David Richardson ,...I hear you. I have been told by a lot of you guys. I slap to actually test the bass as well. I couple of "HUGH-END" basses I've played have had some "COSMETIC" issues as I was testing them. For instance. Fretboard marker popping off the neck. Plastic nuts breaking off the neck. Pickups crackling as you are performing. (Not preamps) The pickups were bad. Prices ranging from,...I'll say; $600 to $4,200. That's crazy! For that kind of money to have issues. A bassist playing an "SX" jazz all night, having not (1) problem, just blows my mind. Most people believe that you have to spend a lot of money. "Nope!" Its the player, not the instrument.
Ah man...Fender wins hands down! Warm, open sound with a natural strength that you just know will work with a band. Brings out the best in a Jazz bass :)
pCeLobster,...I am sorry to say that,...the Fender sounds boxy. The GK gives you a more professional tone. Now your talking same wattage but not same size speakers. I think it only fair to you the same wattage as appose to same size speakers with different wattage. That wouldn't be fair. Hey, it's actually a taste thing. Thanks, Coop' Bass "4 " Life :)
@@11coopbasscooper55 for slap bass, yeah, you don’t want “boxy” sound. But for a lot of other styles, that’s a good thing. Here’s why: Low mids around 250hz - 350hz are muddy/ boxy sounding on their own, but in a mix they’re essential. Those frequencies bridge the gap between what the chord instruments are playing and the bass. In a mix, you’d notice the lack of boxy/muddy sound as a less full, less glued sounding band. But in funk, you literally want to “U” the eq and get rid of all those frequencies. So you are right about it being personal taste.
@@Gruuvin1 hey boss. How are you? This was so long ago,...this was so long ago,...🤔 Well, let me say this,...how many professional/ popular bands you see have "FENDER" amps and cabinets in the background? Also, peep this. You'll see "HARTKE" before you see Fender bass amps and that's s fact. "GK!",...country, ska, rock, metal, jazz, r&b, blues, funk, soul, jazz fusion. I mean,...very "GREAT" yet popular rig. "GK!",...can't help it. "GK!" speaks for itself. 😂😂😂👌😉
Just bought a Rumble 500. I would love to own a GK amp combo but for the price range. Essentially, this demonstrated just how good my Rumble is. At only around 350 watts (500w with extra speaker hooked up), I am pretty impressed that the Fender stood up against my GK "dream" amp. Nice demo.
Well,...it's a matter of time that you will "HEAR" down the road that "GK!" will set you free. Be patient "HONORABLE" grasshopper. Time will assist you real soon. :D
Even despite the strange EQ settings you had for both amps, the Fender had the better tone to me. The GK didn't have as much lower end punch, and sounded too trebly. Set that Fender at 12 o'clock on the Mids, cut the Treble just a tad, boost the Bass a smidge, engage the vintage button, and give it some growl by bringing the Overdrive up to about 10 o'clock, and the level at 10 also, and it will sound the way it's supposed to, which is killer. Cosmetically the Fender looks much cooler than the GK too.
The GK sounded WAY better, like a professional amp. You can dial down the GK to sound like the Fender, but you can't do the same the other way and the GK has more clean volume when playing on a loud stage.
The Fender sounded the best. It had the most natural sound. You could hear both the lows and the highs. The GK was good, but it's sound is more towards the highs. It didn't give enough low end.
Daniel Adeyemo,...Ok,...ok. Much respect. Hey, If I had a chance to get one of these combo's at a decent price used. I wouldn't be mad at which one came out the cheapest used. I'd go for either one as well. Thank you for your honesty. Coop' Bass "4" Life :)
Ok,...I have to locate one used. Purchase it. Play around with it for about a week. Hit the RU-vid channel and go for it. I'll be searching my budget first. Lol!
I don’t think the GK has less bass. It‘s more likely it has deeper bass so the smartphone mic couldn’t record it properly. But still, the GK sounds a bit too „Hi Fi“ for me.
Both were solid. I agree the GK sounded tighter and had more presence, but it has 12s, while the Fender has 10s, so I'm not surprised. Last year, I bought the Fender Rumble 500 head and added a 210 and a 112 set of cabs; I love my rig. Lightweight with punch and solid bass tone. Thanks for this comparison. Excellent chops as well. Good to see you back on RU-vid!
