Switching from SVT 2 PRO to GK 800RB

slapstick13 · #1 01-12-2011, 12:10 PM

So after about a year with the svt 2 pro, Im looking for a different tone. NEVER would I have imagined myself getting bored with the 2 pro tone after loving it for the first few months. Got it retubed and for whatever reason, its been sounding dull and muddy to me. I feel like theres a blanket over my speakers and I just want to cut the air thats coming out!

I recently saw a band called None More Black and the bassist used a gk800rb. His tone was amazing and clear but still had some dirt and lots of punch. After some research Ive found they were cheap as hell and pretty popular(more so in the 80s apparently). Don't really have any questions, just wanted to see what people think of this switch and if anyone has been in the same situation.

I play indie/punk type music and use a p bass and 8X10.

RockBobby · #2 01-12-2011, 12:20 PM

I was generally unhappy with the 2 pro but I had a lot of amp issues back then. I think that the 800RB has a lot of "speaker control" which makes it very adaptable for different applications.

You could pick one up used and try it for a while, and keep your ampeg. You will always get your money back on the GK.
I like using a VT pedal with mine so I can get the ampeg sound.

slapstick13 · #3 01-12-2011, 12:45 PM

What do you mean by 'speaker control'?

RockBobby · #4 01-12-2011, 12:48 PM

Well, un technical, but it has good damping compared to when I had the SVT2 pro.

JimmyM · #5 01-12-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapstick13

So after about a year with the svt 2 pro, Im looking for a different tone. NEVER would I have imagined myself getting bored with the 2 pro tone after loving it for the first few months. Got it retubed and for whatever reason, its been sounding dull and muddy to me. I feel like theres a blanket over my speakers and I just want to cut the air thats coming out!

this is why you don't do a full retube unless every one of your tubes are broken. if it ain't broke, don't fix it. anyway, sounds to me like it's just got a cold bias, but it could be the tubes. what did you use? do you still have the old ones?

christw · #6 01-12-2011, 01:01 PM

Are you using an Ampeg 810? I found that my 810E was why everything sounded muddy. I have a Genz Benz 610 and a Bag End 410 that are many times clearer in their reproduction, even with my SVT-II non pro. Try to use your head through different cabs at a music shop and see what sounds good. I went with a head, a Ric, and a motive to find a satisfying cab

Edit: I love my SVT-II and my 1001RB-II. I used both for punk, metal, and post-hardcore and they killed. I highly recommend the GK amps but don't give up on your Ampeg yet!

i_got_a_mohawk · #7 01-12-2011, 01:01 PM

+1, sounds like something is off with your tubes. And, don't fix what ain't broke!

NKUSigEp · #8 01-12-2011, 01:07 PM

The 2-Pro is loved by many but wasn't my thing after a brief afair with it - I ended up getting in to Aguilar gear and then ultimately came across a GK 700RBII for cheap, gave it a shot and absolutely love it with the Aguilar GS412 cab. It's ungodly loud through that cab and is thick and punchy as hell. I haven't had a chance with the 800RB but I love the 700RBII enough at this point that I don't see myself switching.

mrkreuzschlitz · #9 01-12-2011, 03:03 PM

I'll buy a GK 800RB and trade you.

slapstick13 · #10 01-13-2011, 12:25 PM

Ok ill trade you. But youd have to throw down about $800 into the trade as well! haha

James Judson · #11 01-13-2011, 12:34 PM

Many may dissagree with me here but, my experience is Ampeg = old school sounds, GK = more contemporary sounds. Some one with skills can make either sound like the other. I love both I switch up often.

blackba · #12 01-13-2011, 01:17 PM

I would try swapping back the preamp tubes on the SVT2-pro before I made the switch. I do like GK amps, the 800RB is a nice amp. I just think I would try to do some tube tweaking to the SVT2-pro before I just dumped it.

**haystack55** · #13 01-26-2011, 03:00 PM

man I've been through a GK 800RB (loved it), an SWR SM-400S (meh), and an SVT-III pro (meh+1)... I finally found a non-pro SVT-II a few years ago and haven't looked back. pushing a single 4 ohm load i've found it to be absolutely perfect for rock. that amp is my holy grail...

however, of all the amps i used before the SVT-II the 800RB was the absolute best in terms of sound and overall flexibility. i always knew whatever cab combination i was dealing with it could handle it and i could easily dial in my sound.

christw · #14 01-26-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haystack55

man I've been through a GK 800RB (loved it), an SWR SM-400S (meh), and an SVT-III pro (meh+1)... I finally found a non-pro SVT-II a few years ago and haven't looked back. pushing a single 4 ohm load i've found it to be absolutely perfect for rock. that amp is my holy grail...

however, of all the amps i used before the SVT-II the 800RB was the absolute best in terms of sound and overall flexibility. i always knew whatever cab combination i was dealing with it could handle it and i could easily dial in my sound.

The 800RB is solid state. Or did you mean to word it like that for comedic effect? My bad if I'm killing a joke here.

JoshuaTSP · #15 01-26-2011, 03:27 PM

I love my 800RB. It's the best amp I've tried so far.
The Ampeg V4-B Classic I have sounds great too....but is a lot less aggressive.
I've grown to enjoy the "GK growl" and not much else.....everything else sound whimpy.

big evil robot · #16 01-26-2011, 03:38 PM

I wouldn't make the switch, and I love the 800rb.

You're trying to compare apples and oranges in tone here, and your best bet might be to hold on and keep an eye out for a used 800rb at a good price (they go through the amps for sale forum pretty frequently).

And like a few others have suggested, check to see how your SVT2 was biased. If your original tubes are still in good state, switch them back.

slapstick13 · #17 02-01-2011, 09:57 AM

So I ended up picking up a gk 800rb with road case for 300$, which I thought was a pretty good deal. After I plugged in, I pretty much knew immediatly that I could not let go of my svt 2 pro. The 800rb just didnt come anywhere close. I cant afford to keep my 2 pro(credit card bills!) but Im still gonna keep it. It just seems impossible to take a step backwards at this point. The gk just sounded like a cartoon version of the svt. Thats the easiest way to put it. Guess Im svt'ed for life. For better or for worse!

Standalone · #18 02-01-2011, 07:43 PM

Clearly tubes are where it's at for you. That's awesome. Question, though, what are your settings on the 800? What have you dialed in so far?

slapstick13 · #19 02-02-2011, 10:07 AM

Yea I see thast true for me now. I had the 800rb set everything pretty much at noon. Mid scoop switch engaged to get clsoer to svt sound. boost at noon. It almost had like, too much attack, like when Id dig in with a pick the amp was fighting back at me. I do have to give the 800 some props for being ungodly loud for its power rating. I could def see using it as a back up, or if i switched from playing aggressive music to say... raggae or something.