Best GK Head for Bergantino HT-112 (original) Stack?

[winston]

I have a couple Bergantino HT-112 cabinets--the original, smaller version. Curious which GK head people recommend, I'm especially interested in the 1001RBII and 700RBII, or possibly the newer MBs.

I've got an '87 400RB and I love its growly sound but it doesn't have nearly enough power or low end to drive these properly.

It seems people often prefer the 700 to the 1001 because the lower wattage lets you get the GK growl at lower volumes. BUT these are pretty inefficient cabs (97db) that seem to sound better with more power, so I wonder if the 1001 is a better match.

I play 4 and 5 strings, some upright & keyboard synth in styles from Western swing to electronica, pretty reasonable volumes.

Thanks!

[B-string]

I'd be worried about driving any single 12 with a 1001RB, they are capable of some very powerful peaks. That is asking a lot from a single voice coil 10", 12", 15" or 18" for that matter. A 700RB II may even push that limit, but would be the "safer" choice of the two.

[winston]

I gigged a single HT-112 with 500 watts from an EA iAmp800 for years. Even with the Deep switch engaged it never crapped out. I don't plan on riding these to xMax, I just feel like these cabs sound better with a lot of power. I love the tone of my Eden WT-400 with them, but it runs out of juice just when things start to get interesting.

[jokerjkny]

loved my old 550 with the chrome front ht112 i used to have. and even now, the 550 really matches beautifully with my current ht112er. love that eden upper middy grind and its lower mid growl. eq section does amazing things with berg cabs, too.

but begs the question, other than just gut level preference, any reason why you'd rather go with a higher powered GK instead of say an wt800?

[B-string]

Originally Posted by winston

I gigged a single HT-112 with 500 watts from an EA iAmp800 for years. Even with the Deep switch engaged it never crapped out. I don't plan on riding these to xMax, I just feel like these cabs sound better with a lot of power. I love the tone of my Eden WT-400 with them, but it runs out of juice just when things start to get interesting.

Just a friendly warning if you haven't run a G-K before. The RB series amps have a very large power supply reserve, even the Fusion 550 specs at 500 watts 4 ohms but has the reserve power of 836 watts clean watts. If you like the sound of power compression from the cab, you must keep in mind they can really throw some cones around?

[winston]

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

loved my old 550 with the chrome front ht112 i used to have. and even now, the 550 really matches beautifully with my current ht112er. love that eden upper middy grind and its lower mid growl. eq section does amazing things with berg cabs, too.

but begs the question, other than just gut level preference, any reason why you'd rather go with a higher powered GK instead of say an wt800?

I much prefer the sound of my GK amps for upright. They're not flat but they accentuate the frequencies I like. I have a really big-sounding bass (New Standard Cleveland) and no matter what it sounds like mush with the Eden, especially with the Bergantinos.

Is there a huge difference between the original HT-112 and the new ERs? Trying to stick with what I've got and keep the GAS reasonable, but ya never know!

[jokerjkny]

Originally Posted by winston

I much prefer the sound of my GK amps for upright. They're not flat but they accentuate the frequencies I like. I have a really big-sounding bass (New Standard Cleveland) and no matter what it sounds like mush with the Eden, especially with the Bergantinos.

Is there a huge difference between the original HT-112 and the new ERs? Trying to stick with what I've got and keep the GAS reasonable, but ya never know!

without going too overboard,

the ht112er's are the biggest and perhaps loudest sounding 1x12's i've ever owned, used, played, subway'd, sidewalked, staired, dragged, stage lefted, blasted, rocked, packed up, subway'd, and stored away again. do a search on these cabs, and you'll see many fans. and fyi, the "ER" stands for extended range, and lives up to its name.

[Jerry Ziarko]

When I had the HT-EX mini stack, I used a 1001RBII. The handled it just fine and sounded like a freight train. A very good pairing IMHO.