Hey 4stingkinsstf,...thank you so much for the love you guys have for me. I highly appreciate the love coming from you guys. Once again, just having fun all over again. Life changes are great. It really bothered me that your heart can hurt your way of being behind something or someone you love. "GOD!" is the "KEY" to you finding yourself. Thank you, Coop' Bass "4" Life :)
Hey,...in all reality,...it's a taste thing. I like "GK!" over Fender. That's just my choice,...just as your choice is "FENDER". No harm done there my man. 🙂
The Fender offers same EQ settings but with more tone shaping and overdrive, however without an extension cab it runs at 350 watts on its own unlike the GK at 500 on its own. GK can use up to 4 MBP extensions for a whopping 2k watts but gets really expensive. Main problem with GK is they have been backordered for over 6 months now. I have a GK MB 112 at 200 watts. I ended up going with the Fender 500 v3 bcs of time restraints to gig and I have an Avatar 15" Celestian Green cab to go big at 500 watts with the Fender. Great playing and good post!!
coopbass. What's up my friend? I have to say that I am now a believer. The smaller GKs really didn't do anything for me. But the GK mb212 blew me away. So I brought the mb212 and the mpb 212 cabinet. I can't believe what I get out of the combination of the two. Thank you for the comparisons. It's your vidoe of the mb212 that started me to think and finally leading me to check it out. Be bless my brother.
Great demo. I bought the fender rumble 40 for $200, I didn't like it(and the headphone out distorts no matter what.) I took it back, and got a GK mb 112 for $180. I love it, so clean and tight. Your video helped with that decision, so thank you and keep up the good work!
The amps weren't set up the same. The GK was scooped, the contour button looked pressed in, of course it will sound different. I have a GK MB115, it didn't last over 3 years. Damn thing just quit. Last GK amp I'll buy. Nice playing by the way!!
My GK MB115 has started to brown out (heavy distortion) on the gig. When played slightly hard after an hour or so it happens. Let it cool down the rest of the day and its OK again. It may be poor heat sinking (tiny little fan back there) and output transistors going into thermal protection? I can't play like that so I just bought the Rumble 500 to try it. Comes today I think. Rumble looks so small. I played one of those funky looking Orange amps and really small speaker cabs other night and it was amazing. Probably an amazing price tag too.
First, great bass playing man. I currently own the GK MB212, I owned the Fender Rumble 500 watt model for about 2 weeks I sold it and bought the GK. I bought the fender at first to save money. I will say the Rumble is a tad lighter. I gig with my GK it's more than enough. I plan on getting the extension to it soon.
The Rumble had a fuller sound and the GK more scooped. Even with the EQs set the same the voicing is different. I like the sound of both for different music.
Troy,..."FENDER" has a "FULLER" sound. Now that's true. I have to admit. "GK!",..."GK!" has a "FULLER",... now dig this. A "FULLER",..."CLEANER" sound. Now that's true. I have to admit. Lol!
georgeduzant sir! What's going on man? Nothing much going on here, but work. Haven't been able to hit the music stores to make up another video, due to the hours of work and the other companies are dragging their feet to sometimes unload. (lol!). So,...you like that "FENDER", JAZZ ELITE, Huh?
Simstarz Gaming,....Hey, no problem. If you do a comparison on you own, and be "HONEST" with setting every thing "FLAT",...no eq. I "KNOW!" your gonna "CHANGE" your mind,...ah,..ah!,...about what you purchased. Lol! I guarantee it! Real talk. 😉
ahahaha yes may be :P. i had a couple jam since the last 6 month and i still like my rumble. But next time i'll give a try to something else than fender. markBass amp are really sick, i need to give a try ;)
11Coop: I read the below comments and enjoyed them all! I did like your review, and enjoy your fun, positive attitude. You shine, man. And so does your playing.
D. A. Smith. So sorry about the late, late response. It's been years. I thank you for such kind comments. You're a "GENTLEMEN and a SCHOLAR!" I highly appreciate it. Thank you so much. Coop' Bass "4" Life. :D
I’m a GK user/owner but have the fender rumble 500 with the extension cab, GK sounds like GK mixed with the sound of your bass, Fender sounds like your bass was designed to sound like and nothing more (which is a good thing).
Yes! Yez! I've been trying ti tell guys and gals for years that same concept. They won't listen so I have to show them. You know. You already know. That's what I'm talking about!!! :D
I’ve always liked GK. But I have to say. The Fender 210’s sound much better. Fuller sound for slap. Let’s hear it with both cabs with 210’s and playing with your fingers besides slap playing. Most songs don’t have All slap!
I had the fender 210 combo about 2year ago and the problems I had with it was being a stand-alone and got tried of carrying and extra cabinet and so what I did was I went on and brought the rumble 500 head instead so I can carry one or two cabinets and maintain and full punchy sound and love the rumble 500 head better and sounds good through many different cabinet but if you are looking a combo amp all in one go with the gk
Gk sounds more hi if. Maybe it’s the eq settings more of a mid scoop. The fender sounds thicker, more old school. Would Depend really on what’s going on around the bass in the context of a mix which would be best suited. I like both and could make either one of those work.
