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Got my GK MB Fusion today!!!!
- Thread starter 77jazz
- Start date
I'm just tryin' to understand... Do you mean turning up the gain on one channel of the MB Fusion was fatter than using the Boost on the 500, or...?
Glad you like your new amp in any case. It's a winner for me too.
Fair point, I wasn't particularly clear! I was in a hurry typing as the missus was giving me grief for not getting the kids in the bath 
Talking bass is more important, no? 
I was kinda comparing the "B" channel of the Fusion with the "boost" of the MB500 (which I had for precisely 1 gig before deciding to swap it out for the Fusion!). For the record I didn't dislike the MB500, I just got a bit excited with all the talk on here about the FUsion and the valves...
I know it's not really a fair comparison as they are designed differently and have different sonic aims but on Saturday I gigged the FUsion using "A" as a clean sound and "B" as a dirty sound, much like I managed the one time I gigged the MB500. I just felt there was more authority to the notes from the Fusion vs the comparitive settings on the MB500, a less "glassy" top end too. The EQ was no doubt different as the room was different, but as a brief real world listening exercise the result was that everyone really loved the Fusion. My soundman won't let me change my amp again now, the drummer and guitarist loved the "weight" to each note combined with the definition, and I even had two separate people from the audience come over to specifically compliment me on the tone and ask what amp it was. One of these people is a bassist herself and said she thought it resembled the tone she gets from her SVT. Can't say I can comment on that as the last time I used an SVT was in 2005 and I purposefully avoid them! (Plus I never play gigs without my own backline anymore...)
So, in summary - clean tone has more "authority" and warmth to it; dirty tone has more balls and is less "fizzy". IMHO
Talking bass is more important, no? I was kinda comparing the "B" channel of the Fusion with the "boost" of the MB500 (which I had for precisely 1 gig before deciding to swap it out for the Fusion!). For the record I didn't dislike the MB500, I just got a bit excited with all the talk on here about the FUsion and the valves...
I know it's not really a fair comparison as they are designed differently and have different sonic aims but on Saturday I gigged the FUsion using "A" as a clean sound and "B" as a dirty sound, much like I managed the one time I gigged the MB500. I just felt there was more authority to the notes from the Fusion vs the comparitive settings on the MB500, a less "glassy" top end too. The EQ was no doubt different as the room was different, but as a brief real world listening exercise the result was that everyone really loved the Fusion. My soundman won't let me change my amp again now, the drummer and guitarist loved the "weight" to each note combined with the definition, and I even had two separate people from the audience come over to specifically compliment me on the tone and ask what amp it was. One of these people is a bassist herself and said she thought it resembled the tone she gets from her SVT. Can't say I can comment on that as the last time I used an SVT was in 2005 and I purposefully avoid them! (Plus I never play gigs without my own backline anymore...)
So, in summary - clean tone has more "authority" and warmth to it; dirty tone has more balls and is less "fizzy". IMHO
[/QUOTE] So, in summary - clean tone has more "authority" and warmth to it; dirty tone has more balls and is less "fizzy". IMHO [/QUOTE]
Yea I really dig the tubes in this amp. I love Ampeg's So i had to get the fusion. I can get a very pillowy thick fat and clean tone with my pbass. Very close to an SVT but more defined in the high mids i think. The dirty channel is great as well, or should i say channel B. (its my dirty channel) I just roll off the high mids quite a bit and cut the low mids just a smidge, i run it with the deep on, contour at 9 oclock at 800hz and bass and treble flat. Sounds wonderful.
I will say that at first it was a little ganky to me. But once i messed with the EQ I was right at home.
[/QUOTE]Yea I really dig the tubes in this amp. I love Ampeg's So i had to get the fusion. I can get a very pillowy thick fat and clean tone with my pbass. Very close to an SVT but more defined in the high mids i think. The dirty channel is great as well, or should i say channel B. (its my dirty channel) I just roll off the high mids quite a bit and cut the low mids just a smidge, i run it with the deep on, contour at 9 oclock at 800hz and bass and treble flat. Sounds wonderful.
I will say that at first it was a little ganky to me. But once i messed with the EQ I was right at home.
Yeah the amount of high mid and top end these produce is way above anything I'm used to. Think this is a good thing!
Hi guys,
For those interested in carrying on this nice little head securely, but who, like me, find the GK gig bag a little bit pricey, I would recommended the Ibanez gig bag made for the Promethean head.
Indeed, the MB Fusion fit in perfectly for 4 times less the price (at least in Europe - Ibz 20€ vs GK 80€. And quality is good!
For those interested in carrying on this nice little head securely, but who, like me, find the GK gig bag a little bit pricey, I would recommended the Ibanez gig bag made for the Promethean head.
Indeed, the MB Fusion fit in perfectly for 4 times less the price (at least in Europe - Ibz 20€ vs GK 80€
. And quality is good!
Okay heres a question for all those who have a mb fusion: it seems like everyone likes em, and they hold up fairly well. I'm contemplating making the plunge. Should I? Heres my setup
Marcus Miller Jazz
Sovtek tube head (im trying to sell it)
Ampeg 8x10
Marcus Miller Jazz
Sovtek tube head (im trying to sell it)
Ampeg 8x10
Go ahead without a single fear !!! The MB fusion will easily handle the Ampeg 8X10 of yours !!! I use a Sansamp clone ( I am ashamed to say I am using a Behringer BDI21 actually ! So, please keep it to yourself !!! ) and it works great with my 210 and 115 Ampeg setup. at 4 pounds, it makes my life so much easier and fulfil my needs as well as I get that GK growl tone I am looking for. Enjoy !
