lefrash Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 What do you think? I've got a credit note to replace my ampeg pf350. My main cab is a reasonably sensitive 300w @ 4ohm. I want something really transparent and that i can use as pretty much a power amp. Doesnt need to be major loud. These 3 are in my price bracket from the shop I have a credit note.... what do you reckon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I`ve not had those exact models, but having had amps from all makes, I`d go with Markbass being the most transparent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jassbass Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I had the mb blackline.was a very clear sounding amp.liked it alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrash Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Yeah I think that might be my choice. Saying that, the MB seems to be pretty large compared to the other 2, based on a few quick youtube watches. I never mentioned that in the first post, but Ideally it would fit snuggly into the frontcompartment of my case, not too sure whether the MB would! I suppose some actual investigation would be in order! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I have an MB Blackline sitting next to me right now. I really like it as a low cost lightweight head. It won't fit in a bass gig bag pocket though. The GK is a great little amp and that will definitely fit in a lot of gig bag front pockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 My exprience is that the GK200mb ran out of headroom quickly, unlike the GK500. I cannot comment on the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Had both LM250 and GK MB200 and the GK is a little beast. This is a good thing. Plug and play, loads of heft for its spec, very usable tones and really tiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazdah Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 None of those three will be better than PF-350. The sound will be different, sure, but do you want something different (and why) or better? If you want staight-up power amp pug into effects return of your amp. But you'll need something to control the volume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 [quote name='mazdah' timestamp='1408954866' post='2534776'] None of those three will be better than PF-350. The sound will be different, sure, but do you want something different (and why) or better? If you want staight-up power amp pug into effects return of your amp. But you'll need something to control the volume [/quote] I presume the PF350 had a fault/died which is why the OP has a credit note - maybe his confidence in the Ampeg isn't that great any more and he's looking for a more reliable alternative? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 [quote name='owen' timestamp='1408911982' post='2534575'] My exprience is that the GK200mb ran out of headroom quickly, unlike the GK500. I cannot comment on the rest. [/quote] I agree about the GKL 200, based only on trying it through my BF Midget at last year's SE Bass Bash. Small enough to fit in your [u]coat[/u] pocket though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrash Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1408956083' post='2534793'] I presume the PF350 had a fault/died which is why the OP has a credit note - maybe his confidence in the Ampeg isn't that great any more and he's looking for a more reliable alternative? [/quote] That's it in a nutshell. I appreciate all of my alternatives are 'budget' amps, but it does seem the pf range has an unusually high failure rate and I'm tempted to down a different route. I was tempted with the gk, but perhaps its just that wee bit underpowered... Must say though alot of folk outhere in internet land say that it has alot of balls. Can't find any failure stories either, which would fill me with confidence! Anyways, I've went for the markbass, as it seems to be just that bit more powerful and can't find many horror stories either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 [quote name='lefrash' timestamp='1408958889' post='2534831'] I've went for the markbass, as it seems to be just that bit more powerful and can't find many horror stories either. [/quote] Markbass are very reliable amps. It will be transparent, too. I found I needed a preamp with mine to get the sound I wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I've had the older LM250 and currently have an MB200. I think the preamp on the Markbass is a little more versatile, as the MB200 has it's own sound which you'll either like or not - it can be dialled close to flat but you won't have a lot of range left on the EQ beyond that. Also the MB200 lacks a 1/4" line input so might not be the ideal choice for use as a power amp. The small size of the MB200 is attractive, it feels like a physically robust package with those roll bars on the front, and it does sound good, so either could be a valid choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isteen Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 I have used the Gallien Krueger MB200 along with a 15" speaker for some time. I also have played a few TC Electronic amps, but I prefer the MB200 for the sound and size. Great tone, and for even more power I'm thinking of daisychaining the 15" with 2x12" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glefty Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Not sure that markbass & reliability isn't an oxymoron as my MBLMII promptly shut itself down in 2007. 2 weeks after the warranty expired, 4 weeks prior 2 an overseas move so it's still in storage waiting 2 b repaired n then very promptly sold. Great sound, iffy reliability. Caveat emptor so Chinese MB or US GK? GK by a light year. My 2c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrash Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Just a wee update on the markbass blackline. I must say I'm first of all blown away at the clean volume available on this thing. I had it roughly at 10 oclock on master and 10 oclock on gain and it was ample volume for rehearsal tonight. Its extremely light, and although its a bit bulkier than the pf350 it still fits nicely into the front pouch of my case. Lets hope this time next year I'm feelin the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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