210mb + 115extension cab, how reliable is this thing and would it be a good upgrade from my ampeg combo 210 220w?
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New Gallien Kreuger MB 210 & MB 115 PART 2:
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
I have the MB210 with the 210MBE cab. Before I got it I had a Fender Bassman 250/210 and I also had used the Ampeg 220 watt 2x10. The Bassman had more kick than the Ampeg but the MB210 has even more kick. Add the extension cab and it puts out some big volume. So far all I've really needed was the combo by itself. It's good to have the ext cab for some added power if needed though. It's gives a boost from 350 watts to 500 watts when the MBE cab is added.
Hi everyone! I bought an MB115 this summer after reading a few of these (huge) threads. This is my first post, and I thought I'd thank you all for your input! I've not been playing bass very long, only since last winter. I play guitar, but one evening I filled in for a bass player (I did the best I could), and something went 'click'. Soon after I bought a Jazz copy, and after another gig played through the PA, I decided I needed an amp. There doesn't seem to be a consensus here whether the 115 or 210 sounds better, and I had a hard time deciding. Then, suddenly, Thomann had them in stock, and I knew I would have to wait a long time if I didn't buy then. The 115 was 2/3s the price, and since a few seem to prefer the sound, thats what I got.
The interesting part (sorry for my rambling): it sounds great.
Full, smooth, and loud. With a better bass, which i hope to buy soon, it should sound even better. Best of all, it's very light, but the size is still big. Some buzzing was cured by tightening the screws, and the only other problem is a noisy tweeter (I don't use it). Seems tough; the lady at the post office didn't want to lift it, so rolled the box over to me (NOOO!). I usually play though one of my tech21 pedals (Liverpool/Blonde) that I also use for guitar, and this makes the whole thing feel a bit more vintage, with a touch of drive when needed. Finally, I want to add that this amp sounds fantastic with a guitar and tech21 pedal! Loud, clear, transparent, absolutely perfect. Guitar through a 15" speaker is new to me, and it's good.
I can't say how the other models compare, but this one is definitely worth the money.
Thanks for the advice TBers!
The interesting part (sorry for my rambling): it sounds great.
Full, smooth, and loud. With a better bass, which i hope to buy soon, it should sound even better. Best of all, it's very light, but the size is still big. Some buzzing was cured by tightening the screws, and the only other problem is a noisy tweeter (I don't use it). Seems tough; the lady at the post office didn't want to lift it, so rolled the box over to me (NOOO!). I usually play though one of my tech21 pedals (Liverpool/Blonde) that I also use for guitar, and this makes the whole thing feel a bit more vintage, with a touch of drive when needed. Finally, I want to add that this amp sounds fantastic with a guitar and tech21 pedal! Loud, clear, transparent, absolutely perfect. Guitar through a 15" speaker is new to me, and it's good.
I can't say how the other models compare, but this one is definitely worth the money.
Thanks for the advice TBers!
Now that's an idea. Perhaps this amp can pull double duty like a Bassman can.
Hmm, not sure I'd compare it to the venerable bassman. The character pedals by tech21 are basically just preamps with speaker simulation that sound best straight into a power amp, or PA. The MB115 is pretty transparent, and works well for this. On top of that, I have extra EQ, and can turn the boost up to warm everything up. YMMV though...
I just got an MB115 in. Still playing with it, so I can't say this is a review. I tried one at GC and the horn was like those described here. Noisy. The first thing the sales guy at GC did when he let me try it was to turn it off (hee-hee!) The one I purchased doesn't seem to have that problem, even with an active ATK.
Sorry if this mentioned before, but did any of you tried a double bass on these MB-series amps?
I ordered an MB115 today, hopefully it will do what I need it to. This is for rehearsals and smaller jazz gigs, so I'm sure it will be plenty. At least my back will be happy. 
This is my current rig and I don't feel a lack of anything in my sound. I owned the Ampeg combo you have some years ago before I bought my Ampeg 410HLF and I can tell you that this GK rig can blow the Ampeg combo through the walls. Just my opinion.