Has anyone ever tried to swap the tubes in those little beasts yet ??? Would it make a difference in tone since there are three preamp tubes in them ???
Got one, took to practice today. I found it more similar than different from my markbass little mark, but with a smaller footprint.
I am playing in a rock-pop band and found myself using channel B more in the rehearsal today. Gain at 11 o'clock or at noon. More than that and I get an unpleasant distortion.
I am playing in a rock-pop band and found myself using channel B more in the rehearsal today. Gain at 11 o'clock or at noon. More than that and I get an unpleasant distortion.
I swapped the tubes in mine but only due to some power up noise caused by one of the tubes. I had some Sovtek 12AX7's that I had taken out of a Fender Prosonic and they sound wonderful.
My Fusion has replaced my Eden WT550 as my number one amp. I originally bought it as a lightweight spare to take to gigs, now the WT550 stays in the car unless needed.
I receive more compliments with the GK than I did with the WT550. Perhaps it is the cabs too... I am running the Fusion with a DNA - DNS112N with an Eden EX112-8 sitting on top. I must post a picture of the mini-rig of doom. It really blows me away. Lightweight, small footprint and an amazing sound. The DNS-112 is very loud, deep, smooth and very transparent. I was going to get another one of these when I found an EX112 on Amazon for a price I could not let go. The EX112 is just very slightly colored with a bit of mid-bite and not as deep or loud. When paired together, I find they compliment each other perfectly. The deep thundering lows from the DNS paired with the slight mid-bite of the EX112 have resulted in a more compliments on my tone then I ever received with my WT550 + D212XLT or D210XST cabs.
My Fusion has replaced my Eden WT550 as my number one amp. I originally bought it as a lightweight spare to take to gigs, now the WT550 stays in the car unless needed.
I receive more compliments with the GK than I did with the WT550. Perhaps it is the cabs too... I am running the Fusion with a DNA - DNS112N with an Eden EX112-8 sitting on top. I must post a picture of the mini-rig of doom. It really blows me away. Lightweight, small footprint and an amazing sound. The DNS-112 is very loud, deep, smooth and very transparent. I was going to get another one of these when I found an EX112 on Amazon for a price I could not let go. The EX112 is just very slightly colored with a bit of mid-bite and not as deep or loud. When paired together, I find they compliment each other perfectly. The deep thundering lows from the DNS paired with the slight mid-bite of the EX112 have resulted in a more compliments on my tone then I ever received with my WT550 + D212XLT or D210XST cabs.
Though I've often rolled tubes, I haven't felt inclined to with this amp. The stock items (that look like JJ's but I'm not sure) sound awfully good. I guess I'll wait for another need to open it up to look closer or try other flavors.
I too find my Eden sitting on the sidelines. It's not going anywhere, but it's not being used much either.
Chef
In Memoriam
I don't feel a need to roll tubes on the MB-F;
which, btw, I find to be a completely different flavor than the Eden WT stuff.
Much clearer, more articulate...
which, btw, I find to be a completely different flavor than the Eden WT stuff.
Much clearer, more articulate...
Hi there! I got a GK MB Fusion last week. I am from Argentina, and a friend of mine brought it from the US.
Since in the US they use 110v and in Argentina we have 220v, the first time I tried it, I had to use it with a voltage transformer. 45 minutes playing and the MB-F melted the transformer. Well, I knew it was not going to handle it, since it was a 50w transformer. I had to buy a 500w transformer, which weights more than the MB-F itself, hehe.
One bad thing done.
Next bad thing was to use it with my old cab, which I have NO idea if it is a 8ohm or 4ohm or how much can it handle. I always assumed that it was a 100w cab.
But don't worry, I'm buying a GK 212mbe today.
I play in a thrash metal band, very VERY loud. We're one bass, one guitarist, drummer, and singer. First time the drummer can hear me clearly.
Since in the US they use 110v and in Argentina we have 220v, the first time I tried it, I had to use it with a voltage transformer. 45 minutes playing and the MB-F melted the transformer. Well, I knew it was not going to handle it, since it was a 50w transformer. I had to buy a 500w transformer, which weights more than the MB-F itself, hehe.
One bad thing done.
Next bad thing was to use it with my old cab, which I have NO idea if it is a 8ohm or 4ohm or how much can it handle. I always assumed that it was a 100w cab.
But don't worry, I'm buying a GK 212mbe today.
I play in a thrash metal band, very VERY loud. We're one bass, one guitarist, drummer, and singer. First time the drummer can hear me clearly.
- Mar 24, 2003
- 809
- 2,523
- Disclosures
- Robert A. Gallien, President Gallien-Krueger
They sound fine by me too those JJ's that are actually in the head right now !!!
Every day I use the head, I scratch my head asking myself how powerful those are and capable of pushing that much air !
Every day I use the head, I scratch my head asking myself how powerful those are and capable of pushing that much air !
