Best Gallien Krueger Bass head?

Pedulla-Player · #1 12-26-2012, 07:13 PM

I'm in the market for a Gallien Krueger bass head and I'm kinda torn between a few of them. I bought a Fusion 550 from Musicians Friend two weeks ago and I loved the sound of it , but it had a crackling issue so I returned it. It may have just been a tube , but I didn't have any tubes to swap them out to see if the problem went away. That said - The GK heads that I am curious about are :

#1 - Fusion 550 (may give another one a try if other people think theirs have been reliable)
#2 - MB Fusion 800 (When it's released)
#3 - MB Fusion 500
#4 - MB 800
#5 - MB 500
#6 - 1001 RB
#7 - 800 RB
#8 - 700 RB

I'm sure this question has been asked before.
GK users - What is your favorite GK head (Model and mark)??
Thanks for your input!

AdamR · #2 12-26-2012, 07:16 PM

love my 800RB but its the only GK Ive tried. That Fusion 550 has me gassing though

willyrep · #3 12-26-2012, 07:20 PM

Look for a used 800RB-'80s or '90s. They're total tanks and incredibly powerful! Hell I prefer the tone and durability of mine to my Aguilar 500sc.

Pedulla-Player · #4 12-26-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamR

love my 800RB but its the only GK Ive tried. That Fusion 550 has me gassing though

I used an 800 RB from the mid 80's through the early/mid 90's. It was so long ago and I've used so many different amps in-between that I can't remember much about it. I saw Pinback last month and their bassist (Zach Smith) was rocking a 800 RB through a GK410 and a GK 115 (not sure what series cabs though) and he sounded amazing. We'll he is an amazing bassist thou - that may have helped. lol

willsellout · #5 12-26-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedulla-Player

I used an 800 RB from the mid 80's through the early/mid 90's. It was so long ago and I've used so many different amps in-between that I can't remember much about it. I saw Pinback last month and their bassist (Zach Smith) was rocking a 800 RB through a GK410 and a GK 115 (not sure what series cabs though) and it sounded pretty sweet. We'll he is an amazing bassist thou - that may have helped. lol

Does he realize that a 410 +115 sounds like crap?

My vote goes towards either the 400RB, 800RB, or most recently the Fusion 550.

AdamR · #6 12-26-2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

Does he realize that a 410 +115 sounds like crap?

He must not read Talk Bass

puremusic · #7 12-26-2012, 07:34 PM

I have the 700RBII and I like it alot but I am looking to get a MB Fusion 500 or 800 in the near future.

Pedulla-Player · #8 12-26-2012, 07:45 PM

The three GK heads that are my front runners are the Fusion 550 (should I try another one?) , the MB Fusion 500 , and the GK 1001 RB-II. Your input may change my thought process thou.

I just need to sell my GB SM9.2 first though so I can afford to buy a different head.

2milehighspike · #9 12-26-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

Does he realize that a 410 +115 sounds like crap?

.

Did you hear it you're self? How do you know it sounds like crap, quit drinkin the koolaid, Why does Flea use a 4x10/1x15 rig, or Victor Wooten, if the owner of the rig likes it why should you care?.

Pedulla-Player · #10 12-26-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

Does he realize that a 410 +115 sounds like crap?

My vote goes towards either the 400RB, 800RB, or most recently the Fusion 550.

I talked to him after the show and he said it wasn't his normal speaker set-up , but he had to go with it for this show.

All I can say is that if you heard him through that rig - your may chage your tune on that statement. It may not work for all people , but it worked for him that night. I was amazed by his playing and bass sound (Tone). It was incredible.
I've been playing bass almost 30 years and I've heard many good sounding bass rigs , and many bad sounding rigs. That was a great sounding rig (I was front row and 15 ft. from his amp) , but I'm not sure what pedals he was using.

AdamR · #11 12-26-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2milehighspike

Did you hear it you're self? How do you know it sounds like crap, quit drinkin the koolaid, Why does Flea use a 4x10/1x15 rig, or Victor Wooten, if the owner of the rig likes it why should you care?.

He was being sarcastic

B-string · #12 12-26-2012, 07:52 PM

The Fusion 550 has and is my favorite for years now. 800RB second but to be fair a 700RB II was in contention before the 550 can up. I haven't played the micros since the MB2-500 which I liked but wanted a full size head with the HMS (biamp).

**Freddels** · #13 12-26-2012, 07:53 PM

I've had a few but the 800RB, to me, is the best.

willsellout · #14 12-26-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

The Fusion 550 has and is my favorite for years now. 800RB second but to be fair a 700RB II was in contention before the 550 can up. I haven't played the micros since the MB2-500 which I liked but wanted a full size head with the HMS (biamp).

Yeah the 550, is jaw dropping in person. Huge punchy sound. I'm not a fan of the auto knobs, but everything else about that head is first rate!

2milehighspike · #15 12-26-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamR

He was being sarcastic

Maybe so, I apologize if I was rude, but the whole, saying something sucks because everybody else says it sucks thing gets kinda old.

willsellout · #16 12-26-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedulla-Player

I talked to him after the show and he said it wasn't his normal speaker set-up , but he had to go with it for this show.

All I can say is that if you heard him through that rig - your may chage your tune on that statement. It may not work for all people , but it worked for him that night. I was amazed by his playing and bass sound (Tone). It was incredible.
I've been playing bass almost 30 years and I've heard many good sounding bass rigs , and many bad sounding rigs. That was a great sounding rig (I was front row and 15 ft. from his amp) , but I'm not sure what pedals he was using.

My post was purely sarcasm based on the speaker guru's attitudes towards mixing speakers. I played a 410 + 115 for years and loved it.

2milehighspike · #17 12-26-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsellout

My post was purely sarcasm based on the speaker guru's attitudes towards mixing speakers. I played a 410 + 115 for years and loved it.

Right on , my bad, because I think it sounds great too!

petrus61 · #18 12-26-2012, 08:05 PM

700RBII ftw

Art Araya · #19 12-26-2012, 08:05 PM

I currently own two of those.

1001 RBII
700 RBII

I've twice owned the 800RB

Plus I also have the MB200 micro head and I've had the MB150 combo in the past.

I've tried lots of other heads but GK just works for me and I keep coming back to them. There's no best, it all depends on the sound you're looking for and the power you need.

2milehighspike · #20 12-26-2012, 08:09 PM

Oh yea, I love my MB800, friggin rock crusher, the 700RBII is right up there though.