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Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head

Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head main image

Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head

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$375.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (15)

4 Reviews

Find out who is using Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light

1 community setup

2 wishlisted

24 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (14)

$375.00 3 available Used

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Average Price: $375

Standard/Professional

$200

$801+

Price Tier

In the Bass Amplifier Heads category, Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Unleash the power of your bass guitar with the Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head. This amplifier head is designed for bassists who demand both portability and robust performance. Weighing in at just over 3 pounds, the MB500 packs a mighty punch without the bulk, making it perfect for gigging musicians who need to travel light yet retain control over their sound.

The MB500 features a class D power amp that delivers a formidable 500 watts of power, ensuring your bass tones remain clear and dynamic, whether you're on a small stage or a large venue. The four-band active EQ allows precise tonal shaping, while the contour switch offers quick access to a scooped sound ideal for slap and pop techniques. Additionally, the footswitchable boost adds extra versatility, allowing you to cut through the mix during solos or heavy sections.

With its balanced DI output, the MB500 is perfectly suited for both live performances and studio recordings, offering seamless integration with any setup. The inclusion of an effects loop and tuner output further enhances its functionality, catering to the needs of modern bass players.

Key Features:

500 watts of power from a class D amplifier
Lightweight and portable design
Four-band active EQ for detailed tone control
Contour switch for quick sound shaping
Footswitchable boost for dynamic playing
Balanced DI output for live and studio use
Effects loop and tuner output for added versatility

Product specs

Brand	Gallien-Krueger
Model	MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Bass Head
Finish	Silver
Year	2010s
Categories	Bass Heads
Electronics	Solid State
Impedance	4 ohms
Number of Channels	1 Channel
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	500
Power Tube Type	None
Reverb	None

FAQs

Is the Gallien-Krueger MB500 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Gallien-Krueger MB500, with its 500-watt output, is powerful enough for live performances, providing ample volume and headroom for most venues.
What is the weight of the Gallien-Krueger MB500 bass head?: The Gallien-Krueger MB500 is an ultra-light bass head, making it highly portable and easy to transport for gigs and rehearsals.
Does the Gallien-Krueger MB500 have a built-in overdrive?: No, the Gallien-Krueger MB500 does not include a built-in overdrive; it focuses on delivering clean, powerful bass tones.
Can the Gallien-Krueger MB500 handle a 4-ohm cabinet?: Yes, the Gallien-Krueger MB500 is designed to work with a 4-ohm cabinet, ensuring optimal performance and power delivery.
What type of electronics does the Gallien-Krueger MB500 use?: The Gallien-Krueger MB500 features solid-state electronics, offering reliable performance and a clean sound profile.

Videos

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Gallien-Krueger

Gallien-Krueger MB 500 Demo by Norm Stockton

Gallien-Krueger

QUICK TEST: GK MB500 & AGUILAR Tone Hammer 500

Charles Bautista Music

Gallien-Krueger MB Series Bass Amplifier Heads Overview - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Summer NAMM '09 - Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion Demo, MB500 & Fusion 1050

Premier Guitar

PRS GG 4 String Bass and GK MB500 Amp

Steve Araujo

Win a Gallien-Krueger MB500 and 410MBE with GAK!

GAK

Reviews

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PROS

Powerful 500W into 4 ohm, suits various cabinets
Tube-like sound quality in a solid-state amp
Flexible EQ section for fine-tuning tone
Quiet operation, especially models post 2015
Versatile, works well with different speaker setups
Extremely portable and lightweight design
Reliable performance, even under extended use
Provides a solid, punchy, and clean bass sound

CONS

Problems with specific 4 ohm speakers leading to shutdowns
Limited availability as no longer produced

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gallien-Krueger MB500 500-Watt Ultra Light Micro Bass Head.

User experience

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Owners praise the Gallien-Krueger MB500 for its versatility, handling various styles from Motown P bass tones to jazz double bass effectively.
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The CX210 cab, paired with an MB500, is favored for both its sound and lightweight design, making it practical for most venues.
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Users transitioning from heavier rigs like Ampeg 810s find the MB500's tone comparable but appreciate its significantly reduced weight of under 2kg.
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Features and functionality

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The boost channel on the MB500 provides a natural "edge of breakup" sound, appreciated for adding subtle dirt without full distortion.
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There's a notable split in user experience with older GK lines like the RBX series, where some encountered coil issues.
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The MB500's boost channel is noted for providing a gentle "edge of breakup" sound, adding subtle dirt without full distortion, ideal for genres like funk and soul.
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Comparisons

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Gallien-Krueger MB500 users often transition from heavier rigs like Ampeg 810s and find the MB500's tone comparable but appreciate the reduced weight.
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The Gallien-Krueger MB500's tone is described as sharper compared to Ampeg’s warmer sound, which has a mid-cut suited for different musical preferences.
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Compared to the Orange OB1-500, the MB500 is lighter and offers greater tonal versatility, making it more suitable for cover bands requiring varied sounds.
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Use cases and applications

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The MB500 is favored for its lightness and portability, making it ideal for musicians looking to minimize gear weight while retaining sound quality.
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Specific models like the GK Neo 410 cab have been mainstays for over a decade, appreciated for both sound quality and durability in live settings.
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The MB500 is powerful enough for small to medium venues (~250 people) while being lightweight, crucial for users with back issues looking for portability.
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Build quality

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Some users report reliability issues, such as circuit board failures leading to smoke and minor fires within combo amps.
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Value and pricing

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Second-hand market offers significant value, with used GK models often being described as "rock-solid" and maintaining good tone over years.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

lanceshellzshelton

137

over 4 years ago

Convenient and powerful amp head

I remember using the fusion 550 on stage and feeling the power that it gave me. I have been using this one for almost 10 years now. Thankfully, I have the GK cab to go with it and it sounds great!

Roles:

Bassist Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Pop Funk / Soul

wbasstrolo

184

over 10 years ago

Powerful but be careful

I'd give it 5 stars but it had a lot of problems with a 4 ohm 210 I owned. It would shut down as the speakers heated up and blew the crossover. I learned my lesson and now I use it with an 8ohm gk neo 410 now and never have to turn it up past noon.

jan_hirsch

about 7 years ago

Great tone form a small package

Extremely versatile, easy to use, great range of tone + very protable and reliable. have been playing that live on stag with a thrash band for 10 years.