GK Goldline 500 or Backline 600?

[LanOsb133]

Ive heard good things about the 300w Backline 600. Ive used one at GC and liked it. What I will be running is a GK8x10GLX and a GLX1x15. Will the Backline 600 be strong enough to handle both? Or should i drop the extra $100 and get the Goldline 500 (500w head)? Is that head any good? So here are all my quesions if someone can awnser them (or asmany) to the best of there abilities. I have looked at about 5-7 topics ion the Goldline 500 and cant seem to find much info on it...
1) Running a 8x10 and a 1x15 which will be better?
2) Which is more reliable?
3) Is the $100 worth it?
4) Major issues (besides the "Cutoff" with the Goldline 500?)

I have about $350 but dont want to spend it all on a single head. I was pretty set on the backline until i heard about the goldline. Now im not sure which to get. Thanks for any help!

[VanillaThundah]

Get a used 700RB-II or an MB500. Don't even bother with the Backline 600 or Goldline 500. If you are really stuck on not spending much more money but want a good amp, get a Carvin BX500...you can't beat it for the power and features you get: 500w RMS ~1,000w peak power, 2 channel, 12AX7 tube preamp, 4-band EQ with two mid sweeps, graphic EQ.

Carvin.com :: BX500

check it out, I own one and it's a phenomenal amp that will blow the Backline 600 and Goldline 500 outta the water any day.

***EDIT - I also forgot to mention, the BX500 will do a 2 ohm load as well. Unless your GLX 1x15 is a 4 ohm cab, you can't run it properly with that 8x10. But with the BX500 you can run either or on their own and the amp will power them just fine.

[jelwood]

I owned a Goldline 500 head and LOVED it. I personally found it much warmer than other GK heads I have played, as they are advertised to be. I sold it to buy my 2000RB and I never had any issues with it. If you can find a used one I say go for it, maybe you would want an 800RB or something though as those can be had for about the same price. The Carvin Vanilla suggested has lots of bells and whistles, if you're into that might be good to look at as well. But dude...810 with a 115...

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

Get a used 700RB-II or an MB500. Don't even bother with the Backline 600 or Goldline 500. If you are really stuck on not spending much more money but want a good amp, get a Carvin BX500...you can't beat it for the power and features you get: 500w RMS ~1,000w peak power, 2 channel, 12AX7 tube preamp, 4-band EQ with two mid sweeps, graphic EQ.

Carvin.com :: BX500

check it out, I own one and it's a phenomenal amp that will blow the Backline 600 and Goldline 500 outta the water any day.

***EDIT - I also forgot to mention, the BX500 will do a 2 ohm load as well. Unless your GLX 1x15 is a 4 ohm cab, you can't run it properly with that 8x10. But with the BX500 you can run either or on their own and the amp will power them just fine.

How much are these BX500's?

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by jelwood

I owned a Goldline 500 head and LOVED it. I personally found it much warmer than other GK heads I have played, as they are advertised to be. I sold it to buy my 2000RB and I never had any issues with it. If you can find a used one I say go for it, maybe you would want an 800RB or something though as those can be had for about the same price. The Carvin Vanilla suggested has lots of bells and whistles, if you're into that might be good to look at as well. But dude...810 with a 115...

Well i need an amp at my band's house (because i dont want to lug over that stupidly big 8x10) and im getting a 1x15 But any who, i found it for $250 And i found a backline for $150 both through GC, but i cant seem to find better deals anywhere else! (crazy i know) But as i stated both of these amps are GLX (goldline) amps. So shouldnt the head (goldline) shine even brighter through the cabs?

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

How much are these BX500's?

$369 now, I got mine for $399. the $30 off is a holiday sale i'm sure so I would jump on it if you like what you hear.

