of extra gain in that channel vs. the A channel was a wonderful experience, much like having a good grit pedal for boost. The A channel was my "go to" clean sound and I like it a lot.

Somewhat to my surprise, by careful tweaking of the gain/master settings with either channel, you can achieve some of that wonderful character that lives in the mids of an all tube amp. I know there's been a lot of hoopla about the Streamliner in this regard, and I wasn't sure from what I've read here that this amp would have that quality, but it really does, and it is a nice addition to the GK characteristic sound, which this has all the way.

I might as well also give GK kudos for silk screening the rear panel options on the top of the box where it's completely easy to see what you're doing... ingenious! It sure makes set-up quick and easy. This thing is very user-friendly.

And the volume is scary. Even with the gains in the 11 to 1:00 neighborhood, I didn't dare set the masters at all past 10:00, and this in a big club with a couple hundred in attendance. Oh, and I had PA support... the DI sounded fine. I'm not sure how much louder it would get, but I'm also not sure how much louder I would ever need except maybe outdoors unsupported.

About the only niggle I can come up with (and the power cord fit fine, BTW, nice-n-snug) is the brilliance of the red illuminated pad, mute and channel B buttons when engaged. Holy cow, are they ever bright! Magic marker, maybe? Has anyone tried that?

I spent a long time warming up to the micro idea, and then a long time deciding which way to jump. I'm convinced this was the right move. These 500 watt power modules are fantastic and this baby has one fabulous preamp to go with it. It's nice to be back in GK mode, and at less than 5 lbs too!

Wow! Great Review and Experience from the sounds of it. I have been debating this for a while, and this sums it up for me to get rid of my MarkBass LMIII and go for one of these. I have been using my Boss EQ pedal to try and get the sound I want out of my amp LMIII, and I do not like using pedals. I rather plug and play!

 

[maritimer]

Great review and I concur entirely. I have been an all Eden guy (WT550 plus Eden cabs) and wanted something lightweight. I had my first full band gig this weekend and I am still smiling. Great tone, wonderful grit and edginess with the GK and tons of power. I ran my bass and treble dialed back, mids flat (noon), presence and deep off, limiter on, contour off, master at 3 on channel A with gain at 10ish. Channel b had gain at 3 and master between 10 and 11. This gave me a real edgy growl on channel b when digging in on the more aggressive tunes. Couple of friends came up after the gig asking what I was using when the songs but rocking and complemented me on the tone. I did not have PA support for this one and was playing a venue that held approx 300. I used the Eden D212XLT for this one. I bought the GK as a backup to my Eden but it will definitely be seeing more front line duty than I expected it to.

I don't buy amps often. Since '95 I've stuck w/my Nordschow-modified Eden WT-400, and before that used an old Acoustic for 20 years. Somewhere in between there was a 400RB, but it was not reliable and I ditched it, even though it sounded good. Still, along the way I've encountered lots of GK backline and borrowed rigs, and I have always walked away thinking that I really do like that sound. It's a contrast to my beloved Eden, but it's a good one.

But this week I made the leap, and tonight I gigged my new MB 500 Fusion for the first time. Man oh man, what an amp! It has a great full sound, thick and juicy down low but keeping that GK growl at every level. I ran it with my pair of Ag DB 112's, what a great combo... very satisfying.

I didn't need or use any of the low boost, presence or contour features, but I had no trouble dialing in a great sound just by rolling off a tiny bit of both low and high, and fattening up the low & high mids just a smidgeon.

After some of the comments in this thread I was a little concerned about the overdriven sound, but I found the B channel to have a wonderful grittiness once I found the sweet spot, and the footswitch did just what I hoped in letting me punch in that tubey thickness whenever needed. Just a touch of extra gain in that channel vs. the A channel was a wonderful experience, much like having a good grit pedal for boost. The A channel was my "go to" clean sound and I like it a lot.

Somewhat to my surprise, by careful tweaking of the gain/master settings with either channel, you can achieve some of that wonderful character that lives in the mids of an all tube amp. I know there's been a lot of hoopla about the Streamliner in this regard, and I wasn't sure from what I've read here that this amp would have that quality, but it really does, and it is a nice addition to the GK characteristic sound, which this has all the way.

I might as well also give GK kudos for silk screening the rear panel options on the top of the box where it's completely easy to see what you're doing... ingenious! It sure makes set-up quick and easy. This thing is very user-friendly.

And the volume is scary. Even with the gains in the 11 to 1:00 neighborhood, I didn't dare set the masters at all past 10:00, and this in a big club with a couple hundred in attendance. Oh, and I had PA support... the DI sounded fine. I'm not sure how much louder it would get, but I'm also not sure how much louder I would ever need except maybe outdoors unsupported.

About the only niggle I can come up with (and the power cord fit fine, BTW, nice-n-snug) is the brilliance of the red illuminated pad, mute and channel B buttons when engaged. Holy cow, are they ever bright! Magic marker, maybe? Has anyone tried that?

I spent a long time warming up to the micro idea, and then a long time deciding which way to jump. I'm convinced this was the right move. These 500 watt power modules are fantastic and this baby has one fabulous preamp to go with it. It's nice to be back in GK mode, and at less than 5 lbs too!

 

[AntekStalich]

Tallboybass, perhaps you dial the Hi-Mids more, not the Lo-Mids. At least it gives me more punch.

TomB, I've already complained slightly about the red lights. These are as bright as daylight! (They make +7 Exposure Values, shocking.)

 

[anarchipur]

Hi,

Some months and years passed since teh first post on GK MB fusion. Are you still satisfied with this amp?
So how does the MB fusion compared to 700RG-II?
What about reliability?

I am considering of buying it myself.
I play kind of industrial rock. I would like to test it bnut in Germany you get GK amps only in the online shops...
So any opinions?

 

[Chef]

I normally use a Mesa M9 for bigger gigs, or when I want a more aggressive sound than the Mesa Walkabout.
While I've only had the MB-F for a few weeks, so far no regrets at all.

 

[anarchipur]

so Gk MB fusion is also good for more agressive tube-like sound, right?
many thanks!

 

[Chef]

Define aggressive tube-like sound...

 

[tallboybass]

I'm going to give the MB-F + MBE410 rig another try tonight. Anyone have suggestions on "tightening up" the sound a bit? Think I'll try Channel A with less gain up front, and more mids. What else?

 

[Chef]

I don't have experience with that cab, but, yes, the A channel should be a bit tighter.
Might roll bass back a hair, make sure the limiter is on, and deep is off.
You could set the contour for 500, and engage that a tad.

FWIW: I have mine set, more or less, to inputs at about 10 oclock, masters at about noon, and all eq points at about 11, with contour on just a tad. Horns are set "nearly off," and it's still got plenty of "hear those rounds" bright.

I'll be using the Fusion/2x112 stack for two large-ish 3 hour each gigs tonight; one with a big cajun band, one with a classic rock band.

So far, really digging that rig, with the exception that the cabs don't fly with upright.
I may try adding some internal batting/bracing to the 112's to see if I can damp their propensity to feed back under duress from the upright's massive fundamental.
For electric: big winner.

 

[crustychef]

For tightness I play the A channel with the gain at about 9 or 10, master at noon-2, highs noon, high mids noon, low mids 2, lows 11. Deep off, presence off unless playing fretless. Limiter on contour off. I am playing through at TC rs212 with the tweeter only on about a 1/3 of the way. When I stack on my TC rs210 I cut the tweeter on the 212 and let the one on the 210 do the work set at 1/3. Love the crap out of this rig.
@Chef if you are looking for cabs that would go well with both electric and upright and the mb fusion. TCs may fit the bill. I don't play upright but have seen a lot of players using them.

 

[Chef]

@crusty:
I don't know why I keep trying other stuff for DB... at self...
I have two LDS 2x8's, one with mid-driver, one with horn, that work fabulously either alone, or as a stack, with both upright and electric. And an LDS 4x8+horn that's almost as good as the stack.
I'm a complete freak about what works for me with DB, and one of these days I'll learn to leave well enough alone.

 

[tallboybass]

Thanks guys! I always have to roll off the lows a bit...do you feel the limiter makes a difference when playing at a relatively low volume?

It seems to me the MBE410 has a bit of resonance at around 82hz (E2).

I run my MB212 with gain & boost at noon and it remains 'quick'. Guess the difference is in the tubes, eh?

 

[tallboybass]

Well, last night was a lot better. Running the A channel with less gain got me a tighter sound. I ended up with the lows rolled off just a tad, around 11:30, high and low mids pushed up..maybe around 1:00 and highs at noon. It had more of a, dare I say....solid state sound? Maybe that's what I'm going for, since I loooove the MB212!!

 

[Chef]

Two large gigs yesterday with the MBF/2x112 stack.
It's a keeper.

 

[TomB]

Two large gigs yesterday with the MBF/2x112 stack.
It's a keeper.

Ditto... MBF + 2 X DB112. I'm still liking my gain a tad higher (11:00) and master at 10:00... A channel stays pretty clean with just a hair when I dig in... Love it!

