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Double Bass using GK mb200 as a preamp

K

Kevinlee

May 15, 2001
382
1
Phx, AZ..USA
dynoglides.com
#1
How could I use a GK mb200 as a preamp? Could I take the line out and send it into a seperate power amp? Would that bypass the GK's power section? I got this amp to use mainly on occasions that I didn't need a bigger rig. But I was thinking in a pinch, if my main amp was down I could use this preamp into a power amp. I really like the preamp section of this amp, and it does get quite loud on it's own with an extension cab. But I was just wondering if I could run a seperate power amp with it if the need arose.

Thanks
Kevinlee
 
#4
mje said:
The line out on the GK is microphone level- like in the neighborhood of 50mv. It's meant to go into a PA or recording board. Not enough voltage to drive most power amps which want to see a volt or two.
Click to expand...

Reviving zombie thread to correct this. Just tried this idea out with my new Crest Pro-Lite 2.0. The line out from the MB200 has oodles of oomph, as much as my BBE BMax Preamp--and it sounds terrific!
 
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#5
jmlee said:
Reviving zombie thread to correct this. Just tried this idea out with my new Crest Pro-Lite 2.0. The line out from the MB200 has oodles of oomph, as much as my BBE BMax Preamp--and it sounds terrific!
Click to expand...

I've been wondering this myself - I personally prefer the sound and tone of the MB200 over all of the the Gk heads (500. 800, etc)

I use it for 90% of my gigs- and if I needed to get louder well I wanted to get a little power amp and hook up to a 410.

Is this what you're doing?
 
#6
Bassmunnky said:
I've been wondering this myself - I personally prefer the sound and tone of the MB200 over all of the the Gk heads (500. 800, etc)

I use it for 90% of my gigs- and if I needed to get louder well I wanted to get a little power amp and hook up to a 410.

Is this what you're doing?
Click to expand...

Yup, precisely! The bottom is a Greenboy Fearless 112 (which will in principle at least take 900 watts) and the Crest amp (in a little 2U roto-moulded rack) will throw even more than that bridged. For bigger gigs I use the power amp; for smaller ones and rehearsal I just use the MB200. It's a great preamp.
 
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#7
Bassmunnky said:
I've been wondering this myself - I personally prefer the sound and tone of the MB200 over all of the the Gk heads (500. 800, etc)

I use it for 90% of my gigs- and if I needed to get louder well I wanted to get a little power amp and hook up to a 410.

Is this what you're doing?
Click to expand...

Just for my info, the MB200 is not the same as the model 200 MB GK that I use? Correct? The letter/number order does matter? Correct?
I think Dennis Ervin was using one like mine in the John Scofield video that was on TB a few days ago. I still use my amp after too many years to remember. I did have a speaker replaced but it still works well --other than the chorus feature which I've never used anyway. I've never had a use for it. If I want vibrato, I just use my hand.
 
#8
Yeah the old 200MB combo is a different amp from the MB200 head. But I believe it will run with the speaker turned off? Difference in EQ voicing aside it will function as a preamp in the manner being discussed here.

The DI out on the MB200 can go into any amp or preamp capable of receiving a balanced signal. You can go XLR out of the head to XLR or 1/4" RTS into a power amp. You can also go XLR out to 1/8" RTS into the Aux Input designed to accommodate your iPod or other audio source that's found on many bass amps these days.

If you can find one the SWR Amplite is a great 400w mono power amp that's about the same size as the MB200.
 
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#9
I think a lot of people don't know about the GK 200MB combo these days. It was the forerunner of the current MB150 combo, and has been out of production for many years. To make things more confusing, GK sort of recycled the name when they introduced the MB200 head more recently. I've owned the old GK 200MB combo and the current GK MB200 amp, and, to me, they sound very different.
 
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#10
Jeff Bonny said:
Yeah the old 200MB combo is a different amp from the MB200 head. But I believe it will run with the speaker turned off? Difference in EQ voicing aside it will function as a preamp in the manner being discussed here.

The DI out on the MB200 can go into any amp or preamp capable of receiving a balanced signal. You can go XLR out of the head to XLR or 1/4" RTS into a power amp. You can also go XLR out to 1/8" RTS into the Aux Input designed to accommodate your iPod or other audio source that's found on many bass amps these days.

If you can find one the SWR Amplite is a great 400w mono power amp that's about the same size as the MB200.
Click to expand...


Looking at the Swr amplite- it looks like it only has the Neutrik inputs and outputs on the back- how would that work? Use the 1/4" line out?
 
#11
Jeff Bonny said:
The DI out on the MB200 can go into any amp or preamp capable of receiving a balanced signal. You can go XLR out of the head to XLR or 1/4" RTS into a power amp. You can also go XLR out to 1/8" RTS into the Aux Input designed to accommodate your iPod or other audio source that's found on many bass amps these days.
Click to expand...

Throw a button on the back of the MB200 head and the RTS LINE OUT becomes a headphone jack. I use the AUX IN to plug in my laptop, bass in the front and rehearse merrily through phones with only that little box on my desk. One more thing to love.
 
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