Low end GK vs. older Crate?

spinnerrulz94 · #1 10-29-2011, 01:19 PM

Right now I have two GK 410 cabs and the backline 600 head. Cabs are backline also. Was thinking about trading it all in and getting a crate bt350 head and an older Crate 810 cab. Thoughts?

danomite64 · #2 10-29-2011, 02:03 PM

I'm not too familiar with the Backline series, but I cannot imagine a Crate bass rig's an upgrade to anything (except maybe a Behringer).

spinnerrulz94 · #3 10-29-2011, 02:08 PM

Why all the crate hate on here? I must be the only one who likes crate amps...

jastacey · #4 10-29-2011, 02:15 PM

I have the Crate BT-350 head and it's a nice sounding amp .... it has a tube preamp and if you have a good cabinet ( I use a Berg 610 ) it's plenty for most small to medium gigs, those amps were made along side the Ampegs in the SLM factory of that era .... I will say that the Crate BT-350, the one with the white & black graphic's are the preferred one to get, from what I've heard the blue black & white does has some issues, all in all, it's a good 350 watt bass head .... as to the Crate speaker cabinet, haven't played one so I can't say .... listen with your ears.....not your eyes

JonnyAngle · #5 10-29-2011, 02:18 PM

The bl600 is a good amp. I would definitely get some new cabs. The bl cabs are not optionral, but the 600 should last a while. Id get some "good" used cabs and upgrade the head later

RickenBoogie · #6 10-29-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyAngle

The bl600 is a good amp. I would definitely get some new cabs. The bl cabs are not optionral, but the 600 should last a while. Id get some "good" used cabs and upgrade the head later

THIS. Keep your head, get better spkr cabs, don't waste your money on Crate gear, it's good for what it is, but not an improvement over what you've already got.

madmartyr17 · #7 10-29-2011, 05:20 PM

This is a hard one for me. I currently play on Crate Amps, and I love them. But it's my goal to play on GK amps. Honestly, I'd say keep the head, get the cab and replace the speakers.

bassgod0dmw · #8 10-29-2011, 05:44 PM

I've never played through a Crate that I liked. I'd stick with the GK.

agent77 · #9 10-30-2011, 01:45 PM

I used to own a Crate BX-410 cab. I did some research on it and heard from more than one source that it was made by Ampeg. My buddy that's been playing for 15+ years borrrowed it and liked it so much that he didn't want to give it back. I was kinda forced to sell it to him. No, it doesn't compare to a $1000 cab, but IMHO it's pretty decent for budget gear.

scottfeldstein · #10 10-30-2011, 02:42 PM

I haven't owned any of these items--so take this for what it's worth--but trading two GK backline 410s for a Crate 810 seems like a foolish waste of time to me.

Yes, I've heard that the backline stuff doesn't represent GKs most shining moment. On the other hand, can these cabs be significantly worse than those of a brand which has no shining moments at all?

Maybe we're rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, here. If you're going to change out part of your rig, make it a significant jump in quality--or don't do it at all.