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New Gallien Krueger MB 210 & MB 115

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#41
i tried these combos (both the 2x10 and single 15) out the last few several times i went to GC. didn't really do it for me, and I wanted them to.

the price was really good the weight was surprsingly quite light, and the build quality seemed good, but i was a little dissapointed in the sound. mind you, i am spoiled with the 800rb running into the neo 2x12 that i am used to, but even at lowered expectations, it didn't float my boat.

the pricepoint and weight are in the plus column, but it just didn't do it for me in the sound department.

i tried an old pre fender SWR workingman 15 sitting next to the neo combos, and it was night and day. i had forgotten just how good of a combo those workingman 15s where (i used to have one it those where a great workhorse). it just seemd that every combo i have tried lately just doesn't sound 1/2 as good as an old working man 15.

maybe it is that the MB heads just don't sound as good to me as the 800rb or 1001rbII that I already have. i usually have glowing praise for GK considering that its my current long time amp of choice. i am glad that someone else is liking and using the neo combos to good results, but sad i am not one of them.
 
#42
Adam Bomb said:
ROCK! This is what I had hoped/known when I laid eyes on that thing. (Really it was when I picked it up.) Mind you, I have no need for another amp. I'm buying this one anyway, Eventually. Maybe Christmas.

I couldn't tell - was it stacked at the 500-person gig?

Thank you for the report! :bassist: :bassist: :bassist:

--Bomb :bassist:
Click to expand...

It was not stacked. And it was loud enough. Only thing i did was put the amp on top of a chest-like cable case so i can have it up to ear level to hear it well. Also, this 2x10 model runs 350 watts out the cab and 500 when paired with another...
 
#43
I've played the 210 a few times with a Jazz & this thing is voiced perfectly for that bass IMO. I really want to snap one up, but I'm waiting to see if GK comes out with a matching (size) 2x10 extension. I hope they do cause that setup would work perfectly for me right now :)
 
#45
BFISHER1970 said:
I've played the 210 a few times with a Jazz & this thing is voiced perfectly for that bass IMO. I really want to snap one up, but I'm waiting to see if GK comes out with a matching (size) 2x10 extension. I hope they do cause that setup would work perfectly for me right now :)
Click to expand...

I bet it will stack on the current generation Neo cabs, but unfortunately my Neo112's are the Mk. I, so I probably don't have that option. Even so I might grab the 115 to replace my Roland Cube 100.

Also, I think my 700RB-II/Neo112 rig is voiced perfectly for Jazz basses. If the 210 combo sounds similar, it should be great.
 
#51
I tried out a GK MB 210 at my local GC last night, using an Ibanez SR505 active bass similar to the one I own. I also compared it to other amps in the store. My findings...

- I did a lift check, and the easy weight of the MB 210 is impressive compared to most combos its size. It's only two thirds the weight of an Acoustic B200, and slightly less bulky to boot. The $599 price is the same as an Ampeg MicroVR mini-stack, which is also a lightweight 2x10, but nominally has only 200 watts.

- The control arrangement of the MB 210 was very good. I like how it has all the immediate buttons, including the horn, right there on the front.

- With everything at 12 o'clock and the horn and limiter on, the MB 210's clean sound was all right, but it didn't really jump out at me. Mucking about with the controls didn't seem to spice it up much. I would definitely have to use effects with this amp, but maybe I'm just not a "GK guy" when it comes to tone...

- Most notably, the MB 210 (or at least the one that I played through) didn't sound like the advertised 500 watts. It moved less air than the Acoustic B200 and Ampeg BA300 combos beside it, which are both 1x15's of less nominal power. Maybe it's an ohms thing, and the MB 210 needs an extension cab for full power? I don't know...

In the end, I walked out with a different amp. The tone and perceived lack of full power are what killed the MB 210 for me. But to be fair, I WAS playing a GC floor model, so who knows what hell it had gone through before I got to it. Your mileage (and perceptions) may vary...
 
#53
NortyFiner said:
- Most notably, the MB 210 (or at least the one that I played through) didn't sound like the advertised 500 watts. It moved less air than the Acoustic B200 and Ampeg BA300 combos beside it, which are both 1x15's of less nominal power. Maybe it's an ohms thing, and the MB 210 needs an extension cab for full power? I don't know...
Click to expand...

It's 300 or 350 watts (I forget which) by itself. It does indeed need an 8 ohm extension cab for the full 500W.
 
#56
I just left GC and got to try out the new GK MB210 and MB115 combos. I tried them with a Stingray 4HH. I was actually impressed with these little combos. I did prefer the 115 even though it's only 200 watts. Not sure if it's 200 watts as it sits or if you don't get that unless you add another cab. It was pretty light but not really small. It would be a little bulky on the carry but I don't think it would be all that bad.

I'd love to try the 212 to see how that one sounds.
 
#57
sevenyearsdown said:
I'm interested in these as well. I've been looking to go micro for with something that will handle my UB and BG. Does anyone know if they are going to make matching extension cabinets to go with these?

And why does GK not have more info on thier website about these?
Click to expand...

What info that is available is under: 'news'-->Latest News' on G-K's web site: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And I'm wondering if the Neo 212-II will be a size/response match for the upcoming MB212 Combo, and if so, do both units use the same drivers?

Some .pdf spec. sheets for these new, light-weight rock 'n' roll combos would be helpful...

The notion of a one-handed heft which can be schlepped on public transit yet keep up with a heavy-handed drummer (the MB212) is tantalising.
 
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