For the next guy who asks "what's a good cheap amp..."

BigOldHarry · #1 01-21-2011, 10:54 AM

Snooping around, I saw this:

http://www.daddys.com/detail.php?ite...Number=GAK6221

$200 for a classic head - I have one that I gigged with for YEARS (currently my backup).

Add this cab:

http://www.daddys.com/detail.php?ite...Number=HAR3116

And for under $500 you have a FINE gigging rig. Is it the flavor of the month? No. Will it sound fine at a gig? YES.

pasta4lnch · #2 01-21-2011, 10:57 AM

that would be a sweet set up indeed!

Caca de Kick · #3 01-21-2011, 10:59 AM

400RB is an awesome amp.

**xed** · #4 01-21-2011, 11:04 AM

Yep, that's a good solid rig there. Back when I was doing the band thing I saw a fair amount of those 400rb's being played.

HolmeBass · #5 01-21-2011, 11:08 AM

The 400rb was my second "real" giggable amp, and I used it for years with an old (80's) Acoustic 2x15 cabinet. Great amp.

superdick2112 · #6 01-21-2011, 11:11 AM

Good sound & great value, but one important issue - I believe the GK head works with a 4-ohm load only.

BigOldHarry · #7 01-21-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdick2112

Good sound & great value, but one important issue - I believe the GK head works with a 4-ohm load only.

Nope. 4 ohm minimum. I've regularly used it with my 8 ohm Epifani 2x10 and it sounds great.

superdick2112 · #8 01-21-2011, 11:23 AM

Good to know, and cool of you to post deals like this. While I am a sucker for a great-looking, matched high end rigs, what really matters in the end is great tone & reliability, and if you can have all that at a great price as well, then all the better.

hrodbert696 · #9 01-21-2011, 01:08 PM

Good deal - Though I think that a lot of beginners asking about cheap amps are often thinking in the $200 range total, just to practice or jam with.

christw · #10 01-21-2011, 01:16 PM

I am so tempted but I have no need for it. Dang it...

**jlepre** · #11 01-21-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Nope. 4 ohm minimum. I've regularly used it with my 8 ohm Epifani 2x10 and it sounds great.

My only concern would be the lack of power this amp puts out at 8 ohms.

Bill Whitehurst · #12 01-21-2011, 01:55 PM

I have done plenty of gigs with one of these into 8 ohms.
G-Ks sound bigger than the specs would have yuo believe.

okcrum · #13 01-21-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

My only concern would be the lack of power this amp puts out at 8 ohms.

I've used this exact rig, and I can assure you with certainty it will easily go to levels that are too loud for the average small- to mid-sized club.

Lowbrow · #14 01-21-2011, 04:36 PM

Yes - THE SS standard of the 80s/90s and still a great amp. Mine was bought slightly used in '92, reliably saw me through many a raunchy van tour, remains a back up that I'll probably never part with.

Funny, though - how is it that I was able to gig with a punk band for years using an amp that only put out ~100W at 8 ohms?

**jlepre** · #15 01-21-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

Funny, though - how is it that I was able to gig with a punk band for years using an amp that only put out ~100W at 8 ohms?

Make ya wonder if the rumours are true that recent amp offering wattages are inflated...

walterw · #16 01-21-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

Funny, though - how is it that I was able to gig with a punk band for years using an amp that only put out ~100W at 8 ohms?

your question contains its own answer. push it til it starts clipping and it's still punk (maybe even more punk).

if you were trying to play super-clean low-B gospel/jazz music, forget it.

Interceptor · #17 01-21-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Make ya wonder if the rumours are true that recent amp offering wattages are inflated...

Uh, yeah.

I played several years through a pair of Standel 2x15 cabs with something like 150 Watt amps in each of them. That rig held its own in the era before bass going into PA in some big loud venues. I had no trouble burying a Marshall into a 4 12.

I played through a Acoustic 360 for one gig back in the late 70's. That thing was freaking loud. By today's standards, that'd be an entry level power rated rig.

Emm9T · #18 01-21-2011, 09:00 PM

This needs to be a weekly thing, haha. Great snooping!

leegreenman · #19 01-21-2011, 09:03 PM

Can't go wrong with that head.

Greevus · #20 01-22-2011, 09:27 AM

Fave head of all-time. Had two original 400RBs and still have a 400RBIII. Nothing touches the original one. Played it through 3-15"s, pushed the bejesus out of it for over a decade. It was the epitome of GK's tone. I love my newer GK's, but I still cannot get that spongy gurgle that I got from the 400RB.