Will a GK MBP112 work well enough with a GK MB115 combo?

[Skatepunk28]

It's a little different with the GK powered cabs as they have their own dedicated amp so you don't have the problem with mixed passive cabs where they share the power load with one working a lot harder than the other making the chances of blowing a cab or speaker a higher possibility.
You may still have issues with comb filtering depending on where you locate the two cabs on stage.

I'm surprised the MB115 isn't enough though. I've got the MB212 and it is stupidly loud for the size and weight.
I suppose if you're playing an outdoor gig without PA support you might need more, or if you're a stupidly loud metal band without PA support. But if you're that loud and the PA can't support anything more than vocals that PA will struggle to be heard anyway.

Honestly, this one combo should be plenty for most situations, I just wanted to find another cab to cover myself if ever the need arose, but I don't foresee that happening anytime soon. I used to play in a metal band like you described that was just *ridiculously* loud, but my Hartke and Peavey 18" subwoofer (that I took the crossover out of to get full sound spectrum out of) and Small custom built 15" cabinet was plenty (though the 15" blew at some point) and that being my first band experience on bass, I have no idea what "normal" volume's gonna look like lol from the sounds of it though, I should be fine even just with what I have for most situations.

 

[BAG]

I thought the MB115 was similar output to the MB212 but just checked the specs.
I'm surprised to find that the MB212ii is rated at 500w while the MB115ii is only rated at 200w so you may well need some extra grunt with a loud band if you don't have PA support.

 

[Lowandfat]

Please don't take this the wrong way, we are all just trying to share our experience. An 18" cab tuned as a sub will sound like a bucket of butt if you try to get full spectrum out of it by just removing the crossover. It seems you are just taking stabs at what might work based on a very limited knowledge bass.

If you have a combo that can't take a passive extension (built in speaker already running at minimum ohms), as long as it has an output, you can run that into any powered speaker or second combo. Keep in mind what twofingers said, mixing and matching different speaker sizes/manufacturers/power is a total crap shoot. It may result in magic, it may result in a pile of poo, and that's not even entering into the whole phase issue, or interlocking waves cancelling each other. I would put your feelers out, and turn on your patience, and keep looking for the matching powered extension. Barring that, I would be considering a similar sized/powered 15 combo as the first move.

 

[Lowandfat]

A bit steep, but there is a brand new MB115 on Reverb right now for $750.
Personally, I would not be looking at any 115 pushing only 200w. Considering the ultra-light power revolution is in full swing, there is no longer any such thing as too much headroom.

 

[Ben Decko]

Just recently bought a GK MB115 (mk 2, so it has the chain out for their powered cabs) used because it checked off a lot of the boxes I was looking for (good sound and volume, lightweight.) However, did not realize that the 115 powered cabs are discontinued. Still going to be keeping my eyes open for one because I would really like to have a matching cab, but I'm quickly realizing that's going to be difficult to find. Do any of y'all have experience running one of these combos into their MBP112 cabs, and does it do well enough to justify the money? I have a Hartke lh500 and Acoustic 410 also, this GK was just a good deal (due to cosmetic issues, chips and stickers) for a grab and go amp I couldn't pass up.

obviously I am late to this party, but it's clear lots of folks don't understand your MB/MBP situation. The answer is yes… an mbp115 will work with an mb112. I have an mb112 and an mbp112 for larger gigs. I really want an mbp115 because when I need extra volume I'd like it to be a 15" along with the 12" I have.
the only way your system won't "work" is that the cabinets won't lock into each other because the cabinets are different sizes.
Also PM me if you ever find a MBP 115 that you don't want for yourself.

…and I love having a separate powered mbp112 when I need it.

 

[heynorm]

I'd just look for another MB115. Use a Y to send signal to each. And, you'sd have a backup combo.