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Got my GK MB Fusion today!!!!
- Thread starter 77jazz
- Start date
+1^
I'll be interested to hear how the GK stacks up against the GB. Please keep us posted if you end up doing that.
I have a feeling the "power discrepancy" won't be that big of a deal... maybe not even noticeable. These MB's have some pretty serious oomph.
Per Chef's post, mine really doesn't get that hot, so the added case venting seems to be quite sufficient. The fan only comes on when the power section needs it, so it should be pretty much identical to the MB 500.
Got mine today. This thing sounds GREAT! Just saw that I missed one for sale by David Wilson for $525. That would've been nice, but oh well. I'm totally digging the sound. Can't wait to use it on a gig!
Does anybody tried this amp with a VT-Bass? I got the pedal and I though it might do a great "mini-svt" setup.
thanks guys.
thanks guys.
Just ordered one at MusiciansFriend. Asked for a discount, best they could do at the time was 10% Good enough for me!
I've been happy with the amp so far, but then I noticed something that was a downer.
I noticed the stamp in the corner that said "Designed in the USA, made by GK China". My Aguilar AG500 that I sold to buy this thing was not made in China! Although I am happy with the micro-amp and the tube pre, I'm a bit disappointed! I guess I should've figured it was made in China. Duh!
I noticed the stamp in the corner that said "Designed in the USA, made by GK China". My Aguilar AG500 that I sold to buy this thing was not made in China! Although I am happy with the micro-amp and the tube pre, I'm a bit disappointed! I guess I should've figured it was made in China. Duh!
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,953
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I don't want to get into the political side of things, but from a quality standpoint, after reviewing a lot of gear that has been made in China, I can say that not all products made in China are made equal. Companies which just set up a Chinese manufacturer, give them their marching orders, and then step back and let things roll often end up with products that are not, perhaps, the height of quality. But companies which really invest the time and energy to stay on top of things are making some very good gear over in China.
GK is definitely one of the latter companies. I think Bob spends like three months out of the year over in China, and he is most definitely on top of things with regard to the QA/QC in both their Chinese and American manufacturing facilities. Another example of a manufacturer making high end, high quality gear over in China is Phil Jones Bass. Like Bob, Phil takes a lot of pride in his Chinese facilities and employees, and he spends a lot of time over there.
The short story is, even though it's made in China, the MB Fusion is a high quality, high end piece of gear (because Bob Gallien invests the time and energy to make it so).
Tom.
If your concern is American labor, blame import/export laws and a highly competitive world market. If your concern is quality, don't be concerned. I know to what lengths Bob goes to assure these are built to his specs and quality standards.
FWIW, anyway.
If your looking for the fusion 550, definitely give rmc audio a try...They have some excellent price quotes. See if you can do some price matching based off their prices. As good as my MB115 sounds I can only imagine what a fusion would bring to the table. Someday!
Is it just me or is the MB Fusion a little on the bright and aggressive sounding side? This is the first GK I've ever played...is that the signature GK sound?
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,953
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I share your concern. I try to buy gear that is North American made at the very least. Usually hope for Canadian or American manufacturing.
BUT........this is an exception.
The Chinese factory is GK owned. It's not like Bob and GK are getting these built by the lowest bidder. While I still believe in North American quality, I understand business wise why GK has done this. As other posters have said, Bob is on top of the quality in the Chinese factory. Good to go.
Here goes;
Last night I gigged my new GK MB Fusion 500 for the first time. ,ran it through my MB 4x10 standard. Bit O' tweeter on like I likes it.
Played with my main bass (MM Bongofour). Full PA support.
All settings at 12 o'clock. -14 Db pad pressed. I gravitated towards using my boost knob on my bass just a touch. It was very, very nice. I had the limiter on, contour switch at 800Hz, presence off, deep switch off. This resulted in an almost Tony Levin type tone. I focused mainly on using channel "A" in order to familiarize myself with this amp first time out. I did however use channel "B" for one song which was "My own worst enemy" by Lit. This resulted in the grind that is supposed to be associated with this channel. Very good indeed.
Throughout the entire night, I did not need to fiddle with any of the controls/EQ!
All colorations came from my Bongo. Very easy and likeable tone from the start.
