GK RB heads, why are they so cheap?

Murph_Orpheus · #1 04-06-2010, 07:39 PM

Now I don't mean cheap in quality or tone or anything, but simply in price compared to others on the market like the Ampeg SVT series and Aggies etc. Obviously a lot of people on here stand by them firmly and there's huge love for them, so how come they're priced lower than the others if they're of such quality? Is there something that doesn't make them better than say a Genz Benz 750 or an Aggie 500? Again this isn't a knock on GK heads, as I'm actually thinking of picking up a 1001rb soon, just a general question that's been floating about in my head

Amitio · #2 04-06-2010, 07:46 PM

Its more likely that the others you mentioned are Expensive.

Murph_Orpheus · #3 04-06-2010, 07:51 PM

Ok that's a fair enough point, people can buy the GK's due to them being cheaper. But it's not quite what I'm getting at. If they're quality is so good how come they're priced a fair bit cheaper than the others on the market when they're not considered budget gear by any means?

Gearhead43 · #4 04-06-2010, 07:57 PM

In my opinion, alot of those "boutiquey" brands are just overpriced, period.

Bob Gallien, IMO, has alway kept the working Joe musician in mind when designing his products. He really seems to think of ways to keep the costs down (and does!) without sacrificing what a working musician needs. He thinks like a bass player, IMO.

GK amps have ALWAYS been "lightweight" compared to the competition way before all this weight stuff became trendy. The head enclosures were made from sturdy sheet metal (instead of cheap ass wood) so they could last on the road. How many ancient beat-to-hell 800RBs have we all seen that are still rocking night after night?

GK amps were always WAY louder than they should be for their claimed wattage, and also very reliable. Sure, some products have had issues, but such a small percentage of the millions and millions of amps sold.

When you nail down a solid following of millions of hardcore GK fans all over the world, over decades of consistantly good products with a signature sound and familiar EQ and controls - that helps you keep the cost down too unless you just get greedy.

There have been lots of guys here on TB who have left GK, only to come back to stay years later after dealing with the other crap companies lousy service and overpriced products.

I think the praise GK gets here on TB is damn well deserved, and I would also like to thank GK once again for making great amps that guys like me can afford and enjoy.

My fitty cents.

Kenner · #5 04-06-2010, 08:00 PM

People are really good at spending money to "say" they spent more money.......

"I sure love those GK's, and everyone else does too, but if I spend "just" 200 more, I could have X...."

Oh yeah...I have a GK........and saved the difference towards another bass

meatwad · #6 04-06-2010, 08:00 PM

I wondered the same thing when I purchased my GK400RB back in the 90's, but I soon stopped worrying so much about that when it insisted on breaking down every couple of months. The certified GK tech who repaired it (twice) said they definitely used some cheaper components than other high-end amp makers, and the second time in the shop, he "upgraded" several parts at GK's expense. He wouldn't tell me exactly what he did, but it certainly sounded deeper and louder.

Don't get me wrong, I loved that unreliable POS. It played MANY gigs all over the southeast, and sounded great doing it, even in it's stock condition. I've even considered the 700RBII lately as an alternative to my massive SVT-CL, of which has been less than perfect in it's own construction.

I'll finish by saying GK is my second favorite bass amp, based on personal experience. I'd probably take my CL along as a backup if I were to gig one much, though.

**ExaltBass** · #7 04-06-2010, 08:04 PM

Perceived value??? There's lots of love for G-K here (I'm a fan..1001RBII)

mrkreuzschlitz · #8 04-06-2010, 08:24 PM

They understand that if you make a product as good or better than the next, and it's cheaper, you'll probably sell a good bit more.

The guys at GK make REALLY good stuff and price it fairly. The Ampeg B2-re is not nearly as good or loud as the 1001RBII, but for the longest time, they were the same price. Hmm... go figure.

Livewire · #9 04-06-2010, 08:46 PM

I have a RB700II and I love the thing to pieces. Versatile tone, and at a great price. Ampeg's are way over price IMO and will always be because they're the standard today. I actually like their cabs, but I'm not a fan of their heads. I've played Ampeg B2R's and SVT pro's at studios and they clip way too easily, I feel limited tone wise for some reason. I've tried GK backline, RB, and RBII series at studios and they've always cut through the mix and I get a great tone.

I guess it demands on personal taste. They are cheaper compared to other brands, but they are reliable amps and have a great customer service.

JimiLL · #10 04-06-2010, 08:46 PM

Ampeg and Aggie- Lots of money for the product, but a good product nonetheless.

