GK middle weight battle: 800rb, 700rb, or Fusion 550?

powellmacaque · #1 12-29-2010, 11:51 PM

So I traded in my 700rb (mk-I) for the lightweight mb115 a few months back. I was doing mostly jazz and pit gigs and I really had no use for my full stack.

Now that I'm back in a punk band, I kind of regret trading my amp in... I'm really missing all that tone and loudness.

I'll be playing punk in a rather loud band competing with a heavy-sticked drummer and two 100W guitar amps.

I'm familiar with the way the 700rb sounds and I'd enjoy the newer amps even more due to an increase in volume (100W more than my old model). I would also like to consider something like the 800rb or the Fusion 550. I know all the amps kind of have their own thing going (800rb has the "true" bi-amping and the Fusion has tubes) but what amp has more GK grind and growl at club level/small festival level volumes? Do the tubes in the 550 make it a considerably better amp?

Any other opinions are greatly appreciated.

rpsands · #2 12-29-2010, 11:53 PM

MB500.

powellmacaque · #3 12-30-2010, 12:27 AM

Call me vein, but there's just something a little more rock 'n roll about rolling up to a gig with a head that's logo is visible from over 5 feet away.

I'm going to be pushing larger cabs than the little MBX or MBE cabs, probably Neo 212 (eventually a pair) or maybe 2 Neo 115s. So it'd look a bit odd having the small head up there, but that's just me.

silky smoove · #4 12-30-2010, 01:55 AM

If we're comparing things to the 700, which you've already owned, I would say that the 800 is on the brighter, more aggressive side of things, whereas the Fusion 550 is more on the bigger, fatter side of things. The 550 can definitely be pushed to get some overdrive from the preamp tubes, but it seems to excel at the warm and fat thing to my ears. For punk, I would absolutely love an 800rb. Aggressive, tight, clear and just a little bit grindy. Perfect punk sound with a P-Bass to say the least.

ljazz · #5 12-30-2010, 04:45 AM

I have both the 700rbII, and the rb800...... either is a good choice, although I feel the 700rbII is much more versatile. I've considered the Fusion, but really, can't justify it, especially after hearing the 700 or 800 with a VT pedal in front. If I were in the market for a new head, the Fusion would definitely be the first thing I checked out.

powellmacaque · #6 12-30-2010, 10:17 AM

So the Fusion isn't too aggressive at acceptable volumes (for clubs)?

silky smoove · #7 12-30-2010, 07:52 PM

The Fusion can get aggressive, but it's a very different kind of aggression than the 800. The 800 is very bright and grindy, whereas the Fusion is more of an overdrive coming from breakup in the preamp tubes. It all depends on what you want, but I'll stick with my recommendation of the 800 as being perfect for punk.

Slowgypsy · #8 12-30-2010, 08:38 PM

I've owned and used my RB700-II for several years and can absolutely recommend it. Very, very versatile... but you already know that.

I'd describe the difference between the 700 and the Fusion by saying that in a very general sense, the 700 is very punchy but warm, and the Fusion is very fat sounding. Either amp is a class act.