what do you think of GK cabs and amp heads..

kjizzel · #1 01-24-2011, 10:20 PM

I am about to purchase a set in a couple of days and was wondering what everyone thinks about them. thanks

Hutzbordello · #2 01-24-2011, 10:25 PM

not sure about the amps and cabs but i have the gk bme 210 and its quite amazing

bombpop14 · #3 01-24-2011, 10:25 PM

The heads have always been good..the cabs have improved greatly IMHO. Great bang for your buck.

mcm · #4 01-24-2011, 10:27 PM

love the heads, i have 2, but dont like the cabs

Chuckf · #5 01-25-2011, 12:25 AM

I have had their SBX cabs for years and have had no issues. I would consider them again.

Boombass76 · #6 01-25-2011, 12:39 AM

I played an 2000RB for ten years and loved everything about it - apart from the weight!!!

Eventually, it gave up and died. I never considered anything else that just getting anew one just like it. Then, I found out that it had been discontinued and replaced with the 2001RB so I bought that instead. Boy was I disappointed...!?

It sounded nothing like the 2000RB, which - to my ears - was definitely a bad thing.

At the time, I worked in a music store that imported GK, Ashdown and Aguilar, so I went through loads of combination of ams and cabs from those brands. I don't want to comment on every rig I tried in that period, but the GK amps were not considered after having tried both 2001RB, 1001RB and 700RB on gigs. It's classic, they sound nice on their own (like Ashdown), but once you put them in a live mix, they just drown and lack definition. At least that was my experience.

I guess what I'm saying is that I loved the old GK stuff, but not the new stuff...

tastybasslines · #7 01-25-2011, 12:57 AM

I was starting to think that I didn't go powerful enough, and was telling my bandmates yesterday...they said "there is no way that I needed anything else, and that, I have the best equipment" The drummer remarks that the sound I make is easy for him to follow...

I still really haven't found my ideal sound with this amp, but I play an MB115.

I may go to the 2x12 but it's mostly GAS, they all said I didn't need it.

Vittu · #8 01-25-2011, 05:04 AM

I have a 700 rb II and I love it I play fast thrashy metal and it keeps up with my style perfect. I first used a gk 2 12 neo and the speakers sounded like crap so I returned it imediatly. I use a ampeg svt 410hlf classic and it still blowes my mind.

kosmicwizard · #9 01-25-2011, 05:23 AM

Used a 700RBII through a Ampeg 8x10, tried a 800RB through a Ampeg 4x10HE and 1x15E, sometimes still use a 1001RBII through either the 8x10 or Ampeg 2x15E. The sound is not bad at all with a Tech 21 VT bass pedal in front of it and you never have to replace any tubes. Cheers.

Standalone · #10 01-25-2011, 05:26 AM

I have a very old 210 (the rare 210T) and it is of excellent design and construction. A 410 RBX I heard once had the best club/bar gig tone I've ever heard I've liked their amps in stores over the last decade. The ultralight they first came out with wasn't my thing.

Lastly, The 800RB and 400RB will be forever classic and eminently giggable amps.

cnltb · #11 01-25-2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjizzel

I am about to purchase a set in a couple of days and was wondering what everyone thinks about them. thanks

I very much LIKE the heads but do not really know their cabs.

IbanezSGfan · #12 01-26-2011, 08:21 PM

Ive got the GK 1001rb mk-2 through an ampeg svt 4x10 classic cab and it's phenomenal. Had it going at church and it cut through very nicely. Do notice that its "true" sound comes through when pushed to its medium/upper limits (about 6 to 8 of its total output, which is LOUD) but you get an entirely different sound when your volume is down. IDK other amps may be the same. But just practicing alone if I turn the tweeter and woofer past 12 I get a nice hiss, but is only noticeable if your playing very quiet, calm (not slap) style. Overall, I love it! Couldn't be happier going through the ampeg I would like to try it through a pair of GK neo cabs just to see if it can even compare to the ampeg warmth mostly for convenience/transporting purposes

But definitely a unique sound that really can be dialed in to any style. Most people love it or hate it (that I've talked to) but try all that you can out and you remember you can't be over-anal when searching because that's a pretty big decision. But anyway, good luck to you and happy hunting!

**lowendfriend** · #13 01-26-2011, 09:20 PM

I have the 700RB-II and a GK Neo 212-II and would buy it again. Play outdoor events and large hptel ballrooms with plenty to spare. I stack up against 3 guitars and a horn section and full drums, so the "not standing up in the mix" comment above is a minority position imo. Rugged (dumped it off a stage onto blacktop with a scuff on the corner and nada issue.) Cold weather, light rain, hot and humid.

