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The Combo Club

I just prefer the Rumble tone vs the GK tone. Rumble 500 combo, vintage setting, Precision Bass with LaBella Flats....just does it for me! Now add an extension cab to said 500 combo

Ah, b, you know how to sweet talk a bass player, don’t ya? I too prefer the Fender tone to the GK tone, but it’s such a personal issue.
 
“head to head,” “apples to apples.” Whatever.

Yeah, f*** me that I picked an unfortunate turn of phrase. What do I know, I only wrote for a living for 34 years. Reviews of comparable products are often referred to as “head to head” comparisons.

Also not intending to be a jerk. But may possibly be failing at that.

ToneMonkey, it was a friendly miscommunication, that’s all. Our credo here is to respectfully serve the equipment we love, nothing more.

We have a few GK fans here (Bigs, you out there?). I myself owned a MB 210 I and liked how it sounded, but had problems with it from the get go. Series II seems to be better built, as I had the MB108 for a while and liked it too.

This really is an easy call to me. The two brands are very different in what they hang their hats on. Old school vs. a more modern sound where it seems most players tend to lean towards one over the other.

I’d try talking one of our members into buying you both combos and then sending the one who finishes second back. Good hunting!
 
So if I should win a big lotto I would buy the house next door, gut it, turn it into a rehearsal studio and start shopping for all the combos that have gotten love in this club. I would mount a plaque at the entrance dedicating it to Anthony Wellington who, when he showed up to do a seminar, was asked by the store owner what gear and setup he’d like. He answered, “Whatever you’ve got is fine.” That’s a man who’s got his priorities straight.
 
(Bigs, you out there?)

Ah yes...I am here. What I like best about the GK MB212-ii (after it's power to weight ratio which may exceed that of my Honda Valkyrie) is the ability, with some minor tweaking, to get a very nice "old school" sound as well as it's more famous "modern" sonic palette. It is truly the most versatile amp I have ever owned. This stems from the ability to turn the horn off or on, use the contour button, and the voicing of the tone controls. My neighbors are hoping I never save up enough for the matching powered extension...:cool:

P.S. Here's a pic of my Valkyrie parked atop Whiteface mountain near Lake Placid, NY. (Yes, that's a 6 cylinder motor with 6 carbs and 6 pipes...)

moneyshot.JPG
 
So if I should win a big lotto I would buy the house next door, gut it, turn it into a rehearsal studio and start shopping for all the combos that have gotten love in this club. I would mount a plaque at the entrance dedicating it to Anthony Wellington who, when he showed up to do a seminar, was asked by the store owner what gear and setup he’d like. He answered, “Whatever you’ve got is fine.” That’s a man who’s got his priorities straight.

Love it, Rambler! Can I have my own wing called “Every Combo Amp I’ve Ever Owned.”
 
Ah yes...I am here. What I like best about the GK MB212-ii (after it's power to weight ratio which may exceed that of my Honda Valkyrie) is the ability, with some minor tweaking, to get a very nice "old school" sound as well as it's more famous "modern" sonic palette. It is truly the most versatile amp I have ever owned. This stems from the ability to turn the horn off or on, use the contour button, and the voicing of the tone controls. My neighbors are hoping I never save up enough for the matching powered extension...:cool:

P.S. Here's a pic of my Valkyrie parked atop Whiteface mountain near Lake Placid, NY. (Yes, that's a 6 cylinder motor with 6 carbs and 6 pipes...)

View attachment 3969518

Thank you, Biggie. Much appreciated. Here’s another comparison between your amp and bike: which one puts our more BOOM?
 
Ouch. :cautious:

Really GP, I mean, the pandemic and all? I have not bought anything since...uhh...oh, I know, Prohibition! Yeah, that’s the ticket. :rolleyes:
Well, y'all have seen the outta focus pics, but to list them: the Kasino, the B 25, the Peavey KB-300, the Peavey MAX 110, The Rumble(s) 40, 100, 200C. Seven combos and the 112 cab. I think I need another amp.:rollno:
 
One of the downsides of a thread this large is that it's impossible to parse it all to find a specific answer. So apologies for asking something that's probably already been answered.

