GK 700RBII vs Ampeg PF500

deepbluesuk · #1 11-04-2011, 04:18 AM

Has anyone compared the two of these? Im currently using the GK but am tempted by the PF500 due to weight and a bit more ampeg tone.

The GK is a loud amp and I'd like to know how the ampeg compares volume wise.

deepbluesuk · #2 11-04-2011, 11:56 AM

Anyone??

TripleDouble · #3 11-04-2011, 12:00 PM

Subscribed. Very happy with my 700RBII, but like you, interested in size and PF tone....

JimmyM · #4 11-04-2011, 01:01 PM

Loudness...eh, I don't notice any significant difference. The 700RB has the GK tonality and the PF500 has the Ampeg tonality, plus it sounds more like a tube amp than a 700RB, which has the usual lead-sled tightness that I don't dig. Therefore, the PF500 wins

ljazz · #5 11-05-2011, 04:01 AM

Give me the lead sled!!!

I dig the Ampeg tone, and employ my VT pedal regularly..... however, I couldn't get the tight, quick GK tone out of the Ampeg. Of course, that was just screwing around a bit with one in the store, so who knows?

Anyway, both are good heads. You have to play/listen to both, and then make your own decision.

deepbluesuk · #6 11-05-2011, 06:10 AM

Thinking of trying a VT with the GK - any takers? BTW, I use an Ampeg 410HE, 51P with heavy flats for blues and 60's R&B.

C47 · #7 11-05-2011, 07:41 AM

PF500 has plenty of volume thru my HLF410 for large clubs
and stages. And we play 60's R&B and the tone is perfect.

shoot-r · #8 11-05-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The 700RB has the GK tonality and the PF500 has the Ampeg tonality.

+1...

I don't have a GK700 head but I do own a "1984" GK 800 head, a GK MB2-500 head, and a Ampeg PF500 head.

A few months back I picked-up the Ampeg PF500 head for a little different sound from the GK's sound and as a back-up head to replace my aging GK800, the GK MB2-500 was my main gigging head.
(Jimmy will love this

...) the PF500 has become my main gigging amp and the MB2-500 is now it's back-up!!!!

The more I gig with the PF500 head the more I like/love it.

Still can't believe the PF500 sells for $399.00...

woundround · #9 11-05-2011, 02:17 PM

Bet ya the 700 will still be running long after the Ampeg shuts her down

woundround · #10 11-05-2011, 02:18 PM

The 800 will last forever

lfbassguy · #11 11-05-2011, 02:30 PM

i've had 4 different g-k's and i couldn't keep one of them running. had horrible CS with them too. i have heard other people have different experience with them, but that is mine.

i say go with the pf500. i love mine!

woundround · #12 11-05-2011, 02:50 PM

love the Ampeg tone,was looking at the svt 7 ,for a change up. Two diff. friends at two diff. retailers said tho Ampeg has gottin a lil better lately tho they still see a lot of them (all models) comin in with probs. GK only a few 550 s with motorized knob probs.and first run of mb 500s.
rb series bulletproof. I ran the 800 for over 25yrs no probs, had the 700 for 5 yrs no probs...steady giggin

georgestrings · #13 11-05-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woundround

Bet ya the 700 will still be running long after the Ampeg shuts her down

+1...

- georgestrings

shoot-r · #14 11-05-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woundround

The 800 will last forever

Yes sir, I think you may be right about the GK800's dependability!
I bought mine new in 1984, it's never given a single problem, and it's been used heavily.
But.......I had two GK MB2-500's go bad in the store on me before I got the working one I have now.
The first PF500 head I had lasted about 15 minutes before it produced the magic smoke and died.
Ampeg's CS was steller in getting a new one to me.
My new PF500 has seen many gigs in the last few months, it's worked flawlessly.
Maybe my ears just needed to hear a different tone/sound from what my GK's gave, but, I'm lovin' what I'm hearing from my PF500...
If this one went down...I'd get another!

JimmyM · #15 11-06-2011, 12:04 AM

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to see a lot of micros made today in use 20 years from now. Old Walter Woods amps are holding up very well after 25 or more years. You might hit the point of diminishing returns on repair costs quicker with a $300 amp, but I figure if it happens, I'll be ready for something else by then.

ljazz · #16 11-06-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepbluesuk

Thinking of trying a VT with the GK - any takers? BTW, I use an Ampeg 410HE, 51P with heavy flats for blues and 60's R&B.

I may not have been clear in my post. I play the VT with the 700rII and it is killer. As mentioned, I dig the Ampeg tone, and I love the tight, quick GK tone. With the VT, I can get a touch of the Ampeg thing, and I can still do the GK thing. I typically play a flat strung P and, lately, a round strung '97 AmDlx Jazz V.

I can't say much about your cab, because I've never heard the 700rbII through it. I play the GK Neo112 and a GK Neo212. I think with the 410HE, you may want to make sure you have the string filter set at 4 string on the head, roll off a touch of lows, and bump up the mids a bit. I do this with my 212 to keep things from getting boomy, and to keep the growl in the mids a bit more present. Lately, I keep the master over 1:00 and the boost at 2-3. The 700rbII really is a great head.