GK 1001RB VS. MarkBass SD800

VTheHTyphoon · #1 06-01-2011, 08:39 AM

Hello all TB'ers and welcome to my versus thread. I have been posting a lot in amps lately mainly about cabs because I was unsure of what to go with but I have decided to suck it up and go for 2 Avatar 2X12s. Now before we go any further I would like to put this disclaimer. Yes I know there is a Genz Benz/Avatar combo deal, yes it is nice, no I am not interested due to my fear of tubes. I know a lot of you like tubes, but I guess I would rather think of my amp as a big truck. (Sorry

)

Anyway, I have been looking in between two different amp heads to go with these bad boys and would like some suggestions from people who have experience with either of these two heads. Both the GK and the MB put out 750w @ 4 ohms, and both have dual outputs. I have played through GKs and MBs before but neither of these specific heads, and living in RI there are not many options in terms of musical supply stores. We have one GC, one Daddy's and various smaller music stores which don't carry the specific items I am looking at.

So, with that all out of the way let me give you some detailed info on what I play and the sounds I need. I play in two bands currently one is a heavy progressive band in which I play a Fender Jazz 24 active with Seymour Duncan Basslines in it. I generally use a brighter tone with this band as I am playing a lot of fast passages and using some slap technique. It seems that with my playing style a crisper brighter tone is useful in this setting so that the attack of the notes is very clear. I also play in an Irish band where I play a Godin A4 acoustic electric bass and need a warmer tone. I am mostly playing roots and fifths with this band although there is one song in which I solo. I use a scrunchie to give my bass a little more thumb with less fret noise, and I use Rotosound tapewound strings. Since this band is not as technically demanding a warmer tone works better, and it also meshes better with Irish instrumentation.

I am hoping to get some good answers here and I will respond to any other questions as soon as I can.

-Matt

Commreman · #2 06-01-2011, 08:53 AM

I've owned both. I still have the MarkBass SD800.

This particular head never got a lot of love around here, and for the life of me I can't figure out why. You will not get the GK "grind" out of this head, but so what? It is a very fast and responsive unit with a ton of tonal flexibility. I'm currently using mine in a rock and soul act with a passive Jazz loaded with flats, and I couldn't be happier.

impactwrench · #3 06-01-2011, 08:58 AM

Sounds to me like you need both amps. One for each band. Has no one sold you on the Avatar TB153 yet? I'd snag one in 8 ohms, and if you feel you need another, go for it. Your local GC doesnt have a 1001RB-II? Or a markbass? The ones I frequent have lots of amps from either manufacturer. Anyways, Id say get the GK. I think you can warm it up easier than you can make a markbass get gritty. Otherwise shake your fear of tubes and get a Shuttle.

**Freddels** · #4 06-01-2011, 09:17 AM

I'd go for the 700RB-II and save a little $.

VTheHTyphoon · #5 06-01-2011, 09:20 AM

I was looking at the shuttle for a while, but I have never been a fan of tubes, not because of their tone or anything like that, but I have this fear that in using my effects I will somehow blow the tube since I don't exactly use the most popular effect pedals. In terms of "grittyness" I use a clean tone for both bands and if I need some dirt I have an overdrive/fuzz pedal that gets the job done. I am really just looking for something that can respond quickly but can get not only a warm mellow tone, but also a bright crisp tone as well. And about the no GK or MB at GC thing, we only have one GC in RI, and one over the border in MA. I really hate the one in MA, since their basses are poorly setup and not regularly checked so I avoid that place at all costs. But the GC in Warwick used to have a whole GK rack system with all different amps that has seemed to disappear upon recent visits. We also have a Daddy's but nothing in that particular one I am looking for sadly.

Edit: I forgot to say that as much as I would love to buy both, I can't see that as a financial possibility. I know I could get both and one cab and whatnot but the 2X12 setup is something that I am very much into, and one head to go along with it.

VTheHTyphoon · #6 06-01-2011, 12:06 PM

I must say I am surprised the 1001RB is winning this one out, although I definitely don't mind as I have always found markbass amps to be naturally really warm no matter what.

4-string · #7 06-01-2011, 12:31 PM

I really don't get your fear of tubes. The Shuttle heads have preamp tubes only, and if they do need to be replaced they are cheap. Also, very easy DIY task.

Besides, the Shuttle series are AFAIK about clean tones, a pre tube or two doesn't necessarily mean distortion. So if you go Avatar and there's a good deal for a Genz Benz, go for it!

To give you an idea of how fragile tubes are, they are used in these:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_80_yaznP3l...o-blogspot.jpg

VTheHTyphoon · #8 06-01-2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

To give you an idea of how fragile tubes are, they are used in these:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_80_yaznP3l...o-blogspot.jpg

Oh well come on now that isn't even reasonable. Everybody knows those things only push 500watts and my two avatars won't hold it up

Duke21 · #9 06-01-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

I really don't get your fear of tubes. The Shuttle heads have preamp tubes only, and if they do need to be replaced they are cheap. Also, very easy DIY task.

