Trying to find an amp that sounds like...

[VTheHTyphoon]

Ok, so I have 2 GK 212s that I want to take full advantage of. Problem is, I am not quite sure which amp head to go with. I was looking at a GK 1001-RBii, because I have heard GK heads are very quick and articulate. But, I have seen the SWR Working Pro 700 and that it's gotten some positive reviews in areas. Lastly I practice in a studio and instead of bringing my own amp, our guitarist has an ampeg combo that I believe is one of the rocket combos. So, I was looking at getting maybe the SVT 7 PRO because that rocket combo amp has some sweet thump to it. I play prog/metalish music, and I need an amp that can keep up with me.

Edit: I also do use effects, in case that makes a difference.

[JonnyAngle]

How about agk mb800?

[sethlow3]

I have a GK1001rb and two neo 212's. I highly recommend it. It growls, it's loud, it suits ALL styles, and you'll get the most out of your cabs with the bi-amping feature for sure.

[JMac4strngr]

I voted Ampeg cause that's what I like. Let Your ears and wallet do the choosing, and good luck.

[garmenteros]

I had a gk1001IIRB with a gk neo 212. I also use solidstate ampegs in practice spaces I rent for my progressive metal band. Either will work just fine. I personally like the GKs more though (if we're talking solidstate)

[bassgod0dmw]

For it would be between the GK and the Ampeg. I'm not a fan of SWR, and their Workingpro stuff isn't quite in the same league as the other amps mentioned.

I own a GK 2001 RB and a bunch of Ampeg stuff. I play prog metal too. Both amps do great at pretty much anything. I really don't think you can go wrong. I might give the slight nod to the GK as they do take pedal very well...but that's not to say that the Ampeg does not.

When you say you want to take full advantage of the GK cabs, you pretty much need to use a GK head with biamping to make that happen, so you may have answered your own question.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

For it would be between the GK and the Ampeg. I'm not a fan of SWR, and their Workingpro stuff isn't quite in the same league as the other amps mentioned.

I own a GK 2001 RB and a bunch of Ampeg stuff. I play prog metal too. Both amps do great at pretty much anything. I really don't think you can go wrong. I might give the slight nod to the GK as they do take pedal very well...but that's not to say that the Ampeg does not.

When you say you want to take full advantage of the GK cabs, you pretty much need to use a GK head with biamping to make that happen, so you may have answered your own question.

+1 I voted for the 1001RB-II, because it would allow you to take advantage of the GK HMS (horn management system), but really, the 700RB-II might be a good bet, as well. It's plenty loud, IMHO, and it gets that sweet GK snarl that comes on as you push the "rails" of the output section. Consequently, it can sound more aggressive than the 1001, though the 1001 definitely has more clean headroom. Any of the lightweight MB heads would also kick, but do note that they do not incorporate the HMS and separate tweeter amp.

Ampeg was a close second, though. That 7Pro really would do well with those cabs, and it would undoubtedly give you a thicker, creamier tone than the GK head, if that's what you are after.

[Waffles and Scotch]

It's not listed, but I'd choose a Mesa M6 or M9.

[MediaJones]

I would say that blackfaced svt reissue.... or a real one... if you have the cash!

[BassBob1]

It kind of depends on what sounds best to you. I would choose between the GK and Ampeg. I own a 7 pro because I really like the character ampeg adds to my sound. The 7 pro also sounds darn close to an all tube SVT. I also own a GK MB210 combo. I like it but like the sound of my ampeg much much better. The GK has a more aggressive character to it, more top end when set flat (to my ears anyway).
These guys a pretty progressive. In the first video the bassist is using ampeg which he uses now. In the second GK with a 412 which he used to endorse.
umvideo's Channel - YouTube
umvideo's Channel - YouTube
Maybe that will help. What ever you choose Ampeg will be at least a bit fatter and smoother sounding and GK will have a bit more kick in the mids (which is why they are sometimes perceived as sounding faster). I have very limited experience with SWR so I can't recommend for or against them.

[MediaJones]

or a mesa boogie 400+..... or one of those 200 watt "Mywatt" amplifiers- that would prob be my choice. That thing seems to sound great for the prog metal thang (sound clips meah---->Weber-Amps Intransigently Single-Channel Tops) Put it together with those 212s and possibly a thunderbird bass and I dont think you could get anymore prog/metal than that!

Maybe the 400 watt? more break up on the 200... probably better suited

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by TF Ghost

It's not listed, but I'd choose a Mesa M6 or M9.

This

or if you want versatility...get a good preamp (say, a VT bass deluxe) and juice it with a good power amp. It's like having 6 amps in one. If you own any distortion/overdrive or fuzz pedals, the VT will do WONDERS for it if you stick it before the VT in your signal chain. My crappy, cheap DS-1 sounds amazing with the VT.

[pablomigraine]

If you care to, you can search out my other threads regarding my amp experiences over 8 years being in progressive metal / technical hardcore / metalcore bands but here are my recommendations:

For Clean Fingerstyle:

-Genz Benz Streamliner 900 and Genz Benz Uber Cabs
-Ampeg SVT-7pro and 610HLF
-Genz Benz Shuttle or Shuttlemax and Uber cabs

For Dirty Fingerstyle:

- Ampeg SVT-7Pro and Bergantino NV610 or SVT810e
- Genz Benz Streamliner and Genz Benz XB3 cabinets
- Tech21 Sansamp RBI + power amp and NV610 or SVT810e
- Orange Bass Terror and NV610 or SVT810e

For Pickstyle:

- Learn to play fingerstyle

If you're wealthy:

-Ashdown Small Block 427 and Ashdown CL-810
-Marshall Lemmy Rig

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by pablomigraine

For Pickstyle:

- Learn to play fingerstyle

+1 LOL! That is awesome!

[Art Araya]

I have a GK 1001RB and an Ampeg SVT-VR. For metal I'd say you can't beat the tubey goodness and fatness and growliness of the SVT.

[JimmyM]

7 Pro rocks hard, as do the all-tube SVT's...if you can handle the weight, rock the tubes, but if not, the 7 Pro is magnificent.

[ryognbass]

I voted for the 7pro, but I may change to the SWR upon reading your description. I use a WP700, which has an excellent clean base tone (not quite as potent as the 7's) but in my experience, it handles effects much more readily and effectively because the tone s much less colored initially.

that being said, the ampeg line is certainly more traditional in this setting, and the tone would be much more familiar at its core.

[brndn123]

I vote 700rbII. I have yet to meet anyone who cranks up their 1001 past the halfway point HOWEVER, the louder you push the 700rbII, the better it sounds in my opinion. Plus, if given the option, I try to keep my amp and cab combo matching because it always looks so damn classy on stage

[Sartori]

The Ampeg or the GK. Not a fan of SWR stuff.

Are you buying new or used? And if new, why?

[VTheHTyphoon]

Not sure if I am buying new or used, I was originally going to order it on MF and then sell my Line 6 Lowdown HD400 and the FBV Express MkII I have on craigslist it cover the money, but MF recently put up a Shipping soon thing under the 1001RB so I might be buying used because, in my experience MF tends to post those dates its shipping stuff way too early and then just periodically pushes them further away. I remember when I originally was going to get the MB800 and in June it said it would be out in August... now it is moved to October. Also I was looking at the Ampegs because the two GC's near me have a few models that sound good, but they are quite warm and that isn't something I entirely want but at the same time, if the price was right I would go for one