Got my GK MB Fusion today!!!!

[kerrycares]

i played a gig saturday with my Fender Marcus Miller 5 with Bartolini preamp and my new MB Fusion and my SWR Marcus Miller golight 4x10".
my rig was loud, punchy and clean.
again , this amp sounds warmer/less shiny than the original MB 500.
i'm happy enough with the portability and sound that I put my Acoustic Image Focus 2R and GK MBS-150 on consignment today.
i can cover the upright gigs with my GK Neo 1x12"

 

[MIJ-VI]

Somewhere within the past few weeks I came across a site offering some kind of boutique tube gear which used tiny pre-amp tubes that were allegedly designed for military applications.

 

[Morning Beer]

The tubes are full size(3 of them total). If anyone is interested you still can get alot of tube breakup in the "a" channel with the gain cranked, more so on the B channel. In the "A" channel I started to get some mild breakup with a MM SR5 around 1'clock in Series mode (I think furthest position toward the headstock)>

 

[tombowlus]

Somewhere within the past few weeks I came across a site offering some kind of boutique tube gear which used tiny pre-amp tubes that were allegedly designed for military applications.

Markbass uses some smaller preamp tubes in some of their gear (the MoMark, for example). I believe that they are hard-soldered in place, though, and not user-replaceable.

Tom.

 

[Chef]

As breakup is not my thing, that might be bothersome to me.
I want access to a lot of clean headroom...

I do like having some tube grind available, but, optional...

The tubes are full size(3 of them total). If anyone is interested you still can get alot of tube breakup in the "a" channel with the gain cranked, more so on the B channel. In the "A" channel I started to get some mild breakup with a MM SR5 around 1'clock in Series mode (I think furthest position toward the headstock)>

 

[rpsands]

If its gain staging is anything like the MB500, you've reached peak volume quite a bit before you crank the gain. I use a 9v bass that's got medium output and it stops getting louder long before both the gain and master are cranked. Which means you should be able to get all the volume it has available without diming the gain.

 

[Chef]

So, in other words, you have access to much of the available headroom without having to get all dirty and junk...eh?

 

[Disco Batman]

How long do these little tubes last? Owner replaceable?

 

[rpsands]

So, in other words, you have access to much of the available headroom without having to get all dirty and junk...eh?

With the Mb500, that is the case. I don't know for sure if it's the case with the Fusion; to draw a small comparison, the shuttle 3 gets all of its usable volume and stays clean, but the shuttle 6 gets a little too much tubey grit for me before getting crazy loud (at least, that was my experience).

I'm with you btw, in liking my tone loud, pure and clean, with the availability of other tones. The boost channel in the Mb500 is solid for me, but I do prefer my MXR's distortion overall.

It's tough to say without having tried it, but I have yet to prefer anything with a tube preamp over fet, with one tiny exception (The Demeter HBP-1).

 

[Chef]

Generally speaking, preamp tubes last somewhere between "a really long time and forever," given you're not consistently dropping the thing from 20 feet high.
I believe they are replaceable in the fusion.

 

[gruvlow]

Here is my 2 cents...I received my MB Fusion on yesterday. Seems like I have been waiting forever!! Immediately unboxed it and looked it over. It looks great and weighs nothing. It also seems sturdy for it's size. The only improvement I would make is to use a 14 gauge power cord.

Now for my initial review.

At Home: Various types of cabs = Home made 10 inch (Carvin PS10 w/ no tweeter), Carvin Redline 2x10, and Seismic Audio 4X10.

It sounds amazing and strong through each cabinet. Eventhough these may not be your favorite cabs but each one really can do the job. For the 1x10 and 4X1o, it is like I am really hearing them for the first time. The sound is meaty and dark but it is very easy to dial in high or to shape it with the voicing filters. For the 2x10, I used to pair it with an David Eden WT-500 and nothing beats that sound to me but this comes pretty darn close and weighs a 1000 pounds less. I actually could not turn the head all the way up because I was afraid of damaging the speakers because it got so loud! i imaginr it can get louder because I have to use the mute on the input due to the 18v preamp in my Roscoe basses.

At the first rehearsal: SWR Goliath 4x10

The combination sounded great at low to mid-loud volumes. The cabinet could not handle the output and began distort slightly. This amp is strong, warm and musical. Awesome in rehearsal!

Going out to a rehearsal with my 1x10 cab tonight...will update the thread with how it does.

 

[woody357]

I was looking at the back of my PS410 and noticed that it is not like the new ones in the picture it is like the older one in the picture in this thread http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=638098 How do I know if i got a older one, but new.