Genz.... The BEST for the money on the market, period.

Ive tried some GK stuff, was never a fan though

rptrsn2 · #11 04-06-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

Genz.... The BEST for the money on the market, period.

one persons opinion, period! gk simply proves how many amps out there are overpriced. in my opinion gk is the best out there for the money. theres alot of great amps out there and you can spend as much as you want but gk gives you top quality at a reasonable price.

powellmacaque · #12 04-06-2010, 09:21 PM

I think it's because GK knows that more people are willing to drop under $2k for solid gear.

I also think that since GK has more market presence (they're in practically every GC and SamAsh I've ever been in) they can lower prices and make money. Sure Ampeg is seen everywhere, but I know if I was in the market for a new amp, I'd look at the availability and price of a GK (compared to Ampeg) and immediately plug in. While the "this is expensive, it MUST be good" mentality is very apparent, I think the "why do I need to pay $2000 for an amp?" mentality is just as, if not more, apparent.

What other company sells their "flagship" models for under $1500? The 2001RB (which is a MAMMOTH head for only $1300), the Fusion 550 ($950) the 1001RB ($750), and the legendary 800rb ($800) are all very affordable and very available.

I also think GK keeps it's prices low and keeps a relative consistency across it's entire line. Yes, the BLX and GLX series are without many of the features as the rest of the cabs, but I don't think of them as cheaper versions enticing people to buy the more expensive models later; so much as I think of them as "no frills" versions of the more expensive models. Since their line isn't watered down with crap, people know when they plug into a GK, no matter what price range, they're going to get something solid.

That said, can I have my endorsement now Mr. Gallien?

Jaco who? · #13 04-06-2010, 10:10 PM

I won't even pretend to know how GK does the budget for the different lines of amps they sell, but the R&D cost for the RB series was probably paid for a long time ago, they haven't changed ownership a gazzillion times, and they've managed to run things responsibly enough to pass the savings on.

BassPlayer3187 · #14 04-06-2010, 10:17 PM

[quote=meatwad;8952399]I wondered the same thing when I purchased my GK400RB back in the 90's, but I soon stopped worrying so much about that when it insisted on breaking down every couple of months. The certified GK tech who repaired it (twice) said they definitely used some cheaper components than other high-end amp makers, and the second time in the shop, he "upgraded" several parts at GK's expense. QUOTE]

I don't know if it matters or not, but just keep in mind that the 400RB is the lowest and cheapest in the RB series. I have had a 700RBII for almost 4 years now without a single problem. One of the main reasons I decided to go with GK at the time was because it was about as much for my whole rig as it would've been for the ampeg head alone (using ampeg just as an example). However I don't feel that by choosing the GK I have sacrificed anthing tone wise or overall sound quality. I have tried many other heads since buying this one, including SVT's and have always come back to my original choice, the 700RBII. I am considering getting a GK hybrid 550, those sound awesome!

JimmyM · #15 04-06-2010, 10:21 PM

gk is a very good value for the money, no doubt. not my favorite brand of amp but they're generally very solid and sound good.

**B-string** · #16 04-06-2010, 10:22 PM

G-K also doesn't "give" a lot of equipment out just to have it seen on stage. You and I pay in the end for all the sweetheart give aways. Food for thought?

rptrsn2 · #17 04-06-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

That said, can I have my endorsement now Mr. Gallien?

Hey,my post was first,get in line!

powellmacaque · #18 04-06-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rptrsn2

Hey,my post was first,get in line!

Haha fine fine. Heck I'll buy my own amps and cabs, I just need a steady supply of castors.

But, to brown nose even more to Mr. Gallien, what other bass amp company that moves as much volume as GK has their CEO (or whatever his title may be) actually post on TB?

JimmyM · #19 04-06-2010, 11:52 PM

larry hartke's just started coming on. dave boonshoft of aguilar is a regular poster. almost all big companies have some sort of presence on here, though it varies who's doing it and how often. but you're right...not a lot of ceo's of the big companies on here. then again, if i was a ceo, i don't think i could handle doing this and a 24/7 job running a big company.

powellmacaque · #20 04-06-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

larry hartke's just started coming on. dave boonshoft of aguilar is a regular poster. almost all big companies have some sort of presence on here, though it varies who's doing it and how often. but you're right...not a lot of ceo's of the big companies on here. then again, if i was a ceo, i don't think i could handle doing this and a 24/7 job running a big company.

True. Actually talked to Larry back when I owned Hartke stuff. Cool dude. But I don't think Aguilar and Hartke are nearly as high volume as GK, but I could be mistaken.