Had another gig with the MB212 on Saturday. I must have lucked out and got a 'good' one as the only problem I've noted is a noisy horn, which I do not use anyway.
Master set at noon, gain at 11 and EQ flat other then bass rolled to 1. It cut through the mix like a hot knife. Keys and guitar keep saying they never heard me so well on stage. Absolutely love everyting about it.
I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I played a gig with our 10 piece a few weeks ago and the opening act was a 5 piece bluegrass band. Bassist's upright sounded amazing going thru the MB212. I couldn't have been happier with my tone or volume playing on stage with 3 guitars, pedal steel, violin, mando, keys and drums.
Master set at noon, gain at 11 and EQ flat other then bass rolled to 1. It cut through the mix like a hot knife. Keys and guitar keep saying they never heard me so well on stage. Absolutely love everyting about it.
I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I played a gig with our 10 piece a few weeks ago and the opening act was a 5 piece bluegrass band. Bassist's upright sounded amazing going thru the MB212. I couldn't have been happier with my tone or volume playing on stage with 3 guitars, pedal steel, violin, mando, keys and drums.
Have any one took the horn out of a 210mb, and if so what was the ohm rating on it? I am thinking about replacing it I was just wondering if anyone have done this already, maybe I will do it myself today.
I played pit band for a play this past week end - music that ranged from jazz to latin to rock, and the other musicians commented on how nice the bass sounded - clear and full without blaring.
I need to get a pad if I do this again, and I have to sit on top of the amp for 2 1/2 hours.....
I need to get a pad if I do this again, and I have to sit on top of the amp for 2 1/2 hours.....
Thanks for the info nanookofnj, I thought it's the best solution in this price range cause I need a combo for both my electric and acoustic bass since I don't have the money for two different ones...
OK, so the MB115 arrived today. Initial impressions are great, I think it's a very good sounding amp so far. I've seen several posters diss the tweeter, and that it makes no difference? I don't get that, the difference is night and day, and it sounds great to boot.
Now the bad news - the grill was bumped from shipping (are there really only four screws holding it?), and the tolex was ripped near the power switch. So I'll have to send it back, unless I get a discount instead. If I do I'm good, if not I might be looking into something else. Too much hassle, import duties etc. to do again. I must say that the packaging was ridiculous. It came in what appeared to be the original box from GK, but no protection on the sides at all, just the cardboard box. I'm not sure whether GK ships them like that, or the distributor or store opened it.
Too bad, because it sounded real good right out the box. And the weight!
Now the bad news - the grill was bumped from shipping (are there really only four screws holding it?), and the tolex was ripped near the power switch. So I'll have to send it back, unless I get a discount instead. If I do I'm good, if not I might be looking into something else. Too much hassle, import duties etc. to do again. I must say that the packaging was ridiculous. It came in what appeared to be the original box from GK, but no protection on the sides at all, just the cardboard box. I'm not sure whether GK ships them like that, or the distributor or store opened it.
Too bad, because it sounded real good right out the box. And the weight!
It has been a while, but I recall my G-K shipping in a cardboard box. The inside edges or possibly top and bottom were padded with extra layers of cardboard. I recall thinking the sturdiness looked a little meager for shipment of a large, bulky item.
Exactly the same it sounds, the top and bottom had some extra cardboard. I also ordered a pedal (Mastotron) that they just slipped inside the GK box. That might explain things, too.....the pedal seems fine though, but it looks pretty sturdy.
If the pedal moved around in the box during shipment, that could certainly explain the grill and Tolex damage. I would not consider slipping a pedal into another product's box an acceptable packing method.
Mine came in a box with hard foam locking cushion both on the bottom and top. It was in perfect condition. They changed it since last summer when I bought mine maybe...
Seems likely. I don't think that the shipping carton would have made a negative impression on me if it had that thick (3-4") foam on each end.
I purchased mine during a Black Friday sale, so mine is a "late November 2010 vintage."
I purchased mine during a Black Friday sale, so mine is a "late November 2010 vintage."