For weight and affordability checkout the 212 MBE cab....light and inexpensive.They mau not be as rugged as the Neo birch or poplar cabs.

dmusic148 · #14 01-26-2011, 09:45 PM

I have in my collection an old 800RB that I'll never sell again. Yeah, I actually sold it and regretted it horribly, then convinced the buyer to sell it back to me. 'Nuf said.

**garmenteros** · #15 01-26-2011, 11:04 PM

GK makes great gear. My favorite being the old stuff, the 800rbs and 400rbs. I practice from time to time with a 400rb paired with a single 15 ampeg and the tone is pretty good with anything you throw at it. I used to own a 1001rbII with matching gk neo 212 cab and it was very versatile. I'd pick the older stuff over the new however.

Hopkins · #16 01-27-2011, 04:51 AM

I have a 410 neo and a 410 SBX plus. Both are great cabs, I can't thing of anything better in the same price range.

AciDBatH666 · #17 01-27-2011, 07:10 AM

I recently just finished building my new rack, upgrading from my SWR Workingmans 4004 head and SWR 4X10 cab. The SWR was great as a power amp, it was just too clean for me. I got a Sansamp DI for my sound with that setup.
When looking to move up, I researched a lot and found nothing but good reviews of the GK 1001RBII so I waited patiently to find one used near me or on the forums. I was looking for an 8X10 as well. I decided on the 1001 and not the 700 because I play with two guitarists that are LOUD in a metal setting and I wanted to be able to overcome their sound if I needed to.

The GK1001 is in my new rack with a Sansamp RBI. I use it for my 4X10 and my 8X10. 8X10 stays in our practice storage unit. I'll get my first chance to really rip into that this weekend at our first practice in a while. I have been able to play thru my 4X10 to jam with some other guys and really crank this 1001 more than I could at my apartment. I can't vouch for the whole "growl" that comes out when pushing the GKs to their upper limits since I haven't gotten to really push it that high due to having 700 watts and my 4X10 can only handle so much.... But I can say that the tone is great in the low-medium range. At the practice this weekend, I'm planning on taking my little HD Flip cam and recording some sounds playing with just the GK and messing with the settings (cranked with my 8X10), and then some more clips with the Sansamp activated.

All in all, I'm glad I got it. I'd gladly replace it if anything happened to it, or possibly find a used 700RB for a 2nd setup and sell off my SWR Workingman 4004.

DavePlaysBass · #18 01-27-2011, 08:00 AM

GK offers a lot of bang for the buck. I have bought two pieces of GK gear in the last year which include the MB500 and Neo115-iii. I bought them partly because of cost. I would have waited longer to pay more if I thought the extra cost was justified.

I bought the MB500 and 700RB-II at the same time. I compared them back and forth for a month and took the 700RB-II back to GC and kept the MB500. Its a great sounding head that fits in a laptop back pack. The EQ on it is very powerful and can get you a lot of different sounds. Look up the BL600 frequency response report done by a regular poster here and you can get a feel for the natural EQ voicing and how to pull it flat.

The Neo115-iii was exactly what I was looking for. A reasonably priced single cab that sounds bigger than my Aguilar GS112. It is very schlepable. I was thinking of holding out for the Neo212 but the smaller size and lower cost encouraged me to jump on the 115 along with the desire to capture some of the old school 115 vibe I remember from the 80's. I feel the 115neo has great lows and balanced upper mids.

I have been more than satisified with the performance of both pieces. And the customer support is awesome. I have spoke on the phone with GK's employees for an hour at a time on couple of occasions. They are passionate about there gear. And provide great customer service. With that being said, there's a lot of great choices out there. But it will be hard to get GK quality for less money.

FretlessMainly · #19 01-27-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

I have the 700RB-II and a GK Neo 212-II and would buy it again. Play outdoor events and large hotel ballrooms with plenty to spare.

That's my exact rig and I echo your sentiments. I find that it cuts through very well in 100-200 capacity clubs (on no more than 25-30%); we play hard rock/prog.

philter25 · #20 01-27-2011, 10:08 AM

As stated already, GK makes great bang for your buck. GK isnt top of the line, high end hi-fi boutique type stuff. But its better than the cheaper ampeg stuff, fender rumble types, acoustic and other sub 500 dollar entry level type gear.

They have good customer service and Bob Gallien posts on TB every so often, so they are in touch with the community and our needs.

When it comes to their amps, IMO its all about tastes and preferences. Every amp sounds different, so when it comes to sound, its all personal preference.

For the price and what you get from their products, Id argue that there isnt a better entire-product-line wide bang for your buck than GK.