What is the best "other amp" for a GK lover

j_nition · #1 01-25-2011, 10:13 PM

Hi guys,

I recently became a GK lover with the purchase of my 400rbIII paired up with a Aguilar GS112. What would you suggest as an "other amp" to add some tonal variety but still in the same ballpark. Not looking to go off the deep end to the opposite end of the spectrum.

Rumblefisher · #2 01-25-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_nition

Hi guys,

I recently became a GK lover with the purchase of my 400rbIII paired up with a Aguilar GS112. What would you suggest as an "other amp" to add some tonal variety but still in the same ballpark. Not looking to go off the deep end to the opposite end of the spectrum.

I suspect you will very much like Markbass.

Steer clear of TC Electronics and Tecamp, great companies but not for you apparently.

j_nition · #3 01-25-2011, 11:00 PM

besides being out of my price range, what specifics about the TC stuff would you imagine to be a turn off for fans of the GK sound?

MysticMichael · #4 01-25-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_nition

besides being out of my price range, what specifics about the TC stuff would you imagine to be a turn off for fans of the GK sound?

The voicing. It's voiced to sound like more of an idealized Ampeg tone, as it were. As such, you're not going to get the same kind of super solid-state rawness, clarity, or aggressive upper-midrange snarl as the GK.

MM

j_nition · #5 01-25-2011, 11:47 PM

there it is! Thanks for that perfectly articulated snynopsis. For the record, I'm not opposed to the tube warmed sounds, but I do really love the growly edge of GK. There's definitly something in the clarity and clean edgeyness that I love espescially when playing with a pick.

What about a mesa walkabout? Tubey wool in the preamp balenced with a solid state power section.... Hmmm

maxbass · #6 01-26-2011, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_nition

What would you suggest as an "other amp" to add some tonal variety but still in the same ballpark.

This is a matter of bass, not amp.
I don't find a "some tonal variety" reason to justify having more than one amp

madmatt · #7 01-26-2011, 03:38 AM

Actually get yourself a VT pedal. It will give you a lot of other sounds cheaper than buying a new amp.

AdamR · #8 01-26-2011, 06:07 AM

If you like GK, you probably wont like SWR. at least Im not

j_nition · #9 01-26-2011, 08:12 AM

hey thanks guys... Good points on sourcing another bass instead of another amp or adding a Tech 21 VT to increase the tonal options. I like both ideas.

Rumblefisher · #10 01-26-2011, 08:14 AM

J, what bass are you using?

j_nition · #11 01-26-2011, 08:17 AM

Heavily modded SX P/J. Interested in adding a sterling stingray or maybe an active jazz with EMG's

Rumblefisher · #12 01-26-2011, 08:41 AM

Since you are a GK fan and have a setup you like, I'd say stick with it and upgrade your bass. Sterling sounds like a fine choice for you, and will certainly pair well with an aggressive amp. After all, why change your amp to get another with a similar tone?

tombowlus · #13 01-26-2011, 09:05 AM

Sticking to the OP's goal of finding a complimentary brand for a GK lover to try out, there are many, but I suggest Mesa/Boogie. There is a lot of tonal variety within the M/B brand (more so than within the GK brand), but I would specifically try a WalkAbout and/or one of the Carbine series (M3/6/9). Or the Titan V-12, if you wanna go nuts.

Tom.

tombowlus · #14 01-26-2011, 09:06 AM

Another option is to move around a bit within the GK product line. Say, an MB Fusion.

Rumblefisher · #15 01-26-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Sticking to the OP's goal of finding a complimentary brand for a GK lover to try out, there are many, but I suggest Mesa/Boogie. There is a lot of tonal variety within the M/B brand (more so than within the GK brand), but I would specifically try a WalkAbout and/or one of the Carbine series (M3/6/9). Or the Titan V-12, if you wanna go nuts.

Tom.

Really...hmm, I never really considered GK products to be in the same vein as Mesa. Then again I've only really ever tried their budget gear, and none of the newer Fusion amps. Thanks Tom!

tombowlus · #16 01-26-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFclef

Really...hmm, I never really considered GK products to be in the same vein as Mesa. Then again I've only really ever tried their budget gear, and none of the newer Fusion amps. Thanks Tom!

They're not cut from the same mold, for sure. But, for the player who loves GK, but wants to try something different, I think it's an interesting choice.

FretlessMainly · #17 01-26-2011, 09:50 AM

I have a GK 700RB-II w/ a GK 212 as my main rig (love it) and for my RIC-o-Sound setup I got a Markbass Little Mark 250 paired with an Avatar 112 (at 4 ohms). The Markbass is a little bit warmer than the GK and works fine as a smaller rig and even takes my upright nicely.

Jeff Scott · #18 01-26-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFclef

I suspect you will very much like Markbass.

+1

I used to have a 400RB and two 700RB heads along with a 200MB combo, and for a short time, a MB150S combo amp, all great amps; the GK gear is all in the past, I now have a Markbass F1 and Minimark.

ilovenofrets · #19 01-26-2011, 06:36 PM

A total GK user here, and I gotta recommend the Ray 34. Together, the sound is pure bliss-IMHO!!! Seriously, if you love that tone that is GK, the Ray tone is a beautiful match.

rayzak · #20 01-26-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovenofrets

A total GK user here, and I gotta recommend the Ray 34. Together, the sound is pure bliss-IMHO!!! Seriously, if you love that tone that is GK, the Ray tone is a beautiful match.

Without getting too far off-topic, I'll have to agree. A Ray and a GK make a glorious couple!