I feel ya'. The real problem with this video that I posted. 1- I didn't do my homework. I only went by what "FENDER" advertised. The Rumble 210 is 500 watts. I didn't read,...with an extension cab added. Now the "GK!" mb212 is self contain with 500 clean, juicy watts. So of course I will kill a 350 fender rumble. This wasn't a fair deal example. I'm so sorry about this comparison. And yes, both can be dealt with in any event. I agree. : D
Coop, very impressive, I must admit, I'd give the KO to the GK too and I'm a Fender Rumble owner. They're both nice, but the GK is outstanding especially considering the settings...
just in case if you don't know gk have mbp cabinet that you can use with the combo and hook up to 3 power gk cabinets with there combo amp and get more power for bigger show and check them out and give your take on the mbp cabinets
Coopbass, my man how are you doing sir? Always love you RU-vid videos. I was in need of a combo amp to practice with and to use in small to mid size room/performances. My mission was to find a combo amp that gave me some of the things that I have available on my big rig, Markbass 2 4x10inch cabinets. I tried GK 2x10 inch combo, the Ampeg 2x10 inch combo and TC 2x10 inch combo. They were okay. Nothing to write home about. The GK being the one I liked the most out of the three. But then I gave the Acoustic BN3115 combo. I thought it was better than the three I had already tried. And with a good sale price of $499. But I said to myself, let me try the Acoustic BN6210 combo amp. It was a bit more at $649 but it had the 2 10 inch speakers like the first three I tried. Man, it blew me away. Nice lows and the highs was just unbelievable. Then it gives you many ways to adjust the sound to give you the tone that you want or looking for. It was a couple dollars more but well worth it. This combo is within striking distance of my Markbass rig. Acoustic have done a fantastic job with their new breed, Class D, combo bass amp. If you are looking for a very good combo bass amp. Do yourself some justice and check out the new Acoustic Class D combo amps. You will be surprised and pleased. This is just one man's opinion, Doc Stevenson.
Wow! 4 years. I gave them a whirl. Nope! Can't do them either. Markbass compatible combos. I am not a markbass fan at all. Acoustic combos can do some justic like most combos can. "GK!" will bring the "UMF!!!" out of you first, then your drummer,...the "UMF!" out of your bass. The "UMF!" out of your "KEYBOARDIST" and your "FANS" Right now,..."GK is the sauce right now. :D
what kind of comparison is this...? EQ is set soooo differently like miles away. in your demo GK sounds boomy and I get it.. but I like fender sound better.
It would be nice to hear if the amps were good with bottom end, everyone wants to do slap bass top lead guitar sound can we have a proper bass sound for a bass amp
Fender Rumble has more bottom end and GK cuts through on the miss more. But you have to take into account 2x10’s vs. 2x12’s plus the GK has a larger cabinets that will resonate more giving a tighter sound. The frequency response is going to be different regardless or Watts. The fender is not bad as it has a little more growl, rounder bottom end and punches above its price weight class. And GK is more articulate on the top and mods. It’s personal preference.
VennRoc,...now you talkin' my speed. GK MB 212. OMG! 500 WATTS in a combo! Man, that all you need! In my case, I would like (2) GK MB 212's, a morley ab pedal, my Made in mexi Fender Jazz Deluxe, and Behringer bass preamp booster pedal. Its a rap after that. I wouldn't need another bass to play. The rig of doom!
I have the Rumble 500 and love it. Easy to set your tone and sound and forget it. Debating if I should get the 210 extension cabinet. The GK wasn't to bad either. I could live with it and make it work.
I like the fender Rumble it has more definition specially for slap , Gk sounded muff and volume lower , fender definitely more clear , i did the same thing in Store came out with a ( fender 500 , i was so amazed when i heard the rumble i called my son on the Phone and said listern to this , he said wow!!! Dad what in the world is that , he's the real bass Player, i couldn't rest ,even while looking for something to fit my desire, in my mind rumble was rumbling until i got it . cant go wrong , to be even more precise , its desire and what you're looking for in sound to be complete, to represent you, then quality, Some like this some are drown to that , being the best in the box with whatever you have to represent, dont be found without that Rumble great investment for the money option plug to add more cabinets to make an even greater sound , save yourself some time and money taking amps back , trading in go on get the rumble and be done with.
You compared how you have the EQ set up on both and they aren't even close to the same. How can you compare? Fender sounds much warmer probably because it has some upper mids dialed in and bass at noon. The GK sounds much more sterile because you have its high mids turned off (at 0) and the bass completely dimed (at 10).
