Random Musing - GK800RB with tens

Commreman · #1 10-08-2010, 12:44 PM

For years I have been using my MarkBass 800SD through a Dr. Bass 2460 (2 x 12 with a 6 and a tweeter) and passive Jazz basses with flats. The tone I get from this setup is wonderful, and very flexible. I have been very happy with this setup.

We do a lot of shows with backlines provided, especially in the summer. Twice this year I wound up using an older GK 800RB, first with an SVT cab, and second with an older Hartke 4 X 10 with aluminum cones.

The tone I got from both of these beat up rigs with minimal tweaking was nothing short of astounding (IMHO). Even though this type of setup is considered anything but modern, I think that GK got it right all those years ago! I have been very sorely tempted to get an 800RB with a 4 x 10. GAS is setting in. Help!!

woody357 · #2 10-08-2010, 12:52 PM

I use the 800rb with a Epifani 410 and it sounds good, clean and lots of punch. My only complaint is it doesn't have the low end that I like, but I still like it. IMHO try and find a old one, I have a older one, and have played through a new one, and there was a difference, well to me.

Strychnine · #3 10-08-2010, 01:19 PM

I think I saw a pair of older 80'sish 800RB in the classifieds recently.

kcarr · #4 10-08-2010, 04:18 PM

Have used an 800rb for about 20 yrs with several 410/115 cabs and love the sound and reliability of GK. A couple of the 800s are on ebay now.

TC.65 · #5 10-08-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody357

I use the 800rb with a Epifani 410 and it sounds good, clean and lots of punch. My only complaint is it doesn't have the low end that I like, but I still like it. IMHO try and find a old one, I have a older one, and have played through a new one, and there was a difference, well to me.

If you want more lowend try the GK 700rb II I personally think it has the best tone of all the GK heads

shoot-r · #6 10-08-2010, 04:28 PM

I ran my G.K. 800 through a Ampeg square back 810 for over 20 years...LOVED IT!!!
Other cabinets, (to my ears), that sounded great with a 800 driving them...
Two, 8 ohm, SWR Goliath 410's.
SWR Goliath Senior 610.
Avatar 115H cabinets.
Two, 8 ohm, Avatar 210 Neo cabinets.
Eden 215XLT cabinet.

Commreman · #7 10-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Years ago (in the '80's) I used a 400RB with 4 x 10 cabs. It was the classic '80's sound, and I played hundreds and hundreds of gigs that way. I guess that when I came back to it with the supplied 800RB/ten cab back lines, it was a tone that was instantly "home" for me. If these are still being supplied by professional sound reinforcement companies, GK has obviously done something right.

The GK RB series has warmth and punch with grind when you want it. I've had SVT's V4B's, SWR, and a bunch of other amps in the past that just didn't quite do it for me. Now, one of the casinos that I regularly work in has the goldline series as their backline, which I think is junk - I can never dial in the tone I'm looking for with that particular amp.

Don't get me wrong - the MarkBass SD800 that I'm currently using is a beast, and is very powerful and flexible. The first time I used the 800RB over the summer, I was pleasantly surprised. The second time (a couple of weeks ago) I was just blown away.

Bottom line is that I don't think that any of us should overlook these because they are not "boutique", expensive, or the flavor of the month. These are great amps, and I'm glad that I rediscovered them!

Gasman · #8 10-08-2010, 04:38 PM

I've owned a couple of old 800rb's from the 80's- make no doubt they are just awesome (I still own one). Played through a GK410 RBH, it's a monster. Punch, growl, grind, it does it all. I don't care for it's overdriven tone much, but that's minor- it delivers the goods, particularly in the low mids. Sorry, not gonna help make the GAS go away. BTW I got mine for $160 on evilbay.

WingKL · #9 10-09-2010, 01:54 AM

There's a reason why the 800RB is considered a classic amp by some. It's got that tone that reminds me of the rock and roll of my youth.

Mr_Dave · #10 10-26-2010, 08:38 PM

Love the 800rb too. I often use a Sadowsky outboard preamp to give me a fatter low end when I need it.

JimmyM · #11 10-26-2010, 08:59 PM

the 1212/6 design is a very good one for dispersion and bigness of tone in a not so big package. but i love my old ampeg 810 as well because it's so easy to get a big fat tone out of it. i'm going the opposite way of you...i'm getting a couple modern cabs with woofers and a mid driver, and you're going toward a 410 or 810. oh well, you get the cheaper deal...you can get good used 410's all day for cheap. why not get one?

Gearhead43 · #12 10-26-2010, 11:11 PM

800RBs of all vintages are just seriously kickass bass amps. Period. They make the most of their wattage by not passing a ton of sub bass - which sounds better in a mix anyway 99% of the time, IMO.

68Goldfish · #13 11-08-2010, 09:57 PM

I love my 800rb with an old beat up peavey 2x15 bw db. Crazy clarity and punch.

seedokebass · #14 11-08-2010, 10:23 PM

I currently own an SD800, and have previously owned an 800RB.

The RB was killer, had great tone, but lacked the push I need. And maybe it was just mine, but it seemed to be very hissy/noisy. (disclaimer: tweeter was off, and the highs were not dimed

)

Brass Brawls · #15 11-08-2010, 10:42 PM

i run an 800rb with the ampeg fridge and love it. it seems as if they were made for each other.
it drives me wacky when i hear people say 300 ss watts isnt enough, i have played the smallest bar, to a mid sized venue with no p.a support to an arena with 5,000 people and have never turned my volume past 10 o'c, in a loud rock band

hell, back in the day duff toured the world with an 810 and an 800rb.

shaolinwhat · #16 11-08-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brass Brawls

i run an 800rb with the ampeg fridge and love it. it seems as if they were made for each other.
it drives me wacky when i hear people say 300 ss watts isnt enough, i have played the smallest bar, to a mid sized venue with no p.a support to an arena with 5,000 people and have never turned my volume past 10 o'c, in a loud rock band

hell, back in the day duff toured the world with an 810 and an 800rb.

From my experience, those people haven't played the old GK's. I thought the same thing after trying out heads like the ampeg svt 350h. My 200 watt 400rb destroys that head volume wise, even though it's technically less watts.

JasonLamb · #17 11-25-2010, 07:46 PM

i use an rb800 with a ampeg 410 hlf and it decimates anything within a mile radius.

bolophonic · #18 11-25-2010, 07:52 PM

Dude, I play a GK 700RB-II through a Dr. Bass 2460 and 1 x 15" set. It is the ULTIMATE bass sound.