The Combo Club

[RodRy]

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...

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

OH Yeah! I totally second the contour button comment. It opens up a wider palette that can still be shaped with the EQ knobs.

Personally, I really like my GK MB150E-112. But that's just me.

And those Valkyries are majestic beasts! Thanks for the pic!

Now, what's in the bag strapped on the back?

 

[RodRy]

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

Well, you know, some others may enjoy and benefit from your further discussion.

This IS the Combo Club after all.

 

[Big Hoss]

There's a lot to like about he GK combos. I've not owned one, but played through a few and they would probably be my second choice. 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 -

I've got the Rumble v3 500 combo + 210 cab + Pbass... okay D'Addario rounds, vintage setting just about 6 o'clock perfection...

 

[iagtrplyr]

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

If you’d be so kind, could you give us your take on Mesa and all it’s goodness. I myself have never had the opportunity to play though the brand and have wondered why so many choose it as their fave. Thanks so much.

 

[FirewalZ]

If you’d be so kind, could you give us your take on Mesa and all it’s goodness. I myself have never had the opportunity to play though the brand and have wondered why so many choose it as their fave. Thanks so much.

Ok, ill try. I have a D800 and Subway 212, a GK MB212 and still have my Rumble 500h and 210(now my sons rig so i can compare all three.
Its a bit difficult to explain, but Mesa is build in the USA from all top quality components, the best drivers they can find, etc, which is why they cost so much. However, as a result they sound fantastic, the notes have more "weight" and thickness, while still being super articulate, clear and punchy. Mesa has Mids to spare, definitely the best rig I've ever played through and lives up to the hype. The D800 has a super simple eq, quick and easy to get a great tone, set flat, plug in and go. No fiddling with 15 knobs. The 212 is beastly, a bit larger than other 212's but still weighs around 50 lbs, so still very manageable. It's a very tight and articulate box...mids in spades across the spectrum, and of course super tight and thick lows without any boominess or mud.

The GK sounds very good, has the "GK" sound and is a solid second, still not quite the "presence" or magic mids of the Mesa. The MB combo is my only GK reference and they have many other lines. But for a combo it checks all the boxes, lightweight, portable, but capable of thunderous volume. Tone wise it has a nice tight sound with a bit of an edge in the highs, a bump in the low and low/mids and a bit scooped in the upper mids.

The Rumble is more of a "budget" rig by comparison, but for the money hard to beat, sounds solid and has a reputation for being very reliable, a working mans "model-T" type rig. However, it's not a fair or even comparison to the Mesa or GK. The Rumble is reminiscent of a classic "bassman", very open and bloomy lows, and IMO a low low/mid forward rig that can get a bit muddy if your not used to the eq. I find myself dialing the lows and low mids down a bit most of the time and bumping up the upper mids. With a P bass the Rumble really dials in a great classic "Fender Bass" tone, again for the budget conscious, its one of the best options.

 

[biguglyman]

Now, what's in the bag strapped on the back?

That's my acoustic guitar. (classical-gotta have that wide, flat neck) Headed for a jam in Syracuse after the mountain trip.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Ok, ill try. I have a D800 and Subway 212, a GK MB212 and still have my Rumble 500h and 210(now my sons rig so i can compare all three.
Its a bit difficult to explain, but Mesa is build in the USA from all top quality components, the best drivers they can find, etc, which is why they cost so much. However, as a result they sound fantastic, the notes have more "weight" and thickness, while still being super articulate, clear and punchy. Mesa has Mids to spare, definitely the best rig I've ever played through and lives up to the hype. The D800 has a super simple eq, quick and easy to get a great tone, set flat, plug in and go. No fiddling with 15 knobs. The 212 is beastly, a bit larger than other 212's but still weighs around 50 lbs, so still very manageable. It's a very tight and articulate box...mids in spades across the spectrum, and of course super tight and thick lows without any boominess or mud.

The GK sounds very good, has the "GK" sound and is a solid second, still not quite the "presence" or magic mids of the Mesa. The MB combo is my only GK reference and they have many other lines. But for a combo it checks all the boxes, lightweight, portable, but capable of thunderous volume. Tone wise it has a nice tight sound with a bit of an edge in the highs, a bump in the low and low/mids and a bit scooped in the upper mids.

