NAD - GK 400RB

maches · #1 02-20-2011, 09:57 PM

I just got my first real amp today. Physically it has seen some better days. It has scrapes, missing the tops on all the knobs, and was missing a nut and washer (already fixed) on one of the speaker outputs. It sounds awesome though and I got it for a good price ($130). I was in the market for a MB200, but for the price I couldn't pass the 400RB up. I ordered a GK neo112-II to go with it from GC using the 15% off coupon they had running. I also had a $100 gift card I had from Christmas. I ended up spending $225 on the cab after everything. So $355 total for my first rig. I have been using an Acoustic B20 for the last 6 months but I needed something bigger to play with my drummer friend. This is going to be a nice upgrade for me.

Now I just need to wait for that cab to come in the mail.

Caca de Kick · #2 02-21-2011, 01:51 AM

Those old 400RB's really are a great workhorse, and get pretty dang loud. Nice score!

Bill Whitehurst · #3 02-21-2011, 04:43 AM

Contact G-K and tell them you need the gray knob inserts.
They know those things fall out and will send you new ones!
Nice score.

craig.p · #4 02-21-2011, 05:53 AM

Those 400s are nice heads. The fact that yours is scuffed up means it's proved its roadworthiness and should be good to go indefinitely. Also I believe the older 400s were convection-cooled, which means there's no fan+sensor to have problems with. (One less thing to go wrong.) If the Backlines and MB200s had never shown up, I'd have sprung for an early 400 myself.

MtJam · #5 02-21-2011, 06:00 AM

A friend of mine let me use his 400 once for a gig while I was waiting (it took a year!) for my Eden 550 to be repaired. My only other amp at the time was an SVT Classic, which was a bit much to lug out for a small bar gig. The 400 did the job like a champ and sounded great through my Genz Benz Neo 212! I think you'll really like that head. Enjoy!

dune2k · #6 02-21-2011, 06:22 AM

I recently scored a GK 400RB (MK I though) as well. For 105€ (for the amp+2 instrument cables) I couldn't pass the deal. I also missed the nut and washer on one of the speaker outs (how can you lose them?!) and 2 knobs.
If anyone knows where to get those knobs (http://16ohm.co.uk/wp-content/upload.../gallian.jpg): Please tell me! I only found one website where they'd sell a set of 7 knobs for 36$ plus 16 or 17$ shipping to Europe...

Still: Sounds fantastic through my cab.

Btw: If you want a footswitch for the boost feature: Get a SPDT/SPST footswitch, a mono 6.3mm jack and some kind of enclosure+a long enough instrument cable. All it does is connect tip & sleeve to turn the boost off.

BassGreaser · #7 02-21-2011, 07:32 AM

nice score! I also got a 400RB II for on the cheap $175 and it may just end up being my main head for a while as it sounds so good with very little EQing

maches · #8 02-21-2011, 09:40 AM

Thanks for all of the replies. I am getting more and more exited for my cabinet to get here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Whitehurst

Contact G-K and tell them you need the gray knob inserts.
They know those things fall out and will send you new ones!
Nice score.

I emailed the GK parts dept. last night to see if they sell just the tip inserts. Waiting for a reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

Also I believe the older 400s were convection-cooled, which means there's no fan+sensor to have problems with.

Yep, when I opened the amp to replace the washer and nut I noticed there was no fan inside, just that huge heat-sink on the back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dune2k

Btw: If you want a footswitch for the boost feature: Get a SPDT/SPST footswitch, a mono 6.3mm jack and some kind of enclosure+a long enough instrument cable. All it does is connect tip & sleeve to turn the boost off.

Thanks, I will have to make one of those.

dune2k · #9 02-21-2011, 09:46 AM

Keep in mind that it'll be a huge volume drop. It's basically as if you turned down the Boost-pot completely.

T. Alan Smith · #10 02-21-2011, 09:47 AM

Congrats. I regret selling mine.

Din Of Win · #11 02-21-2011, 09:50 AM

I LOVE my GK400rb!!

Happy NAD!

capnjim · #12 02-21-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Whitehurst

Contact G-K and tell them you need the gray knob inserts.
They know those things fall out and will send you new ones!
Nice score.

[/i]

Is this true? Or do I detect a note of sarcasm? My 800RB is missing a few.

maches · #13 02-21-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnjim

[/i]

Is this true? Or do I detect a note of sarcasm? My 800RB is missing a few.

It can't hurt to email them and ask. I will let you know what they tell me. I just asked if they carry them, not if they'll send me some for free.

Wes Whitmore · #14 02-21-2011, 11:12 AM

You can get knobs and caps on the gk online store. They have been slowly updating parts available online.
Wes

aquateen · #15 02-21-2011, 11:14 AM

the knob caps are available. I just bought some for my new-to-me 400RB. something like 90 cents each.

Shazbot · #16 02-21-2011, 11:21 AM

Best workhorse amp in the business.I just sold mine for $300 here in Canada and it was made in 1986!

maches · #17 02-21-2011, 11:21 AM

The knob caps I see on the GK store are listed for the 800RB. Are they the same ones?

aquateen · #18 02-21-2011, 11:22 AM

yes, they're the same.

maches · #19 02-21-2011, 11:24 AM

BTW I think I have mine dated as being built in the 23rd week of 1998. Does that sound right for the model I have? It says 200watt to the left of the 400RB on the front.

aquateen · #20 02-21-2011, 11:30 AM

yes, it does. mine's a '97

these things rock!