Post by grayn on Jan 25, 2020 16:44:05 GMT
I've been using my trusty bass rig for years.
A Gallien Krueger Backline 600 head, through a 4 ohm, MarkBass 2x10 traveller cab.
Always got a very reliable sound.
A few months ago I bought a new practice/back up combo, a Fender Rumble 500.
Then I got the urge to have a slightly bigger rig and got an 8 ohm MarkBass 2x10, to run with the Fender Rumble combo.
It sounded OK but kind of lacked focus/punch.
I thought about replacing the Rumble with a MarkBass combo, so I tried the Mini CMD121P & CMD151P combos, with the additional 2x10 cab.
I didn't like the sound at all and came to the conclusion that I'm not keen on Markbass combos, although I love their cabs.
So I decided to stick with what I know, and got myself a Gallien Krueger MB500 amp head.
At the same time I swapped my 4 ohm Traveller cab for another 8 ohm one.
So now I have 2, 2x10 cabs with my new amp and kept the old Backline 600 as back up.
Oh, and I sold the Rumble.
The new GK head is a real belter and is around a 3rd the weight of the old Backline head.
They share most of the same inputs and outputs and equalisation controls.
Where the old Backline has an overdrive channel, which I never used, the MB500 has a foot switchable boost facility, which to me is far more useful.
The MB500's front panel has the usual Gain, Master, Boost, 4-band EQ and Contour controls.
And the conventional passive/active dampener and mute switches, are also present.
The rear panel also follows the tried and tested conventions of dual speaker outputs, return & send for effects, footswitch input and tuner output, direct out with pre/post EQ and a ground lift switch.
When I tested the amp, I used it with everything turned to 12 o'clock and immediately liked the clear, punchy tone that is natural to this amp.
The 4 EQ controls worked well and gave me some superb and massive sounds.
The MB500 is far louder than the old Backline head and sounds really good through 1 or 2, 2x10 cabs.
Very pleased with my new set up.
It's light, simple to operate and sounds just how I like.
A Gallien Krueger Backline 600 head, through a 4 ohm, MarkBass 2x10 traveller cab.
Always got a very reliable sound.
A few months ago I bought a new practice/back up combo, a Fender Rumble 500.
Then I got the urge to have a slightly bigger rig and got an 8 ohm MarkBass 2x10, to run with the Fender Rumble combo.
It sounded OK but kind of lacked focus/punch.
I thought about replacing the Rumble with a MarkBass combo, so I tried the Mini CMD121P & CMD151P combos, with the additional 2x10 cab.
I didn't like the sound at all and came to the conclusion that I'm not keen on Markbass combos, although I love their cabs.
So I decided to stick with what I know, and got myself a Gallien Krueger MB500 amp head.
At the same time I swapped my 4 ohm Traveller cab for another 8 ohm one.
So now I have 2, 2x10 cabs with my new amp and kept the old Backline 600 as back up.
Oh, and I sold the Rumble.
The new GK head is a real belter and is around a 3rd the weight of the old Backline head.
They share most of the same inputs and outputs and equalisation controls.
Where the old Backline has an overdrive channel, which I never used, the MB500 has a foot switchable boost facility, which to me is far more useful.
The MB500's front panel has the usual Gain, Master, Boost, 4-band EQ and Contour controls.
And the conventional passive/active dampener and mute switches, are also present.
The rear panel also follows the tried and tested conventions of dual speaker outputs, return & send for effects, footswitch input and tuner output, direct out with pre/post EQ and a ground lift switch.
When I tested the amp, I used it with everything turned to 12 o'clock and immediately liked the clear, punchy tone that is natural to this amp.
The 4 EQ controls worked well and gave me some superb and massive sounds.
The MB500 is far louder than the old Backline head and sounds really good through 1 or 2, 2x10 cabs.
Very pleased with my new set up.
It's light, simple to operate and sounds just how I like.