 

[pfschim]

I'm across the pond in 230v land, does the head work on dual voltage?

well, I am not clear at all on the voltage support for this amp.
Here is what the manual says:

- italics are mine

Verify Line Voltage and Amperage:
Your new MB Series Bass amplifier has been factory
configured for use with the specific line voltage
for your location:
120 Volt/60Hz 15 A circuit for USA/Canada.
230 Volt/(50/60Hz) 10 A circuit for
UK/Australia.
230 Volt/(50/60Hz) 10 A circuit for Europe.
100 Volt/50Hz 15 A circuit for Japan.
220 Volt/50Hz 10 A circuit for Korea.
Proper AC circuit for all other countries.

Connecting the amplifier to a line with
specifications other than indicated above can
create safety and fire hazard, and may damage
the amplifier. If you have any questions about
the voltage requirements for your specific model,
or about the line voltage in your area, contact
your dealer before plugging the unit into a wall
outlet.

So does this mean that the amp will run on any of these voltage options ? i.e 120 AND 230 AND 100 AND 100, or does it need to be configured internally in each local market for each of these voltage options ?

And, if it does need to be configured in each market, is it just an internal jumper change with the options printed on the inside of the amp cover like with the Eden WT series amps ?

does anyone know for sure ?

inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I mean if one tube warmed the tone up like most people say it does on the GB, and LM Tube, then I would think three tubes in the preamp would give a better tube sound than the other two.

I've never understood this tube warmth dealio! Anyone care to enlighten me? Is it the temperature, or something , that you guys seem to hear that provides the warmth?

A few years ago I did a side by side comparison of an Audio Research SP9 (all tube) against my Aragon 24K (all solid state, designed by Dan D'Agostino), the 24K walked all over the SP9, which sounded brittle and harsh in the upper mids and treble, whereas, the 24k was far more musical and had more of what I thought the AR should have provided.

 

[bwoodman]

I noticed that MF finally showed the MB Fusion 500 as "in stock" so I called my local store (small, local store that I've been going to for many years) to find out if he had a ship date (I ordered it months ago); he called his GK rep and said it's shipping tomorrow (Wed), so I should see it on Thursday or Friday at the latest; have a gig on Saturday, so I'll be using it at the gig and I'll report back here on Sunday with my review. I previously owned the MB2500; it had issues as we all know; I took it to a local GK repair center because it was past the warranty; they couldn't fix it and had to send it to GK; this took at least 2 months!; I sold it after I got it back. As mentioned in another post, I hope this MB Fusion does not have any issues - you'd think "they" have all the bugs out by now. I've been using an SWR Headlite and a Carvin BX500, so I'll be able to compare all 3 amps. I can tell you that the BX500 sorta runs outta gas sometimes. The Headlite seems to have more headroom - and I'm expecting the Fusion to have even more, because even though I didn't keep my MB2 500, it did seem a lot louder than the BX. I also have a Carvin BX1200 that I use for higher volume or outdoor gigs and it really kicks - more punch and volume than I'd ever get out of a micro head. I previously owned a Walter Woods green light 450W head for over 10 years, and it was great and had plenty of power, but it didn't have cool stuff like built in compressor limiter or XLR out. I'd probably still have that amp if it hadn't been stolen. The deal was that I couldn't afford a new WW Ultra 1200W head - called Walter and found out they were over $3000 at the time, and a one year wait to get one. This was a couple years ago and the other micros were starting to take off - finally! I mean Walter Woods was the only game in town for micro switch mode amps for many years. So, rather than spend $3000 or more on a new WW ( I see them on ebay from time to time, so I could have bought one there), I decided to try out some of the other micros: Acoustic Image, EA Micro, GB 9.0, then the ones I have now - the BX, Headlite, and Fusion due in this week. Having a few different micros is cool anyway because it's easy to take 2 amps to a gig - nice to have a backup! I have a little briefcase sized Pelican case foamed out to fit my BX and Headlite together - just put a piece of foam between them!

 

[77jazz]

