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Double Bass Looking for today's GK MB150

DuluthDank

DuluthDank

May 11, 2008
2,115
3,365
Minneapolis, MN
#1
I'm looking for a small, light combo amp that works well for upright and bass guitar. Ideally it would sit in that nice middle ground of being able to be uncolored enough for upright, but not sterile with EB. It would double as my at home practice amp and low/moderate volume gigging amp.

Less than 30 pounds and easy to carry in one hand with an upright bass strapped around my back is ideal.

Some people describe Markbass as transparent, but yet they have those two tone shaping dials, which makes me think it could be pretty versitile..I also tried out a GK MB110 and was impressed. Looking at those and others.
 
#3
I picked up a GK mb112 II a few years ago and have been happy with it. My old tube amp was in for service, and this was supposed to temporarily replace it. Now I don’t bother with the tube amp.

200 watts, 12” speaker, not heavy or large, and looks good. Sounds fine. I purchased a custom black with red piping cover so it does not get beat up going to gigs. I also picked up a second matching powered GK 12” but never take it to gigs.

I put the amp on a chair to aid in hearing myself.
 
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#4
CaseyVancouver said:
I picked up a GK mb112 II a few years ago and have been happy with it. My old tube amp was in for service, and this was supposed to temporarily replace it. Now I don’t bother with the tube amp.

200 watts, 12” speaker, not heavy or large, and looks good. Sounds fine. I purchased a custom black with red piping cover so it does not get beat up going to gigs. I also picked up a matching second powered GK 12” but never take it to gigs.

I put the amp on a chair to aid in hearing myself.
Click to expand...

I actually have the GKMB112ii with the powered cab as my rig I use with my rock band. I keep it at the practice space and it's just great. Although I like it quite a bit for electric, I find it a bit too colored for upright. Funny enough I found the MB110 to be more transparent when I tried it out, so I'd probably go with that if I chose GK. It would be cool that the 110 could pair with the powered cab too, i guess.
 
#9
Great to hear, I’m looking for a combo amp that surpasses the form/factor of the original Gallien Krueger 200MB and MBE/MBS.
Based on the spec’s and TB reviews of the SB 106. It appears to be just that. Until I confirm that with my own ears and eyes.

8CEAAC62-5163-4EB9-A959-3F9927A73E66.jpeg
 
Last edited:
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#11
Genzler makes a bass specific version of the Acoustic Array that is only sold through Gollihur.

Gollihur Series Bass Acoustic Array Pro Amplification (Exclusive) (gollihurmusic.com)
1165_source_1627671944.jpg

150W with internal speaker
27 lbs
$1199.99

If you ever anticipate needing more volume, there is a matching extension cab for $699 that allow the amp to pump out 300W.
genzlihur_stack1__51474.1614095175.jpg


Full Feature List for the Combo:
  • Two Identical Preamp Channels w/Mic and Instrument Inputs
  • Phantom Power for Condenser Mics (12v for small electret style condensers)
  • Signal Phase Reverse Switch
  • Contour Circuit for Quick Tonal Adjustments (great for dialing in a quick electric bass sound)
  • Active EQ w/Sweepable Mids
  • Adjustable Digital Effects (Reverb and Chorus) on Each Channel
  • Innovative Bass Array™ Speaker System Design
  • 10" Woofer w/4 x 2.5" Cone-driver Line Array
  • Slanted Cabinet Design for Improved Projection
  • Ultra-lightweight 27 lb Compact Cabinet Design
  • Power Output: 150 W (combo); 300 W with Extension Cab
  • 3 XLR Direct Outputs
  • Effects Loop
  • Auxiliary Input
  • Standard Pole mount socket on bottom of cabinet for putting the combo up in the air!
 
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#13
brianrost said:
That SB106 looks interesting but I'm skeptical about the 6.5" speaker being able to put out enough volume. It does have an extension speaker jack, but that defeats the purpose of a combo.
Click to expand...

Well,
I thought about that to and decided to “take the plunge” to see if it works. So, once it gets here from Gollihur, I’ll put it through it’s paces.
Mike Arnopol has been using a Ciare 6.5 ( or maybe it was an 18 sound) in his new smaller cabs. I believe Eminence built the speaker for the 106
and I love the Eminence 8” drivers in my MAS 1/8’s, granted there’s a whole lot of other stuff goin’ on in one of Mikes 1/8’s cabs, but (I believe
he’s only using the 6.5 alone) in his smaller cab, of course there’s still the enclosure and build he uses. Just hoping it will work for rehearsals, duos,
trios, and quartets in smaller venues. So, as the old adage says “could be, we’ll see”. :)
 
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#15
Curious to see how the little 106 performs. One thing I really like about the GK is the small footprint which is a real benefit in tight spots. That, and the fact that it can cover the majority of gigs for bass players doing jazz gigs or pit work, delivering a very usable sound. If the little Traynor can handle a piano trio with drums it might just do.
 
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#16
I can’t speak to how it handles a double bass, but I will add to the chorus of recommendations for the Traynor Small Block series combos based on my personal experience with the SB112 (and SB500H) with electric and acoustic-electric bass guitars. I ordered mine based purely on their good reputation, and Traynor didn’t let me down. It seems inherently neutral and clean, and lets each instrument sound like itself, but has powerful enough EQ to bring out the best in each of them, and takes pedals well.
 
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#17
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
Curious to see how the little 106 performs. One thing I really like about the GK is the small footprint which is a real benefit in tight spots. That, and the fact that it can cover the majority of gigs for bass players doing jazz gigs or pit work, delivering a very usable sound. If the little Traynor can handle a piano trio with drums it might just do.
Click to expand...

Agreed, like I said “we’ll see” The GK 200MB I had for years was just a great plug and play amp. You could throw it in the car and
sling it over your shoulder with the bass on a wheel it was one trip. Unfortunately, it was to heavy. Perhaps the lighter 106 will work.
 
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#18
I am slowly, patiently looking for a replacement for my old MB150s. (Not too urgently, since I have some nice cabs & heads that aren't too heavy.)
While the GK used to always seem very "bass-friendly", my Bergantino setup has given me a taste for higher fidelity. It might be hard for me to go back to something with baked-in voicing.
I look forward to seeing what options emerge before I turn 60 and start downsizing my gear!
:bassist:
 
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#19
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
Curious to see how the little 106 performs. One thing I really like about the GK is the small footprint which is a real benefit in tight spots. That, and the fact that it can cover the majority of gigs for bass players doing jazz gigs or pit work, delivering a very usable sound. If the little Traynor can handle a piano trio with drums it might just do.
Click to expand...
I have one and it easily handles piano trio with drums.
 
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