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Ampeg vs. GK

L

locogringo

Feb 4, 2007
5
0
#1
So i play a rickenbacker 4003

in a hardcore band

So i like alot of punch to cut through 2 super loud/super low guitarists

Alot of drop d heavy hitting riffs

Anyways I just bought an swr 8x8 and was wondering if anybody has any amp pairing suggestions

I personally have been looking at the

GK 1001rb-II 700w

and

SVT 450h 450w

though I am open to suggestions on other amps...suggestions?
 
#2
I can't tell you about a ampeg but I can tell you about the GK. I have a 1001rb with two swr golliath 3's and the GK is so loud and perfectly clear that it will rattle the fillings right out of your teeth. Like it has the ability to permanetly ruin your hearing type loud. I know it sounds stupid but it's like tone doesn't even matter because you can cut throug on sheer volume alone. Take it for what you will.
 
#3
i've never been too impressed with GK cabs...their heads are top notch though. Ampeg on the other hand has great Heads and Cabs, and should suit any situation. They have a "rock" feel to them since they are heavy and some what distorted. If your looking for a real clean sound go with GK,but if u want some grit go with Ampeg.
 
#5
i dont think 100watts will cut it, despite being tube... our stage levels are super loud and i need to drive and get ALOT of punch...kids should be walking out holding their chests, and i dont really want a straight tube amp b/c we are touring all summer and thats the last thing i want to think about....I also lookoed at the svt4 but its just too pricey for me
 
#8
locogringo said:
i dont think 100watts will cut it, despite being tube... our stage levels are super loud and i need to drive and get ALOT of punch...kids should be walking out holding their chests, and i dont really want a straight tube amp b/c we are touring all summer and thats the last thing i want to think about....I also lookoed at the svt4 but its just too pricey for me
Click to expand...

Well, you won't get near the power out of the SVT-450 that you will out of a V-4. 100 watts or not. For that matter, I'm sold on the old GK 800RB's, sound awesome, cheap, and it was louder than my SVT-4.
 
#12
Love my GK 800RB ... plenty, plenty loud; mean, nasty, dirty low end growl, especially when you overcrank the pre just a little bit... and great mid-definition that always cuts through. And the thing is a tank. SVT's are great too, but the bang-for-buck just ain't there, plus I don't trust myself toting a tube head around... I played a couple ampeg solid states and the sound wasn't there, imho.
 
#15
I also play a Ric 4003 as my main bass, and I have a Gallien Krueger RB400-III head...

Its output is a lot smaller than the GK you're considering, but I guess the quality/features would be very similar.

I love what it does for my sound. I used to play with EBS, but somehow the GK seems warmer and more versatile than the EBS was.

Ampeg isnt for me... I think that it's very "Boomy"... its got its own "voice" and even though It's got lots of balls for Rock, I think its very limited... IMO, course.
 
#20
I used to own a GK1001RBII and a SWR 8x8. It was a seriously loud rig. I never put the GK up past halfway, and when it was it was incredible. But for the type of music we play I wasn't content on the tone I was getting. It wasn't until I got the Sansamp RBI that I was blown away. Amazing. I could've used that rig for the rest of my life. But after working all Summer night and day I felt I deserved to treat myself.

So I've just bought an SVT6 and 810 and it suits what I'm after alot more than the GK.

It all comes down to what you like in terms of tone. I'd suggest going to a store and trying them both through the same cab, using your guitar. Have a good play around, if you're intent on buying the store guys shouldn't have any dramas with you spending 20-30 minutes tweaking the amp.

Good luck.
 

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