Is there any particular difference in sound, or power handling characteristics, between these two heads? And can you outline them in descriptive 'lay' terms? Anecdotes?
Thanks!
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Tone/Sound Differences, MB(2) 500 & 1001RB
- Thread starter Count Bassie
- Start date
Having owned and gigged both I can tell you the 1001 crushes the mb2 in terms of volume, headroom and power. Not even close.
Tone wise they are very similar (surprise) but I preferred the 1001. The highs on the mb2 were a bit hissy.
Tone wise they are very similar (surprise) but I preferred the 1001. The highs on the mb2 were a bit hissy.
Well that's pretty freaking impressive, seeing as I can utterly disorient myself with the spl coming from the MB 500!
Thanks for the reply!And yes, that is a surprise!
To my ears the MB500 is warmer and far less aggressive. The 1001RB is edgier, great for rock and has a ton of power. I love both actually but only own the MB500 (and a 400RB).
Interesting.
I wouldn't expect much audible difference between 500/350 watts and 700/450 watts. That's what...maybe 2dB?
Edit: referring to the post by birminghambass
I wouldn't expect much audible difference between 500/350 watts and 700/450 watts. That's what...maybe 2dB?
Edit: referring to the post by birminghambass
Count Bassie said:Well that's pretty freaking impressive, seeing as I can utterly disorient myself with the spl coming from the MB 500!
And yes, that is a surprise!
Yeah, I can't imagine every running out of juice with a 1001. Sold mine to get a 700rb, still have more than enough power.
Chef has posted a bit on his experinces mbfusion / 700rbII and 1001rb-II in the GK club thread if you want to look there. I recently picked up a 1001rb-II and just love it.
It seems the consensus around here is that the mb500/800/fusion, when set flat, are a bit bigger down low and more present up high.
But the 1001 and 700 have a variable presence knob, which adds a more crystaline quality to the sound.
They also have a bass knob that you can...well, turn.
It seems the consensus around here is that the mb500/800/fusion, when set flat, are a bit bigger down low and more present up high.
But the 1001 and 700 have a variable presence knob, which adds a more crystaline quality to the sound.
They also have a bass knob that you can...well, turn.
Chef
In Memoriam
This is all based on my personal preference, k...
The MB500 doesn't have the GK biamp feature.
I don't like grit thru horns.
So; the MB500 is only gonna get so loud before it starts doing things I don't like.
If you don't mind that, it can get much louder than the way I would enjoy using it; though this power doesnt' quite "feel like big iron," if ya know what I mean...and it's got no biamp feature, so, you're gonna get the grit when it comes on, GK biamp cabs or no...
It's got native big bottom, and high highs, but, the eq can "normal that up" pretty well.
The 1001 does have the biamp mode; so, if you're using GK biamp ready cabs, you send send a bit of grit to the paper woofers, and a spankin' clean signal to the horn.
This is -awesome-.
For me.
Cause I don't like grit and grind and overdrive, especially thru horns. But, a bit of that thru the paper cones is pretty neato-keen, whilst the horn still delivers all the clarity and such.
The 1001 is full on Beast Mode Power. Lots of it, and while it's only 28-ish pounds, it feels like a Cat D-9 behind it.
But, to access all of that, you'll have to use the "boost" knob, which adds in the gritty bits.
Thru non GK biamp cabs with horns, I don't care for that tone.
Thru the GK biamp cabs, I do.
And; thru the Baer ML cabs; they take a bit of grit and turn it into really nice musical bits.
hth; it was a bit rambly.
The MB500 doesn't have the GK biamp feature.
I don't like grit thru horns.
So; the MB500 is only gonna get so loud before it starts doing things I don't like.
If you don't mind that, it can get much louder than the way I would enjoy using it; though this power doesnt' quite "feel like big iron," if ya know what I mean...and it's got no biamp feature, so, you're gonna get the grit when it comes on, GK biamp cabs or no...
It's got native big bottom, and high highs, but, the eq can "normal that up" pretty well.
The 1001 does have the biamp mode; so, if you're using GK biamp ready cabs, you send send a bit of grit to the paper woofers, and a spankin' clean signal to the horn.
This is -awesome-.
For me.
Cause I don't like grit and grind and overdrive, especially thru horns. But, a bit of that thru the paper cones is pretty neato-keen, whilst the horn still delivers all the clarity and such.
The 1001 is full on Beast Mode Power. Lots of it, and while it's only 28-ish pounds, it feels like a Cat D-9 behind it.
But, to access all of that, you'll have to use the "boost" knob, which adds in the gritty bits.
Thru non GK biamp cabs with horns, I don't care for that tone.
Thru the GK biamp cabs, I do.
