guitarjong

I've not owned either of those amps, but I have got a PF 350 and I've played the LM II plenty of times. To me, the PF 350 sounds vintage but a more modern tone can be coaxed out of it. The LM sounds cleaner (as has already been said) and is a great bit of kit. At £300 it is a steal. A quick Google and I can't see it at that price, or were you talking used? Not sure if this is important to you, but if my Ampeg is anything to go by, the PF 500 will be a very sturdy bit of kit.

Hi All, So, I'm thinking that I might add another cab to my rig after Christmas. GAS tokens allowing, I might even get a deal in the New Year sales. Currently I have an Ampeg PF 350 and a GK 210mbe. The cab is rated at 8ohm, so I'd be looking for a second 8ohm cab. Question is, do I pick up a second GK 210mbe or a GK 115mbe? I have no idea how this will affect the tone etc. What are your thoughts????? Cheers Jon

Bit of an update in case anyone was interested. The GK MB200 and GK 210MBE cab were delivered last Wednesday, along with an AKG WMS 40 Mini wireless kit. Set it all up, without the wireless initially, and unfortunately the amp started to hiss quite badly. To begin with it was only really noticeable on higher treble settings, but quickly developed across the range of the EQ. Within 5 mins the amp had started to whistle, doing a pretty good impression of a jet on take off. Switched off and tried again a bit later with the same result. This was all done in the house, so at low volume levels. Boxed the MB200 up and got in touch with DV247, who apologised profusely and promised a replacement, although this would need to be ordered as they didn't have any more in stock. Spin forward to today and I can only guess that supply of the MB200 is short in the UK because I am told that the replacement won't be delivered to DV247 until Monday next week. Quick phone call and I've arranged an Ampeg PF-350 as a replacement. The Ampeg appears to have just dropped in price, so I'm only playing a very small difference. If you look on the DV247 website you will see that it is massively discounted under the RRP. Amps should be swapped by courier on Friday. I'm keeping the GK cab, just getting a different amp. To be honest I'm a little disappointed about the MB200 as it looked great with the GK cab and, apart from the hiss and whistle, sounded great. I can however say that I am very impressed with DV247. I've been dealing with Juan Piola, who is the assistant manager, and he has been great. Responding to emails and phone calls quickly and generally keeping me regularly updated. This certainly isn’t the fault of DV247. The AKG wireless kit is pretty good though. I wasn't sure what to expect for just over £70, but it seems fine. I've not had chance to use it at a gig or rehearsal yet, but in the house it just works. To my ears, at house volumes, I can't tell much difference between it and a good cable. I'm sure that there are better systems out there, but for that price it appears to be a very good bargain. I haven't tried it with my bass yet, but it sounded fine with my US Fender Strat Plus into my Laney LC-30. Anyway, roll on Friday. Looking forward to getting my hands on the Ampeg.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1349657804' post='1828848'] What have you been doing if you haven't had a bass amp in that length of time? [/quote] Well, I've not been playing bass exclusively for the whole 24 years. But I have tended to borrow amps, or more usually go directly to the PA via my old Line 6 POD 2 using the Fender Bassman sim.

[quote name='hollywoodrox' timestamp='1348970460' post='1820294'] cool guitarjong, will look forward to reading your appraisal of the hb 500. cheers ...paul [/quote] Sorry to dissapoint. But I eventually decided against the Harley Benson, because of a number of reasons. Size of the kit, available storage space in the house (I already have a guitar amp, acoustic guitar amp and 7 guitars, plus other music related kit) and not knowing 100% what the credit card bill would be for ordering from Thomann. Instead I've decided to buy from a UK based company. So I've just ordered a Gallien Krueger MB200 and matching GK 210MBE cab from DV247.com.

After much deliberation, I've finally pulled the trigger and ordered the following from DV247.com GK MB200 GK 210MBE cab Never used DV247 before. But they appear to be good on customer service from reviews that I've read, their prices are very competitive and they offer a free 4 year warranty. I picked the MB200 over the MiBass because of the near £100 less. I really couldn't split them. I figure that these heads aren't exactly large, so I might well buy the MiBass as a Christmas present to myself....:-) As I had a few quid left over, I also ordered an AKG WMS 40 Mini wireless system. Cheap, might work out ok, might not. I'll see. If it is crap I'll send it back and get a refund. Will post my thoughts when I've got the new rig and had a play with it. My first bass amp after playing bass for 24 years!!! Thanks again for everyone's help and advice.

