AMPEG "Sound VS. GK "Sound" ETC.....

DPG003 · #1 11-14-2011, 03:48 PM

I've just recently started playing bass having played guitar for many years and I have to say that I'm really diggin it! I'm addicted to that bottom end. Wish I had started years ago.

Sorry for the noob question but I have read in allot of posts about the Ampeg "sound" or the GK "sound" and for that matter Genz Benz & MarkBass etc. Being a guitar player I am familiar with the sound differences between Marshall , Mesa Boogie, Fender and so on. Each is known for their overall distinct sound or tone. I also realize that the amp is just one part of the total tonal equation.

I know sound is very subjective but I was wondering if someone could describe in a nutshell the overall tonal characteristics of these bass amps that makes them different from one another. Thanks

slaphappychappy · #2 11-14-2011, 03:53 PM

I prefer the gk sound, but Ampeg is a good substitute as I haven't come across gk for the pf series prices yet.
I'd love a gk head, but on a water budget, it kinda puts it on the back shelf.

JimmyM · #3 11-14-2011, 03:57 PM

Wish I could. The problem is that for every generalization you could come up with, there are people who get totally different sounds out of the same gear. For example, Cliff WIlliams from AC/DC and Dave LaRue both play MusicMan basses into SVT 4 Pros and 810e's using nickel roundwound strings, but they couldn't sound more different. So there's not really a "sound," but it's more an ability to find the sounds that you like easily and quickly. For many it's with Ampeg gear...I have a much easier time getting dialed in using Ampeg stuff, for example. For many it's with GK. There you go...simple

ulynch · #4 11-14-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Wish I could. The problem is that for every generalization you could come up with, there are people who get totally different sounds out of the same gear. For example, Cliff WIlliams from AC/DC and Dave LaRue both play MusicMan basses into SVT 4 Pros and 810e's using nickel roundwound strings, but they couldn't sound more different. So there's not really a "sound," but it's more an ability to find the sounds that you like easily and quickly. For many it's with Ampeg gear...I have a much easier time getting dialed in using Ampeg stuff, for example. For many it's with GK. There you go...simple

[pedant]
I'm pretty sure Cliff uses Chrome flats. Just sayin'
[/pedant]

Other than that, I couldn't agree more

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

rodl2005 · #5 11-14-2011, 05:02 PM

Well....... Ampeg describe their sound as 'the round sound', where GK (IMO) is a more direct sharp sort of sound. ???
How's that?

JimmyM · #6 11-14-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulynch

[pedant]
I'm pretty sure Cliff uses Chrome flats. Just sayin'
[/pedant]

Other than that, I couldn't agree more

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Not live. He uses D'addario XL's live. And he'll use them occasionally in the studio. But he does record with Chromes.

**B-string** · #7 11-14-2011, 05:12 PM

Personal experience is the ONLY way for you or anyone to tell. One players great is another players okay.

Jerry Ziarko · #8 11-14-2011, 05:16 PM

Even if you never own one, play through a vintage SVT w/8X10 cabinet. THAT is the Ampeg sound. NOTHING will ever sound or feel like the first time you experience that rig. I'll never carry one again, but I still remember that day long ago.....

BassBob1 · #9 11-14-2011, 05:20 PM

speaking very, very, generally, GK character is a bit more aggressive than Ampeg. Character is a better term I think. I have both but get my sound out of my ampeg rig. Something to remember too is that often different companies models are voiced differently.

ulynch · #10 11-14-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Not live. He uses D'addario XL's live. And he'll use them occasionally in the studio. But he does record with Chromes.

The more you know ...

Your post caught my attention because one of my gigs is an AC/DC tribute. I did some checking to see what Cliff uses, and found an endorsement for Chromes. I just strung my 'Ray clone with Chromes yesterday. It's my first time using flats since 7th grade in 1978 when I borrowed a friend's bass, and it's ... different.

