Are there really that many GK haters out there

johnnybass01 · #1 03-07-2011, 06:54 PM

It seems to me that there are more than a few people out there that don't like GK. I am just trying to put this into perspective. There a lot of manufactures out there and many have come and gone , and some have sold out to bigger company's SWR for one. in the earlier days amp research made a great bass amp those two partners split, Steve Raby started Swr and eventually sold out , the other partner went to Gibson and produced the GB 440 , Which is now days reproduced as the Thunderfunk head. Anyway the main point of my rambling is that GK is still here and although they do have amps and cabinets made in china, (as do many manufactures) so why all the hate? If you have a problem with anything made by GK they will stand behind it no problem.I remember years ago i wouldn't buy a japanese bass , now they are sought after compared to china , or asian made counterpoints. Gk offers combo's head's and cabs at a price point and weight factor that were unheard of a few years back and kudo's to them for doing that . I remember when the only digital switching amps were walter woods but I couldn't afford one. They are one of the only company's I now that has a 410 cab that has a weight of 45 lbs .And guess what it is not expensive.

JimmyM · #2 03-07-2011, 06:58 PM

gk's fine. it's not my thing as far as what i look for in an amp, but it's a good company. just saw kenny g last night and vail johnson had a gk rig and sounded great.

BigOldHarry · #3 03-07-2011, 07:05 PM

GK makes good heads. I do not now, nor have I ever cared for their cabs. Same with Ashdown...

That hardly qualifies as "hating".... Some brands don't do everything perfectly...

oldbassplayergu · #4 03-07-2011, 07:28 PM

the fusion 500 head is a great sounding amp, but I just never though that much of GK's tone. I do know they are very reliable amps.

jeff7bass · #5 03-07-2011, 07:41 PM

GK's RBH series cabs are great, but heavy. The heads are just great, although it seems like there are more problems lately. Might just be perception because posters are more likely to write when something goes wrong.

BurningSkies · #6 03-07-2011, 07:44 PM

I hate GK with a passion that burns like a million suns all going supernova at the same time.

deeptubes · #7 03-07-2011, 07:49 PM

I play primarily Precision Elite II through a GK 1001 RB-II, pushing an SWR Workingman's Tower (8x10). The sound is phoemoninal, and it will make your bones vibrate! I can get ANY sound out of that rig. I love my GK!

honeyiscool · #8 03-07-2011, 07:51 PM

I think some bassists hate anything that reduces the weight of their equipment.

johnnybass01 · #9 03-07-2011, 07:54 PM

+1 on that I used to have a flite 123 but couldn't keep it in one place to save my life . just to light with a downfiring speaker isn't a good thing..

::::BASSIST:::: · #10 03-07-2011, 07:54 PM

From my experience their new mbe cabs aren't too hot, but I like their other stuff. Especially my GK MB500.

PDGood · #11 03-07-2011, 07:55 PM

I think they are good amps - just not the tone I like. They are clean and deep and powerful and great for the money - just not very warm. Don't hate 'em though.

madmatt · #12 03-07-2011, 07:57 PM

I have a 700RB/115 and an 115RBH cab.
Works good for me.

sandmangeck · #13 03-07-2011, 07:58 PM

How was that Kenny G show?

20db pad · #14 03-07-2011, 07:58 PM

For every popular brand, there will be a crowd of detractors and supporters on TB. Sometimes they're not equally vocal.

NecroticImbecil · #15 03-07-2011, 08:00 PM

I haven't heard one that made me want to buy it. I don't hate GK amps. GK amps don't hate me. I save my hatred for beings that are supposed to be sentient.

**Syco_bass** · #16 03-07-2011, 08:05 PM

I used to love my GK fusion 550 head and 2X410 NEO cabs. until something went wrong with it and I had to send it back to the factory. "Peggy" told me that it shipped "Yesterday", "Sanches" told me it was still on the work bench, and "Jose" told me he couldn't find it in the system at all. As soon as I got it back (4 weeks later) but in like new condition, I sold it all and bought a MarKbass 800 tube head with 2X10 and 1X15 cabs. Never been happier. (and my back loves me for it) Great tone, great warranty service through GC and Ultra light weight package.

Ric5 · #17 03-07-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

gk's fine. it's not my thing as far as what i look for in an amp, but it's a good company. just saw kenny g last night and vail johnson had a gk rig and sounded great.

I agree ... I went into my local music store 10 years ago and I was convinced I was going to buy GK. I a/b tested it against Ampeg. The Ampeg sounded better to my ears. So I bought Ampeg.

treekiller · #18 03-07-2011, 08:24 PM

I have a Fusion 550 head with a 4-12 NEO cab and I'm very happy with it. Much warmer than a 700RB but still has a bit of edge. It's not an SVT, but nothing else is either.

As for the NEO cab, I haven't heard what others are complaining about. I play a P-Bass thru it and I get the classic tone I was looking for before I got it. Sorry to dissapoint, but I'm one very satisfied G-K owner!!!

jelwood · #19 03-07-2011, 08:30 PM

I ordered a pot, two relays and new shiny logo for my neo 412 today from GK, only took two phone calls with a few hours between. Can't beat that with a freaking billy club, let me tell you. Wouldn't trade my GK rig for anything else. Bob is a genius.

greenboy · #20 03-07-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

I hate GK with a passion that burns like a million suns all going supernova at the same time.

You bad bad man!