NAD GK 400rb 200w

Brendan5 · #1 02-12-2011, 09:38 AM

Just got it off of cl for 180. This thing is one of the older ones, but pristine! I haven't played it much but will take it to practice tonight. Pics from the seller.

husky123 · #2 02-12-2011, 09:49 AM

I loved the sound of those 400rb's back in the day. Classic GK tone. Congrats!

Bill Whitehurst · #3 02-12-2011, 09:55 AM

I have one of those.
It's only 200W into a 4 ohm load.
It's 120 into 8 ohms.
Don't worry, it's a loud 120W!

You will want to get a footswitch for the boost section, on the right.
It has that G-K grit/warmth with it on, but with it off,
it can also be pretty clean,
which is another great sound to have 'in yer toolbox'.

It sounds like you got a nice one at a decent price.
Congrats!

Calaverasgrande · #4 02-12-2011, 10:40 AM

score, best cheap amp out there!

Brendan5 · #5 02-12-2011, 11:19 AM

Thanks guys. The serial is 123768 can anyone date it?

cableguy · #6 02-12-2011, 11:27 AM

I've been thinking of picking one of these up for the fearful 12/6 I'm building. It seems silly for mr to carry a rack amp that will weigh more than my cab. I had a 400RB back in the 90's and loved it. You'll hear a lot of people say this but I wish I would have never sold it. Cangrats on your "new" amp.

Brendan5 · #7 02-13-2011, 01:06 AM

Got to dial it in and it was oh so nice. After we played, pegged the boost and master, and used the volume to throttle it down at about 3:00.. nice GNR sound even at quiet volume. Lots of grind and growl. Had to use the input pad with the VM jag.

Brendan5 · #8 02-15-2011, 01:11 AM

From the gig last night...

Vanni · #9 02-15-2011, 04:30 AM

that GK400 should be an RBII, with 240W.

Brendan5 · #10 02-15-2011, 07:50 AM

Nah it's the second version of the regular one, or the mk ii if you will. 200w, same controls as the first one with modular power cord.

Anyone get any use out of the direct out? I was talking to a friend in a big local band that used to have one and he said it is better to just di cause the direct out doesn't sound like the amp.

garagebassman · #11 02-15-2011, 11:22 AM

I don't know for sure where the line out is in the chain, but I know it was a very low level signal from mine (86). One soundman told me it was cutting out, so i had it checked out and some resolders done, but even afterwards, it seemed to require a lot of level boost at the board end to get signal.
I'm still not certain if THAT sound guy was really on his "game", but I haven't had occaion to use the line out since.

I do LOVE the tone of that amp though ! They are keepers for sure congrats !

Brendan5 · #12 02-15-2011, 03:57 PM

That sounds about right. Thanks.

Standalone · #13 02-15-2011, 06:50 PM

I just bought one used at the local shop, but the ground plug was defeated, so I had them just send it right in to their shop for a free replacement of the plug. So my NAD must wait...

...I have an 800RB, but I get the idea that I might enjoy pushing this amp wide open rather than holding back my 800.

iamdenialNJ · #14 02-15-2011, 09:17 PM

I just sold one of these earlier today. Super loud 200 watts!! It was louder than my friends ampeg svt-450h and much much better tone by a long shot.

AlPBass · #15 02-15-2011, 10:16 PM

Congrats on the amp. Got one of those myself, but the one where the grey goes up onto part of the top panel too. I think it's one of the best old solid-state amps you can get. I've played an old Peavey and an old Fender BXR and the GK 400RB was miles better than both of them. It even gives some new solid-state amps a run for their money, like the aforementioned SVT-450.

Standalone · #16 02-16-2011, 04:46 AM

Yeah, the one I picked up last night killed the whole music store run through an SWR 410. Now I have to wait a few weeks while It's put on a truck to my local chain's (Daddy's Junky) repair shop....

Brendan5 · #17 02-16-2011, 04:58 AM

Must be the first one with the attached cord then? Seems strange to wait weeks for a cord.

A tad surprised to find upright players using these. Does the boost or growl do anything for you? What style music?

AlPBass · #18 02-16-2011, 06:39 AM

The boost gives you some dirt when you crank the gain. It also helps to turn up the high mids to make the grit more evident without blasting the volume. And if you've got your gain lower, the boost gives you a bit more volume and presence. Very useful feature on GK amps, and one that makes the amps quite versatile. I usually keep the boost up about 1/3 of the way the whole time.

Standalone · #19 02-17-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan5

Must be the first one with the attached cord then? Seems strange to wait weeks for a cord.

A tad surprised to find upright players using these. Does the boost or growl do anything for you? What style music?

"Daddys" is a local New England / Upstate NY chain that does a lot of used stuff. They have a central repair place and a truck that makes the rounds to the stores and up to the shop. Usually takes two rounds w/the truck to get something. NBD.

I love my 800RB w/my upright. The 1 MOhm input resistance is ideal for passive magnetic p/ups in an electric bass, and really great for running a piezo on an upright-- no preamp necessary.

a little boost, maybe 9:00 on my 800 actually warms up the harsh BP100 piezo that I run on my DB, and makes everything hold together pretty well.

I think I'd probably run less boost on the 400, but I'll be experimenting with it to see what's up.

I certainly don't get a studio-like microphone-ish "my-bass-but-louder" tone from this setup, but it is quite musical. Not to mention cheap and convenient!