AMPEG/Gallien Kruger

L Diamond · #1 07-16-2010, 06:14 PM

Hello I have an SVT Classic series head with 4x10 cab out on the road that needs repair and I'm looking to replace it (for the rest of the tour anyway) with a comparable GK rig. I haven't had much time to peruse the GK site but I wondered what the closest thing to the ampeg setup would be

remainthesame · #2 07-16-2010, 06:22 PM

idk about how it compares with the ampeg but i have the 1001rb-II 700 watt head with the neo410 cab, and i freaking love that rig. great punch, loud as hell, nice and clean (even with my distortion running) overall a good amp. but like i said i dont know how it compares with the classic svt, but i do think it has some competition in the svt4 pro

treekiller · #3 07-16-2010, 06:25 PM

I dunno if you are gonna find a G-K head that is comparable to an SVT, but the Fusion heads can come reasonably close. I have a 550 Fusion head and run it thru a 4-12" NEO cab. It'll hold it's own with a Marshall 1/2 stack. I play P's and pretty happy with mine. You can set both channels separately if you need to, I have one I use for fingers and the other set up on the occasion I need to use a pick.

**B-string** · #4 07-16-2010, 07:55 PM

2nd vote for the Fusion 550!

JimmyM · #5 07-16-2010, 11:30 PM

um, nothing? yeah, that's it...nothing.

Craig_S · #6 07-17-2010, 12:16 AM

The GK will sound nothing at all like the Ampeg. You want a GK, why?

Montanamike · #7 07-17-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

The GK will sound nothing at all like the Ampeg. You want a GK, why?

Because GK doesn't break, it's made in the US, is still owned and operated by the founder, and they really care about bass players!

btw, who owns ampeg these days anyway?

tom once dead · #8 07-17-2010, 12:25 AM

I own ampeg.

steveinohio · #9 07-17-2010, 12:43 AM

Go with the 1001rb II with your cab. You will dig it.

Montanamike · #10 07-17-2010, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom once dead

I own ampeg.

If this is a true statement you should change you signature to tell us who you are, like Bob Gallien did. Oh, sorry, wait, you would have to be a supporting member to do that, and based on experience Ampeg opens the checkbook for no one.

Check out this thread, you should be so proud.
My Chinese Ampeg / Loud Tech nightmare

JimmyM · #11 07-17-2010, 01:45 AM

um, yeah...well if you had read the end of that thread (post 63), you will see that he did get an ampeg cab after all and loves it. listen, you're entitled to like what you like, but don't douche up on all of us who play ampeg.

also, people can call themselves whatever they want to call themselves. and coming from you with your fake name, that's hypocritical.

jelwood · #12 07-17-2010, 02:10 AM

"Ampeg" is GK's biggest competitor. "Ampeg" and GK do not try to copy each other's sounds. If you want an SVT sound with a GK, you're definitely going to need effects. But I suggest you give the raw, true sound of a GK with no effects a chance. True that it is different from the SVT, but you will be pleasantly surprised.

I put "Ampeg" in parentheses because ownership has changed over the years. Ampeg is not what it used to be. If I were to own and be rocking one of the 69 or early 70's SVT's, I wouldn't dare say "I play Ampeg," because nowadays with the new ownership, the name Ampeg has rather become sort of embarrassing to sport. I would simply just say "I play a vintage SVT," and then people would take the hint

Yes, Gallien Krueger amps are assembled well. If you do a youtube search for "GK factory tour" you can get an inside look at how they get things done. It's pretty neat.

TUEP · #13 07-17-2010, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montanamike

Because GK doesn't break, it's made in the US, is still owned and operated by the founder, and they really care about bass players!

btw, who owns ampeg these days anyway?

I got rid of my GK and went Ampeg. Not looking back. Though I like some GK stuff, I love the Ampeg stuff. Raunchy and RAW!!

TUEP · #14 07-17-2010, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montanamike

Because GK doesn't break, it's made in the US, is still owned and operated by the founder, and they really care about bass players!

btw, who owns ampeg these days anyway?

Ummm... there is GK stuff made in China now.

JimmyM · #15 07-17-2010, 02:34 AM

jelwood, spare me with the "ampeg is not what it used to be." of course they've had some ownership changes...it was started in 1948 and the original owner sold it in 1966, fer cryinoutloud! but you know what? i plug into an svt head made yesterday and my 1969 svt (also not made by the "true" ampeg), and they both sound pretty much the same to me. i've played many different svt's from all different eras, and though there was a period where the cabs sucked (while they were made in america, no less), they all sound like svt's to me. and had ampeg remained the original ampeg, you would never have been able to buy an ampeg amp any louder than the b-15 because everett hull hated loud music and considered it an insult to music.

having said that, nothing wrong with gk. i don't particularly care for the gk sound, but they're fine amps, and you'd never see me on here insulting them just because bob's making them in china now. how come we never see anyone giving bob flak for making stuff in china but ampeg gets trashed for it?

jelwood · #16 07-17-2010, 02:56 AM

Jimmeh,

Glad to see you love your Ampegs. Not having been able to buy a loud Ampeg doesn't bother me, because I wouldn't have bought an Ampeg in the first place.

