GK RB800

[nathan]

Does anybody know how good the old GK amps are?

I've been told to look into an RB 800 and I would be running it out of a GK 410 Backline cab.


Thoughts?

[NicJimBass]

I had a 1984 800RB for a while last year, and I ran it into a 410 RBH. It was cool... good tone. I slightly prefer the newer stuff when it comes to tone, but it was right there with every GK head I've owned. Not sure what the power rating on a Backline cab is, but if it's above 300 watts, you should be golden.

[Honk'n_down-low]

Depends on how well it was cared for - Mine is over 20 years old - making some noise but at Volume you can't hear it.

It is a Classic Amp - when they came out back in the day it was one of the Amps to have. I remember first trying one and it sounded so punchy and clean - I bought it. Still have it today - it has been gigged, used in smoky rehearsal rooms with poor ventilation, stored in the attic, stored in the basement. Last time I put it away it stayed away for about 12years or so - took it out and plugged it in and it keeps on delivering.

I have used it with 15's and an 18 and a 15 - never failed to sound good - DI out to the PA - always got me a great sound FOH. Shop around there are some fairly new ones to be had for good prices. Good luck!

[lbwdog]

Originally Posted by nathan

Does anybody know how good the old GK amps are?

I've been told to look into an RB 800 and I would be running it out of a GK 410 Backline cab.


Thoughts?

My favorite bass head from forty years of bass playing!!
There are many brands and models that I haven't played, but once I tried the 800RB in 1987, I haven't had much need to.

As "Honk'n_down-low" said, it was the amp to have in the late eighties and into the nineties. I did a good bit of concert work with some name artists then, and almost every time, the backline bass rig was an 800RB. It has more volume than you would think, judging by it's published specs, an excellent variable crossover system for those who wish to bi-amp, and a great EQ section.

There are only two niggles I have. One is the tone controls are set up backwards from most other amp makes (from left to right; [treble] [low mids] [high mids] [bass] ). Takes a little getting used to. The other is the fact that older ones seem to have a tad more hiss than some other makes. It's really not a problem though at gig volume, and I've recorded with mine many times as well.

As far as durability, here is an excerpt from a post I made in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I've owned a GK 800RB since 1987 and have used and abused it for seventeen years without a problem. Hurricane Katrina swamped the rehearsal house where my amp gear was stored with 24 feet of saltwater,mud,and no telling what else, for over eight hours. It was over four weeks before I could even get to the site to try and recover anything that might be left. I found the amp coated inside and out with dried mud and corrosion. My new GoliathIII and my EV 1x15 cab was the same with covering coming off and, of course, all speaker cones trashed.
I took my GK amp, removed the top & bottom covers and flushed it out with a garden hose,removing as much mud and gunk as possible. Then I placed it on top of my home air condtioner compressor unit with warm air blowing into it to dry.
Sent it to GK. They called the following week and said "Guess what! Your amp works!" All it needed was one pot, a fuse holder and a good cleaning. Got it back last week and works as good as ever!!
I just wanted to share my experience with you guys as to GK's reliability and customer service !!

[seedokebass]

I bought an older one last summer that echoes what every one else is saying: it is a classic amplifier. Great tone, plenty of output. They are a little hissy, but its manageable. What's even better is you can get used ones dirt cheap! I got mine with a 4U road case for $300!

lbwdog, your story is simply amazing!

[Crabby]

I used one exclusively for almost a decade. it was in perfect mint shape when I "upgraded". I miss that ol GK tone sometimes. A truly classic amp for sure.

[BillyRay]

I have its little brother, the GK400RB, and what they say about the durability and power rating is true.

It's a classic. If the SVt was the 70's amp, the 800RB is probably the 80's amp. Pretty much everyone owned one at one time and another.

[B-string]

Still own mine, replaced the opamps in the preamp to get rid of the hiss after it started to annoy me. G-K sells the whole preamp board for $90 plug and play for those soldering challenged.

[gregwatts2008]

I kave owned the 400RB and the 800RB and I currently own a 1001RB and a 2001RB. I swear by GK.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by B-string

Still own mine, replaced the opamps in the preamp to get rid of the hiss after it started to annoy me. G-K sells the whole preamp board for $90 plug and play for those soldering challenged.

Never heard of doing that. What opamps did you switch to?

I have never owned an RB800, but have rented/used one a few times. I have to roll off the treble a lot for my personal sound, but once I do that, a great amp! And, like others have said, loud for it's official rating.

[shoot-r]

Bought mine new in 1984, it's been in constant use since.
It saw 12 years of over the road touring.
It was used last Fri. and Sat. nights.
It was used last night at rehearsal.
It'll be used this weekend.
It's never went down....never been in a repair shop.

[dmusic148]

I have one. It's very tough, for sure. I used it for maybe ten years before discovering SWR, which, it turns out, I prefer. But a good amp, if you like the sound. Simple, loud, tough.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by seanm

Never heard of doing that. What opamps did you switch to?

I used OPA2134PA's there are closer matches to the originals than the OPA2134PA's.
Note: The hiss only showed up after the input volume was set way to high for active pickups. Being a tech I couldn't leave it alone.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by B-string

I used OPA2134PA's there are closer matches to the originals than the OPA2134PA's.
Note: The hiss only showed up after the input volume was set way to high for active pickups. Being a tech I couldn't leave it alone.

Ah, ok. I only have used passive basses with the RB800. Thanks for the info.... I will save it away "just in case"

[bassplayershane]

I great friend of mine who is in his late 40's has played one for over 20 years. He has spilled beer in it, had smoke coming from it and it still as good as day one!!!!! He uses it with 2 Eden 210XLT cabs and sometimes a 15 inch cab aswell. I have a 1001RB and love it. I wouldn't mind a semi-parametric EQ though.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by nathan

Does anybody know how good the old GK amps are?

I've been told to look into an RB 800 and I would be running it out of a GK 410 Backline cab.


Thoughts?

The 800 RB and the 400 RB are wonderful amps. I've used the 800RB a lot over the years. It's one of the favourite amps supplied as a backline for touring groups.

I owned a 400 RB and used it constantly for almost 20 years. It never let me down and always sounded great. I use a small GK MB150S now. I love it.

The Backline cabinets are GK's budget line of cabinets. You won't get the best out of those amps with them although their 4x10 will do if you don't push it too hard.

If money is important, look at the Backline 600 head though. It's essentially a GK 400 RB and available at a very good price.

[GreaserMatt]

I have 2 friends that have those old 800rb's & they love 'em. I have an old 400rb & it rocks. I like their older stuff alot more than their new stuff...

[Mr_Dave]

My first amp was a GK 400RBIII and i recently just bought an older 800RB. Love it. Very loud for its rated 300watts... run the master high and the gain and boost low and you get a clean tone - crank the boost and the gain and it howls!!! Tough amp and easy to get worked on...

[mungfingers]

my rb 800 i owned 1988 to 1997 was an old model that had the red LEDs and a 2 peace front panel.....
not the flat faced green LED model which afaik is the later model ....fantastic amplifier very versatile
for cab configurations ....i would run 2x15s accoustic cab @4ohms and a laney 4x10 @8ohms
full range ...somtimes bi amped ....I liked full range better

[Filthybass]

Love my gk rb 800..not the hiss,but still really nice