The GK MB210-II seems a direct competitor to the Fender Rumble 500v3, except for price. The GK is $200 more new street.

I owned a 400RB head back in the 80s. It was OK. It did what it was supposed to do.

Has anyone tried these two amps head to head? I actually dig the GK's understated cosmetics, more functional DI, and the idea that it's made in USA.

Thoughts?
I owned and gigged through a Rumble 500h and 210 rig and a GK MB212 combo and still own both but have primarily moved on to Mesa. It really comes down to what you want or like, i tell folks they sound like they look, "Old School / Fender Bass" sound vs more modern. The Rumble has a low/low mid bump, more open or loose and blooming lows, nails the classic "Fender Bass" sound. The GK has a tighter low end, a bit punchier and a bit more edge? The price difference is the GK is made in USA and the Rumble is not, the GK will have better "neo" drivers and components, etc...however both have proven reliable.

EDIT: if your wondering, yes Mesa is exponentially better than both and lives up to the hype. However not a fair comparison and they are a different "class" of products. PM me ill give you more details on GK vs Rumble
 
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I owned and gigged through a Rumble 500h and 210 rig and a GK MB212 combo and still own both but have primarily moved on to Mesa. It really comes down to what you want or like, i tell folks they sound like they look, "Old School / Fender Bass" sound vs more modern. The Rumble has a low/low mid bump, more open or loose and blooming lows, nails the classic "Fender Bass" sound. The GK has a tighter low end, a bit punchier and a bit more edge? The price difference is the GK is made in USA and the Rumble is not, the GK will have better "neo" drivers and components, etc...however both have proven reliable.

EDIT: if your wondering, yes Mesa is exponentially better than both and lives up to the hype. However not a fair comparison and they are a different "class" of products. PM me ill give you more details on GK vs Rumble
Many thanks. That's just the sort of info I was looking for.

The "tight bass" thing really describes what I personally like. My preferred tone is sort of mid heavy. I find that a tone with too much boomy low end prevents me from playing as percussively as I want to. When I choke a note off, there's all this junk in the trunk following it. He doesn't play a P, but I've always liked Jimmy Johnson's tone a lot. Yeah, there's a tiny bit of low frequency extension but that's not his bread and butter.

I'm looking at the Mesa stuff. And the Bergantino stuff. Right now the only thing I sort of know is that the Phil Jones stuff isn't doing it for me. Obviously, with Mesa or Bergie, I'd have to go head/cab. I don't use effects, except occasionally compression. All my worst gear mistakes involve reaching for the "ultimate <something>." Spending gobs of cash then deciding I would have been better off with something less cork sniffy.

I may have gotten a bit too OT here. I'll PM you.
 
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Well, y'all have seen the outta focus pics, but to list them: the Kasino, the B 25, the Peavey KB-300, the Peavey MAX 110, The Rumble(s) 40, 100, 200C. Seven combos and the 112 cab. I think I need another amp.:rollno:
The onliest other amp I'd want isn't a combo. And it ain't cheap(~$2800).
1963-Fender-Bassman-004.jpg
 
“head to head,” “apples to apples.” Whatever.

Yeah, f*** me that I picked an unfortunate turn of phrase. What do I know, I only wrote for a living for 34 years. Reviews of comparable products are often referred to as “head to head” comparisons.

Also not intending to be a jerk. But may possibly be failing at that.
Seems like (and I may be misremembering) the GK is a little more "modern" sounding, and the Rumble is a little more "classic" sounding.

So depending on what you like, they both kick booty on the dance floor, just with slightly different auditory flavors.

I didn't do a head to head comparison, I just am trying to remember what our other friends have said.
:laugh: