GK Grind and Tone with a bit of warmth?

powellmacaque · #1 07-09-2010, 01:22 AM

I have an original 700RB and I really love it's tone and it's just a great amp. It is, however, around a decade old and I'd like to use it as my recording head so I can always preserve this tone on my recordings.

I am in the market for both a smaller amp and a newer "big rig" amp. The tone I hear in my head is clear and defined (not scooped at all!) but "pillowy" and room filling. Do I need tubes for that? I was thinking about the Fusion 550, but I can't find one to play and haven't been able to find any audio samples (if anybody can provide one, that'd be great). I play rock/punk/folk, so I want something with a bit of grit, but not lacking in the low end, and sorry to the jazz/r&b guys, but I can't stand scooped tones. I live in the low-mid range. So would the GK Fusion be a good choice for a warm yet clear amp? How about the 800RB or 1001RB... or even the 700RB-II? Any other similarly priced (under $1k) products to look for? I'm really looking for something close to this tone (note: modern country music warning!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcYpjINr0P0

Also I'm in the market for either a small combo or head/cab package. I obviously already like the GK tone, but I really haven't been able to play much else. I can say that my favorite "other" brands so far have been Hartke and Ampeg, I don't know if that's odd to like these three brands, but it's what is pleasing to me. I don't like a hi-fi tone, I prefer something a little bit more rock sounding. Is the GK 115 combo a good choice? Or any other GK product (such as the other members of the MB family)? What else would you guys suggest? I'm not a huge fan of Markbass or Genz Benz, I like a bit more grit in my tone, but I'm open to about anything else.

Thanks ahead of time.

jelwood · #2 07-09-2010, 02:57 AM

Haven't heard of one person who's been disappointed with their fusion yet.

Edit: GK amps are perhaps not the warmest out there, but Bob claims they have been "getting warmer over time." So it would make sense to get something relatively new by them, hence the Fusion.

jhines · #3 07-09-2010, 07:59 AM

Well, FWIW, the Aldean bassist appears to be using an Aguilar rig with a Lakland jazz bass - maybe something for you to look into. Though, honestly, I would be surprised if he is actually "using" it given that this is performed on a "live" TV show, it appears he has a peddle board, and the amps aren't mic'ed.

Also, I think that song is probably one of the more original sounding modern country songs. I like the use of the chunky Mesa tone on the rhythm guitar mixed with the clarity of banjo. Not a lot of country cats using Mesa.

powellmacaque · #4 07-09-2010, 10:55 AM

I do like that song actually, I just know a lot of guys hate country. I used to, but then I worked for a modern country artist and that changed my mind quite a bit.

The Aguilar does sound nice, but is really out of my price range for right now. And I don't want that tone exactly, but I want a nice blend of that smoothness and the GK grind that everybody loves.

Are the preamp tubes what "warms up" an amp? I really don't know how tubes work, I've played my 700RB since 2005 and I started playing bass in 2003, so I've really only used one amp my entire life and never really looked into anything else.

Cristo · #5 07-09-2010, 10:59 AM

If you really love the 700RB, but need more amps, why not get more 700RBs?

powellmacaque · #6 07-09-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristo

If you really love the 700RB, but need more amps, why not get more 700RBs?

I'd like to try something different for a while. I'm getting a great tone out of it, but I'd like to have something a bit warmer. I'm sending the 700RB to GK to get a good once-over and upgraded for an extra 100W like the 700RB-II

Adam Wright · #7 07-09-2010, 11:20 AM

I play in a Texas "red-dirt" country band and my 4th of July gig had a backlined GK700RB-II through an Ampeg 810 and it was just crushing. Big warm fat tone. The Ampeg really seemed to smooth out the GK brightness. Matched together it was just perfect. I'm in love with that setup now.

agreatheight · #8 07-09-2010, 11:26 AM

Fusion 550.

I am a long time GK player, 400RB, then 800RB, now 700RB. I recently played the Fusion 550 and I really liked it. It will be my next purchase. Had the same overall GK tone with a little extra warmth.

**lowfreqgeek** · #9 07-09-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhines

Well, FWIW, the Aldean bassist appears to be using an Aguilar rig with a Lakland jazz bass - maybe something for you to look into. Though, honestly, I would be surprised if he is actually "using" it given that this is performed on a "live" TV show, it appears he has a peddle board, and the amps aren't mic'ed.

The bass is a Sadowsky and the amp behind the bassist (left side of the drums as viewed from the stage) has a mic on the cab. Looks like a GS-series cab.

