GK 700RB vs. Mesa Big Block 750

[Murph_Orpheus]

Have the choice of getting one of these in the next few days. I'm looking for opinions on which one of these has more low end, I've had the chance to play both but haven't been able to really crank them much. Whichever I get I'll be running them through a GK Neo 212 + 410 so the head will be running at 4ohms, so both will have a similar output wattage wise. Any advice is much appreciated!

[PJMiDi]

As much as a love GK heads, I'd say get the Mesa. From my experience(and I'm sure others have other results) the Mesa Big Block has a more preferable low end tone. But that could just be my taste.

[Matt Dean]

Mesa... 'nough said.

[Mooks1881]

Get the big block... 700rb's aren't too bad if you are looking for an inexpensive LOUD amp.. The thing I've loved about GK is that the Heads seem to have alot more sauce than they say.. Even the lesser expensive models are nice. But the mesa, will indeed blow fish out of the water, cool overdrive channel too.. They seem to be the real deal as far as saucy amps are concerned..

[Murph_Orpheus]

So the Mesa would get louder than the GK then? I know the Mesa would be pushing slightly more wattage to each cab than the 700rb, but as I've read a few times before the GK wattage seems to be understated.

[Stingray_EB]

This is like comparing Hi-Beams to Flats.

[Murph_Orpheus]

Originally Posted by Stingray_EB

This is like comparing Hi-Beams to Flats.

I take it you like the GK then haha.

Seems like everyone is leaning towards the Mesa

[Stingray_EB]

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

I take it you like the GK then haha.

Seems like everyone is leaning towards the Mesa

Quite the opposite! I like Hi-Beams through my Big Block 750

[RickenBoogie]

Both great amps, but the Mesa wins this fight in the first round, with a huge punch for the knockout.

[Matt Dean]

Mesa rules in the amp wars.

[Murph_Orpheus]

It certainly seems that way! I think I'll opt for the BB750

What's the OD channel on it like? Can it get really crunchy? Or is it a fuzz type?

[Stingray_EB]

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

It certainly seems that way! I think I'll opt for the BB750

What's the OD channel on it like? Can it get really crunchy? Or is it a fuzz type?

The best built in OD out there.

[Murph_Orpheus]

Also out of interest, I've yet to buy the 410 I mentioned in my original post, the 212 I have is 8ohm, if I were to buy the 410 as a 4ohm version, would the 212 and 410 then give me a 2ohm load? Hence getting me the full wattage from the BB750?

[Stingray_EB]

It would give you a 2.16ohm load. It will run safely but it isnt encouraged.

4ohm + 4ohm = 2ohm
8ohm + 8ohm = 4ohm
8ohm + 4ohm = 2.16ohm

[jelwood]

If it means anything to you, the 700rb-II has the 4/5 string voicing knob, which when activated gives you a +12db boost at 20hz...that's the threshold of human hearing man, the lowest of the low. If you're looking for low end, that amp dishes it out with an iron fist. It's too bad you couldn't crank the GK when you played it, GK amps sound best when they are pushed hard Besides, it's not like you're going to be playing gigs at practice level volume. You should crank the GK anyways before you buy it and think it over. You'll be surprised.

[Murph_Orpheus]

Originally Posted by Stingray_EB

It would give you a 2.16ohm load. It will run safely but it isnt encouraged.

4ohm + 4ohm = 2ohm
8ohm + 8ohm = 4ohm
8ohm + 4ohm = 2.16ohm

Would I be better off just getting a 2nd 8ohm cab then?

[Stingray_EB]

Originally Posted by jelwood

If it means anything to you, the 700rb-II has the 4/5 string voicing knob, which when activated gives you a +12db boost at 20hz...that's the threshold of human hearing man, the lowest of the low. If you're looking for low end, that amp dishes it out with an iron fist. It's too bad you couldn't crank the GK when you played it, GK amps sound best when they are pushed hard Besides, it's not like you're going to be playing gigs at practice level volume. You should crank the GK anyways before you buy it and think it over. You'll be surprised.

The Mesa at anywhere near 2ohms is going to destroy the GK in terms of headroom and low end. In my opinion the only thing the GK can beat the Mesa on is clarity.

[Stingray_EB]

Originally Posted by Murph_Orpheus

Would I be better off just getting a 2nd 8ohm cab then?

Well put it this way with a 2.16ohm load your 4ohm cabinet is getting the most juice out of your amp, the sound produced by the two cabinets is unbalanced. Although it will be louder it will sound better with two equally matched cabinets such as two 8ohms.

If you want volume and equal sound then go for a 2x4ohm rig. If this isnt possible then I would say go for the 2x8ohm. I mean its still 550w which is more than enough in most situations.

[Murph_Orpheus]

Yeah I'll be going for 2 8ohm cabs then, sounds like the safest bet seeing as I already have 1 8ohm cab. Cheers for the advice! I'm definitely going to go for the BB750 anyway and fingers crossed, I might have it tomorrow

[basscheez]

Too late to matter I guess, but in defense of my 700RB it sounds great with all my basses, and that ranges from a fretless Cort with flats to a EBMM SR5 with Elixirs.