Emile the singer posing in my spot before last night’s pub gig. I didn’t pick up up the JBS all night, but I like to have a backup close by.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
I brought out my MB200 for a pub gig last night and it sounded really nice with the VP and 210AVs. I’m thinking about getting an MB500 to replace my PF350.I’m a Mesa endorser...I shoulda probably known that
Been so deep into the single source stuff I’m losing touch!
I’m hesitant to recommend amps because we’re all so different (thank goodness!). That said, I think it’s a really nice amp, but I love my T Bird with GK amps and other stuff too. I could be full of it, but every amp I own sounds better at 4 ohms than 8, except the D800, which sounds fine either way
I had to use one a few times at a practice space. I didn't like it at all until I turned the Voicing knob all the way to Flat, then I got into it. Just keep that in mind if you go for it.
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
IMO, the MB series amps are so superior to the PF’s, it’s silly. I’d do that if I were you. I still have a busted MB800 sitting around somewhere. Keep forgetting to get it fixed!
My D800 has been so reliable I just haven’t thought about amps in awhile.
The only reason I’d ever use any contour on any amp, is for a quick ‘room eq tweak’ on an upright gig. Never on electric bass, but that could just be me
I don’t ever feel the need to use the contour control at all on my GK.
There’s just no need for me to.
Plus it just sucks out all the groovy tones that are in the 700RB. Along with using the B7Ku and the Broughton. Everything is right there. But that’s just me. For now.
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- Mar 8, 2011
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Just a quick mention to be clear. There are many Ampeg amps I adore. just never got the PF series. They sound pretty good at low volume, but I’ve seen too many unreliable ones. I’ve shut down a couple PF500/PF800’s myself when they were backlined.
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
“I don’t ever feel the need to use the contour control at all on my GK.
There’s just no need for me to.”
I agree! I use a 700rb all the time at one club I work at quite a bit. The rb series go quite well with ‘Birds if you ask me. Especially well if you like a clangy, sharp attack like how Ronni uses hers. For some of my rock gigs I favor a very similar tone.
There’s just no need for me to.”
I agree! I use a 700rb all the time at one club I work at quite a bit. The rb series go quite well with ‘Birds if you ask me. Especially well if you like a clangy, sharp attack like how Ronni uses hers. For some of my rock gigs I favor a very similar tone.
I looked up Mesa's Voicing knob and it seems to be very similar functionality to GK's Contour knob, both of which choke the life out of the Thunderbird's tone. In my opinion.
I’m hesitant to recommend amps because we’re all so different (thank goodness!). That said, I think it’s a really nice amp, but I love my T Bird with GK amps and other stuff too. I could be full of it, but every amp I own sounds better at 4 ohms than 8, except the D800, which sounds fine either way
We all have different flavors we like for sure. Just wanted to be sure it would be a good fit for a bird since that gets most of my play time. The GK 700RB has been tempting to me as well. I appreciate the feedback!
- Mar 8, 2011
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Of course! The trade offs are somewhat obvious and if I’m not mistaken, you mostly play rock music, yes? Correct my assumption if I’m wrong. Both amps have proven to be very reliable. The Mesa is smaller and lighter, which is great for a busy player loading in and out of gigs a lot, but it ain’t like the 700rb is especially heavy or cumbersome. You just won’t be tucking it into a bass gig bag. They both sound like legit amps to me and I’d happily gig either one on electric gigs. In fact, lots of folks who like Mesa amps also like GK’s and vice versa. I’m not exception. Love chunky lows and sometimes the grindy top end both companies are famous for. I will say the Mesa Subway series and GK rb series aren’t apples to apples comparisons. Mesa Carbines are closer in sound. Not that you should take this too seriously, but in a head to head shootout, I’d do it this way, assuming we’re talking about T Birds playing rock and roll music...
GK MB vs Mesa Subway- Mesa
GKrb vs Subway- I’d lean GK, but love both.
GKrb vs Mesa Carbine M6/M9- Mesa
Just my opinion, which you shouldn’t take too seriously. I certainly don’t
I used the PF350 for years without issues, but lately it’s gotten flaky. There’s an RB1001 deal locally, that’s tempting...IMO, the MB series amps are so superior to the PF’s, it’s silly. I’d do that if I were you. I still have a busted MB800 sitting around somewhere. Keep forgetting to get it fixed!
My D800 has been so reliable I just haven’t thought about amps in awhile.
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Lots of folks have serious opinions about the ‘best’ sounding rb head. Some absolutely swear the 800rb or 700, or 1001 are the very ‘best.’ I’ve had really fun gigs on every single one of the rb’s from the 400 to the 2001 and I love em all. The only odd thing that ever happened to me was after a decade of using and loving a 400rb it finally needed repairs. When I got it back, it just wasn’t the same and I really needed more headroom anyway, so I bought an 800rb and hated it with whatever cab I was using at the time. Probably the cabs ‘fault’ but I quickly sold that and went with something else. I’ve since played 800rb’s that sounded better than my memory of mine. Personally, if I were buying an rb I’d go for the 1001 or the 2001, which sounds awesome on upright. You’d better have a serious cab or cabs to run that 2001rb amp though. It’s a beast
She's a nice looking lady. Nice presence.
Do I need to be concerned about if it’s a 1001 V1 or V2?
V2 has a little more power.
I think they all sound great, plus a lot of differences get lost in a mix anyway.
She is a blast to be next to on stage! Lots of dance moves
How do you know if it’s a V1 or a V2?
Of course! The trade offs are somewhat obvious and if I’m not mistaken, you mostly play rock music, yes? Correct my assumption if I’m wrong. Both amps have proven to be very reliable. The Mesa is smaller and lighter, which is great for a busy player loading in and out of gigs a lot, but it ain’t like the 700rb is especially heavy or cumbersome. You just won’t be tucking it into a bass gig bag. They both sound like legit amps to me and I’d happily gig either one on electric gigs. In fact, lots of folks who like Mesa amps also like GK’s and vice versa. I’m not exception. Love chunky lows and sometimes the grindy top end both companies are famous for. I will say the Mesa Subway series and GK rb series aren’t apples to apples comparisons. Mesa Carbines are closer in sound. Not that you should take this too seriously, but in a head to head shootout, I’d do it this way, assuming we’re talking about T Birds playing rock and roll music...
GK MB vs Mesa Subway- Mesa
GKrb vs Subway- I’d lean GK, but love both.
GKrb vs Mesa Carbine M6/M9- Mesa
Just my opinion, which you shouldn’t take too seriously. I certainly don’t
All good food for thought. Thanks Duke!!!
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