MikeB Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Been looking at these 2 amps and not sure which to go for. The new 800 gives more volume / headroom but not really sure I need it (mainly playing pubs and small clubs). Playing mainly classic rock and blues and really like a round, mellow sound (I think that describes it) so wonder whether the Fusion's valve preamp would suit better. I know the MB Fusion 800 is out soon but not sure it warrants the extra £250ish. What does anyone advise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Having had both the MB500 and The MB Fusion, I can`t see anyone ever needing the 800 version. On each of mine, for gigging in a punk covers band, connected to a single 4ohm 4x10, I couldn`t have the volume on more than 9 o`clock. Typical gigs in pubs, holding 100/200 people. The tubes in the Fusion really thickens the sound out. On it`s own, it still sounds typically GK, crisp highs, and that grind if the gain is set high, but once in the mix the presence of the tubes is easy to notice, making a much warmer presence. It does still sound like a GK though, classic valvey Ampeg it is definitely not, more a cross between GK and Ampeg. For what you`ve described, I think the Fusion sounds more what you`re after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 Thanks for the reply, Lozz. I currently use an Ashdown EVO111 but always keen to reduce the amount of gear to lug about, hence looking at a micro. If you have any experience of the Ashdown, how do you think the Fusion compares totally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I had that exact debate. Actually I'm still having it and probably always will! I ended up with the Fusion. I occasionally miss the brittle top end grind. But I know I'd miss the thick gooey grind more if I'd have plumped for the standard MB heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 [quote name='MikeB' timestamp='1346666601' post='1791592'] Thanks for the reply, Lozz. I currently use an Ashdown EVO111 but always keen to reduce the amount of gear to lug about, hence looking at a micro. If you have any experience of the Ashdown, how do you think the Fusion compares totally? [/quote] I`ve never used Ashdown amps, but have heard them, and found the sounds produced to have been very warm/rounded. You can reduce top-end on the Fusion, plus it also has low and high mid adjustments, additionally engage the low-boost, fairly sure that would achieve something comparable. Certainly you`ll get more of those sort of sounds from the Fusion as oppose to the regular MB500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 (edited) I've had an Ashdown ABM575 Evo 3 recently and replaced it with the GK MB Fusion as i couldnt get on with the Ashdown sound. The GK is a completely different animal - it lacks the big soft (gooey was a great description Jack) Ashdown sound that i didnt like and couldnt get rid of via the eq on the ABM. It has a much more defined midrange (which i love) and i find it more punchy in the mix. Its also really simple to set up - just increase the contour if you want a more old school mid scoopy sound. I run everything flat with a little extra low mid (sometimes a touch more bass) and the contour off and its spot on at most gigs. ts not so brittle and edgy as the traditional GK heads but you can get close if you want it. Plenty of bass on tap and a tameable treble eq section. I just think its a really versatile head with a great basic sound and less of a one trick pony than the Ashdown which needed extreme eq'ing for my taste. ps I get the impression that Ashdowns work better with "basic" (no offence) basses such as Precisions and Jazzes rather than modern active stuff like my Spectors - maybe thats why i didnt get on with my ABM. Edited September 3, 2012 by Mudpup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 It's worth mentioning that the MB800 has a completely different preamp section. An all FET design for a more valve-like character - for example soft break up. Here's my review, http://www.iguitarmag.com/magazine-editions/iguitar-magazine-issue-10/reviews/gallien-krueger-mb800/ If you click on the magazine link, there's a video too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 This link for the mag videos : http://licklibrary.ceros.com/iguitarmag/issue-10-eddie-van-halen-iguitar/issue10/page/200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markorbit Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I concur with Lozz about the MB Fusion. On it's own it has that GK upper mid tight funky thing going on when you dig in but in a mix it sounds very full, deep and clear. One of the best experiences I've had with micro heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 Thanks for all the comments - really useful. I guess the real answer is to track down a stockist (hopefully Electro in Doncaster as they're not too far away) and try them out. Mudpup, I play a Precision and get on fairly well with the ABM so you could be right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I am eagerly awaiting my mb fusion.... should be in this week. Then I can test my compact and break her in. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Decided to bite the bullet and ordered an MB Fusion from Thomann. Should be here early next week so hoping it's as good as most people seem to rate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 It is!!! Really pleased. Great sound, bags of power (can't imagine anyone needing the MB800, unless they're playing the O2!) and fits in my laptop bag. Only played it at home so far but will gig this Friday and hopefully it'll be cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Nice one Mike, glad you`re pleased with it, they really do have an awesome amount of power available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 As an experiment I recently played a gig using my Fusion to power two (2) 4-ohm Schroeder 1212Ls wired in series to be 8-ohms. Despite the theoretical drop in power it was punchy and loud. Perhaps I should bring this set-up to the SE Bash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsybass Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1346671489' post='1791669'] It's worth mentioning that the MB800 has a completely different preamp section. An all FET design for a more valve-like character - for example soft break up. Here's my review, [url="http://www.iguitarmag.com/magazine-editions/iguitar-magazine-issue-10/reviews/gallien-krueger-mb800/"]http://www.iguitarma...-krueger-mb800/[/url] If you click on the magazine link, there's a video too. [/quote] Hi, I've registered with the iguitar site, but my cursor won't align with the login box! I'd love to read the review and see the vids as I'm looking for either the MB Fusion or MB800 to go with the Barefaced 2x12 I have on order. I currently have a Marshall MB4210 and MBC115 and exclusively use the "Classic" (1x12AX7 valve) channel. Does anyone know if the FET preamp of the 800 sound similar to the tube preamp of the Fusion? I play mostly classic rock and pop in pubs, so I think the Fusion will have enough oomph (the Marshall does). Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimwin Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 maggsybass: I have been using an MB800 with by BF 2x12 for the past 3 months - (10 or so gigs). It is an absolute monster. The best sounding set up I have had in 25years playing bass. You need to play around with eq settings to remove the top end (if thats not what you want!) - but once you get there- you stay there. the footswitch is a good idea and I use that more than I thought. Apart from the sound - the look on the faces of stagehands when they feel the lightness of the cab and the size of the amp is priceless!! Enjoy! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 [quote name='maggsybass' timestamp='1372665293' post='2128176'] Hi, I've registered with the iguitar site, but my cursor won't align with the login box! I'd love to read the review and see the vids as I'm looking for either the MB Fusion or MB800 to go with the Barefaced 2x12 I have on order. I currently have a Marshall MB4210 and MBC115 and exclusively use the "Classic" (1x12AX7 valve) channel. Does anyone know if the FET preamp of the 800 sound similar to the tube preamp of the Fusion? I play mostly classic rock and pop in pubs, so I think the Fusion will have enough oomph (the Marshall does). Thanks. [/quote] Having had the Marshall MB and the GK MB500, I wouldn`t put the sound of the GK as being like that of the Classic Channel on the Marshall. The GK is a lot crisper sounding. I would assume that the 800 and the 500 are similar sounding. To get near the Classic Channel on the Marshall I`d go for the MB Fusion, and drop the highs - the Fusion, due to the pre-amp valves is a much warmer, thicker sounding amp than the regular GK MBs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsybass Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 [quote name='jimwin' timestamp='1372669388' post='2128217'] maggsybass: I have been using an MB800 with by BF 2x12 for the past 3 months - (10 or so gigs). It is an absolute monster. The best sounding set up I have had in 25years playing bass. You need to play around with eq settings to remove the top end (if thats not what you want!) - but once you get there- you stay there. the footswitch is a good idea and I use that more than I thought. Apart from the sound - the look on the faces of stagehands when they feel the lightness of the cab and the size of the amp is priceless!! Enjoy! Jim [/quote] Thanks Jim :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsybass Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1372672936' post='2128277'] Having had the Marshall MB and the GK MB500, I wouldn`t put the sound of the GK as being like that of the Classic Channel on the Marshall. The GK is a lot crisper sounding. I would assume that the 800 and the 500 are similar sounding. To get near the Classic Channel on the Marshall I`d go for the MB Fusion, and drop the highs - the Fusion, due to the pre-amp valves is a much warmer, thicker sounding amp than the regular GK MBs. [/quote] Thanks Lozz :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsybass Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 [quote name='maggsybass' timestamp='1372665293' post='2128176'] Hi, I've registered with the iguitar site, but my cursor won't align with the login box! I'd love to read the review and see the vids as I'm looking for either the MB Fusion or MB800 to go with the Barefaced 2x12 I have on order. I currently have a Marshall MB4210 and MBC115 and exclusively use the "Classic" (1x12AX7 valve) channel. Does anyone know if the FET preamp of the 800 sound similar to the tube preamp of the Fusion? I play mostly classic rock and pop in pubs, so I think the Fusion will have enough oomph (the Marshall does). Thanks. [/quote] Two very helpful replies so far.... Maybe I'll have to go for a Fusion 800 ;-) Any other thoughts much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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