I'm sure the GK Goldline 500 is a nice amp, but it's also a heavy amp (much like the GLX cabs...I had the 2x10 and 1x15). For the size, weight, power, and features you can't beat the Carvin...plus it's got a tube preamp so it's actually a hybrid amp. Idk if your GLX cabs will do it justice, but it will certainly push them to the limit if you demand it to do so.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

$369 now, I got mine for $399. the $30 off is a holiday sale i'm sure so I would jump on it if you like what you hear.

I'm sure the GK Goldline 500 is a nice amp, but it's also a heavy amp (much like the GLX cabs...I had the 2x10 and 1x15). For the size, weight, power, and features you can't beat the Carvin...plus it's got a tube preamp so it's actually a hybrid amp. Idk if your GLX cabs will do it justice, but it will certainly push them to the limit if you demand it to do so.

Yeah the thing is I only have 350 though I just sold my Line 6 LD300. And until i sell more (which i may or may not, i have baout 3 things up right now) but i only have $350 and want a little extra spending money but im sure i could find one for a little less than 369 Ill have to lookone up on youtube see how they sound

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Well i need an amp at my band's house (because i dont want to lug over that stupidly big 8x10) and im getting a 1x15 But any who, i found it for $250 And i found a backline for $150 both through GC, but i cant seem to find better deals anywhere else! (crazy i know)

Might I suggest a used 2x10, or even a new carvin or avatar 2x10. I am a BIG fan of 15's myself (I have a 2x15 that I'm playing out of as we type lol), but for a band practice cab you might want to do a 2x10. More cone space and mid dispersion will equate to hearing yourself better. Plus, since the BX500 is so small, you can set a 2x10 upright and you'll be able to monitor yourself much easier that way. The BX500 is great going through whatever, but it really shines on a hi-fi cabinet that sounds out all the amp is really doing. It's your money, but you might be struggling if you play out of a 1x15 GLX cab.

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

But as i stated both of these amps are GLX (goldline) amps. So shouldnt the head (goldline) shine even brighter through the cabs?

Not necessarily. It might be voiced to suit what they were going for with that amp/cab mix, but that might not be what you are looking for in terms of tone. There are worse cabs than the GLX out there, but there are also much better cabs for not a lot more money.

[lowfreq33]

The goldline head was actually pretty decent, but the cabs weren't so good. Tended to get blown pretty easily. The head was pretty powerful and had a nice thick tone. I had one that survived a flood. Just let it dry out for a week and it was all good. It is a bit of a boat anchor though, I think it weighs about 65 pounds.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

Might I suggest a used 2x10, or even a new carvin or avatar 2x10. I am a BIG fan of 15's myself (I have a 2x15 that I'm playing out of as we type lol), but for a band practice cab you might want to do a 2x10. More cone space and mid dispersion will equate to hearing yourself better. Plus, since the BX500 is so small, you can set a 2x10 upright and you'll be able to monitor yourself much easier that way. The BX500 is great going through whatever, but it really shines on a hi-fi cabinet that sounds out all the amp is really doing. It's your money, but you might be struggling if you play out of a 1x15 GLX cab.



Not necessarily. It might be voiced to suit what they were going for with that amp/cab mix, but that might not be what you are looking for in terms of tone. There are worse cabs than the GLX out there, but there are also much better cabs for not a lot more money.

Very true, BUt mind you when i play at practice i normally dont hear myself but when we do concerts i hear myself loud and clear and i do fine (i play mainly at home. I could never practice with the band and do fine ) But i mean that 350 was going to go to a head and a cab, With that head i dont see how i would be able to get a cab at all, with that being said on the cab, i dont wnat 10x10. That is just too much 10s i wanted a little variety ;D

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Yeah the thing is I only have 350 though I just sold my Line 6 LD300. And until i sell more (which i may or may not, i have baout 3 things up right now) but i only have $350 and want a little extra spending money but im sure i could find one for a little less than 369 Ill have to lookone up on youtube see how they sound

the link i sent has a video at the bottom w/ Phil Martin and Darryl Williams playing through the head, it's a pretty solid demo.

