Will the Ibby Promethean offer me a different sound than my MB200

JvJazz83

JvJazz83

Aug 6, 2017
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Norway
#1
Hi, guys!
I'm just trying to figure out if a Promethean head might be the right amp for me.
I currently own a GK MB200 head, playing to a GK MBE 210 cab (1. gen. with neo elements). This amp sound a little harsh and boomy to me playing my JV Jazz Bass. (Have to cut back the bass and treble a lot)
An Ibanez Promethean head (P500H) has surfaced on a sales-page here in Norway for about the equivalent of $150. I have read many good things about this amp, but nearly nothing newer than 2015 or something. ( I know it's discontinued). I also read about the slow start issues, and will ask about that if I contact the seller.
So. Is it fair to believe that the Promethean might give me a differnt sound going through the same GK cab?
Can the eq and "vibe"(?) knob make it a little "warmer" sounding, with less of a mid scoop?
Does anyone have these anymore? experience With both would be awesome.

PS. Other amps i have been looking at in the 500-800w range, cost from $300 up used...

Thanks in advance.
Halvor
 
#2
They're decent heads, nothing particular unique about the tone. The vibe control goes from warm and wooly to scooped as you advance it. The EQ points are useful - I find it needs some boost at the low end but mine is the 5110 so it's only pushing a single 10.
For $150.00 I'd get it at least as a back up and a different flavour that you might like. You could probably move it along for what you paid for it as well.
 
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#3
I have both the P300H and MB200.

Different for sure, the Ibanez being a bit more versatile. Mine has a "phat" knob; maybe an earlier or later Rev than this "vibe" I'm seeing reference to?

I a/b tested the ibby with my shuttle 3, since it fits nice and tidy on top of the amp saddle, and the "combo" speaker lead can reach the p300h speaker outs. I can get reasonably close to the tones I get from the shuttle, and vise versa, at roughly the same perceived volume.

I will find some time later and a/b the mb200 and P300H through my 2-1x10 shuttle cabs (the most transparent cabs I currently have) and post back.
 
#5
Thank you, basscooker. I look forward to hear more from your comparison with the mb200.

Erigod23: I dial back the bass and treble to about 9-10 o'clock, and up the mids to about 1 o'clock. In addition I engage the contour switch to smooth things out a little. This gives me a little bit rounder and warmer tone if I don't dig in to hard, which I tend to do... And less boom.
I have fairly new nickles on my jazz, which is a little mid scooped as well. I play with the neck pu on full and the bridge pu about 40-70 %. Tone at about 50%.
I'm looking for a warmer tone and better ability to cut through the mix, especially the mid frequencies.
 
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#6
The contour has a bigger fixed boom zing than what you eq'd out already. 10 2 1 10 bass to treble is close to flat.

Try varying where you pluck a little more toward the neck and much less differential on the pickups. Try the neck pickup down a little and bridge on full.
 
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#7
Update for you here. I'm going to give these two 1x10 rigs an un-scientificlyish A/B.

MB200 and STL10t
P300H and STL10t

Okay, I'll check back. OP if there is anything you want me to look specifically for let me know.
 
#8
20190515_205730.jpg
 
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#9
Downunderwonder said:
The contour has a bigger fixed boom zing than what you eq'd out already. 10 2 1 10 bass to treble is close to flat.

Try varying where you pluck a little more toward the neck and much less differential on the pickups. Try the neck pickup down a little and bridge on full.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input, Downunderwonder. I have been using the contour to deal with what I would call a harshness in the sound, it gives me a rounder tone. I will experiment a little more with my plucking style and position. More bridge PU gives me a more agressive/ "in your face" kind of sound, which is kind of cool, but doesn't og too well in the Country/Americana band I play in at the moment. (two accoustic guitars, drums and a fiddle.)
I have been looking to get a second amp, with some more power for a while, but I don't play paying gigs, so budget is tight. I am also a sucker for a good deal, and the Promethean seems to fit the bill quite nicely.
 
#10
basscooker said:
Update for you here. I'm going to give these two 1x10 rigs an un-scientificlyish A/B.

MB200 and STL10t
P300H and STL10t

Okay, I'll check back. OP if there is anything you want me to look specifically for let me know.
Click to expand...

Hey, that looks Sweet! I am mostly looking for the typical sound of the amps, playing fingerstyle (I'm 46 and still haven't learned how to slap…)
I am also thinking about adding a second (preferably matching) cab to my rig, or replace my 2x10 with a pair of 1x12's. I have actually used an old 15 inch PA cab, both alone and together with my 2x10, and it doesen't seem to have a negative effect on my sound, but i think a second bass- specific cab will be better.
 
#11
Ok so I thought I had posted my results.... Aparently not, lol.

Interestingly they are very similar if you want them to be.

I could get the P300H to basically duplicate the what the MB200 was doing, minus the hairy growl. The GK has a way more musical overdriven tone, whereas the P300H just gets buzzy and sounds like I'm going to burn something up if I continue.

Anything I could get from the GK I could duplicate close enough that in a mix it would have been possibly indistinguishable. The P300H just has more heft; of course with the 50% higher (assumed accurate) output this is to be expected. The 500 watt version mentioned in the OP would undoubtedly be a lot louder.

I don't know how different the control panel is on the 500 Promethean; but with all eq at noon, just playing with assorted "Phat" knob positions gave a pretty wide range of tones.

By far the P300H is more versatile than the MB200.

Caveats being what they are, there is a baked in sound that never quite goes away on the Ibanez. If that isnt your flavor to begin with, there isnt much you can do besides extreme low-mid cutting to tame it back. I like low-mid, so no problem for me. YMMV.

I still love the MB200 for what it is, and dont want anyone to think I don't love it. In the context of this thread, though, the P300H "wins" on versatility, unless you want grind from your amp. The GK "wins" for musical overdrive, but isn't too versatile without getting into tonal characteristics I find unpleasant.

Hope this helps, and it hasnt been too long of a wait. My bad, like I mentioned earlier, thought I had already posted.

@JvJazz83
 
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#12
Thank you very much, @basscooker ! This was a great review, addressing my questions in a precise manner.
It confirms what I have read about the Promethean other places. I have not decided on buying just yet, but the little Ibanez is still in the loop.
 
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