And; thru the Baer ML cabs; they take a bit of grit and turn it into really nice musical bits.
hth; it was a bit rambly.
The 1001RBII was the only GK I've ever owned, (I still own 3) that I couldn't get with tonally. IMO too many redundant tone shaping options. I love the simplicity of the 4 band with the boost. To each his own, but I sold my 1001 and still have the MB(2)500. Personally I prefer the Fusion to either one.
Chef
In Memoriam
Fusion 550 or MBFusion?
I like that MBFusion, a lot.
The MB voicing is different than the RB voicing, for sure.
I like that MBFusion, a lot.
The MB voicing is different than the RB voicing, for sure.
Hey Count,
Not to derail your thread but you might want to ask about the MB800 when compared to the other two amps. Maybe the 300 watts adds enough power to avoid the "gritty bits" and get closer to "big iron". Priced between the two as well.
Not to derail your thread but you might want to ask about the MB800 when compared to the other two amps. Maybe the 300 watts adds enough power to avoid the "gritty bits" and get closer to "big iron". Priced between the two as well.
Chef
In Memoriam
It does, and, it does, and, it is.
Glad I asked!
Chef, an entertaining and informative read was that. Like the 'bit' bits, and the bits about the gritty bits.
Daniel, thanks for Chef's fine introduction.
Jim C, thoughtful add there, and all in all this has been, thus far, highly useful stuff!
I've got an MB(2) 500 on loan here, and have responded to a trade offer concerning the 1001RB II. That's the reason for the original post- I'm making a move back to GK amplification. It just sort of segued into my scene, and after a few days of mulling-over I'm making the move. I find the GK a more 'open' and potentially 'fierce' kind of a sound than what I've been playing (Trace Elliot), and I need a little sea-change.
The 1001RB is coming, and I'm deciding whether to keep one of my Trace heads or snick up the MB 500 as well.
Much appreciation for all the advice, insights, summing up, and smartly-placed quips.
And again I say, glad I asked! Many thanks.
I also receive the remarks about 'big iron'. I notice and appreciate that... also the tiny amp thing is almost like 'black box technology' to me. Still wary of it...
No worries Count.
I've been bothering Chef for weeks about these amps and thought the MB800 tip in would be useful and a bargain at $549. I was dead set on buying a 7 Pro until I a/b'd it to a 1001 and an M6.
I've had Ampeg's for 20 some years (along with a WA). Man was I surprised that I liked the M6 best and the 1001 was a super close second. Waiting for an MB800 to show up at GC but feel confident that I'm headed in this direction. Then again; maybe I could keep hauling my SVP pre and big iron amp for the rest of the summer until the 800 Fusion comes out.
I've been bothering Chef for weeks about these amps and thought the MB800 tip in would be useful and a bargain at $549. I was dead set on buying a 7 Pro until I a/b'd it to a 1001 and an M6.
I've had Ampeg's for 20 some years (along with a WA). Man was I surprised that I liked the M6 best and the 1001 was a super close second. Waiting for an MB800 to show up at GC but feel confident that I'm headed in this direction. Then again; maybe I could keep hauling my SVP pre and big iron amp for the rest of the summer until the 800 Fusion comes out.
I've heard a similar report from a friend of mine. Something about pushing the amp nearer to its potential- all the headroom of the 1001 makes for "cleaner" signal (?), but the envelope of the sound is a little different... some such biz.
I may just do the swap for the 1001, and run into a 700...
Jim C, nice two-fer post!
+1 ! = I've had everything Gk makes , And I found the 1001 to be the most "sterile" sounding of the RB's , the 700-II is my fav because you get all GK is known for , and its the Warmest sounding of the bunch , The 1001 had some noticable extra power , but its pushing those GK's that gives you there best, plus the mids seem to come out a bit more once pushed, the warm mids that is
When i had an RB, and the MB500 - there tone is very similar, but to me the growl was a bit more natural sounding from the RB , and the MB can be a bit brash with the Highs
But the Lows seemed to have a bit more "Fluff" over the RB , which has a tighter low end
To me Gk's are best paired with there NEO series Bi-amp cabs,
or ampeg 810/410hlf
But there MB Fusion is the closest thing to a tube head they make I Feel , the tube front end with that "Fluff" - brings it pretty close, It was just a bit tooooo Clean for me, but man what a slap machine it is!!
PLus, one other thing I noticed is that the Rb's are friendlier with Effects than the MB's are
Just my 2 Cents...
Chef
In Memoriam
I had the 700RB first, and opted out for more clean headroom.
So, ymmv on which you like better, and why.
It's easy enough to turn master down, and input gain and boost up, if you "want more GK."
So, ymmv on which you like better, and why.
It's easy enough to turn master down, and input gain and boost up, if you "want more GK."
