Opinions of GK GoldLine combo's amps & cabinets?

Graham Monette · #1 07-03-2010, 03:27 PM

Some of their prices sure look appealing, but whats everybodies verdict on them? Are they worthy of the GK name, or what do you guys think? I was looking at a GK MB115, but some of their GoldLine stuff looks quite good as a (bigger) substitute. Any opinions?
I cant try the Goldline stuff out, since nobody here carries it, just the regular GK stuff.

Thanks a TON in advance, greatly appreciated.

lbwdog · #2 07-03-2010, 05:10 PM

I can't attest firsthand to the quality of Goldline, as I've never owned one, but I have played on a rig at Guitar Center, and was not impressed.
I am a huge fan of G-K products though, and Bob Gallien is one of the most impressive engineers ever, in my book. His designs and concepts make good sense, and his innovations in bass amps have solid, good reasoning behind them. One thing that continues to impress me is how he keeps even his pro line products priced very affordable compared with the direct competition.

It seems the Goldline is a venture with GC and MF for a budget line that is sold only in those stores. I've seen many threads here, and most owners are young people who play in the bedroom, or occasionally with friends in the garage. Mixed reviews, but the more experienced of this group of users seems to have discovered the shortcomings. If you compare specs of say cabs, you'll see that they use low power handling drivers, and are heavy (MDF I guess). Likewise, I've heard from some owners that they can't get a good sound out of the amps (some love 'em though).

For me, the regular G-K line is so reasonably priced that you can get much better quality at not much more bucks! The Backline 600 is a great example, and is the overseas made budget line of the parent company. This amp has the same main power section of the wonderful 800RB, and according to Mr G himself, is one of the most reliable products in the brand.

I truly hate saying anything negative about G-K but just can't get behind the Goldline, but I guess that's to be expected since I've been a pro player for forty years, and a happy G-K owner for twenty two years.

If you're considering G-K, I suggest you go online to http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/Bass-Amps-s/48.htm and choose a couple of amps. Then email them for an even lower price quote. They seem to beat all others on G-K pricing.

Again, I have never owned one or played one extensively, but judging by specs and reviews, you can do much better than Goldline with the regular product line.

(Sorry Bob, I just love your other products so much that I want to turn everyone on to 'em)

Graham Monette · #3 07-03-2010, 07:27 PM

^ Awesome, thanks for the incredibly helpful post. I'll be staying away then. The Prices as per GK products sure sound inviting but if thats the quality I can expect there are many other products worth looking into.
Thanks also for the link, I'll get the MB150 through them most likely, $800 isn't bad for that amp.

Govier966 · #4 07-03-2010, 07:41 PM

I own a gk glx210 it lasted me about 15 months. I was pushing 125 watts into it from a 400rb and the cab was rated for 200 rms, but i still managed to blow a speaker. Mine was really heavy! 80 pounds and thats a 2x10! my next cab is going to be a mbe212. I suggest you go with the mb, mbx, rbx, or mbe series just not the blx or glx. These amps are supposed to be cheap and good sounding the cons of the blx and and glx is they are heavy and not reliable.

jelwood · #5 07-06-2010, 12:29 AM

The first GK rig I owned was a Goldline head and the matching 410 cab. I must say that the sounds I got out of it were amazing, however...the cabinet just didn't put out the UMPH. It had a good feel to it when you were up close but when you went out in to the audience the power just wasn't there, and this is of course because the drivers just weren't that great (I drove them hard and never blew them, unlike some people). I don't really think the Goldline was meant to be compared to or live up to GK's pro line, as it was supposed to be an "intermediate level" line of equipment just for fancy prancy GC, I believe. As you probably already know, it's much better to skimp out on a head than a cab. The Goldline head is amazing, it had the GK sound growl. The cabs, not so much. You would be best off buying the Goldline head and then getting another cab...but wait, the other cabs have the horn management system, which means you could be using a 700rb II and getting more out of your rig...which means you should have not bought the Goldline head in the first place. Follow my crazy reasoning here?

