Noticing A "Nice" Difference - GK Stuff

[Vee Dubb]

Is it me or the design?

Equip: GK 1001RB + GK Neo 410 1st Gen

Initially got the rig and just practiced at low volumes. I was still experimenting with the sound I was looking for. Found out mostly flat with a slight bump in the high-mid sounds best for my bass. Sometimes contour between 10 & 12, presence around 2 or 3 o'clock. The volumes been around 9 to 12 w/ boost between 6 & 9 o'clock with the woofer at high noon and tweeter at 9 o'clock.

One of my basses has a somewhat lower output compared to the other. Now what I have learned is the hotter the input the better the rig sounds. It sounds good with a moderate input and low to medium volumes. But when the input is a bit hotter and the volume is up (12-2ish) this thing sounds great! Is it me or is it the solid state design, GK specs or what? Either way, I love it.

I'm considering a Little Mark Tube 800 after playing one through my Neo 410. That was a great tone and sound at low and mid to high volume. Nice and thick and punchy with great crisp highs.

So, I'd appreciate your opinions, input and responses regarding my epiphany with the GK and some feedback on the MB Tube 800.

Keep it low and funky in the mean time Bruthas!

[Vee Dubb]

Hhhmmmmm...........

Anyone? I'd really appreciate it.

[jelwood]

Maybe the bass with the hotter input just sounds better? I don't know how loud you're getting here, but when GK amps are pushed they are supposed to sound very musical. Personally I've always thought my GK sounded best when the input was padded and then the volume (gain) turned up a little bit more, but that's just me. I use a passive bass mostly.

[Greevus]

I'm a GK player and I've found with different basses/pickups you have to play with the gain/boost/master and the pad to get the best results. I've got actives and passives and weak/strong ones like you are referring to. You just have to dial in the right amount of gain and boost to compensate. I find I can get different basses to sound pretty close if I just keep at it a bit. I hated the pad at first, cause the hotter input initially seems more rich. However, that pad can give you some room to thicken up the sound more than you think. I've been playing lately with boosted mids and bass/treble rolled back some, and my bandmates say that their ears are hurting

[Vee Dubb]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, I've been working the pad and volume dance here and there too. My six has an OBP-3 so I find myself playing in passive mode quite often. I usually leave the settings flat and blend in the middle. That way seems just a hair bass shy, but thats just my bass. If I go active, I bump the lows a hair and blend slightly to the bridge. The five is all stock and has a hot output! I normally turn it down a bit and cut some mid and treble.

Aghhhhh! Sometimes I don't know what it is, me or the gear. I do know that the hotter signal sounds more pleasing for what I'm working with. Thanks for the feedback.

[vin*tone]

I don't know why you're considering a different head. If you've found your sound run with it- it will only get better.