That is a great tone, though. I want...

Nedmundo · #10 07-09-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

I'd like to try something different for a while. I'm getting a great tone out of it, but I'd like to have something a bit warmer. I'm sending the 700RB to GK to get a good once-over and upgraded for an extra 100W like the 700RB-II

If the upgrade includes the re-voiced EQ of the 700RB-II, you will get a much warmer sounding amp than your original-spec 700RB. I have both, and the Mk. II is warmer, deeper, and much more powerful than the 100 watt difference indicates.

NicJimBass · #11 07-09-2010, 12:03 PM

A big +1 for the Fusion... awesome amp. I only moved mine once I tried an MB2-500... smaller footprint, comparable power, and the tone was extremely similar, if not identical.

georgestrings · #12 07-09-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

If the upgrade includes the re-voiced EQ of the 700RB-II, you will get a much warmer sounding amp than your original-spec 700RB. I have both, and the Mk. II is warmer, deeper, and much more powerful than the 100 watt difference indicates.

+1...

- georgestrings

jhines · #13 07-09-2010, 12:16 PM

Sorry to the Sadowsky fans for mis-ID'ing the bass. I was doing two things and once and only noticed part of the headstock. As for the amp mic'ing, I saw what looked like a mic on the the smaller of the Aguilar rigs but thought it looked more like a shadow from the drum kit overhead - apologies for anything misleading.

To the question about tubes warming things up, yes. I have a Genz Benz with tube and SS preamp stages and use the on/off/combine functions live to warm up or high-fi the sound (with no EQ change). Honestly, though, I doubt anyone but me notices this subtle difference. If an amp is all tube, you would likely notice more low mids and a bigger, softer feeling low end (pillowy).

I will agree as said above, if you like you GK, you may want to look into a sealed 8x10 cabinet like the Ampeg 810E/AV, Bergantino NV-series, or Peavey VB-810 as it will cut some highs (no tweeter) and give a new presence to your low mids.

In any case, I hope you find the tone you seek - it is all of our goals...fitting the puzzle pieces together to make the sound we hear in our head.

**lowfreqgeek** · #14 07-09-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhines

Sorry to the Sadowsky fans for mis-ID'ing the bass. I was doing two things and once and only noticed part of the headstock. As for the amp mic'ing, I saw what looked like a mic on the the smaller of the Aguilar rigs but thought it looked more like a shadow from the drum kit overhead - apologies for anything misleading.

No offense taken here. I'd be happy with either a Sadowsky or a Lakland, or a Lull, or an Alleva-Coppolo or ____.

And you could be right about the "mic". But I still think it is a mic, but I only saw one shot that convinced me it was a mic.

It's all good, and kinda not a big deal, anyway.

SC Bassboy · #15 07-09-2010, 12:45 PM

Just once I would like to run across the GK fusion so I can test drive it. Keep hearing great things about them.

tombowlus · #16 07-09-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Bassboy

Just once I would like to run across the GK fusion so I can test drive it. Keep hearing great things about them.

Well, this isn't the best clip, being at NAMM and all, but you can hear the Fusion 550 and MB Fusion briefly in this video.

Tom.

Vic Winters · #17 07-09-2010, 04:25 PM

Have you tried any of the Tech 21 Character Series pedals?

**crustychef** · #18 07-09-2010, 05:35 PM

I play a 700 rbII through a TC RS212 and when I want to warm it up a bit I add little with my SVT preamp model on my Boss GT-10B. You could do the same with a VT bass pedal.
Huge warm aggressive sound with lots of low mids and tons of power. I play crunchy prog/garage rockish whatever you want to call it music. My Warwicks help with the tone quite bit too.
I'm really curious about MB Fusion. I've been looking for a back up head and figured I'd go light weight. Any one have any experience with these?
Sounds pretty good in this clip although it is way to short and not diverse enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsaoxD4BYws

lbwdog · #19 07-09-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

I was thinking about the Fusion 550, but I can't find one to play and haven't been able to find any audio samples (if anybody can provide one, that'd be great).

Try calling Guitar Center in Mobile. I think I saw one last time I was in there.

powellmacaque · #20 07-09-2010, 05:49 PM

To the guys who own a Fusion: can I get a nice overdriven tone out of this amp? I have an ODB-3 that I like for the "in your face" overdrive, but I'd like my two channels to be "warm and fat" and "grind with some crunch", is that possible?