Gallien-Krueger amps

jay43 · #1 09-11-2011, 09:13 AM

how are they reliable? how are there tone? I have a fender rumble 75 now looking for something with a little more umphs and some better tone.I dont gig just or play shows just like to jam in the garage so i'm not looking for a giant rig just a reliable rig with great tone. thanks

Windreaper · #2 09-11-2011, 09:15 AM

Reliable, realistically rated, tone is a matter of preference.

Joe Louvar · #3 09-11-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windreaper

Reliable, realistically rated, tone is a matter of preference.

+1 (Agree)

Papa Dangerous · #4 09-11-2011, 09:29 AM

I just got a GK Mb115 and I love him to pieces. I really dig the 4 EQ rather than the 3. It has horn, contour, and limiter buttons that allow tone shaping pretty well. I think it is worth the extra bucks (maybe like $60 more) to get the Mb115 over the Mb112

**B-string** · #5 09-11-2011, 11:57 AM

Very reliable, flexible in the tones you can dial in from them, power ratings are a little on the Conservative side. If you go used head/cab look for a 400RB series, 700RB series or the BL600. Cabs are where your sound will come from, don't skimp there. If you want G-K cabs to match, just stay way from the Backline cabs (like the BLX). Go with the SBX,RBH, or NEO. The new combos get lots of love here if you want a light, powerful new option (MB115, MB210,MB212...).

**bass4worship** · #6 09-11-2011, 12:26 PM

Running two GK112 cabs that is a few years old and they're still sounding good.

scottfeldstein · #7 09-11-2011, 01:07 PM

I love my MB500. Clean, powerful and yet able to get a decent grindy sound if you crank up the Boost. Plus it weighs less than 4 pounds. It's not the monster than the RB models are, but I think it's a pretty sweet little package. Get a Neo 115 or 212 cab to go with it. You'll be thrilled with the result, I'm sure.

**B-string** · #8 09-11-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

I love my MB500. Clean, powerful and yet able to get a decent grindy sound if you crank up the Boost. Plus it weighs less than 4 pounds. It's not the monster than the RB models are, but I think it's a pretty sweet little package. Get a Neo 115 or 212 cab to go with it. You'll be thrilled with the result, I'm sure.

+1 A MB500 and NEO 212 will take you through a lot of situations, not just garage jams!

Rockmusician · #9 09-11-2011, 01:17 PM

I used GK for years and never any problems.

funkingroovin · #10 09-11-2011, 01:23 PM

+1 to GK,I have several,never any problems.You can't go wrong with the 400rb's..built like tanks,great tones,inexpensive,and gig-worthy if need be.

zedes · #11 09-11-2011, 01:31 PM

I worked for a music shop distributing GK amps and here's my find. The MB series and RB's are the bomb! Real good stuff especially the MB (lightweight and small).

However, never, and I mean it NEVER go for a backline series. The tone is nowhere near in comparison of a USA made GK (they're china made) and, 8 out of 10 amps we have in stock come back with problems. (no joke, was just testing one a few hours ago and after an hour of playing it went boom).
GK has already discontinued this model (for obvious reasons?). But their new MB is definitely helping them get their rep back.

(on a side note, does anyone else have this problem with the backline series? do comment, thanks)

Vic Winters · #12 09-11-2011, 02:03 PM

The BL600 has never let me down. Great amp for the price.

BBox Bass · #13 09-11-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedes

However, never, and I mean it NEVER go for a backline series. The tone is nowhere near in comparison of a USA made GK (they're china made) and, 8 out of 10 amps we have in stock come back with problems. (no joke, was just testing one a few hours ago and after an hour of playing it went boom).
GK has already discontinued this model (for obvious reasons?). But their new MB is definitely helping them get their rep back.

(on a side note, does anyone else have this problem with the backline series? do comment, thanks)

I nearly burned up a Backline 600 a few years ago, but I don't know if the fault necessarily lies with GK. I bought it used and stuffed it into a 4u rack case with 2 Roland synth units. One night my band was playing in a small, hot bar when the guitarist yelled "Whose amp is burning?" He looked over at the rhythm guitarist, then me, and screamed "Turn it off now! That's burning transformer smell." I spent the rest of the show playing through the PA and could barely hear myself because the rhythm guitarist hogged our shared monitor while continually turning up his amp as the night wore on.

When I got home and pulled my amp out of the rack case, it still worked but several of my friends warned me that it was likely not reliable at this part and could blow any time. They recommended I Ebay it as a parts/project item, and I did. I think I got $50.

I replaced it with a GK MB2500, which is currently in a 4u case with only my wireless receiver. I've had it for 2 years and it has given me no problems so far.

mam1862 · #14 09-11-2011, 05:01 PM

GK has very good equipment. I have been using there amps for the last 15 years and have never had a problem. That is not to say that the other brands are not as good. In my opinion most of the amps that these companies such as Markbass, Ampeg, Genz and a few others make are quality. It comes down to a matter of sound, price and features. You have to find the one you like the best.

cableguy · #15 09-11-2011, 07:50 PM

I can't speak for the newer MB series but the RB series has been great to me. I had a 400RB in the late 80's, a 400RB-IV a year ago and now I own a 700RB-II. Never a problem. The RB series can be had for a good deal used and will sound great through many different cabs.

The Stoke · #16 09-15-2011, 08:15 PM

I have both backline and rb series heads. The backline I originally bought as a back-up for my rb (although I never needed it for that). I now run my MBX 210 with the backline 600 and my MBX 410 with my rb1001. I have never had any issues besides being too loud. The backline can be dialed in to give a great tone, you just have to know what you are doing. I had the BLX series cabs (210 and 115) which I replaced with the MBX cabs. BLX cabs are great on a budget, but do lack in the department of tonal quality. All in all... GK products are great. Especially if you factor in the price.

georgestrings · #17 09-15-2011, 08:24 PM

I've owned two 700rb-IIs, still have one and also a BL600 - the 700s have been stone reliable thru several years of gigging 1-2 per week, and always sounded great - tons of power and low end, too... The BL600 is a recent aquisition - but has been pretty good so far... I mainly gig with a Mesa M-pulse 600 these days, but will probably always hand on to my 700rb-II, FWIW...

- georgestrings

TussinBot. · #18 09-15-2011, 11:31 PM

Not to hijack the thread but I have a question for mb500 users. I have had one for a few months and im wondering - do your power button lights go from blue to violet over time? I havent had any distortion though it did go into protect mode once. but every time after about an hour my power light is violet. anyone else experience this?

scottfeldstein · #19 09-16-2011, 08:02 AM

As you know, it changes color during normal power up. I only had it change color during playing once. That was when I was plugged into an Ampeg 8x10 cab wrong. I don't know what they'd done, as I couldn't see the back of the cab. But the light changed color and then momentarily stopped producing sound. I was also playing at high volume. Like 3 o'clock on the master and noon on the gain. I think I just overpowered it or under-ohmed it or some darned thing.

Muttleybass · #20 09-16-2011, 08:47 AM

I've had my 800RB for 27 years. It's never been in the shop and rocks like the day I bought it. I upgraded the single 15" cab about 6 years ago to a 410RBH. LOVE IT.

Tone is subjective, but I absolutely love mine. If I was to upgrage the cab to something lighter (gettin' old... at almost 100 lbs. that cab is hard on the back) I would most likely go with a Neo 410H