There are two reasons why GK doesn't get attacked for making things in China:

1. Their "China products" kick as much a** as their American stuff. Sure there was a problem with the Backline 600 but as B-string has said many times, it was because of the change to lead-free solder, not particularly GK. Many manufacturers had problems with the change.
2. The SINGLE GK factory in China is not your stereotypical sweatshop. Bob is committed to quality and sees that the GK products coming out of the factory live up to his reputation. Like I said, youtube "GK factory tour" and you will learn a lot. Bob maintains both his factory in China and the one in the US, he keeps the lighting good, things organized, etc. Another thing, with your typical China factory, which you cannot deny, is that if they find a faulty product they will ship it out anyways rather than fix it and deal with the complaints later. The GK amps that are made in China are "burned in," they are gunned full power for a full two hours straight, tested and measured with a computer, and then tested AGAIN before being boxed up. If an amp fails the burn in rack test, it is either tossed or fixed, and if it is fixed, it is burned in and tested again. Can't beat that with a stick! Same goes to the American made ones.

Have nothing against the older SVT's, I like how they sound. I have never owned one, but I have heard them and they do sound nice. You will agree that it is a matter of personal preference. While I like the SVT sound, the GK sound is just simply better, imo. What I am saying is that the name "Ampeg" has good and bad sentiments tied to it. And yes, they have changed over the years. Maybe it is that the modern SVT vr and the older SVTs sound alike, but you cannot deny that there have been quite a few Ampegs made that deviated from these sounds, wether by intent or accident. GK, on the other hand, has always been the king of solid state punch and pretty much from day one was going for this sound and with success. Thus I can say "I play a GK" and people will know exactly what I'm talking about, wether I'm on a backline 600 or a 2001rb. When I say "I play an Ampeg," well...it begs the question, "wait, an SVT or an SVT450H?" to be asked. And so, I simply would say, "I play an SVT."

JimmyM · #17 07-17-2010, 03:17 AM

well while you're entitled to like whatever you want to like, i find that bit at the end about "what do you play" irrelevant. i also find the part about how they've made some products that don't sound like svt's irrelevant. of course they don't. up until the mid 60's, all their amps were made with tubes. it's a completely different topology between all tube and ss/hybrid, whereas bob has stuck with solid state from day one and has only recently done a couple hybrids, which aren't much of a stretch.

so if you want to say you like the gk sound better, i'm down with that. but you'd do a lot better for your arguments in favor of them to not drown the reader in irrelevant points.

jelwood · #18 07-17-2010, 03:24 AM

The argument I was trying to make was that using the general Ampeg name didn't mean much because Ampeg has made so many amps that don't sound like and don't live up to what they are best known for, the SVT. Again, if I WERE to own one of those boat anchors, I would say, "I play an SVT," NOT "I play an Ampeg," for the above restated reason. SVT>"Ampeg." Simple!

The "what do you play" part came in because I was comparing GK (and how their sound has not deviated much) and Ampeg and didn't want to piss anyone off, which has obviously failed

JimmyM · #19 07-17-2010, 03:57 AM

oh sure, ampeg has had a handful of not so good stuff, but that's the price you pay for trying to be innovative. still, their recent successes have been many, and whether or not you like them, they can't be denied. gk latched onto a sound and ran with it and really wasn't interested in deviating or being particularly innovative past the beginning stages. nothing wrong with that...bob's had a lot of success and the sound is very well-liked.

anyway, you'd be a lot more successful at not pissing people off if you refrained from terms like "boat anchor" or insulting the intelligence of people who actually like the newer stuff ampeg makes and use it proudly. you have only yourself to blame for your tears. you bought your ticket.

jelwood · #20 07-17-2010, 04:37 AM

Hehe! I used "boat anchor" because I figured that the damage was done already :P

Aww, c'mon Jimmy, those SVTs could make a swell anchor any day. I know you love them, but aren't you the least bit curious to try it out?

They even built handles into the sides of them for easy chain attachment.

Think about it. Cruising on a nice Yacht, when all of a sudden you pass a secluded beach, sporting a bunch of half/unclothed women...and you realize that you left the real anchor back at the dock...suddenly that SVT is lookin' real friendly...maybe even smiling at you...