The Rumble is more of a "budget" rig by comparison, but for the money hard to beat, sounds solid and has a reputation for being very reliable, a working mans "model-T" type rig. However, it's not a fair or even comparison to the Mesa or GK. The Rumble is reminiscent of a classic "bassman", very open and bloomy lows, and IMO a low low/mid forward rig that can get a bit muddy if your not used to the eq. I find myself dialing the lows and low mids down a bit most of the time and bumping up the upper mids. With a P bass the Rumble really dials in a great classic "Fender Bass" tone, again for the budget conscious, its one of the best options.

Thank you very much! Your explanation was insightful and gave me a better idea of why bass players are saying what they’re saying about Mesa.

 

[GwenOnBass]

That's my acoustic guitar. (classical-gotta have that wide, flat neck) Headed for a jam in Syracuse after the mountain trip.

Didn't The Good Rats call Syracuse their hometown?

Ok, ill try. I have a D800 and Subway 212, a GK MB212 and still have my Rumble 500h and 210(now my sons rig so i can compare all three.
Its a bit difficult to explain, but Mesa is build in the USA from all top quality components, the best drivers they can find, etc, which is why they cost so much. However, as a result they sound fantastic, the notes have more "weight" and thickness, while still being super articulate, clear and punchy. Mesa has Mids to spare, definitely the best rig I've ever played through and lives up to the hype. The D800 has a super simple eq, quick and easy to get a great tone, set flat, plug in and go. No fiddling with 15 knobs. The 212 is beastly, a bit larger than other 212's but still weighs around 50 lbs, so still very manageable. It's a very tight and articulate box...mids in spades across the spectrum, and of course super tight and thick lows without any boominess or mud.

The GK sounds very good, has the "GK" sound and is a solid second, still not quite the "presence" or magic mids of the Mesa. The MB combo is my only GK reference and they have many other lines. But for a combo it checks all the boxes, lightweight, portable, but capable of thunderous volume. Tone wise it has a nice tight sound with a bit of an edge in the highs, a bump in the low and low/mids and a bit scooped in the upper mids.

The Rumble is more of a "budget" rig by comparison, but for the money hard to beat, sounds solid and has a reputation for being very reliable, a working mans "model-T" type rig. However, it's not a fair or even comparison to the Mesa or GK. The Rumble is reminiscent of a classic "bassman", very open and bloomy lows, and IMO a low low/mid forward rig that can get a bit muddy if your not used to the eq. I find myself dialing the lows and low mids down a bit most of the time and bumping up the upper mids. With a P bass the Rumble really dials in a great classic "Fender Bass" tone, again for the budget conscious, its one of the best options.

Mesa is in all my memory the most desired rig of all who played through 'near everything else.

 

[bhendrix]

Mesa is in all my memory the most desired rig of all who played through 'near everything else.

My Mesa memory is the Bass Buster 200 combo. Got to play through one several times (owned by a guitar player I played with) - 200 all tube watts - which really had an awesome overdrive when you pushed it hard. Cool wedge design and twas a heavy beast! I've really not had an opportunity to try Mesa stuff recently - I might if they come out with a new combo!

 

[GwenOnBass]

My Mesa memory is the Bass Buster 200 combo. Got to play through one several times (owned by a guitar player I played with) - 200 all tube watts - which really had an awesome overdrive when you pushed it hard. Cool wedge design and twas a heavy beast! I've really not had an opportunity to try Mesa stuff recently - I might if they come out with a new combo!

My friends and I (in the period) played Kustom, and Peavey, &c for basic workaday rigs. From that view, Mesa looked quite exotic. I don't recall anyone in my circles who actually knew anyone with a Mesa, so there wasn't even the opportunity to covet

 

[SoulReflection]

My friends and I (in the period) played Kustom, and Peavey, &c for basic workaday rigs. From that view, Mesa looked quite exotic. I don't recall anyone in my circles who actually knew anyone with a Mesa, so there wasn't even the opportunity to covet

As I said to our FL earlier today "I have no doubt that Mesa is a quality brand. Their warranty and customer support are the best. AgedHorse is a great resource on TB and their developer. I have learned a lot from his posts and PM's. If I was a well paid musician, I could justify the higher costs."