 

[Chef]

A few more details:

I ran the 2x122's in a vertical stack; I really like what that does both for near-field monitoring for me, and how the line array gets out into the room. Horns were set barely on, and it was still plenty bright. And, I like bright...fwiw.

The head I had set at:
input gains: a little more than 9 oclock.
contour off
eq flat
masters at noon

First gig: cajun band with fiddle, acoustic guitar, accordion, bass, drums, 4 vocals. Biiig room at a local fairgrounds. 1980 G&L L1000 with old flats on it. That bass is just a freakin' hammer, and the rig by itself was plenty, without PA support. Not a horribly loud band at all, but the rig and bass lined up with the kick drum exceptionally well for driving the dance band for three sets, breathing easy.

Second gig: loud classic rock band. Vocals and piano thru 2xBosticks+subs. Bass thru the rig alone. Medium sized club+guitar player who generally is playing too loud by 3rd or 4th set. Bass was my Nordy VJ5 for three sets, and the L1000 for last set. With all settings the same the rig again was plenty. Big clear, driving sound. Played with footswitching between channels on one song: workable if you pick you timing to do it as there is just a little hitch in it's giddy-up when you do.
When the guitar player got too loud, I was more than able to make him turn around, pay attention, and turn down by simply digging in a little harder and burying him

Very dynamic and responsive, and very able to go from classic rock tones to modern to aggressive, just by changing fingerstyle attack, and opening or closing passive tone at the bass.

Sweet.

Big outdoor thing for Earth Day later today.

 

[Blankandson]

I finally got to use the MB-F + MBE410 rig at my usual gig last night. Settings ended up somewhere around:
Channel B, Gain @ 12:00, Contour Off, Bass @ 11:30, Low Mids @ 12:30, High Mids @ 1:00, Highs @ 12:00, Presence and Deep Off, Limiter Off, Master...maybe 9:30.

This rig is noticably 'wider' sounding than the MB212 combo. It somehow doesn't feel as punchy to me. I think tonight I'll go a little higher with the Low Mids and see if that doesn't help. There is plenty of sizzle though, even with the tweeter off. The lows are all there and it grinds like crazy in the upper mids. Overall an outstanding performance!

If the cab had side handles, I could just velcro the head on there and call it an MBF410 combo!!

Do you have the 4 ohm or 8 ohm cab? If the 8 ohm, sounds like 350 watts is doing a great job.

 

[GRoberts]

Cool review Alan! Thanks for all the detail regarding scenario, band, basses used, setting etc. Very useful!

A few more details:

I ran the 2x122's in a vertical stack; I really like what that does both for near-field monitoring for me, and how the line array gets out into the room. Horns were set barely on, and it was still plenty bright. And, I like bright...fwiw.

The head I had set at:
input gains: a little more than 9 oclock.
contour off
eq flat
masters at noon

First gig: cajun band with fiddle, acoustic guitar, accordion, bass, drums, 4 vocals. Biiig room at a local fairgrounds. 1980 G&L L1000 with old flats on it. That bass is just a freakin' hammer, and the rig by itself was plenty, without PA support. Not a horribly loud band at all, but the rig and bass lined up with the kick drum exceptionally well for driving the dance band for three sets, breathing easy.

Second gig: loud classic rock band. Vocals and piano thru 2xBosticks+subs. Bass thru the rig alone. Medium sized club+guitar player who generally is playing too loud by 3rd or 4th set. Bass was my Nordy VJ5 for three sets, and the L1000 for last set. With all settings the same the rig again was plenty. Big clear, driving sound. Played with footswitching between channels on one song: workable if you pick you timing to do it as there is just a little hitch in it's giddy-up when you do.
When the guitar player got too loud, I was more than able to make him turn around, pay attention, and turn down by simply digging in a little harder and burying him

Very dynamic and responsive, and very able to go from classic rock tones to modern to aggressive, just by changing fingerstyle attack, and opening or closing passive tone at the bass.

Sweet.

Big outdoor thing for Earth Day later today.

 

[Chef]

If I can get the cabs damped via a little bracing and batting such that they work for double bass, I'll be head over heels with this rig.
As it stands, I'm only unreasonably giddy with it

 

[maritimer]

Gig # 5 with the Fusion and this amp has one me over.

Playing an FBass BN5 into the Fusion and really love the growl she kicks out when digging in. I have it set Channel A Gain 1:00, Contour 7:00ish, Treble 7:00ish, Hi mid 11, lo-mid 10, bass 10 and master at 3:00. Cleans up when playing soft and growls when digging in. Played through an Eden D212XLT 4-ohm in a 300 seat room. No PA support. I controlled mid, bass and tone controls on the bass for additional tweaking based on song. The rig cranked is a definite keeper!