I sold my whole Goldline rig to an old hippy dude, who after playing just a few notes on it was so impressed, forked over the cash. I then bought a 2000rb and a neo 412, never looked back.

Peppacone · #6 07-06-2010, 02:31 AM

Personally, I love the sound of the Goldline + 4x10. I've tried the 700 and 1001 but still prefer the voice of the Goldline. The only thing I don't enjoy is the weight of the cab.

Toastfuzz · #7 07-06-2010, 07:34 AM

I was at GC the other day purchasing an Ampeg SVT 3-Pro and was testing the few cabs they had with it...I played my Ibanez Soundgear bass through the SVT into a $250 Goldline 4x10, $500 GK 4x10 (dont know which), and $200 Acoustic 4x10 on sale. The Goldline doesnt have a horn, so loses the trebly crispness of the other two. It sounded alright, but not as good as the others. I ended up leaving with the Acoustic, because side-by-side I couldnt hear a difference between the $200 Acoustic and $500 GK.

And I · #8 10-17-2010, 05:12 PM

I play a goldline 410 through a GK MB2 500 head. i gotta say i really like the sound. playing it in the store i was really blown away by the deep low-end. and for $300 (probably cheaper these days) for a 400 watt cab, it's really a steal. after playing some gigs with it, it definitely hasn't left me wanting more volume or punch, and i've gotten good feedback about my tone from others. but to be fair, the 410 is lacking definition with no horn... also it's very heavy. i will probably be trading it in for a lighter cab some day soon.

Commreman · #9 10-17-2010, 08:00 PM

First, I'm a huge GK fan.

One of the casinos I regularly play at has recently switched to the Goldline with a goldline 4 x 10 cab for their backline. I hate it. It is very tough to dial in a decent tone with this rig. GK normally puts out great sounding stuff, but in this case, they blew it. Goldline is code for garbage. Avoid it like herpes.

Pilgrim · #10 10-17-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peppacone

Personally, I love the sound of the Goldline + 4x10. I've tried the 700 and 1001 but still prefer the voice of the Goldline. The only thing I don't enjoy is the weight of the cab.

I had the Goldline 4x10 for about a year - I LOVED the sound of it, but it was just freakin' unreasonably HEAVY!!!!!

I sold all my heavy gear and bought a Genz-Benz shuttle system. I liked the Goldline 4x10 sound a lot, but wasn't willing to keep hauling it around.

And I · #11 10-17-2010, 09:21 PM

i've got a goldline 410 cab matched with a gk mb2 500 head. there's a lot that i like about it, but i've recently decided to replace it with something that's a) lighter and b) has a horn. it's got great low-end thump but it lacks definition. and at close to 100 pounds, it's the last thing i want to carry down a flight of stairs at 3 in the morning...

lowfreq33 · #12 10-17-2010, 09:40 PM

Actually, the head isn't so bad. 500 watts, nice thick tone... Not really the tone GK's known for, but not at all bad.

The cabs, on the other hand, don't really seem to let the amp speak very well. I've played the head through an older Genz Benz 2x15, a Genz Benz 2x12, an Ampeg 1x15, and a Crate 4x10 (picked it up for $50). Sounded good through all of them.

ben12390 · #13 10-17-2010, 09:49 PM

I own the gk goldine 500 head, and I run it through an ampeg 1x18 and an acousic 4x10. And I gotta say, I love the head. I can get growly rock tone and clear crisp worship/jazz tone too.
I play about 4 times a week doing shows and worship, and I just love it. Its definitely a stepping stone head, I'm getting an ampeg classic when I get the cash, but I picked mine up for darn cheap, and I just love it.
I was going to go with the acoustic 200 head, it was around the same price, but the gk just killed it, and it had more power. I used to own an ampegb-2re (I forgot the name already), and it was a way cleaner sounding head, but the gk kills it in gritty thick tone.

All in all, I think the head is worth it if you need 500 watts for cheap, but go ahead and say no to the cab. I've heard nothing but bad about the goldine cabs.

And I · #14 10-18-2010, 06:46 AM

hi i'm stupid and i double posted in this thread.