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08-03-2011, 01:06 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | | | GK 700RBII vs. SWR 550x
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I have a Gallien-Krueger 700RBII that has been pretty good to me, but isn't really fitting my sound these days. I have the opportunity to do a local trade with someone for an SWR 550x, and I'm wondering whether anyone has experience with these two amps in particular.
My main head these days is a Hartke LH500, which I am VERY happy with - the GK is currently my backup head, and the SWR would likely be too.
I'm just wondering if anyone can compare these two heads directly (or to the Hartke also) in terms of pros and cons.
Thanks, folks! |
08-03-2011, 01:41 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX | | | No pro's or con's, just 2 very different flavors of tone. Play them both, decide with your ears.
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08-03-2011, 01:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | | | Well, I do know that I am just not into the GK tone anymore... going to set up a meeting with this guy and see if we can't both get a nice deal out of this trade! |
08-04-2011, 06:13 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | | | Well, we met up today and did the trade. I like the sound of the SWR so far, I'll try it out at my next gig and see what it does for me.
So far,
Pros - tone controls are much closer to what I want (sweepable mid helps there)
- slightly more powerful (550 vs. 480 watts) though not really a difference
- tube preamp ... beats the heck out of the GK boost (I was not a fan, I always kept my boost at 9:00 or lower)
Cons - larger footprint (the GK was nice and compact for its era, close to the modern D class amps)
- can't see much use for the Aural Enhancer or SubWave features (GK contour was much more useful) |
08-08-2011, 09:35 PM
|  | Supporting Member | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada | | | i did the trade with sky, let me know how that swr works out for you man, im yet to do a gig with the 700 RB II but i do like the gk abit more for some reason. Hope you like the swr at your gigs, if not you can easily sell it to fund something you like.
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08-08-2011, 09:44 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pacific Wonderland | | The grass is always greener... 
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08-08-2011, 10:19 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Bend, WA | | | I bought a 700RB-II a month ago. Sounds good through my fEARful 12/6-12/sub. I do find I like the sound a lot better with my sansamp BDDI in front with close to the fat tube setting. I do back off the blend to just past noon though. To my ears I prefer this to the GK by itself.
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08-08-2011, 10:53 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Bebop  The grass is always greener... | Ha, yes indeed! Though to be honest I'm quite happy with my main rig - this is strictly for backup purposes. |
08-09-2011, 12:18 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pacific Wonderland | | Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ Bebop The grass is always greener... | ...Especially in Canada 
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"Pass the Peas" "Soul Brother Number One" BIG CAB CLUB member #170 and proud of it!...Not so much now that I'm old and fat! Oregon Bassist's Club member #46
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