Judgement day: Mesa M2000 vs GK 800RB

JoshuaTSP · #1 10-06-2010, 09:47 AM

Should be quite the fight tonight at rehearsal.....

I've been using the M2000 and a 2x15 cab for over a year now as my main gig amp.

(I play in a stoner/doom type band)

I picked up an 800RB rather cheap this week......thought I'd give it a shot since they seem to be a classic.

With the messing around I did the other day....the 800RB is a solid amp. Extremely flexible. It can turn into any amp you want.

The M2000 has a lot of features, but isn't as flexible.
It's more like 1 good tone per channel, and the ability to tweak that tone to your liking.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Rumblefisher · #2 10-06-2010, 10:06 AM

JoshuaTSP · #3 10-06-2010, 10:12 AM

Rumblefisher · #4 10-06-2010, 10:26 AM

JoshuaTSP · #5 10-06-2010, 10:29 AM

Rumblefisher · #6 10-06-2010, 10:33 AM

JoshuaTSP · #7 10-06-2010, 10:55 AM

Rumblefisher · #8 10-06-2010, 10:59 AM

JoshuaTSP · #9 10-06-2010, 11:02 AM

KsPiNeSh · #10 10-06-2010, 11:02 AM

Rumblefisher · #11 10-06-2010, 11:29 AM

JoshuaTSP · #12 10-06-2010, 11:34 AM

Rumblefisher · #13 10-06-2010, 11:43 AM

Kinda got away from the point of the amp debut.

JoshuaTSP · #14 10-06-2010, 08:43 PM

It sounds a lot like a tube amp.
...but tighter.

The sub low end is slightly attenuated, IMO....like an older tube amp....but the lower mids/upper lows are thick as hell. punchy.

The RB had a lot more higher end/higher mid than the M2000 too......something I had been missing for a long time.
That snappy pick attack with my Jazz was sweet.
I totally understand what the GK grind is all about also.
I could feel the waves of sound filling the entire room.

Overall I'm really happy with the 800RB.....
I'm thinking about making it my main amp?
Just have to make some rack ears for it.....or make a foam case for the RB to fit in my "cord" suitcase.

I really don't need a rack since I use a pedal tuner. I don't need a compressor, rack tuner, or power conditioner. I don't think I'd need to footswitch the boost control on the RB either.
Set the amp and forget it.

I will have to deal with finding a decent OD tone and FUZZ.
Pretty sure I got the doom fuzz taken care of.......The OD is a little more sensitive.
I liked the RAT with clean blend (nasty)....the TS9DLX would be decent too....but I haven't tried it.

JoshuaTSP · #15 10-07-2010, 08:30 AM

Rumblefisher · #16 10-07-2010, 08:32 AM

JoshuaTSP · #17 10-07-2010, 08:34 AM

JoshuaTSP · #18 10-07-2010, 08:37 AM

I'm debating whether or not to use my 4U rack case with the 800RB or just put it in a foam filled suitcase.....along with some spare mics, cords and stuff......

Ditching the rack would be nice....since it's freaking huge....but keeping the rack would protect the amp a lot better.

shoot-r · #19 10-07-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

I'm debating whether or not to use my 4U rack case with the 800RB or just put it in a foam filled suitcase.....along with some spare mics, cords and stuff......

Ditching the rack would be nice....since it's freaking huge....but keeping the rack would protect the amp a lot better.

And, something you might want to add..........go to Walmart or Radio Shack..........pick-up a cheap little 4" or so fan..........rig it up to blow on the back cooling fins.
IMHO, This'll solve the G.K. 800's only design flaw. No fan cooling.
When I bought my 800 new 27 years ago that was the first thing I did, and I credit that fan to my 800's problem free longevity.

JoshuaTSP · #20 10-07-2010, 05:34 PM

Hmmm....I'll have to look into that. thanks.

After a 3 hour rehearsal, it was fairly warm.