GK 800rb original retail price when new?

Manfred_Bass · #1 08-18-2011, 08:08 PM

Out of curiosity what was the original price of the 800rb when new? I was first sold in the late 80's, correct me if I'm wrong.

Manfred_Bass · #2 08-18-2011, 08:55 PM

Anyone...?

dhsierra1 · #3 08-18-2011, 09:05 PM

I don't recall myself but I believe they started making them in the early 80s, maybe 83, 84, which is pre-internet era. Would be cool if you could somehow dig up some bass magazines or ads from that era, might show MSRP. Google some images for 800RB ads from the 80s maybe? You never know what you'll find..... Good luck

**B-string** · #4 08-18-2011, 09:08 PM

Full production started in 1981. As far as price I really don't know, but rag is a member (owner, designer and president of G-K). PM him and let us know.

**Staccato** · #5 08-18-2011, 09:10 PM

Street price as in what people paid for it, not MSRP, right?

Manfred_Bass · #6 08-18-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staccato

Street price as in what people paid for it, not MSRP, right?

Yes!!!How much does it cost?

Datsgor · #7 08-18-2011, 10:26 PM

I bought mine new in 1988 from guitar center. I payed somewhere around $800.00 give or take a few bucks.

**IvanMike** · #8 08-19-2011, 08:11 AM

800? wow. Let's see I bought a peavy mark 4 from Brian's guitars in new haven (now sam ash), but we went down to east coast music mall where i almost got sold on GK. My PV was shy of 400 bucks new, so I'm betting to be competitive the 400RB and 800RB must have been around that range - probably 400 for the 400 and 600-ish for the 800 (maybe 700?). This was in 1985.

**IvanMike** · #9 08-19-2011, 08:13 AM

well sounds right - this cat's blog says that list was over 1100 but street was 790 in 1985 - and fwiw it was released in 1982. i think the 400 might have been as early as 80. Man, i want a couple of 400s for the heck of it. What fun amps!

Rex and the Bass: Memory Lane: Gallien-Krueger 800RB Amplifier

Muttleybass · #10 08-19-2011, 09:00 AM

It was a heckuva long time ago and the US exchange was about 30%, but I bought the first one I ever saw in about 1984. I got a package deal on a demo in a road case, with a single 15" and a 2X10 PA mid cab for $1300. I think the head was about $799 of that. That was a freakin' fortune back then, but at the time there was nothing like it. I traded my Peavey Mark III with an 18" 2X10" cab for it.

The cabs are gone, but the head still rocks.

shoot-r · #11 08-19-2011, 11:31 AM

Bought my GK800 new in 1984 at Macon Music, Homewood Ill., (Chicago).
$649.00 was the marked price if I remember correctly.

Traded in a two year old Ampeg SVT head and $100.00 for it!!!

NEVER regretted the trade for a second!

I'm still gigging that same GK800...

El Tookay · #12 08-20-2011, 03:22 PM

Remember seeing one of the first at Long & McQuade in 1983, $1200.00 brand new. Guy walks in and trades a early '70's SVT + a JBL loaded 2-15 + anvil cases for both for the GK. And yes, back then there was nothing like it- light, rackable and power to spare. Hell, did a gig last Thursday night with supplied backline of 800RB/ 210/ 115, and it rocked hard! Not my favorite tone, but still a great amp.

Freez · #13 08-20-2011, 03:53 PM

Bought mine in the early eighties for about $750 I think. I bought the head with a cabinet that said "Sonic" on the front, had 1 15' and 2 10's, and I paid about $1250 for the entire rig. Got stolen after just a couple years, and I haven't owned an amp as good since.