SVT7Pro or GK1001RB II for a GK Neo 412

Tomluther · #1 10-24-2010, 07:57 PM

I'm looking at getting a new rig and at this point I'm pretty certain I want the GK Neo 412 cab.

As for amps, I'm looking at either an Ampeg SVT7Pro or a GK 1001RB II. I haven't got a chance to play both yet, but I just wanted some opinions on them from people who've tried them.

I like the idea of getting the GK and having a matching rig, and from looking at pictures and specs it looks like it'd be an awesome head. The GK also has a bi-amp system which, while I haven't tried it myself, sounds like it'd work well with the GK cab. The one thing I dislike about it is that all the outputs are on the front. It'd be rack mounted it in a road case so I'd rather have outputs at the back so everything can be wired up at the back out of the way.

The ampeg on the other hand, looks ****ing awesome and is pretty light and cheap for 1000 watts.

Any thoughts?

Any thoughts.

NicJimBass · #2 10-24-2010, 08:19 PM

Haven't played the Ampeg, but the ones I have played seemed a little underpowered, especially compared to most anything GK. Had the 1001/ Neo 412 setup for a year or so.. it was brutal. As loud as you want it to be, and tone for days. That'd be my pick.

FletcherML · #3 10-24-2010, 08:24 PM

Any specific reason you're looking at those two heads? Both manufacturers offer a gaggle of other amps. I've never liked gk at all. local shop tried selling me on 4 different gk amps, all to which I said boo. I'm an ampeg dude all the way

Marton · #4 10-24-2010, 08:31 PM

I don't know about the GK 1001-RB but I have a 700-RBII and I would take it any time over these Ampeg Solid State head, the tone is just not there for me.

You could consider the 700-RBII too, I never used more than 25% of that beast.

Anarchyok · #5 10-24-2010, 09:08 PM

Yup, the 1001 RB II would be a fantastic mix with the Neo412...

I'd also check out the 700 RB II too, if you perhaps want to be able to get the GK growl at anything less than insane volume levels

**Ronny49** · #6 10-24-2010, 09:40 PM

I have owned TWO Ampeg SVT 7 Pro's and both burned out on me within 30 days of purchasing new!

I can also share an experience I had over the past Labor Day GC holiday 15% off weekend... I went in and was trying out a couple of basses and asked the sales guy to plug me into the cleanest amp he had. He said the SVT 7 Pro. Well, I knew it was clean, so I didn't say anything to him about my past experience... but guess what??

He plugs me into an SVT 7 Pro and the power light comes on though there is no sound. To me, I knew right away, though again, I didn't say anything. So, he goes and gets all new cables and tries that... he even tries a different cab, yet no sound. So, he says I have a brand new one in a box. He grabs it and hooks me up and flicks the power switch and not even a power light turns on! I then ask him how the hell do they expect to sell these heads when they have so many problems with them? He just says they will ship them back and get new ones.

Great.

If this is your only choice, I would say GK all the way! 700RB though as the 1001 does not sound as good as the 700 for some reason.

Good luck!

Tomluther · #7 10-25-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

Haven't played the Ampeg, but the ones I have played seemed a little underpowered, especially compared to most anything GK. Had the 1001/ Neo 412 setup for a year or so.. it was brutal. As loud as you want it to be, and tone for days. That'd be my pick.

I didn't think there'd be any power problems with the ampeg considering it's 1000w and the gk is 700.

Tomluther · #8 10-25-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FletcherML

Any specific reason you're looking at those two heads? Both manufacturers offer a gaggle of other amps. I've never liked gk at all. local shop tried selling me on 4 different gk amps, all to which I said boo. I'm an ampeg dude all the way

Not particularly, I just saw both and took a liking to them. They're both pretty high wattage which appealed to me in a 'bigger=better' kinda way.

Any others you'd recommend instead?

Tomluther · #9 10-25-2010, 04:52 AM

I just read a whole load of reviews on harmony central for the "1001RB" saying it was totally unreliable, and nearly everyone stresses that this was a truly terrible buy and nobody should do it.

Did GK make a "1001RB" then rerelease it calling it a "1001RB II" or are they all refering to the same amp but forgetting to add the "II" at the end

**Freddels** · #10 10-25-2010, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomluther

I just read a whole load of reviews on harmony central for the "1001RB" saying it was totally unreliable, and nearly everyone stresses that this was a truly terrible buy and nobody should do it.

Did GK make a "1001RB" then rerelease it calling it a "1001RB II" or are they all refering to the same amp but forgetting to add the "II" at the end

No, the 1001RB-II is a very reliable amp. It's not the same model as the 1001RB or the 1000RB.

