oh-no...what's your favorite GK head?

raul · #1 07-21-2011, 08:27 PM

man, i must be driving people NUTS with all the questions...but, i really need some good hard answers and evidence about certain gear pieces and i know there are butt loads of knowledgeable smarties around here with answers. ya know?

so...i have a chance to get a new bass head this weekend, i was going for an Ampeg SVTPro7 after a slew of questions reagrding that head...but then, i thought about GK!

the deal is, i'm going to be getting some gigs soon and a few other music projects. i need volume and great tone. i will be using a VT Bass Deluxe and perhaps an Avatar TB153.

so...what's a great GK head that's loud, versatile and works well with pedals...for old school tones and even modern tones? i use a Geddy Jazz and a Squire CV 60's with flats...will be playing with others who have keys, Mesa Boogie head, loud drums...

i love the SVT sound for sure. but, i also am intrigued and know i love the GK sound, thought much different. i wonder if using the VT Deluxe with perhaps something like an RB1001 or 800RB...or 800MB...or whatever you guys suggest would be a good route for a nice mix of SVT and GK! or just go with SVT7Pro?
hmmmm...ahhhggggg! it's making my poor little brain hurt!

help!

Hopkins · #2 07-21-2011, 08:46 PM

Definitely the 700RB for me. I chose a 700rb II over a 1001rb and an SVT7 pro and couldn't be happier.
Ive never had a problem with volume even during outdoor gigs with no PA support, but I can push it hard enough to get that GK grind without getting stupid loud like the 1001rb.

jtc_hunter · #3 07-21-2011, 09:02 PM

I have owned and gigged with:
Backline 600
1001 RB (older model)
700rbII
MB200
Mb500
MB115 combo
MB112 combo

The 700RbII had the very best tone , power , and balls
followed very closely by the MB500. The tiny difference between the two was nothing considering the weight difference,. So, for a head, the MB500 would be my No.1 choice with all things considered. That being said, I can gig and enjoy my MB112 combo every bit as much because I always D.I. and my amp is just a monitor for me. I can also carry all my gear in in one trip now.

\

raul · #4 07-21-2011, 09:24 PM

the MB500 or MB800 seem interesting, as does the 1001RB...i would love to a/b with the SVTpro7 and hear what happens next...those MB series amps seem like loud little tone monsters, i wonder how it would sound with the VT Deluxe?

**B-string** · #5 07-21-2011, 10:01 PM

My personal choice is the Fusion 550. I have yet to find a good sound I can't get with it.

username1 · #6 07-21-2011, 10:15 PM

I like the gk mbfusion. Lots of power and no need for the vt pedal with its tube preamp.

ljazz · #7 07-22-2011, 03:06 AM

The micros aren't doin' it for me. I have yet to spend quality time with the Fusion. So far, the 700rbII does it for me. The 1001rbII is just too friggin' much, and I couldn't get the tone I wanted out of it. I love the 400rb (all iterations) too....... in fact, I could get away with the 400rb (or the BL600) for pretty much everything I do. I rehearse with a rb800...... very nice as well, but it's just not as versatile as the newer rb stuff.

Slackerprince · #8 07-22-2011, 03:39 AM

Internet opinions and reviews will only get you so far.
You really have to play these heads to see if they will
deliver what you're needing.
Might take some time and gas.

S

Windreaper · #9 07-22-2011, 04:09 AM

700RB-II if the size/weight is not an issue, got mine used for a great price and could not be happier. Otherwise MB-500, especially if you want to buy new.

joeydavidson · #10 07-22-2011, 05:06 AM

1001rbII or 550 Fusion, (I've never played a 800rb) I've also borrowed a few others at gigs - (the 2001rb & 700rbII). I'm not a fan of the GK grind though but I think some of them sound great with various pedals especially compressors.

georgestrings · #11 07-22-2011, 07:43 AM

700RB-II fan here - IMO, it's one of the best bass amps ever made...

- georgestrings

bassgod0dmw · #12 07-22-2011, 07:45 AM

I've got a 2001RB that I absolutely love, but I'd be just as happy with a 1001 RB-II.

I also plan on getting an 800RB as a backup one of these days...

jjk2007 · #13 07-22-2011, 08:00 AM

800rb

johnny6644 · #14 07-22-2011, 08:04 AM

I have an RB 1000 and loved the sound; I have a GK MB500 that's pretty nice too.

JGR · #15 07-22-2011, 08:11 AM

I've owned the 2001RB, 800RB, and Fusion 550. Fusion was my favorite by far, but mine had some issues right out of the box, and I couldn't get a hold of GK, so I sent it back for a refund. Second fav was the 800RB; it is loud but I would have still liked more power. The 2001 is cool, and has killer power in bridge mode, but it is kind of weak in stereo. I would look at the MB Fusion as well; I like the fact that it doesn't have motorized knobs. Hopefully it proves reliable.

raul · #16 07-22-2011, 08:23 AM

OK so the 700RB, 1001RB and the newer Fusion seem to be getting some great response and the MB800 is super new and not enough feedback o it yet. i know I've heard and like the tones a lot on recordings of GK. good stuff for sure. I'm going out today to do some testing and trying out loads of amps, trying to narrow down between a GK or Ampeg, want the best of both worlds somehow, in a not so perfect world...hmmm...i love the GK grind but love the warmth and tone of Ampeg...i tried to justify maybe using a GK with the VT Deluxe, not sure though, tough decisions here, so many great amps! ugh!

GrinningMouth88 · #17 07-22-2011, 08:28 AM

I have a 700rbII here. It recently just got out of the shop due to some broken solder points and a loose input (I take the blame on that one, don't think it was a quality control issue). Anyways I will probably always have a 700rb till the day I die. Seriously, the amp very warm with a bit of grit that turns to growl as it goes up. If you need a bit more oomph (which unless you are in a metal band I doubt you will) the tech 21 sansamp bass driver provides just that. Just make sure you have a pretty wicked cab that can handle it. 700rb's WILL chew up and spit out cheaper cabinets if you run it at high volume for an extended period of time. I recommend either a gk neo 412 or 810, or a mesa 412 or 810 if you want to play with no worries.

bassgod0dmw · #18 07-22-2011, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raul

GK or Ampeg, want the best of both worlds somehow

Do what I did...get both

MK1 · #19 07-22-2011, 08:33 AM

800rb, you can find them used for cheap ($350ish) and they last forever. I love the way they sound driving a lot of speakers.

dougjwray · #20 07-22-2011, 08:54 AM

Right now, I own:

1001RB II (demo model at Guitar Center purchased three years ago for $250)

400RB (purchased new, back in 1985, and still mint)

The 1001RB II is, indeed, over-the-top for me, power-wise... with the boost and master knobs at noon, I can usually leave the input level at around 8:30.

But, I do love the low end that I get from all that headroom, and once you've had all of that horsepower, it's hard to step down.
Having said that, the 400RB actually works better in boomy rooms, and sounds startlingly loud, itself. It's great through my two 210RBH cabs. This amp can sound more "musical" to me than the 1001, especially the mids.
I owned an 800RB for awhile in the '80s, but it was unreliable. I probably had the only unreliable one in North America. They are fantastic amps, but I do like the fact that the "contour" control on the newer RB amps are variable, not "on-off" like the 800RB's. (Or the 400RB's.) Most of the time, the "contour" control is all I need for EQing.

Speaking of Ampeg, I also own:
A 100-watt, 1x15 "Rocket Bass" combo, for those warm, vintage occasions.
A 30-watt Ampeg practice amp (the B110, I believe); this one sounds so great that I could imagine miking it in the studio. Actually, I should try that...