It's your money man, and it's your right to do whatever you want with it. If I could have introduced myself to (and if they HAD) the BX500 about 4 amps ago, I wouldn't have bought another amp since. The only amp I'm GAS'ing for now is an SVT2 Pro because it's all-tube, but you couldn't convince me to get rid of my Carvin for another (non-Mesa of course ) amp $500 within its price range. But yeah, I wouldn't waste your money on entry-level gear if you have a gigging band...because it will end up here or craigslist pretty quick if it doesn't fit the bill.

[B-string]

Besides the Carvin hard sell......the BL600 is a strong proven work horse that has served many for long periods of time and many that bought one keep em as back ups. BL600 is honestly rated in its power. The Goldline head I can't help with, they were special builds for GC's parent company so no long record to go by.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

the link i sent has a video at the bottom w/ Phil Martin and Darryl Williams playing through the head, it's a pretty solid demo.

It's your money man, and it's your right to do whatever you want with it. If I could have introduced myself to (and if they HAD) the BX500 about 4 amps ago, I wouldn't have bought another amp since. The only amp I'm GAS'ing for now is an SVT2 Pro because it's all-tube, but you couldn't convince me to get rid of my Carvin for another (non-Mesa of course ) amp $500 within its price range. But yeah, I wouldn't waste your money on entry-level gear if you have a gigging band...because it will end up here or craigslist pretty quick if it doesn't fit the bill.

Very ture. I picked up my 8x10 at GC for about $200 So if needed I can always flip it. I am really liking that Cravin head for sure. But again price is whats keeping me down. :\ If i can sell something else (like my FBV Shortboard) or anything that will bring me in another hundred or so, I probably will get that Cravin. But as it stands its out of my budget

Originally Posted by B-string

Besides the Carvin hard sell......the BL600 is a strong proven work horse that has served many for long periods of time and many that bought one keep em as back ups. BL600 is honestly rated in its power. The Goldline head I can't help with, they were special builds for GC's parent company so no long record to go by.

So you think the BL would be better to go with?

[B-string]

I know very little about the Goldline 500, whether it uses the MB or Fusion power amp. They were/are not an "open market" amp head. The BL600 uses the same power amp as the 400RB series which is based on the 800RB's 300 watt power amp. That is a well proven design.
I would pickup the BL, save the difference as seed money. 1000's, heck probably more like 100,000's still use their BL600 as a main gigging amp and have never "upgraded"

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by B-string

I know very little about the Goldline 500, whether it uses the MB or Fusion power amp. They were/are not an "open market" amp head. The BL600 uses the same power amp as the 400RB series which is based on the 800RB's 300 watt power amp. That is a well proven design.
I would pickup the BL, save the difference as seed money. 1000's, heck probably more like 100,000's still use their BL600 as a main gigging amp and have never "upgraded"

Alright sweet Thanks for the intel ;D Im going to stop by GC tomorrow see if i cant get them to bring both of them in and test em out

[B-string]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Alright sweet Thanks for the intel ;D Im going to stop by GC tomorrow see if i cant get them to bring both of them in and test em out

Excellent plan YOUR ears will be the best test.

[LanOsb133]

Originally Posted by B-string

Excellent plan YOUR ears will be the best test.

Lets just hope they will bring in both heads

[B-string]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Lets just hope they will bring in both heads

You're buying, if they want to sell they will (and that is their business to sell).

[randysmojo]

I tried a Gold Line 500 out at a Guitar Center quite a while back and got a really great tone out of it without much work. Very surprised in a good way. Don't know about any issues with them, but have heard bad things about the backline series.

[hoshbrown41]

I ran a Backline 600 for a while and it was pretty meh. After a couple of years it started making weird sounds, fading out, etc, so I got rid of it asap.

FWIW my first amp was also a Backline combo that died after a few years as well.

So my experience is that if you want GK, go for the top of the line and nothing else. Even then, I'd still avoid it.