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Picking up a Gallien Krueger MB115 tomorrow

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by MakoMan, Apr 18, 2012.

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  1. Apr 18, 2012 #1
    MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    My first deal on Talkbass! I was actually looking for a nice lightweight matching GK cab for my MB200 head when I saw an MB115 in the classifieds. As it's the same basic amp I figured the combo would do just as well.
    I was using a 70 lb 2X12 Hartke 2200 cab with the MB200 head and just found it too heavy for my aging body. For jams etc, I've been hauling around my old Yorkville Bloc80 80 watt 15" speaker combo amp, which at 35 lbs is easy to carry and sounds pretty darn good but you have to push it pretty hard to keep up with a band with a drummer. I'm hoping the MB115 will be a do everything amp that will combine the best features of my Bloc80 combo with a little more volume.
    Already have sold the MB200 head, the Hartke cab and at lunch I dropped off the Bloc80 to the music school where I take bass lessons... that way I still have visitation rights and get to play through it once a week. So I am ampless until I pick up the MB115 tomorrow.
    If you have an MB115 I would love to hear your comments on it!
     
  2. Apr 18, 2012 #2
    RickenBoogie

    RickenBoogie

    Jul 22, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    Hate to pop your bubble, but if you were "pushing it" with a 2x12, the limitation on the GK combo will be the single 15" spkr. High wattage is nice, but it's the speakers that make loud. Best of luck to you, but if you find yourself buried by the drummer, it's not the wattage, it's the lack of speakers.
     
  3. Apr 18, 2012 #3
    MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    That does not quite pop my bubble because obviously you misread my original post. My MB200 with the 2X12 was far more than I ever needed.... so much so that I was hardly using it. The amp I was pushing to keep up with 2 amped guitars and a drummer was my old Yorkville Bloc80 combo with 80 watts and a 15" speaker. Even though I had to push it a bit, overall it kept up fairly easily for a 25 year old amp with a 25 year old 15" speaker.
    I'm not playing any arenas LOL, so 200 watts and a 15" should be more than enough. However I realize there are lots of people who believe that nothing less than a million watts and an 8X10 stack will do. I've chatted with some of those people but it's hard to have a real meaningful discussion because usually they're a bit hard of hearing :)
     
  4. Apr 18, 2012 #4
    bstringrandy

    bstringrandy

    Aug 18, 2004
    Jacksonville, FL
    I've been playing through a GK MB115 combo for about a year now. I'm in a variety cover band and it does a great job! Most if the venues I play at don't require that I go through the PA. I've got the gain at about 11 o'clock and the master at 12 o'clock and that's plenty using a MM SR4HH or Geddy Lee Jazz. I have the amp set on a heavy tilt-back amp stand that gets it about a foot off of the floor and angled up where I can hear it. I love the tone. There's a large pile of heavy Ampeg gear in the music room that stays put unless I'm playing outdoors somewhere... :)
     
  5. Apr 18, 2012 #5
    RickenBoogie

    RickenBoogie

    Jul 22, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    Sorry, yes, mis-read. I have a friend with the MB115, used as a stage monitor it does the job.
     
  6. Apr 18, 2012 #6
    Joe Louvar

    Joe Louvar Guest

    Jun 6, 2011
    Santa Rosa, CA USA
    I like the GK MB115 combo.
     
  7. Apr 18, 2012 #7
    MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    Thanks very much bstring. That is great info and gives me a very good starting point for setting up the amp. The type of music and venues you describe are very similar to my situation.. in fact you probably need more juice than me. I really think this amp will do the job and then some, but it's great to hear some real-world experience.
     
  8. Apr 18, 2012 #8
    tastybasslines

    tastybasslines Inactive

    May 9, 2010
    Los Angeles, CA
    Mine cuts though the mix just fine and has more than enough headroom. I thought the 15 had more punch than the 2x10 also. I love mine.
     
  9. Apr 18, 2012 #9
    tdub0199

    tdub0199

    Mar 4, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga.
    Love my MB115.... Great tone!!!!!
     
  10. Apr 18, 2012 #10
    magic8161

    magic8161 Supporting Member

    Mar 4, 2003
    Milwaukee
    Ordered one today myself after doing so much home work and trying every amp around. This one Is great for the Elvis music iam doing. Have fun with yours
     
  11. Apr 19, 2012 #11
    MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    Thanks everyone! Looking forward to grabbing it today and will report on how the MB115 sounds this evening.
     
  12. Apr 19, 2012 #12
    GBassNorth

    GBassNorth Supporting Member

    Dec 23, 2006
    SoCal
    Good move, those are great combos. I have the GK MB210 and love it. The MB115 was a runner up for me but lost out because I already have a 15 inch Ampeg combo. Any way you look at it the GK MB115 is a fantastic value and a great sounding combo, you made a good move, enjoy!
     
  13. Apr 19, 2012 #13
    Orangeclawhammr

    Orangeclawhammr

    Nov 15, 2007
    Redford, MI
    Your SS Jag will sound great through the MB115. Mine does, and you probably play better than I do, so you'll be fine.
     
  14. Apr 19, 2012 #14
    MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    Oh, this is definitely going to do the job... been playing through the MB115 for a couple of hours this evening and it is just wonderful! Nice and light, lots of power and great tone. OCH, you were correct, my Jag sounds fabulous through this little rig!
    The best part of the deal though was meeting another local TalkBass member and making a new bass playing friend. Could not imagine a better deal for my first transaction on TalkBass.
     
  15. Apr 19, 2012 #15
    Sam Evans

    Sam Evans

    Nov 29, 2008
    I've been using my MB115 for jazz gigs, both a small combo and a big band, in some fairly large rooms (including a whole warehouse), and I've barely had to push it past half volume. It's got plenty of power and sounds great. Congrats on a great purchase!
     
  16. Apr 19, 2012 #16
    Joe Louvar

    Joe Louvar Guest

    Jun 6, 2011
    Santa Rosa, CA USA
    way cool, enjoy your MB115. :)
     
  17. Apr 19, 2012 #17
    soulman969

    soulman969 Inactive

    Oct 6, 2011
    Englewood, Colorado
    Not an MB115 but an MB112. I just prefer the little tighter sound I get especially using it as a stage monitor when I'm in the PA. Still plenty for smaller venues. Nice tone plenty of punch. You'll love it even more when you take it out to gig with. You take it in one hand and your bass in the other and you're good to go. First time I've ever been able to do that.
     
  18. Apr 19, 2012 #18
    Sam Evans

    Sam Evans

    Nov 29, 2008
    I almost went with the MB112. Hell, I still might pick on up at some point - I'm keeping an eye on the new versions of the MB combos due to come out soon.
     
  19. Apr 20, 2012 #19
    MakoMan

    MakoMan

    Oct 17, 2011
    Ottawa, Canada
    Thanks for the replies folks. Yes the MB112 was on my list too. There were several on my list, but sometimes when buying used your final decision is based on what pops up in the classifieds :)
     
  20. Apr 20, 2012 #20
    packhowitzer

    packhowitzer 155mm of pure destruction

    Apr 20, 2011
    Atlanta
    I use my MB115 at church every Sunday. It is a beast and fills the room very nicely without breaking a sweat. we have drums, keys, 2 guitars, and 4 vox. I usually run a DI to the PA but honestly the GK does 99% of the volume itself.

    Mine seemed to have a grill that vibrated quite a bit. I screwed a heavy rubber washer into the bottom right corner and the buzzing went away. Otherwise, it the best combo I have ever played. Tone, Volume, and Price. A wonderful value. Good luck!
     
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