Gain "A" was at 12 O'clock, master"A" was at about 12:30. Plenty lound and concise.
After the first set, i listened in on the fan. It was relatively noiseless. Although not silent. The amp still remained room temp to the touch. At the end of the night, the amp was warm to the touch well within reason. I love the orange-ish glow from the tubes.
While performing "California Girls" by The lovely Katy Perry, I got to test a bit of the GK's slap sound. Again, very nice. Snappy and well defined highs. Present lows with thumb downstrokes. I was not looking to hear anything. No struggle at all. This was a medium-large venue gig.
Compared to my GB Shuttle 9, the voicing is definately different. Seems to have a more defined mid range.
Overall, I absolutely fell in love with the GK. I purchased it as a "back-up". It is an amazing piece of gear. Worth the money for sure.
I can travel with both amps in one medium sized roller back pack. This also includes all cables, my wireless system, and other knick knacks.
I will probably end up doing the bratty thing, and taking out whichever amp I feel that night!!!
More to come as I use it more. Current Supplies
Last night I gigged my new GK MB Fusion 500 for the first time. ,ran it through my MB 4x10 standard. Bit O' tweeter on like I likes it.
Played with my main bass (MM Bongofour). Full PA support.
All settings at 12 o'clock. -14 Db pad pressed. I gravitated towards using my boost knob on my bass just a touch. It was very, very nice. I had the limiter on, contour switch at 800Hz, presence off, deep switch off. This resulted in an almost Tony Levin type tone. I focused mainly on using channel "A" in order to familiarize myself with this amp first time out. I did however use channel "B" for one song which was "My own worst enemy" by Lit. This resulted in the grind that is supposed to be associated with this channel. Very good indeed.
Throughout the entire night, I did not need to fiddle with any of the controls/EQ!
All colorations came from my Bongo. Very easy and likeable tone from the start.
Gain "A" was at 12 O'clock, master"A" was at about 12:30. Plenty lound and concise.
After the first set, i listened in on the fan. It was relatively noiseless. Although not silent. The amp still remained room temp to the touch. At the end of the night, the amp was warm to the touch well within reason. I love the orange-ish glow from the tubes.
While performing "California Girls" by The lovely Katy Perry, I got to test a bit of the GK's slap sound. Again, very nice. Snappy and well defined highs. Present lows with thumb downstrokes. I was not looking to hear anything. No struggle at all. This was a medium-large venue gig.
Compared to my GB Shuttle 9, the voicing is definately different. Seems to have a more defined mid range.
Overall, I absolutely fell in love with the GK. I purchased it as a "back-up". It is an amazing piece of gear. Worth the money for sure.
I can travel with both amps in one medium sized roller back pack. This also includes all cables, my wireless system, and other knick knacks.
I will probably end up doing the bratty thing, and taking out whichever amp I feel that night!!!
More to come as I use it more. Current Supplies
Got my MB Fusion and was able to rip on it BRIEFLY this morning in the garage. Played through my Ampeg 410e, which I find is normally a pretty cold, stiff, sounding cab, especially compared to my flatback 810. But I got the gist of this amp and I can tell it's a keeper.
Plenty of punch, more than enough low end, deFINED low end at that. And I am a dirt guy, so channel B is welcome. I am going to try it out at a gig tomorrow night, so I should be able to talk on this amp some more.
Only problem I have encountered so far is that the footswitch does not go from A to B instantly. There is a split second delay, so if you stomp it to accent a note, the note will be split into 2 quick notes like, boBONNNGG. Just have to step on it a little early I guess... anyone else encounter this?
Plenty of punch, more than enough low end, deFINED low end at that. And I am a dirt guy, so channel B is welcome. I am going to try it out at a gig tomorrow night, so I should be able to talk on this amp some more.
Only problem I have encountered so far is that the footswitch does not go from A to B instantly. There is a split second delay, so if you stomp it to accent a note, the note will be split into 2 quick notes like, boBONNNGG. Just have to step on it a little early I guess... anyone else encounter this?
No, but it makes sense. Others have had similar comments about the bigger brother, the Fusion 550, and GK's response was that the "channel" switching was never intended to be used like an effects box, so instantaneous noiseless switching wasn't a design goal. Corrections welcome rag, if you're reading this.