Sir Sung,...the video wad corrected. The Rumble is 350 watts without the extension cabinet. The "GK!" is 500 watts, self contained. I admit,... I didn't do my homework on these two when I did the video. This one was wrong. There's a correction I did. it's on "RU-vid".
I'm not sure how to reply on my phone. I looked at both and would play either gladly. I paid 720ish tax in in Canada for my rumble 500 the Gk with 12's was over $1000. The seller for me was mainly my history with fender. 30 years, many guitars and basses and amps for both and not one issue. As a buyer it is hard not to be loyal.
@@11coopbasscooper55 I think a notable advantage the GK has is the bigger speakers. I bet the fender would sound pretty good if it had 12's, given that the circuit can handle 500W with an extension cab.
I don't know if it was your amp eq settings but the GK sounds brighter and cleaner (Great for popping and slapping) the rumble seems to have more low end, or is that a just a differnce in eq? It's 7 years since you released this video and I've just my hands on a rumble 500. I gigged with it the other day and it cuts through the mix like a knife threough butter. No complaints so far.
The GK is louder, not necessarily better sounding. Check the specs... the GK is a FULL 500W into 2x12"s. The Fender, on the other hand, is 1/2 that power or 250W into 2x10", Please check the specs on the Fender... although rated at 500W, it only delivers 250W to the local speakers in the combo. You get 500W when you patch in another cab. Personally, I prefer the tonality of the Rumble.
@Quiggy Carboncat Actually, the Fender is rated at 350w into 8 Ohms-not 250w. You get the full 500w by adding an 8 Ohm extension cab. The GK gets the full 500w because the cabinet has two 8 Ohm drivers, which brings the cabinet’s impedance down to 4 Ohms. These days, it’s common for amps to deliver approximately 2/3 of their advertised power at higher impedance-which is usually 8 Ohms.
It’s obvious that Mr. Cooper prefers the GK-just check all of is videos. I doubt his “comparisons” are based upon any facts, other than what appeals to his ears.
Sir Doug John,...I was an "SWR" man, until my friend Ed told me about the GK MB115. I laughed at and said; "IT CAN'T TOUCH SWR!" Boy was I wrong! Once I plugged in my bass (SX MODIFIED), it was a done deal! GK all the way! Now, I would like to try that 500 watt head. I shall search for a try out. Thanks for the advice, Coop' Bass "4" Life. :)
My GK MB115 has started to brown out (heavy distortion) on the gig. When played slightly hard after an hour or so it happens. Let it cool down the rest of the day and its OK again. It may be poor heat sinking (tiny little fan back there) and output transistors going into thermal protection? I can't play like that so I just bought the Rumble 500 to try it. Comes today I think. Rumble looks so small. I played one of those funky looking Orange amps and really small speaker cabs other night and it was amazing. Probably an amazing price tag too.
"GOD!" THEE ALMIGHTY FIRST!" I feel ya'. At least here is a person who knows what he wants. I can respect that. (smiles). Sorry about the late response.
Hey man nice playing. Sounds like you don't have the horn engaged on the Rumble. It sounds like it's in the flat position. Try it again and I think you will be surprised.
I agree the GK sounds better but the eq was set totally different for each combo. You had the bass all the way up on the GK and had it set at 12 o'clock on the fender???
Christopher Black sir! (smiles). The reason I had to do it that way was because the Fender 2x10 Rumble combo distorts if you turn the treble further than where I had it. Now, today I just did a remake of this comparison and put both amps "FLAT". The volumes where different due to the AMP'S handling. Check it out. Thanks, Coop' Bass "4" Life :)
Yes sir! See,...see yaw! A bassist with very good taste and knows what's best for thee audience as well as the listeners. Thanks bruddah! (lol!) Coop' Bass "4 " Life. :)
BurgerFlips,...what a wise decision. It was a no brainer, I know, I know. See,...now you know how sweet your bass really sound. Thanks to good ole' "GK". Ha!
Coop what it do !!! so I was just getting ready to purchase the Rumble 500 but after seeing how the GK sounds after multiple videos the Gk is that hit!! I play a Fender American Deluxe 5 string and that GK has more head room point blank regardless of settings I wouldn't need another bass amp for the venues I play so thanks G.
very nice demonstration guy however, the fender overdrive settings were off with no gain or level control which would have made quite a difference in the overall sound as with the GK same settings. I also prefer the GK for the options and "growl sound" and overall USA made. last, your slap style is awesome yet it is very specific regards its sound. how about the AMPEG B210 amp combo compared to the GK? AVI
"GOD!" THEE ALMIGHTY FIRST!" Yes,...a lot of people just don't understand that the "GK!" is very close to "EPIFANI". That's why the sound is "SUPERB!!!" Just want to let it sink in a little bit. (Smiles). You're welcome. Oh,...sorry about the late response.
