NAD: GK 1001RB-II

**lowfreqgeek** · #1 09-15-2010, 01:07 AM

This evening I picked up a nearly mint GK 1001RB-II off Craigslist for $300 (don't worry, the seller was legit). I took a G&L L2500 fretless to test it out, and the seller had it plugged into an Ampeg 6-10 cab with Eminence drivers installed.

Dang! Wow!

It sounded, dare I say, phenomenal. I didn't have much time to mess with it tonight through my own cabs (Epifani UL112s), but I did a quick A/B with the GK into 1 UL112 and my UL502 into the other (same) cab. Definitely more bite and presence in the GK, all set flat. The BOOST adds some nice growl and upper harmonics without really changing the EQ/flat sound at all. The contour is nicely done. Didn't really touch the EQ, but I'll get to that.

The Epifani isn't going anywhere, but my SWR Bass 350 might. Love that little amp, but it's a bit underpowered with 1 8ohm cab, and it runs HOT at 4 ohms at the level I usually use it. I figured I'd pick up the GK, give it a run for a few weeks, and sell it for a good price to someone else.

Maybe not now?

I do have a few questions for you GK-savvy folks: 1, How does the DI sound? My frame of reference includes an Avalon U5, Radial JDI, Aguilar DB900, SWR Bass 350, Epifani UL502, and even a so-so Petersen Strobostomp tuner/DI (seldom used). 2, will a standard Speakon cable work into a non-GK cab? I assume it will (full-range output on +1/-1), but why check it out for myself when I can rely on the inter-tubes to tell me?

Overall, it's a very cool amp at a great price and I think I'll keep it around to put it through it's paces on a gig next week, at least.

rpsands · #2 09-15-2010, 01:19 AM

Congrats man! I am a big fan of the Ampeg 6x10 with the 1001 rb II despite not being a huge fan of that cab overall

That's a great deal and a fantastic amp. I've gigged with the 1001rbII's DI many times, and it alway got good reviews from the sound guys. It was in general inferior to the Demeter HBP-1J but superior to everything else I've used.

You can use the 1+/1- speakon cable, that's fine.

wave rider · #3 09-15-2010, 02:19 AM

Nice! Enjoy it, nicely powered unit.

=wr=

**lowfreqgeek** · #4 09-15-2010, 11:56 AM

Thanks!

Gave the GK and Epifani heads a little more workout this morning before work with an EBMM SR5. My 3 year old didn't like either - they interfered with his pre-start-the-day cartoons... But I think the GK is a keeper, for now, at least.

As far as the DI, I pretty much keep the JDI in my bag, and I'll usually have the DB900 on gigs where I know I'll need a DI, but good to know that I could use the built-in GK DI in a pinch.

New gear is fun. Especially when it doesn't break the bank.

J Schroder · #5 09-16-2010, 05:07 PM

The 1001 has replaced my long-standing SWR SM-400S. I love the GK through my AE410. Two sound guys have told me the DI is the most quiet and clean they have ever heard, and that mixing the GK is a dream. Not that making sound guys' life easier is my life's goal or anything, but the GK so far has made FOH relations much more amicable...

John

**lowfreqgeek** · #6 09-16-2010, 11:43 PM

Well, I found one teeny tiny little annoyance with this amp...

The CLIP LED is not working. I can tell when my G&Ls are pushing it and I need to engage the -14dB pad or turn down the input gain, but it would be nice if the LED worked. Is this a common problem with these amps? It's not a big deal at all - certainly not for only paying $300 for it. Though I might've offered a little less had I noticed when I bought it (since I had a G&L with me at the time). Oh well, it's still a cool amp. I'll end up pulling it apart and diagnosing it anyway - I always fix my own gear...

I used it on a rehearsal tonight with 2 Epifani UL112 cabs and an L2500. I didn't tweak much, but it definitely had a different sound than my Epifani. The 502 is so rich and creamy, with just enough midrange to make every note on the neck heard in the mix. The GK sounded great, but I'll have to learn how to tweak it. Overall, I loved having the headroom (similar to the UL502, but way more than my Bass 350) and the quick attack of the GK.

I'm considering adding another cab at some point. Perhaps a Bergantino NV215, or another Epifani sump'n'r other. Hmm...

somedumbguy · #7 09-16-2010, 11:58 PM

I have the GK1001 and an ampeg 610, and that rig kills. I mean it has a HUGE sound.

Anyways, I've done some studio work with the GK DI and the engineers there loved it. And I've never had a problem with it either.

ljazz · #8 09-17-2010, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

Well, I found one teeny tiny little annoyance with this amp...

The CLIP LED is not working. I can tell when my G&Ls are pushing it and I need to engage the -14dB pad or turn down the input gain, but it would be nice if the LED worked. Is this a common problem with these amps? It's not a big deal at all - certainly not for only paying $300 for it. Though I might've offered a little less had I noticed when I bought it (since I had a G&L with me at the time). Oh well, it's still a cool amp. I'll end up pulling it apart and diagnosing it anyway - I always fix my own gear...

I used it on a rehearsal tonight with 2 Epifani UL112 cabs and an L2500. I didn't tweak much, but it definitely had a different sound than my Epifani. The 502 is so rich and creamy, with just enough midrange to make every note on the neck heard in the mix. The GK sounded great, but I'll have to learn how to tweak it. Overall, I loved having the headroom (similar to the UL502, but way more than my Bass 350) and the quick attack of the GK.

I'm considering adding another cab at some point. Perhaps a Bergantino NV215, or another Epifani sump'n'r other. Hmm...

There is no input gain on the GK heads. The input volume is actually preamp gain, and there is no clip light for the pre clipping. The clip light is purely input. So you were clipping the pre, but not the input. I find the preamp stays "stout" when you keep the vol knob below noon (I actually keep it at 11:00 or less). Much higher, and it starts to breakup...... and with the GK's, I find that to be very shrill.

The only way to adjust your input gain is to engage/disengage the pad, or adjust the volume/gain on what you have plugged into the head (bass, compressor, effects).

As far as another cab, don't rule out a GK..... being able to utilize the HMS is a sweet thing.

**lowfreqgeek** · #9 09-17-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

There is no input gain on the GK heads. The input volume is actually preamp gain, and there is no clip light for the pre clipping. The clip light is purely input. So you were clipping the pre, but not the input. I find the preamp stays "stout" when you keep the vol knob below noon (I actually keep it at 11:00 or less). Much higher, and it starts to breakup...... and with the GK's, I find that to be very shrill.

The only way to adjust your input gain is to engage/disengage the pad, or adjust the volume/gain on what you have plugged into the head (bass, compressor, effects).

As far as another cab, don't rule out a GK..... being able to utilize the HMS is a sweet thing.

Thanks for the explanation. This is my first experience with a GK head (aside from my kids' Backline 110 that I occasionally use for itty-bitty gigs).

I'm used to the UL502 and SWR clip-indication circuits, which do respond to changes in the input gain knob.

If I can find a good cab for cheap (GK or otherwise), I may pick it up. I missed out on a Mesa PH210 for $125 by just minutes a few days ago. DOH!!!!