Anyway, it makes your point even mo' better. I especially like this bit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

it's more an ability to find the sounds that you like easily and quickly

Ric Vice · #11 11-14-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

...... for every generalization you could come up with, there are people who get totally different sounds out of the same gear. .... So there's not really a "sound," but it's more an ability to find the sounds that you like easily and quickly. For many it's with Ampeg gear...I have a much easier time getting dialed in using Ampeg stuff, for example. For many it's with GK. There you go...simple

As Walt Kelly's Pogo once said "We have met the enemy and he is us". If you put three different monster players on the same rig there all gonna tweek the EQ differently and get the sound they prefer. When George Porter Jr. plays through a GK 800RB into those SVT cabinets it sounds more like a SVT to me than a GK, but that's just my ears. Jimmy's always right on target, it isn't the amp. it's how you use it and how easy you find it to use.

Ric

JimmyM · #12 11-14-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulynch

The more you know ...

Your post caught my attention because one of my gigs is an AC/DC tribute. I did some checking to see what Cliff uses, and found an endorsement for Chromes. I just strung my 'Ray clone with Chromes yesterday. It's my first time using flats since 7th grade in 1978 when I borrowed a friend's bass, and it's ... different.

Honestly, the way Cliff plays, he could be using flats or rounds and it's still going to sound like him

uglybassplayer · #13 11-14-2011, 05:33 PM

FWIW, I've always associated the Ampeg SVT sound with classic rock and what i'd describe as a "tubey round" sound. I immediately think of John Enthwistle, John Paul Jones and Bill Wyman.

The two artists I think of when "GK" is mentioned are Flea and Duff Mckagan... Very punchy with a side of grit.

Note that like others have said, there's a lot more chemistry involved than just an amp in achieving a "tone".

johnk_10 · #14 11-14-2011, 05:44 PM

i own multiple tube ampegs (vintage and an '07 SVT VR) and a GK 1001RBII. to me, the ampeg is more transparent and the GK is a little more compressed but has kind of a thick punch to it. IMO, they're both great amps, but i prefer the Ampeg.

RC52 · #15 11-14-2011, 05:44 PM

Hey DPG03, here's my angle on it. I have been playing bass for 46 years, had all kinds of gear from Premier to Fender to Acoustic to GK to Carvin and back again. My main go to rigs at 59 years old is Ampeg Pf500, and GK800RB(1987). These are my main big gig heads thru 2 15" custom made cabs with Eminence kappa pro 15lfs and Avatar neo 2 12." cab. These 2 heads and my 1970's Accoustic 370 head define " Bass " ! Not to say that this is the greatest of all rigs, but for me I'm happy till I Croke, or till I add 2 PF15 Ampeg flip top cabs

**B-string** · #16 11-14-2011, 05:54 PM

Okay, unlike my friends JimmyM and Johnk, I prefer G-K. Shipped off my last Ampeg all tube a couple years ago.

droo46 · #17 11-14-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Honestly, the way Cliff plays, he could be using flats or rounds and it's still going to sound like him

I've come to the same general conclusion. I found an old live vid of a show where I was sharing a big Ampeg rig with another band. I usually use a GK combo. You would never know that I was playing anything different.

reasonbass · #18 11-14-2011, 06:05 PM

To my ears and of course my opinion. Ampeg has that grind while GK has the growl.

KPJ · #19 11-14-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uglybassplayer

FWIW, I've always associated the Ampeg SVT sound with classic rock and what i'd describe as a "tubey round" sound. I immediately think of John Enthwistle, John Paul Jones and Bill Wyman.

The two artists I think of when "GK" is mentioned are Flea and Duff Mckagan... Very punchy with a side of grit.

Note that like others have said, there's a lot more chemistry involved than just an amp in achieving a "tone".

That's interesting, because of the three you mention for Ampeg sound, only Wyman actually played Ampeg. Entwistle used Hiwatt tube amps and then moved on to solid state Sunn the Trace Elliot and Ashdown. JPJ started out on solid state Acoustic 360's then moved on to be one of the first big time GK players (the old GMT heads) before ultimately ending up with SWR.

johnk_10 · #20 11-14-2011, 07:12 PM

okay, just for the heck of it, i made a quick and dirty soundclip of my SVT and my GK 1001RBII (complete with multiple clams!

), so you can decide what they sound like. i used my '62 p bass with stainless rounds (fingerstyle). like i said, please excuse the sloppy bassmanship, but i wanted to get it done quick. both amps have all their tone controls set at 12 o'clock.

here's the clip:

GK vs SVT clip

can you tell which is which?