I've been to 3 different GC's in an attempt to try out the Ampeg 7 Pro and I couldn't find one that worked either. Not a good sign.

georgestrings · #11 10-25-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarchyok

Yup, the 1001 RB II would be a fantastic mix with the Neo412...

I'd also check out the 700 RB II too, if you perhaps want to be able to get the GK growl at anything less than insane volume levels

This - I've had one or two 700rb-IIs for a couple of years now, played tons of gigs with 'em - and they've been great... I also have a Mesa Big Block 750, and IMO the 700rb-II is every bit it's equal - just sounds a little different...

I play in really loud bands, and the 700rb-II has always been more than enough volume wise, and meets my tonal goals better than the 1001rb-II does...

- georgestrings

Tomluther · #12 10-25-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

the 700rb-II has always been more than enough volume wise, and meets my tonal goals better than the 1001rb-II does...

- georgestrings

Aww, but 700 or 1000 watts seems so much more bad ass than 480.

The only real reason I was looking at these higher powered heads is because the cab is rated at 1200 watts. So I figured I'd get something that could really meet its potential.

Thoughts?

georgestrings · #13 10-25-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomluther

Aww, but 700 or 1000 watts seems so much more bad ass than 480.

The only real reason I was looking at these higher powered heads is because the cab is rated at 1200 watts. So I figured I'd get something that could really meet its potential.

Thoughts?

Sure - IME, the 1001rb-II doesn't get nearly as "warm" tone-wise as the 700rb-II does at most realistic gigging volumes... In short, I didn't like the 1001 as much as the 700, and wouldn't trade my 700 even up if the offer was made...

Believe me, G-K's 480 watts are louder than alot of amps rated similarly - and that amp is capable of blowing drivers on ANY cab...

- georgestrings

TC.65 · #14 10-25-2010, 04:04 PM

+1 for 700rb-ll I run mine through a GK neo 2-12 at 8ohms it only pushes 320 watts and it can be VERY LOUD. It has great tone and is pretty versatile.

RickenBoogie · #15 10-25-2010, 05:03 PM

Besides, the 1200 watt rating on the 412 has nothing to do with how much power it will actually handle.

Anarchyok · #16 10-25-2010, 05:37 PM

Yup the 700 watts from the 1001RBII is insanely loud. IME, GK are very "underrated" watts, and based on the Ampegs I've tried, they are very "overrated" watts.

I play a 1001 RB II, and a couple of Neo212s (so essentially your potential rig) and even on big stages with very loud bands, never run the amp even half way....most of the time, gain is 9'oclock and woofer (master) at about 10 oclock and that is blowing me offstage!

ljazz · #17 10-25-2010, 06:38 PM

My 700rbII and neo212 (series 1) kept up with 2 guitars, keys and 4 drummers (don't ask) this past Saturday...... it was cranked, but it came through with flying colors. Damn those drummers were loud!

If you're looking for pure clean volume, the the 1001rbII is the answer. If you want some grunt out of your head, then, without a doubt, the 700rbII is the one to get.

Montanamike · #18 10-25-2010, 07:26 PM

I vote for the GK gear. I own a 1001 rb2 pushing a neo 2-12 and 4-10 for my show rig, a 700rb2 pushing a 1-12 as a practice rig and a Genz Benz GBE 600 as a backup. All are great heads for different reasons and occations. The cool thing about Bi-amp is you can dial in the treble or bass tone that you like with the preamp and then mix that sound to the appropriate level. True flex ability that no othe mfg delivers.

GK RB series is also made in the good old USA and Ampeg in Asia somewhere.

jeff7bass · #19 10-25-2010, 08:57 PM

The GK all the way. It's inherently clear voice is perfecty suited to the huge tone of the GK 4x12 cab. Awesome combination.

Tomluther · #20 10-25-2010, 09:23 PM

I'd heard a bunch of people online saying the SVT7Pros were really unreliable and every time they'd tried playing one in store it wouldn't work... Funnily enough I walked into my local music store today, asked to play the svt7pro, the guy plugged it in, went to turn it on and something blew. With this in mind I'm starting to lean more towards the GK.

By the way, I play in a metal band and a funk/rock/more experimental band. In the metal band I use an Ibanez PD7 bass overdrive pedal. So I'm not sure if I need this GK growl that everyone speaks of. I also play a Fender Jazz Deluxe with active pickups, if that helps.

What are peoples thoughts with that in mind?