Besides, the Shuttle series are AFAIK about clean tones, a pre tube or two doesn't necessarily mean distortion. So if you go Avatar and there's a good deal for a Genz Benz, go for it!

To give you an idea of how fragile tubes are, they are used in these:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_80_yaznP3l...o-blogspot.jpg

He he, don't show an American a Mig! He might fear the Russians are at the city gate :-) we Norwegian have a border with Russia, so specially here in the north a Mig or a Topolev is not that uncommon.

Do not fear tubes, they will react just fine to your effects.
Btw 4 strings, do we have GB in Norway ? I've not seen any sign of them. GK, Markbass yes but no GB.
Regarding these to amps the OP mention, I'll go for the GK, but not that one, it will be the MB800 or the MB fusion, I like the GK grind.

VTheHTyphoon · #10 06-01-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke21

He he, don't show an American a Mig! He might fear the Russians are at the city gate :-)

The Russians are always at the city gates

pstyle · #11 06-01-2011, 12:58 PM

I have both heads. Both are awesome and very powerful. The SD800 is my gigging head, but only because of it's portability and weight. You can't go wrong with either head IMO.

4-string · #12 06-01-2011, 12:59 PM

I've seen some Genz Benz stuff at Myhrbraaten Musikk, but that's it. Available online from Musikinstrumente bei Session Music (ehemals Musik-Schmidt) though.

VTheHTyphoon · #13 06-01-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstyle

I have both heads. Both are awesome and very powerful. The SD800 is my gigging head, but only because of it's portability and weight. You can't go wrong with either head IMO.

Is the markbass mainly really warm or can it get that bright punchy tone from it as well.

**jmattbassplaya** · #14 06-01-2011, 01:04 PM

I used a SD800 for about 3 years and can say that it's a really great head. That said, I think they've been discontinued in favor of the newer SD1200.

tdub0199 · #15 06-01-2011, 01:05 PM

GK all day long!!!!

VTheHTyphoon · #16 06-01-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I used a SD800 for about 3 years and can say that it's a really great head. That said, I think they've been discontinued in favor of the newer SD1200.

They have been discontinued but GC has alot used on their website for around $600

See, I have friends who play GKs and friends who play MBs and I have always gotten the impression that GK amps have this really bright and crisp quality while MB amps have a mellow warm quality. Both provide punch but in a different way. whenever I think of a GK I go straight to the bass tone in most Tool songs, while my friend Steve plays a MB and it has a very deep punch. I need an amp that can be mellow and warm but also bright and with a hard attack.

VTheHTyphoon · #17 06-01-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

I really don't get your fear of tubes. The Shuttle heads have preamp tubes only, and if they do need to be replaced they are cheap. Also, very easy DIY task.

Besides, the Shuttle series are AFAIK about clean tones, a pre tube or two doesn't necessarily mean distortion. So if you go Avatar and there's a good deal for a Genz Benz, go for it!

I was checking the guitarworld review of the 9.0 and it seems like a really nice amp. Once again tubes scare me though

**jmattbassplaya** · #18 06-01-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTheHTyphoon

They have been discontinued but GC has alot used on their website for around $600

See, I have friends who play GKs and friends who play MBs and I have always gotten the impression that GK amps have this really bright and crisp quality while MB amps have a mellow warm quality. Both provide punch but in a different way. whenever I think of a GK I go straight to the bass tone in most Tool songs, while my friend Steve plays a MB and it has a very deep punch. I need an amp that can be mellow and warm but also bright and with a hard attack.

The SD800 sounds perfect for you then, and at $600 you won't lose anything if you decide to keep it and sell it later down the line. I believe I got almost $700 when I sold mine in the classifieds. The MB has the ability to be really warm or bright or both at the same time, and it has absolutely no problem getting a lot of punch thanks to its parametric mids. If you end up needing some grit just throw a VT pedal in front of it and suddenly you got a VERY versatile and powerful setup.

**jmattbassplaya** · #19 06-01-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTheHTyphoon

I was checking the guitarworld review of the 9.0 and it seems like a really nice amp. Once again tubes scare me though

Preamp tubes aren't scary. They can last as long as you can lol. It's power tubes that can and probably will go bad. They also cost a ton to replace, whereas preamp tubes are rather cheap.

VTheHTyphoon · #20 06-01-2011, 01:39 PM

I can also get the 1001RB for about 600 if I look hard enough, but after watching that guitar world review I am almost certainly against the genz benz. Not solely due to tubes but also due to the review. The fingerstyle Ed did was really warm, but far too warm for my prog band and that is no bueno.