ROD SLINGER,...Oh, I also told the other RU-vid about the weight as well. Keep looking. It coming sooner than you think. Have a good one my man. Thanks, Coop' Bass "4" Life :)
It looked like the "Bright" button on the Rumble was on and the "Contour" button was off - the Contour and Vintage buttons should be set to "on" and the Bright button should be set to "off" for a fairer comparison. Also, the bass knob on the GK was maxed out and the Rumble's bass knob was at half so that would explain the deeper tone on the GK. This makes the comparison a little biased towards the GK in my opinion. Both sounded great though, but turn the bass up on the Fender.
Ive got the GK 2x12 cab (and a 1x12), it sounds a little bright, but you can turn the horn down. A nice amount of bass - punchy and clear. Dunno about the amps though - im gonna try a Legacy 800
GuiTuber,...you are so correct. I have yet to get to Guitar Center and find a Fender Rumble 2x1o combo and a GK MB210 together so I can do the comparison again. Thee correct way. Everything on the combos will be in the "FLAT" position. My mistake. Coop' Bass "4" Life. :)
It was brave of you to go and offer yourself up in the first place and I thank you for that. Overall you havn't been called to big an idiot for not flattening out the EQ's and frankly the cabs are just going to sound different anyway but that's all you can do. I would suggest you borrow an SPL meter from someone and play a well recorded track through both combos and preset the master volumes to the same sound pressure level around 80-85 db at the same distance (1 meter will do). This is the sweet spot (level) we recording engineers listen to playback at in the studio for critical listening.
11coopbass Cooper thats even more of a reason it wasn't a great comparisons they are totally different combos and the GK costs nearly $900 I think the gk should sound better at that price!
Professor Sherman Klump,...I know that's right. Getting real ready to get busy. Got some stuff up my sleeve that's going to take into outer space. Lol! Thank you, sir for the love. Coop' Bass "4" Life :)
Hey Coop when you can check out the Mesa Boogie Subway amps and cabs. Love to hear your takeThey don't have the crispy top end like GK but like a good woman they are thick in all the right places !!Peace
Coop, I must say I've had my Markbass head for a long time and it done me well but that GK is hot and I'm going a different way. I will have to get that 212 combo now
Thanks for trying out the MB-212.....I'm thinking about picking one up and I play four string basses.....Fender P-bass with Steve Harris SPB-4 pickups...Seymour Duncan's and a stock Ibanez
Rick Solis,... Coop' here. Glad I could help a bassist with good hearing. You won't regret purchasing the MB 212 combo. Believe it! I use (3) mb115's for close to large gigs. (1) for medium gigs. (2) because I can gigs. Lol! Fender is it! Ibanez TMB's are another choice I play as well. I only use (4) Ibanez basses. (2) BTB Basses. BTB 300 & BTB 305. All of the TMB models from Ibanez. "Fender" Jazzes. Squier Jazzes as well. 😁
pretty close in sound. the 12s give off a deeper sound naturally. for $200 less the fender held its own. both decent sounding rigs. great chops by the way.
Bruce Lindsey,...Yes, I totally agree. Yes 12's do give off a deeper tone. Fender is great as well. Yes they are both decent rigs. My problem is, I need two of the same combo's. I'm a "STEREO AMP" bassist. Lol! Gk is my pick of the litter for now. I am really a "HARTKE" man. I wish Hartke would make a combo compatible with these guys. Light in weight as well. Come on Hartke. Thank you for your kind comment. Hope to make more videos for you guys. Thank you, Coop' Bass "4" Life :)
It's not a fair comparison. The Fender is a 2x10 inch speaker combo, while the GK is a 2x12 inch speaker combo. Hence, the price premium of the GK. Both speakers have different dynamics, and push air differently. Also, the Fender at least, is not 500 watts. Only when paired with a Fender extension cab. On its own, it's actually 350 watts. The GK MB212, on the other hand, is actually a full 500 watts. It would have been better to have used the GK MB210 instead. Like the Fender, it's 2x10, and 350 watts.
Both good amps bad comparison tho u need the MK 10’s not those 12’s I actually played the fender 500 yesterday and was impressed had the EQ flat and it cranked
you've probably sold more GK combos with these comparisons than Norm Stockton, tho his reviews are great. I still use my GK MB115II and MB112II , one reason is the gutsy sound thru ceramic speakers vs. neo speakers.
