Ampeg SVT Micro VR or the GK Backline 600?

[kelto]

Right now im stuck between them both, the ampeg does have a bit of a vintage sound then the GK but i like the fullness of the GK, i have heard nothing but bad things about the GK though in reliability, so any comments and thoughts on my situation would much appreciated

[tdub0199]

GK is as reliable as they get..... although I wouldn't buy their "Backline" stuff.....

[JimmyM]

micro vr, or maybe the pf350/pf500 if you want more power. nothing wrong with the backline for the money imho, but the gk sound just doesn't speak to me like the ampeg sound.

[Govier966]

Gk is actually very reliable, the backline 300's are decent but not amazing. It seems like they have improved lately but the 400rb can be found used for less than the price of a new backline 300.

[tubaman2]

I have the BL 600. It's very bland. It's gives you plenty of power, more than the vr, but the vr is going to have infinitely more character.

[impactwrench]

It's my understanding that the BL600 is just a 400RB with more power and built overseas. I don't know where it gets a reputation of being unreliable. I had a pair of them at one point, now I have the 400RB-III, BL600, and 700RB-II. Ill take any 2 of them to a gig and plug any of them in and sound great. I bring 2 to have backup but none of the three has ever given a hint of crapping out at a gig. Sometimes I'll switch heads between sets.

I find the ampeg to be kinda vanilla. I really wanted to like it, as it looks like a great little stack. But you really have to turn it up to get any volume, and even then its not very loud (this was trying it out at GC). I think even with 2 cabs it wouldn't be nearly as loud as a GK head. I found that with my old B-2R also.

If you can find a used BL600, they typically go for $200 or less, unless the seller is smoking crack. I've never bought a GK head new myself, and I've had 4-5 different ones now.