Bongo and GK: A match made in heaven?

[Steve-O]

I know the general consensus around here is that MarkBass is where it's at, but my God, I just got me a new GK MB 115, and this thing sounds absolutely gorgeous with my Bongo 5 HH. I've always striven for a clinically clean tone, but this thing has just the right amount of over-driven grit, and a hi-fi response otherwise. Just an astounding tone. I bought it to replace my little Peavey practice amp, but I can see myself gigging with this.

 

[mfallmann]

Hi Steve-O,

I also bought the MB115 this summer and have made the same experiences as you. I use the MB115 at rehearsals and in small venues. This small and light amp just rules!

For larger/louder venues, I have recently purchased a Carvin BX500 top. Perhaps not as gritty as the MB115 might become, but loud, clear and massive. Character-wise, I sometiimes think of it as a Glockenklang top with improved equalisation possibilities.

Br, Matthias

 

[Steve-O]

Cool. I've never played a Carvin, but I've always wanted to. My company's headquarters is in San Diego; maybe I'll make it out there sometime soon.

 

[Mabongohogany]

GK makes some pretty kewl stuff, always have, and no doot you're Bongo capitalizes on their output.

Yes, MarkBass love is prevalent, it should be, they are shizz.

AHem....
Might I take a moment and praise amongst my several awesome rigs, the synergy between AMPEG and MusicMan Bass??

It's as though the two companies collaborated, and....

Naaahhhh, just good stuff.

My. .02

 

[MingusBASS]

GK and MM is a great match... absolutely loving my MB200 micro head for practice and small gigs. That being said, my SVT-VR is heavenly.

 

[mfallmann]

.. yeah, and MM directly into the mixer works out great as well ... MM seems to be rather independent from the amp used

 

[Steve-O]

.. yeah, and MM directly into the mixer works out great as well ... MM seems to be rather independent from the amp used

I hear that, man. My Bongo is the only one of my basses that I play straight, no chaser. All the others require some sort of preamp to approach the Bongo's hugeness.

 

[dlb1001]

I don't have a Bongo but I do have a SR4 and SR4 that I have ran through a GK 700RB. Great sound but I keep getting yelled at to turn down! I bought a used Markbass 112 and both basses sound good through it, too.

 

[Steve-O]

I'd always read about the trademark GK growl... after trying a few I now see. Kinda like the trademark MM growl. Put 'em together and lawdy, that's some evil sound right there.

 

[oddjob]

GK??? What's that

 

[njhammer]

Also a big fan of the MM/GK "relationship"....

 

[phat5]

I'm using the GK MB2-500 into a neo 2x10 cab with my Bongo 5HH. I offed my MB LMII head for the GK and haven't looked back...a bit more low end and tighter lows too; imo ;^)

 

[projectapollo]

Might I take a moment and praise amongst my several awesome rigs, the synergy between AMPEG and MusicMan Bass??

I had the pleasure to play my Bongo a couple of times through an classic Ampeg rig, 8x10's. It was the first time I ever heard the true power of the Bongo. It felt very "pro".

I'm a Mesa guy now.

 

[Steve-O]

I had the pleasure to play my Bongo a couple of times through an classic Ampeg rig, 8x10's. It was the first time I ever heard the true power of the Bongo. It felt very "pro".

I'm a Mesa guy now.

I haven't played mine through an Ampeg, but I have played it through a Walkabout, which is certainly heavenly. In fact, the Mesa's tone and the GK's are surprisingly similar, making me wonder if there aren't secret tubes hidden in the GK.

 

[Mabongohogany]

I have/have had all four makes discussed (and then some...)
Ampeg
Mesa
GK
MarkBass

And they are all awesome. Some may feel, and I'm one of them, that the OG Ampeg tone is voiced thru MarkBass and Mesa, while GK has a superb growl, one of the best I've found through a SS circuit.
A lot depends on a player's style, attack, and signal chain so there really isn't going to be a definite sonic description.
Except maybe to say they ALL sound good through the electronics of MM basses. Their preamp and pups are beautifully designed and voiced to get the absolute best tone out of any rig.
I've used my go-to Sterling through some cheezy backline and it still delivers; through a REALLY good rig (boy, I've got 'em!) I hear what I call "the tone of the Gods!".

...And that and playing in-the-pocket is what the Bass Guitar is all about, my friends!

 

[Randracula]

.. yeah, and MM directly into the mixer works out great as well ... MM seems to be rather independent from the amp used

True, pretty much any semi-transparent preamp will let the EBMM sound shine through and sound great. However, the real magic with GK amps is in the power section. The Boost knob on GK's is essentially a second gain stage for the power amp and is what gives the GK amps their signature growl.

 

[b-unit]

I sure loved my 800RB head but once I discovered Mesa, I haven't looked back.

My Bongo through this little monster is a thing of beauty!

 

[Mabongohogany]

Nothing at all wrong with that Scout (I had a WalkAbout when the heads first came out)-
But I must say-
BONGO's sound pretty good through quite a few rigs........

 

[JayDawg]

The Bongo even sounds good through a 90's Crate amp and cab. I do have to admit that I am kind of curious though what amp or amps the Music Man company uses when they test their basses when building them.

 

[Mabongohogany]

Smart money says it's MARKBASS; either the current or the Former
MM "Audiophile" bass gear that was built by MB- which was kewl and Good!

Was I right?
What do I win??

(May I suggest a Roasted Big AL SSS- and please! 4 Strings!)
I want a BASS Guitar not a....
Oh never mind!