 

[RodRy]

My friends and I (in the period) played Kustom, and Peavey, &c for basic workaday rigs. From that view, Mesa looked quite exotic. I don't recall anyone in my circles who actually knew anyone with a Mesa, so there wasn't even the opportunity to covet

I had similar experience. I heard tales of Mesa, but never saw one in the wild.

 

[bhendrix]

I had similar experience. I heard tales of Mesa, but never saw one in the wild.

I owned this beast of a 15" cabinet - built like a tank! (and weighed like one too )

 

[RodRy]

I owned this beast of a 15" cabinet - built like a tank! (and weighed like one too )
View attachment 3971875

Cool! What model Hartke head is that? Looks like a nice power conditioner on top too!

 

[bhendrix]

Cool! What model Hartke head is that? Looks like a nice power conditioner on top too!

The head is a HA4000 - 400 watts at 4 ohms. I think it was about 220 watts to the Mesa alone. When we had a big gig, I'd add my Eden 210 xlt. Power conditioner is a juice goose! Twas a nice rig and served me well!

 

[bhendrix]

Used to travel out to LA a lot years ago. ALWAYS enjoyed a visit to the Mesa/Boogie Shop in Hollywood. If you ever find yourself on Sunset Blvd, give it a go!

 

[iagtrplyr]

If I was a well paid musician, I could justify the higher costs."

The truth is I’m a shopper (as my reputation precedes me). I truly love the quantity of different tones as well as their reasonable quality. It suits my personality better than one Rolls Royce parked in the garage.

I truly think I’d get bored if all I had was one ultra-expensive combo. And it’s not like Fender, GK, Ampeg, and whatever else brand you wish to list is complete garbage. We can use all our faves and lay a good sound down.

BTW, welcome to the three-day weekend! May it go as slow as the syrup on my pancakes.

 

[StatesideRambler]

We who live in tourist towns but don’t engage in the tourist trade are mostly less than enthusiastic about holiday weekends. Those events can’t go by fast enough for us. I’m nearly neutral about it all but I have several neighbors who do rain dances and incantations in advance of holidays. I think it depends on how close you live to an unsupervised airbnb.

Everyone have a safe, enjoyable Labor Day weekend. Please treat the locals kindly.

 

[GonePlaid]

The truth is I’m a shopper (as my reputation precedes me). I truly love the quantity of different tones as well as their reasonable quality. It suits my personality better than one Rolls Royce parked in the garage.

I truly think I’d get bored if all I had was one ultra-expensive combo. And it’s not like Fender, GK, Ampeg, and whatever else brand you wish to list is complete garbage. We can use all our faves and lay a good sound down.

BTW, welcome to the three-day weekend! May it go as slow as the syrup on my pancakes.

I'm happy as a pig in ____ with my Rumbles. I go for a "classic" warm type tone all the time with minor tweaks to the room(on the amp), and equally minor tweaks on the bass(per tune). That being said, if I wanted a bunch of different amps in one, I'd be looking at the R800C/115-from all I've read in Rumble Club.
Nah, I'll just keep my menagerie/plethora/gaggle/flock/bunch of combos.
BTW, sold my Squier VM Jag SS late Thursday night on Reverb. Got what I wanted for it, $-wise. Then bought an Epi EB-0(SS) for an equally good deal. All it needs is to replace those nasty-@$$ rounds with some flats. Pics when I get home(visiting family).

 

[Recon1342]

We who live in tourist towns but don’t engage in the tourist trade are mostly less than enthusiastic about holiday weekends. Those events can’t go by fast enough for us. I’m nearly neutral about it all but I have several neighbors who do rain dances and incantations in advance of holidays. I think it depends on how close you live to an unsupervised airbnb.

Everyone have a safe, enjoyable Labor Day weekend. Please treat the locals kindly.

I’m one of the locals the tourists warn each other about.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!!