oddjob
Well-known member
Just a bit of insight
I have had a chance to really get out and gig my 2 rigs hard lately (GK 2001RB with 2 Neo 2x12s and MarkBass CMD102 and Traveler 102P). It is kind of interesting what I’ve found.
GK: loud and top end to burn (@ 1275 watts would you expect anything less?). Good focus but a little loose on the bottom. Nice EQ section but each increment is not as powerful as I like. Contour and Boost are a must for getting control of the sound. The Bi-Amped masters at the end are nice but take some getting used to to get right. (I won’t even deal with the 2nd channel).
MB: light and focused. Great tone, but a tiny bit light on low end (what do you expect from 4 10s). Like the GK you have to master the VLE and VPF to master tone. Less power/head room (duh – 500w) but for most situations it has room to burn. Highs aren’t as crisp as I like but good stuff.
GK is heavy (esp the head). MarkBass doesn’t have a mute button (the one thing I hate about it).
Overall the MB has tone for days. It is smooth and round and can do about anything well. I don’t think it is a total stand out in any one direction because it does sooo much well. It is great for small and med venues and places with small stage footprints. The GK on the other hand is a teeth rattler. While it isn’t as smooth as the MB , when your fillings have shaken loose it doesn’t matter. It has grit and dirt that the MB just doesn’t quite have (and is great with a single H Bongo). Great for med and large gigs – it is almost too much for small rooms even when you use a single cab.
Winner – both. I know it is a cop out. But they are both great rigs. Notice no MB vs. GK - each has its place and like everything it is a matter of taste.
I have had a chance to really get out and gig my 2 rigs hard lately (GK 2001RB with 2 Neo 2x12s and MarkBass CMD102 and Traveler 102P). It is kind of interesting what I’ve found.
GK: loud and top end to burn (@ 1275 watts would you expect anything less?). Good focus but a little loose on the bottom. Nice EQ section but each increment is not as powerful as I like. Contour and Boost are a must for getting control of the sound. The Bi-Amped masters at the end are nice but take some getting used to to get right. (I won’t even deal with the 2nd channel).
MB: light and focused. Great tone, but a tiny bit light on low end (what do you expect from 4 10s). Like the GK you have to master the VLE and VPF to master tone. Less power/head room (duh – 500w) but for most situations it has room to burn. Highs aren’t as crisp as I like but good stuff.
GK is heavy (esp the head). MarkBass doesn’t have a mute button (the one thing I hate about it).
Overall the MB has tone for days. It is smooth and round and can do about anything well. I don’t think it is a total stand out in any one direction because it does sooo much well. It is great for small and med venues and places with small stage footprints. The GK on the other hand is a teeth rattler. While it isn’t as smooth as the MB , when your fillings have shaken loose it doesn’t matter. It has grit and dirt that the MB just doesn’t quite have (and is great with a single H Bongo). Great for med and large gigs – it is almost too much for small rooms even when you use a single cab.
Winner – both. I know it is a cop out. But they are both great rigs. Notice no MB vs. GK - each has its place and like everything it is a matter of taste.