The Fusion sounds very nice. Would break my current buget and is probably more than I need or can justify at the moment. I've not really looked at the GK Backline 600. I've kind of dismissed them as old tech, and not old enough to be old tech of the right kind - not that I know enough about bass amps to talk convincingly about old kit. Old guitar amps, well yes, old bass amps no. Any love for the Backline 600? They seem very very cheap, but I assume that is for a reason? Probably retailers shifting the last few in stock which are gathering dust??????

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1349426756' post='1826076'] Ah poop, bit far for me to lend my MB200 to you for a trial run! [/quote] Thanks for the offer Merton. Very kind of you, but yes, a bit too far. Cheers

I'm near Newark, Notts.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1349368681' post='1825407'] The MB200 sounds good, is tiny and is plenty loud enough for my needs with my cabs, so I still feel like it was a good buy. [/quote] The MB certainly looks to be very good value and at over £100 less than the MiBass it is very hard to ignore.

Thanks again for the info. I guessed about the hiss thing not being a real problem. I've heard plenty of amps (guitar and bass) do this in the past. Just wanted to clear any concerns up. So, it looks like I'll be flipping a coin to decide between the two......:-)

Merton, which GK do you have? The MB200 or bigger? What cab do you put it through?

2 votes for the MiBass then........no love for the GK???????

Thanks for that. I've been reading pretty much the same all day......about both amps......:-) What cab(s) are you putting the 500 through????

OK, simple question. Which head would you buy or did you buy? The GK MB200 or the Ashdown MiBass 220? I have been reading reviews and watching videos on YouTube all day and I can't split them. The only thing that I've read which concerns me is some reports of hissing on the MB200 when the treble is turned up. Thanks.

I live near Newark, but I'm not aware of any rehearsal studios in the town or near by. I used to use the various ones in Nottingham, but that was a good few years ago. These days my band are based at Quad Studios in Leicester [url="http://www.quadstudios.co.uk/"]http://www.quadstudios.co.uk/[/url] Bit of a treck from Newark though, but well worth it.......sorry, that wasn't much help was it.

Apologies for restarting an oldish tread, but thanks for that review. Certainly interesting reading. What I want to know, if Jackstill had the amp, is how I is holding out now a far you still happy with it?

I see that, but I also believe that you hear most about the really bad cases. I am sure that Lockpicker1969's experience has been really very crap, but then Thomman must be selling loads of HB kit to loads of very happy and satisfied punters, otherwise why bother with selling HB kit???? Personally I have had a very very poor experience with some very big name recording kit from a very big name UK music supplier website. It doesn't mean that everyone buying that kit had the same experience. The website handled the two problems very well, but I was very disappointed with kit. Because of the 3 year warranty, I've decided to get the 500w HB head and at least the HB2x10 cab. I am always careful with my kit, so if it fails within three years it will get fixed/replaced/refunded. After 3 years, at this price, it owes me nothing. As you all say, you pays your money and you take your chances..........I'll post reviews when I have rocked the amp and the other gear Iam adding to my order.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1348876191' post='1819505'] What you don't get and don't have to pay for is a fancy name on the badge. [/quote] Could well be right. I had decided to go for named gear, but now I am not so sure.

Again, thanks for the great advice. I think I am probably going to buy new and get a 2x10 cab and a head around the 200-300watt rating. This will be plenty loud enough for the time being and will cover the sort of gigs I will be doing in the short to medium term. It will be easily upgraded when I do need more fire power and I will have the option of PA support if I need it. This means the Ashdown Mi Bass 220 and GK cab (second link in my original post) will probably be what I will buy. Not sure that the Harley Benton option is 100% sensible long term. I tend to keep my gear for a good while and expect it to work for the duration. So.......talk to me about wireless systems.........

Thanks again for the welcome. The use of the term "guitard" was tongue in cheek. I mean, at the end of the day, we all play guitars and we aren't drummers.....:-) (joke!!!!!)

I keep looking at the various Harley Benton head/cab package deals on Thomann. They really seem to be great value for money. Just not sure if the old adage "you get what you pay for" should concern me??? I read good reviews and comments, then a ad one crops up.

Thanks for the welcome guys......:-)

Ahhh, I see. Great, think I understand now. Thanks chaps. It is appreciated.

Hmmm, I will look at used kit. Just looking at new stuff as a starting point. I know that I am suffering a bout of GAS, but it is justified by the band starting to gig on the back of our album. So I intend to enjoy the process and explore every possible avenue....:-)