Damonjames Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Any have both and care to A/B them for us? Desperate to know how they compare and haven't been able to find anything on YouTube! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 MB Fusion covers all bases (pardon the pun). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I've had a few Class D little amps, the Fusion 500 is my favourite. I love the versatile eq, the effortless volume and the way it drives the cabs that I've paired it with. The pre-amp does a convincing valve tone. I've have played through an MB but only at home volume, great little amp though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I've found the MB quite harsh in the upper mids vs the MB Fusion. The MB Fusion brings a warmth and a more versatile preamp (IMO) and is well worth the extra few pennies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 Cheers guys!! Guess what's on the GAS list now??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Yes the regular MB is very GK like, quite a harsh, hard-hitting sound, though can be tamed, whereas the MB Fusion is a much warmer sound, can achieve the famed GK sound but it is a richer version of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I can vouch for the MB Fusion 500 being a great amp with a proper valve preamp running at full voltage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairychris Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1465161065' post='3065790'] Yes the regular MB is very GK like, quite a harsh, hard-hitting sound, though can be tamed, whereas the MB Fusion is a much warmer sound, can achieve the famed GK sound but it is a richer version of it. [/quote] Yep, my MB800 gets harsh quickly, controllable with tweaking gain/contour/treble... I'd also like to A/B with a Fusion 800! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 [quote name='hairychris' timestamp='1465209976' post='3066073'] Yep, my MB800 gets harsh quickly, controllable with tweaking gain/contour/treble... I'd also like to A/B with a Fusion 800! [/quote] I havent noticed any harshness with my MB800 although i do keep the mids in check. In fact i use a Darkglass VMT in front to liven things up a bit. I did own a Fusion 800 for two hours, but never got to plug it in. Quite fancy getting another one some day, but for now im happy with what i have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I've not tried any of the MB range, including the MB Fusion; don't confuse these with the Fusion 550, which I do have. Bought it after a lengthy brains-picking session with Bassgear. Not a modern lightweight model, but not particularly heavy either, and marvellously versatile with headroom a-gogo! Multivalve front end, so can grit if wished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 Bryan Beller did a few interviews as he uses both. IIRC he said the pre-amp stage is basically the same between the 550 and the MB500, but then obviously it's usual SS vs class D power amps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumorabbit Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 I A/B/C/D'd the MB fusion 500, 800 and MB 500, 800 when deciding which to buy. To be honest all are great sounding amps, it really is just the difference of valve gain v solid state. Both types can do clean and both types can do grind. I went with the fusion 800 for more headroom and to my ears, warmer sounding pre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 (edited) I have a GK MB500 and phew it's LOUD! Punchy as hell as well. My old Ashdown MiBass 550 sounded good through my compact but the GK takes things to another level. The combination of the MB500 and compact means I can hear every note, clearly and well defined. I love it. Edited June 14, 2016 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 Love the MB500 fusion for big band jazz gigs wish it had a foot switchable mute and mid selection rather than just channel - but always seem to use my Markbass for pop function gigs, if i do go with the GK I find i need little or no mid cut to maintain the upper mids in the band mix at gig volumes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 Just to add my 2p: The GK MB500 Fusion is loud, versatile, easy to use and sounds great out of the box. It also has the best EQ in the business. I'd recommend it to anyone regardless of style or genre. It'll do the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Just for information, the MB500 uses an Op-Amp preamp, the MB800 has an all FET preamp and of course the Fusion 800 has some valve goodness in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Just curious how you guys with the MB500, set your EQ for a warmer sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 I have mine pretty flat but cut upper mids and boost lower mids. Everything else is flat. Used with a Status Kingbass 5string into 2 x 12" Aggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 [quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1469454052' post='3098396'] I have mine pretty flat but cut upper mids and boost lower mids. Everything else is flat. Used with a Status Kingbass 5string into 2 x 12" Aggie [/quote] Thanks for that. I have being experimenting with my E.Q. and for now, have it set more or less the same as yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.