borisbrain Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 (edited) Well, I finally got round to selling my hernia-inducing Ampeg SVT rig and have taken the lightweight route with this dinky little GK number. It wasn't a decision made lightly - I absolutely loved the classic tone of the Ampeg, but at 60Kg (132lbs) I just couldn't be arsed with lugging the damn thing around any more at my age, especially with some gigs in Germany coming up. After one rehearsal I'm pretty pleased with what I've heard so far. It's a 2x12 combo, ridiculously light at only 18Kg (40-odd lbs) with neo speakers, and fits into my coupé hatchback without having to fold any seats down. Unlike the 2x10 version the speakers draw all the power from the amp - it can't be plugged into an extension cabinet (unless it's chained out into a powered cab). This makes it seriously loud. The 12" speakers are very responsive, and you can feel them shifting some serious air at very moderate volumes. I'm still playing with the EQ settings, but the tones are deep and punchy, though clearly not as deep as an Ampeg 4x10 semi-fridge. However, the clarity and depth of sound is impressive, without some of the occasional woolliness you'd get with the Ampeg. The class D amp section features an input attenuator, gain, pre-shape switch, four-band tone controls, limiter, horn bypass, master, and a valve emulation dial for dialling in a little grunge, DI out with pre and post and a headphone socket. Minor niggles - there's no input clip LED, and the sprayed-on finish looks a little weird. There are no side handles, just a recessed handle at the top, but it's so light as to not matter. It doesn't [i]look [/i]wildly sturdy, but I've yet to see how it actually holds up to the knocks of gigging. So, very pleased so far. There aren't many of this GK model around in this country, and certainly not many suppliers. I bought it from Sounds Live for a very competitive price - £70 less than Thomann - and received delivery the next day. (The pictures are actually of the 2x10 version, but don't let this put you off): [url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Gallien_Krueger_MB_212-II_Bass_Combo_Amplifier/GK-MB-212-II?CAWELAID=1831876106&catargetid=1821886122&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CIj6jcye9rYCFVMbtAod0jsAqA"]http://www.soundsliv...CFVMbtAod0jsAqA[/url] Hope this is helpful to somebody, BB Edit 1: I should point out that I play in a punk covers band against two loud guitarists and a drummer. No probs with the amp punching through. Edit 2: I've just noticed that Sounds Live have reduced the price since I bought one just three days ago (!). Was £609, now £599... Edited June 19, 2013 by borisbrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Wow, what a great price. You can't get some high end 1x12 cabs for that price!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borisbrain Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Just as a quick update - I gigged this amp for the first time last night and it was superb. Punchy, loud, but well-defined and cutting through the guitars beautifully. In fact several punters came up to me afterwards and complimented me on the new sound. And I carried all my gear back to the car in one journey... BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unol Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Any further thoughts on this amp borisbrain? I've been looking around and this bit of kit seems to be the best bang per buck on a combo setup. Any idea what the frequency response is like? I can't seem to find any published data anywhere. Would you say that with EQ set flat the response is pretty neutral? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I ordered the last one from Soundslive yesterday and will be taking delivery of it Tuesday (I asked them to wait till then to organise delivery). This will be going up against my Hartke LH500 and GK NEO 112 cabs as a possible replacement so will be interested in how it compares. I love the sond of my Hartke & GK cabs, I'm just being lazy and want less to carry and setup at the gigs . Will let you know how I get on once I have gigged it next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unol Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Great, looking forward to hearing your opinion on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borisbrain Posted July 12, 2013 Author Share Posted July 12, 2013 [quote name='unol' timestamp='1372428397' post='2125666'] Any further thoughts on this amp borisbrain? I've been looking around and this bit of kit seems to be the best bang per buck on a combo setup. Any idea what the frequency response is like? I can't seem to find any published data anywhere. Would you say that with EQ set flat the response is pretty neutral? [/quote] Sorry Unol, only just seen your post. Yes, I'm still very happy with the GK. I've just come back from a couple of gigs in Germany, one of which turned out to be on an outdoor stage, and much bigger than the band were anticipating. The GK easily pulled it off - without needing to run through the PA. With all the power delivered to the internal speakers it's certainly very loud, but still retains its clarity - even with the meaty tones that I tend to deliver playing in a punk covers band (more Bruce Thomas in Pump it Up than JJ Burnel in Nice & Sleazy). I haven't played with the EQ all that much for the reasons above. However, there's a 4-band tone section (bass, lo-mid, hi-mid and treble) which when flat is indeed pretty responsive to the tones of my basses (a CIJ Precision and an MIM Jazz) along with a 'boost' control which dials in a vintage tube sound. This really whacks up the bass frequencies and to be honest I don't use it since you'll likely hear it in Belgium. The lightweight 12" speakers are responsive to picking and slapping, and certainly shift a lot of air. The portability is incredible. We discovered with some dismay that our first German gig was up four flights of stairs. I think I'd have had to quit the band before the gig if I still had the Ampeg. The GK was a breeze. For the sake of full disclosure I will say that it took the speakers a couple of sessions to bed in, and at one stage I was getting some disturbing crackles. Turned out this was due to a dodgy instrument lead. No problems since. Hope this helps, BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 [quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1372434033' post='2125752'] I ordered the last one from Soundslive yesterday and will be taking delivery of it Tuesday (I asked them to wait till then to organise delivery). This will be going up against my Hartke LH500 and GK NEO 112 cabs as a possible replacement so will be interested in how it compares. I love the sond of my Hartke & GK cabs, I'm just being lazy and want less to carry and setup at the gigs . Will let you know how I get on once I have gigged it next weekend. [/quote] Sorry to bump an old thread, but I just wondered how you got on with this combo in the end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1385812165' post='2292423'] Sorry to bump an old thread, but I just wondered how you got on with this combo in the end? [/quote] yep, it's always good to get a review a few months down the line when the honeymoon period is over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalalf Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) Sorry, been away from the forums for a while. I've still got the combo and have been gigging it solidly every weekend for neary 6 months now. It's a great bit of kit, nice and solid and fits perfectly in my focus estate boot with everything else. I can also nearly do my car trip in one go as it's so light. Really happy with the tones I get from it and the portability, setup time etc makes me and my back very happy. The only issues I have had, and this is with digital power amps and neo speakers in general, is sometimes it does lack a bit of weight behind the sound projection. However, stick it in a corner of a pub for example to create a bass corner and you're fine. Also, if you have the ability to do so, D.I. it through the PA. So far though I have not had to D.I. yet just to be heard in the mix, and that includes playing outdoors, a huge hall at Cambridge University and a marquee inside an army gymnasium at the weekend. Also, my guitarist is very loud and it it'll happily go head to head with him. Most of the time I usually only need both the preamp and the master to 12 o'clock for a good gig volume. At some point I might think about buying the powered extension cab to kick it up to 1000 Watts, but not because I need the extra power. I think the combination of price, portability, flexibility and sound is just perfect and I've not even been thinking about another amp. If you were thinking about downsizing to a lighter or smaller setup I would seriously recommend trying one of these out. I'm sure there are better, more expensive alternatives, and if you can afford them great. But I'm very happy wth my little amp. Also, if anyone does decide to get a 2x12 combo and wants a Roqsolid cover for it, ask them to make sure it uses the customer submitted measurements. The stock one was too big so I gave them the proper dimensions to make mine and in black with black piping it's the perfect compliment to my 'Stealth Cube'. And if anyone has any questions please gimme a shout Alfie Edited December 9, 2013 by Valhalalf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 [quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1386608265' post='2302111'] Sorry, been away from the forums for a while. I've still got the combo and have been gigging it solidly every weekend for neary 6 months now. It's a great bit of kit, nice and solid and fits perfectly in my focus estate boot with everything else. I can also nearly do my car trip in one go as it's so light. Really happy with the tones I get from it and the portability, setup time etc makes me and my back very happy. The only issues I have had, and this is with digital power amps and neo speakers in general, is sometimes it does lack a bit of weight behind the sound projection. However, stick it in a corner of a pub for example to create a bass corner and you're fine. Also, if you have the ability to do so, D.I. it through the PA. So far though I have not had to D.I. yet just to be heard in the mix, and that includes playing outdoors, a huge hall at Cambridge University and a marquee inside an army gymnasium at the weekend. Also, my guitarist is very loud and it it'll happily go head to head with him. Most of the time I usually only need both the preamp and the master to 12 o'clock for a good gig volume. At some point I might think about buying the powered extension cab to kick it up to 1000 Watts, but not because I need the extra power. I think the combination of price, portability, flexibility and sound is just perfect and I've not even been thinking about another amp. If you were thinking about downsizing to a lighter or smaller setup I would seriously recommend trying one of these out. I'm sure there are better, more expensive alternatives, and if you can afford them great. But I'm very happy wth my little amp. Also, if anyone does decide to get a 2x12 combo and wants a Roqsolid cover for it, ask them to make sure it uses the customer submitted measurements. The stock one was too big so I gave them the proper dimensions to make mine and in black with black piping it's the perfect compliment to my 'Stealth Cube'. And if anyone has any questions please gimme a shout Alfie [/quote] Cheers, when my Marshall MB 4210 gives up the ghost, they never do when you want them too do they?, I'll get one of these, should be able to get rid of my sack trolley then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horrorshowbass Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Hi guys, was thinking if getting one of these and this thread has some great info. How does the MB series compare to the RB? Little worried bout the "digital" head aspect. Might sound silly but want to be sure before spend nearly 600 quid on this bad boy;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Ditto - really useful thread, thanks. At a price point a couple of hundred quid below the MarkBass CMD 102p, this seems like a great option for a lightweight gigging amp for smaller / mid size venues. Welcome thoughts from anyone who has A/B'd both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Tozer Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Great thread here. Does anyone know how these compare to the GK MB500 head paired with a GK Neo 112 II cab (or 2)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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