Gallien-Krueger MB500 500W Ultra Light Bass Amp Head  

These days, it seems like you pay premiums for  1) brand name, 2) light weight, or 3) exceptional performance.  For me (everybody has their own opinion) this amp scores on the first 2...not so much on the third.  But hey, they say 2 outa 3 ain't bad.

The compressor was OK...just not variable and a little too squashed for me.  With the 4-band EQ, I couldn't get a tight, low-end punch without getting boomy, and the contour didn't seem to help at all.  I returned it and continue to look at alternatives.

I play a 5-string Carvin fretted bass, with a humbucker at the bridge and single coil in the middle.  Was a little less boomy when I split the humbucker.  I also tried my Carvin 5-string fretless with J-bass set-up (2 singles) , and results were similar.  Some may discount my review because of the brand, but I've always had great sound from my Carvin's with other amps.

Well i couldnt belive it just this past saturday  Jan 8 and 9 2012 night at Ramshead Tavern Annapolis Md

Iam the  bass player for JP Soars  and the Red Hots!!

Amp tone was great loved it..but only lasted 25 min  then Drummer smelled something

..nada poop done..oh no thank god for the great sound man Mike Just gave me monitor on stage to finish up our set.   Musicians  friend was great i can return it if i want they sent me a MFI return already  but after getting home now ..i called Gallien Kruger for Support and to answer some questions..Turns out  i guess i did not have my limiter switch on .. i dont remember if i did or didnt so not sure..and i was only going through a ampeg 15"200watt small cab 8 ohm.my settings on Master power  were like at ONE oclock  and on the Gain knob  like 9 o clock   not maxed at all or woofy..  nice clean fat tone.   So.,, that speaker is also a loan to me from a friend  and its Fried.. because i played  a 800rb ( which i Normally use at home) it it did not work on his cab  had to use johnny winters bass player hartke 4 10  thanks for that Scott..lol  So What would you do Folks..Return it or keep it .... seems likes it working now since im home which i thought it was fried,,guess protection circuit kicked in when light turned Red  GK Said.   but im kinda scared to have this happen and an important show like that again..and there is more to come..HMMM

Such a powerful and smooth amp for such a small body. I run this head rackmounted with a bunch of other goodies. I have a 4x10 and 1x15 bass rig and this amp is great I play very big venues and it can fill and venue with the sound you need.

I would recommend this amp to Upright and Electric Bass Players.  I have used this Amp since it was released and have had ZERO problems with it. I have lent it to other musicians who have opened up and or headlined shows with me (about a 20 so far). A typical after show comment..... "That little amp really packs a punch".....I live in NYC. I play Small to medium clubs as well as big stages in the summer,weddings and tours. The direct out is all you need for the extra large out-door stages. If you need to slim-down the weight of your touring/gigging rig. Have to take subways and or crammed vehicles to gigs. Or if your an old hand with a sore back....This is your amp.  I would highly suggest this little fella.... The days are numbered for the giant stack rigs. They are out-dated!

This Amp is a great value.

Dont let the size fool you, it does deliver 350 true watts @ ohms and it shook my whole house.     It also sounds fantastic.     You can truly dial in tones for any type of music you play.

However, the craftsmanship is very shotty. I was playing it for about 20 mintues and I started smelling that awful electrical burning smell.     I touched the amp and it was very hot.     I turned it off to let it cool.     When I turned it back on, the same thing happened, except this time there was smoke.     Also, I was running the DI to an external power amp, and it got that amp so hot it melted the power cord inside the chasis (Thankfully I was able to cool the amp and had not internal problems.     I had not had problems with that amp before or since i hooked it to the GK.

This amp sounded fantastic and was absurdly powerful but please just beware of the construction.     Luckily, I was able to get my money back and had no problems, but I would make sure to buy the extend warranty.

I do want to say though, that I did buy the model on clearence because it was a floor model.     Also, I use an active 5-string bass tuned to Bb so I was making the amp push some pretty heavy lows.     My gut feeling is that the amp was to small to handle the frequency I was running through it and push the power I wanted it to.

Either way, I don't use that amp anymore and have gone back using my Fender Rumble 150 and DI'ing to a power amp and running an SWR 4 x 10.