GK 800RB or Peavey VB2 ???

spectorbass83 · #1 10-24-2010, 03:55 PM

My slight dilemma....

I am in search of a new bass amp since my SVT3-Pro broke down. I am currently renting a GK800RB in the meantime and I must say that I love the way it sounds. I gigged with it the other night and it sounded huge!

I'm obviously considering the 800RB but always wanted an all tube amp - I've heard great things about the Peavey VB2. The only problem is that I can't find one anywhere to try out. No music store has one in stock within 100 miles of where I live.

So...what to do???

I love the way the 800RB sounds but the rental unit I have is heavily used and in poor cosmetic condition so if I were to get one I would buy a new one....BUT...are the new ones the same as the old ones???

If I buy the Peavey VB2 it will be based only on reviews, opinions and limited sound clips that I heard on the internet. How does it compare to an SVT CL?

What to do??? Any feedback would be appreciated.

FYI - I play a Lakland 5 string through an Ampeg 4x10 HLF and my band plays hard rock/metal - we play a LOT of songs in B.

shoot-r · #2 10-24-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

My slight dilemma....

I am in search of a new bass amp since my SVT3-Pro broke down. I am currently renting a GK800RB in the meantime and I must say that I love the way it sounds. I gigged with it the other night and it sounded huge!

I'm obviously considering the 800RB but always wanted an all tube amp - I've heard great things about the Peavey VB2. The only problem is that I can't find one anywhere to try out. No music store has one in stock within 100 miles of where I live.

So...what to do???

I love the way the 800RB sounds but the rental unit I have is heavily used and in poor cosmetic condition so if I were to get one I would buy a new one....BUT...are the new ones the same as the old ones???

If I buy the Peavey VB2 it will be based only on reviews, opinions and limited sound clips that I heard on the internet. How does it compare to an SVT CL?

What to do??? Any feedback would be appreciated.

FYI - I play a Lakland 5 string through an Ampeg 4x10 HLF and my band plays hard rock/metal - we play a LOT of songs in B.

I can't speak for the Peavey or the new 800's...I can for the old G.K. 800's.
I bought my G.K. 800 new in 1984.
It's never went down, never been in for repairs.
It was used at a gig last night and still sounds as good today as it did 26 years ago.
I put a small fan blowin' on the back cooling fins at day one and used to plug it into a 4 ohm Ampeg SVT 810 cabinet...it was great!
Now a days it's either pushing two 210 bass cabinets or our keyboard player's using it to drive his on-stage monitor.
Back then my 800 replaced a very problematic SVT-CL tube head.

panama · #3 10-24-2010, 04:57 PM

The last time I was at Motor City Guitars in Waterford, MI they had one in stock. That was about 2 months ago.

The VB2 is not an SVT. It has its own sound, but I love mine and it delivers all they tubey goodness you want.

RickenBoogie · #4 10-24-2010, 05:13 PM

Always go with the sure thing.

joeydavidson · #5 10-24-2010, 06:06 PM

i like GK's and I own one but in your case I'd go for the Peavey VB2, mainly because you said you wanted a tube head so it seems you're going end up with a tube head sooner or later. I have read good things about that Peavey and it would be at the top of the list if I ever got a new tube head.

datsaxguy · #6 10-24-2010, 06:16 PM

800rb will work on a 5ver but is voiced for a 4 string. Those are Bob Gallien's words not mine. Just sold my old 800rb for that reason alone. I would get a 700rb or 1001rb if you were gonna go GK.

spectorbass83 · #7 10-24-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datsaxguy

800rb will work on a 5ver but is voiced for a 4 string. Those are Bob Gallien's words not mine. Just sold my old 800rb for that reason alone. I would get a 700rb or 1001rb if you were gonna go GK.

I personally think the 800rb handles the low B just fine. I played through a 400rb but never a 700rb or 1001rb. I didn't really like the 400rb. Does the 700rb and 1001rb sound similar to the 800?

spectorbass83 · #8 10-24-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panama

The last time I was at Motor City Guitars in Waterford, MI they had one in stock. That was about 2 months ago.

The VB2 is not an SVT. It has its own sound, but I love mine and it delivers all they tubey goodness you want.

Interesting I should call them just for the heck of it.

Count Bassie · #9 10-24-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

I personally think the 800rb handles the low B just fine. I played through a 400rb but never a 700rb or 1001rb. I didn't really like the 400rb. Does the 700rb and 1001rb sound similar to the 800?

Why didn't you like the 400RB? Same preamp section, right?

Gunnerhea86 · #10 10-24-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datsaxguy

800rb will work on a 5ver but is voiced for a 4 string. Those are Bob Gallien's words not mine. Just sold my old 800rb for that reason alone. I would get a 700rb or 1001rb if you were gonna go GK.

I have a buddy who gigs a 1986 gk800rb w/ a 5 string and it sounds amazing!

spectorbass83 · #11 10-24-2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Bassie

Why didn't you like the 400RB? Same preamp section, right?

I'm not sure if it is the same or not. I just didn't like the tone that much. It was kinda bland to my ears

Count Bassie · #12 10-24-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

I'm not sure if it is the same or not. I just didn't like the tone that much. It was kinda bland to my ears

Personal mileage I guess. It was always a little kickin' beastie through my Bag Ends. Nice hefty punch. Maybe it's your speaker match-up? Maybe it's just me and my rag ears.

panama · #13 10-25-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

Interesting I should call them just for the heck of it.

Even if they don't have it in stock I recommend visiting the store. It's my favourite store in the area.

spectorbass83 · #14 10-25-2010, 09:27 AM

Wow I would go there based on that pic alone! Lol
How far from Detroit is it?

spectorbass83 · #15 10-25-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Bassie

Personal mileage I guess. It was always a little kickin' beastie through my Bag Ends. Nice hefty punch. Maybe it's your speaker match-up? Maybe it's just me and my rag ears.

Haha who knows. Different strokes for different folks.

panama · #16 10-26-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

Wow I would go there based on that pic alone! Lol
How far from Detroit is it?

From the tunnel it's probably an hour or so. Quite a hike, but definitely worth it.

Depending on when you go I could try to meet you there. I've never met someone else from TB! I'm a fellow Canadian (originally from mtl and also lived in ottawa and burlington) living in Ferndale, MI now.

spectorbass83 · #17 11-13-2010, 07:52 AM

Update!

I called Peavey customer support (which by the way is awesome and helpful) and they put me in touch with the Sales Rep for my area. I called him up and let him know I was interested in the Peavey VB2 but cannot find one anywhere in my area. Within 5 minutes he located one for me! I'm taking a drive out soon to test it out

This amp is really tough to track down but honestly the thought of owning an all tube, 225W bass amp that's built in the USA and has a 5 year warranty is just too good to pass up!

panama - I still wanna check out that place you were telling me about. If I ever end up taking the trip I'll let ya know

datsaxguy · #18 11-24-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnerhea86

I have a buddy who gigs a 1986 gk800rb w/ a 5 string and it sounds amazing!

I agree with you a 100%. It does sound great but the 700rb II is fuller/thicker/ stronger on the low end but does not have a lot of the grind that the 800rb has at low volumes. Both are great, its just a matter of your personal taste. I personally would rather have the thickness.

panama · #19 11-25-2010, 08:55 PM

Based on your sig it looks like you got it!

MrTAteMyBalls · #20 11-25-2010, 08:57 PM

mesa d-180, and i happen to know where there is one for sale. =).