GK Microbass Goodness

[limitk7]

GK MB150E. Just got it off a guy on Talkbass. 26 pounds and the size of my backpack. There's nothing quite like heading out the door with your bass on your back, your amp in one hand, and the other hand free to open that door.

First impressions - it sounds very crunchy, like you're biting into a really fresh, well-put together salad. The B-string support is okay...sounds hollow, but that's the compromise for the size. I plan to use it for practice, small jam sessions with friends, and in church, and it should do those three jobs just fine.

On a side note - at the beginning of this year, my bass gear consisted of a cheapo starter bass and the amp that it came with. Since then, I've picked up a Bongo, two amps, bass lessons, and a few misc items like gigbags cables and straps...the total is approaching $3k, and now I'm eyeing a Sterling. Good gawd, I'm still in college. What the heck is this?

 

[Dr Stankface]

Can't go wrong with GK. I JUST ordered a GK Neo 2 12 and she should be here next Wednesday.

Can't wait for the FedEX house arrest...

Andrew

 

[tkarter]

Unless you want to be broke and bass poor like the rest of us it may just be time to stop and learn to play the equipment obtained to the best of its abilities.
One good bass and good amp can make a pro.

I hear you need a backup bass but that needs to be proven to me since I have an EB bass. I do believe me or the amp will let down at a gig way before the EB bass will.

IMUPHO.

tk

 

[hankSRay]

the total is approaching $3k, and now I'm eyeing a Sterling. Good gawd, I'm still in college. What the heck is this?

Welcome to the wonderful World of GAS.... Enjoy your stay.

 

[Randracula]

Unless you want to be broke and bass poor like the rest of us it may just be time to stop and learn to play the equipment obtained to the best of its abilities.
One good bass and good amp can make a pro.

I hear you need a backup bass but that needs to be proven to me since I have an EB bass. I do believe me or the amp will let down at a gig way before the EB bass will.

IMUPHO.

tk

I played my SR5 with no backup for almost 4 years.I now have a SR4 that I trade off with my SR5 depending on the band i'm playing with. I gotta tell you, it feels good to finally have backup. Your right though tk, in those 4 years it(SR5) never let me down

 

[limitk7]

Unless you want to be broke and bass poor like the rest of us it may just be time to stop and learn to play the equipment obtained to the best of its abilities.

Yes, the rational side of my brain agrees with you wholeheartedly. It's just a matter of getting the irrational side to shut up. But a trip to the student accounts office on campus should help.

 

[Bassfraggle]

I have my eye on one of those GKs. My car is possibly the most impractical vehicle a gigging bassist could have chosen (Mazda MX-5 Miata) so that little bad boy is maybe the only thing that's going to fit in the boot. The SR4 case fits perfectly in the passenger seat though! I should've bought a van really....

 

[arrowheadguitar]

I've got one of those, great little amps.

Both G-K and Warwick (cheaper and the one that I bought) make a padded bag for them (with pockets for leads etc.) so you can sling the amp over the shoulder too

P.

 

[bottle12am]

Those GK Microbass amps (the ones with the built-in-chorus) are so creamy, they should have been built on a dairy farm.

Almost bought one many years ago, but decided needed a bit more firepower, so I bought the GK400 head, and recently upgraded to a GK800. GK's never steered me wrong yet (I love Ampegs, too, but hate the bills for maintenance and tube replacement)

Can't wait for my Sterling to come in next week, so I can hear some 'full potential'.

 

[limitk7]

I should've bought a van really...

I bet you're not thinking that when you're zipping around in your Miata, though

 

[Bassfraggle]

True, very true!

 

[Bera]

It looks like a very nice amp!

I'm thinking about buying a Hartke Kickbak, mostly for practicing or small gigs... Anyone here can tell me about this amp, specially about the sound of the B string? I've already checked it in a music store long time ago (but playing a 4-string) and it souded very good!

 

[limitk7]

Aussie Mark has some experience with the kickbacks, I think. Perhaps he'll chime in.

 

[AnthonyD]

I have my Kickback 12 for a few years now and like it a lot. Nice & tight and loud enough for church or coffee house stuff, though it is a bit heavy.

Nice features - 120 watts, Hartke shape control, balanced XLR direct-out and headphone jack.

I'm strictly a four-string guy, so I've no B-string experience.

 

[Mobay45]

I have the Hartke Kickback 15 that I've had for a few years. I've only used it for a practice amp though. It handles the B ok for that purpose but I don't know how good it would be for a gig.

 

[sandaas]

It looks like a very nice amp!

I'm thinking about buying a Hartke Kickbak, mostly for practicing or small gigs... Anyone here can tell me about this amp, specially about the sound of the B string? I've already checked it in a music store long time ago (but playing a 4-string) and it souded very good!

I've got the Kickback 10'' and I think it sounds pretty good. Concerning the low B it only plays loud enough for practice at home and small practice jams with friends.

my two cents

cheers

 

[Golem]

Get anything you want for practice, if it's home practice. After all, you don't have to lug it around. The G-K MB's are perfect for group practice away from home and for any gig with a small number of well behaved players [IOW probably no geetards]. As a rule, if guitar duties are divided between 2 geetards, ie rhythm and lead, the G-K MB series is probably underpowered, but is still suitable, since it's easy to carry, and the best way to handle such an ensemble is to get one's ass outa there. MB's are a major fave with URBists.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I have a GK 200MB here on loan from Motojunkie and dig it.

 

[Morrow]

I picked up a GK MB150 years ago for my upright and have never had a problem. It gets used with my electrics too. It is a wonderful little rehersal amp and nice in the studio. I sometimes use a Yamaha NE 1 bass boost with it for home practice and rehersal.

I love mine.

 

[LeftyLB]

It looks like a very nice amp!

I'm thinking about buying a Hartke Kickbak, mostly for practicing or small gigs... Anyone here can tell me about this amp, specially about the sound of the B string? I've already checked it in a music store long time ago (but playing a 4-string) and it souded very good!

I had a Kickback up until 12-14 months ago. I had it for about 3 years or so. Initially it was fine. I was using it for all live gigs, purely as a monitoring tool as my bass always goes into our 2K Mackie rig. I had traded down from the usual washing machine sized Peavey T-Max combo as my shoulder has problems.

However, it is probably a coincidence (and I posted on this subject at the time), but after I bought my Ray the amp started to have problems. It had to be repaired three times in a year. There was a problem with the cone, then the jack input and finally the power input socket on the rear.

It may well be that as I was gigging it nearly every weekend for 3 years that it was simply wear and tear, but I could no longer live with the constant fear of any minute my sound popping and farting and then cutting out during some newly weds first dance.

I consigned the Kickback to the garage and bought a GK 400RB II head and matching 2x12 cab and have been using them ever since.

My only concern with the kickback is that at 120 watts, it really is a practice amp and will not survive life on the road especially with a live drummer and guitar competing alongside it. Not entirely convinced on the aluminium driver either.