Hey everyone. I am sorry I did not post my second review earlier like I said I would. I have been SO busy between work and gigging.
Anyway, the second I plugged her into my 8X8, tones all set flat, she sounded thick and sweet. I played her with a 73 jazz, a 75RI J with NJ4's, a MIM J Deluxe, and a Warwick thumb. She sounded awesome with everything. The only adjustment I made at all was setting the contour to about 2 O clock to scoop the mids a little bit. It sounded great. Unfortunately our guitarist was SO loud that I had to turn it back to flat and compromise my tone to cut through.
It deffinately has it's own sound. My main rig is a Demeter 201S/stewart 1.2 setup, very clean, and lets each bass be itself good or bad. While I missed that attribute, I liked the fact that ALL my basses I brought sounded good. Similar, but good. If I could have even a moderate volume guitar on stage beside me, I couldnt be happier with the tone. Sure, I could turn up my volume to absurd levels too, but that just makes an already boomy stage boomier, and you loose alot of finness and suddleties in your playing. So I opted to keep my volume where it was and run one ear bud. I was surprised how good it sounded in my in ears. My other heads always leave the bass sounding thin if I run in ears, but not the MB Fusion.
I mistated earlier when I said two channels, it was correctly pointed out that I should have said 1 channel, with another for boost. Not really a full second channel.
I never got around to using the OD channel (boost). You can run either a Speakon cable or a 1/4" out of the back (by using the center of the Speakon jack)(unlike my Orange Terror bass...Speakon only). I had the gain at about 1:00 and the master at about 2:00 all night. I wouldnt have had to have them that high, but I was going for a little bit of a mid scooped sound and it wasnt cutting through.
To give you an idea of the volume I had to compete against, all I had in my in ears was my vocal, my bass and the rythm guitarist's guitar, and If I put in both earbuds, the loudest (by far) thing in the mix was the lead guitarist who wasn't even in my mix, but was so lound that it dominated my mic from across the stage (yes, he owns the PA so what can you say). So, for a 4.5 lb head, she did allright.
I will post again after this weekends gig and hope the volume isnt so horrifically loud on stage. But in general, I was very pleased. Much thicker than my MB2 sound.
Again, sorry for the REALLY late review.

Todd

 

[Chef]

77jazz; that for reporting back!
That Henry 8x8 is a great cab, but, a little scooped on it's own; there's a hole between the drivers and that teeny LeSon tweeter.

 

[Mystic Michael]

So does this mean that the amp will run on any of these voltage options ? i.e 120 AND 230 AND 100 AND 100, or does it need to be configured internally in each local market for each of these voltage options ?

And, if it does need to be configured in each market, is it just an internal jumper change with the options printed on the inside of the amp cover like with the Eden WT series amps ?

does anyone know for sure?

I can help you...

According to a rep from GK named Jason Finley, with whom I corresponded a few weeks ago, the MB Fusion can be altered to operate on multiple international voltage standards, but it requires an internal jumper change to do so. I don't know whether the instructions are printed on the inside of the amp cover...

MM

 

[TheFantod]

My review, Day 1, with gratuitous pr0n pic:

First off, I'm no sound engineer. These are simply MY findings form noodling around for while on two brand new amps. The following observations are not facts, but my opinions.

As you see, there's a brand new GK1001RB underneath. I got it last week. It's probably not fair to compare the two. The 1001RB is pure SS and 700 watts. The Fusion is only 500. But, I'm trying to decide between the two, so I was A/B-ing them.

I'm playing through an Ampeg SVT 410HLF.

Before the Fusion arrived, I thought the tube pre-amp was only used with the "boost" button. I now see (hear) I was wrong.

Initial thoughts from noodling around:

The Fusion is definitely a much thicker sound than the 1001RB. In fact, it might be a little too thick for my taste. I really don't care for the Channel B Boost. It adds a ton of hiss & "white noise" to the signal. The included footswitch is a nice thought, but it seems almost like a gimmick. I couldn't see ever using the Boost button as it's super obvious.

Interesting note. I ran some pedals through the Fusion. My OD's were great. There was enough headroom to handle even a B:Assmaster at high volume. However, it did NOT like envelope filters. I tried my Micro Q-tron and 3Leaf GR. With both pedals, the end result was kind of a mess through the amp. I really think the sound would get completely swallowed in any kind of mix with other instruments.

I really need to get a second speaker cable. I only have one Speakon cable, and I was constantly turning an amp off, disconnecting, re-connecting, then turning back on. I'm going to try to pick up an instrument cable tomorrow and run the amps through my Boss LS-2 so I can A/B them with a stomp.

I'll update more tomorrow. Feel free to ask any questions or give any critiques.

UPDATE: Hmm, twice now I've turned the Fusion on and it wouldn't come on. Both times I fiddled with the power cord going to the surge protector. It feels a bit dodgy where the cord meets the amp....After fiddling it came on. Kind of sketchy....

 

[Bassdirty]

Got in a pinch last night and picked one of these up spur of the moment. This is the first of the 3 class D heads that I have owned that has actually done it for me. The tone from this thing is thick. I've owned a SD800 and the WTX500 and they both were missing something, I assumed it was just the tone of light weight heads. This head sounds like a 25 Lbs lead sled. not missing a thing.

Honestly it sounds very similar to my Mesa M9.

This review did it for me.

Now I know what amp I'm getting.


Edit:
Maybe I jumped too soon...after reading the other reviews..Im kinda skeptical.
I dont wanna sacrifice tone to compete with volume wars..granted the volume mentioned may have been outrageous.
and another review mentioned ..possible trouble cutting through..

so..holding off to get more live situation input before I get all slaphappy throwin money around.

keep up the reveiwing fellas..