New vs. Old GK 800rb

[ledyard]

What were the apx years for these generations (new version and old)and what are the differences between the two? If any?

I had an issue with my SVP at rehearsal the other night and had to shut it off. I was using my Cirrus which wasnt sounding as good as I'de hoped through the ampeg(my P bass however sounds awsome through the SVP). I grabbed an old GK 800rb that was also there(not mine) and plugged my Cirrus into that and it sounded friggin awsome. Pretty much ran everything at around noon.

Thinking of picking one up or possibly a 1001rbII to use in the band I use the Cirrus with. Since the older 800's can be had pretty cheap.

Any things that were issues with these heads to watch out for?

[nitsuj]

Anything to watch out for???

Yeah...
They might literally rock your ballz right off!

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

I can't think of any. GK and especially the old 800's are pretty darn reliable and versatile. Of course with an older head there is a risk of it dying, but it is low and not much more of a chance than a newer head. About the only thing I can think of is if the previous owner had abused it much.

[ledyard]

I pretty much figured GK was G2G with their track record on reliability. I passed up a 92' for a good deal because I figured that had gotten played really hard since new and my luck I would be the one that it dies on.

Are there any differences between the new ones and the old ones (90's)?

[Standalone]

Pure conjecture:

I can only compare my very old 400RB (picked up two weeks ago) with my somewhat newer 800RB, which I've gigged over the past year. They are very similar amps, so the comparison may be worthwhile.

The 400 is a little noisier-- I'm guessing that the filter caps are older and could use replacement. I don't expect catastrophic failure.

Dispite the slight extra hiss, the 400 RB sounds livelier and more responsive-- clearer somehow. I wonder if slight differences in the type of transformer or other element of the design makes the difference. I'm pretty sure that I've read that the type of transformer in the 800RB is different in the varying eras of its production.

The 800RB still rocks, and all the above might just be a matter of the 800 wanting to be pushed more than I'm pushing it.

[ledyard]

I actually owned an old 400rb back in 1999-2000. I ran a peavey 4x15 with it. No volume issues with that. Sounded decent from what I remember.

It amazes me with GK that the 800rb puts out 300 SS watts and most things nowadays have to be at least 1000 SS watts to compete with the "standard' 300 watt tube bass amp. But the GK's 300 watts are way more than adequate for anything short of an arena pretty much. Even the 400rb had no issues. Although you might get a slight lack of headroom with the 400rb.
Obviously these 300 watts are way underrated no? Carvin's watts ratings are so bogus its laughable (except the new B1500 from what i hear).....The way ampeg rates their watts you have to get up into the SVT4 Pro to really have any significant headroom. Which is 1600 watts at 4 ohms? I forget its been a while.
I am considering the 1001rb though too just for more tonal options.