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800RB or SVT-III Pro?

K-Funk

K-Funk

Sep 24, 2007
1,182
21
Auburn Hills, MI
#1
Right now, my main live amp (and amp I used for our last recording) is an Ampeg SVT-6 PRO. It's fantastic, but it's waaay too obscene for certain applications. It sits in my big rack, and for some applications (band practice, church band, general jamming with non-bandmates, playing in the relatively loud jazz band at school, etc) it's just inappropriate. However....

At the local GC, there lies a used GK 800RB, and a used Ampeg SVT-III Pro. I've tested them both, and they're both in tip-top shape. I can get either one for $450. I'd be trading in a bass I never, ever use for something I'd use frequently, so I'd really be paying about $200 total for the amp.

Which amp would be the better "general-purpose" amp? I know the Ampeg has 150 watts on the GK, but I also know that the 3-Pro's are pretty weak for a 450-watt amp. Also, is it true that the 100-watt section of the GK is prone to going down? Thanks for your help!
 
#2
GK hands down. That is an extremely reliable amp and the 100 watt section generally only has problems when people go below the recommended impedance rating.

You already have an Ampeg, so add something different to the aresenal. The GK will have better resale down the road and it will crush the Ampeg III pro in volume, and probably keep up with your larger Ampeg.

JR
 
#4
JGR said:
GK hands down. That is an extremely reliable amp and the 100 watt section generally only has problems when people go below the recommended impedance rating.

You already have an Ampeg, so add something different to the aresenal. The GK will have better resale down the road and it will crush the Ampeg III pro in volume, and probably keep up with your larger Ampeg.

JR
Click to expand...


the 800rb is louder? no way! I agree with the fact that I should add some different tone colors to my arsenal, but is it really louder?
 
#5
I had an SVT-IIIpro and it was absolutely a eunuch in terms of volume. I haven't played the GK but the most impressive rig I ever heard outdoors was an 800RB through a pair of Bag End 1X15s it sounded the same- perfect- from 1/4 mile or 50 feet away. Plenty loud, super clean & smooth. Whenever I hear 'SVT-IIIpro' I cringe a little. Decent tone, just not enough of it.
 
#6
Probably a bit louder, at least perceptually. Solid state/hybrid Ampegs are notoriously quiet for what you get. I had an 800RB and a B2RE together once and the GK crushed it in terms of volume. I talked to an amp guy awhile back who worked on the 800s and he basically told me that most of the 800s are underrated (putting out 400w or so instead of 300). Plus, it's nice to have a different sound.
 
#11
Beyond the perceived volume differences (or not) are other issues. Like for me, I like an amp that's simple and easy to mess with on a dark stage.
While some people like many switches, knobs and sliders, I just don't have a need for that much tonal control on my amp. I never have been able to claim that I could hear sonic subtleties that many others can, and that's a blessing in disguise for me. I can take my J or P or 4001 and plug them in my 800RB and get a pretty good sound with everything at 12 o'clock. Maybe tweak the highs off a little or add some high mids, and it's 99.9% close enough for me.
This is just my opinion; and I'm not on any bandwagon or trying to slam anyone or anything. I briefly owned an svt3 and it was a very good amp, I just didn't get really comfortable with it like the old GK.
:bassist:
 
#12
hmmm...... I still don't understand the volume thing. A while ago, I borrowed a 3-Pro and an Ampeg 8x10 fridge for a larger show, and at best I got somewhat of a grumble, competing with a Mesa Triple Rec, a Randall T2 and a hard-hitting drummer. Very weak. So, a GK 800RB, at 300 watts (or 400 full-range with the right speaker setup) will do better?
 
#13
K-Funk said:
hmmm...... I still don't understand the volume thing. A while ago, I borrowed a 3-Pro and an Ampeg 8x10 fridge for a larger show, and at best I got somewhat of a grumble, competing with a Mesa Triple Rec, a Randall T2 and a hard-hitting drummer. Very weak. So, a GK 800RB, at 300 watts (or 400 full-range with the right speaker setup) will do better?
Click to expand...

I would bet money on it, as that has been my experience.
 
#14
The SVT 3 Pros I've played through sounded weak to me also for an amp with supposedly so much power. No such problems with the GK 800 RB. I've used the GK with various speaker configurations and always had loads of volume. The 100 watt power amp is perfectly fine as long as you don't go below 8 ohms. The main power amp, even at 8 ohms is surprising and at 4 ohms sounds huge.

The Ampeg had a decent sound, just not much of it.
 
#15
Unless this certain SVT3pro is any different from the ones I've heard and played, yes, the GK 800RB will be way louder. Countless reports will testify to that. And you'll hear them going to 20+ years back 'til today. Why is it louder? The wattage isn't telling the whole story. It's in the sound (usable volume), and the fact that pushing the 800RB only makes it sound better. GK designs the power section to break up very musically and gives it that grunt/growl sound.

I say plug them both in at GC, better if it is the cab you are gonna use it with, and compare. I know in-store comparisons and demos are tough. But if the 800RB is still in good working order, I have a feeling the GK will impress you.

Lastly, are you going off the used sticker price? I'd bargain if I were you. They usually price their used gear way high and are definitely willing to deal. And I've never bought a used piece at GC without getting the price way lower. My advice is to sell the bass elsewhere you are planning on trading in because you are likely getting hosed on that. Sell it locally or here on TB. At the same time or before that, bargain on the GK. From experience, I wouldn't be surprised if you made a hard offer for $300 and they take it. Talk to the manager if you have to. Work the bargaining skills. Tell them they go for that price on eBay all the time which is the truth. Again, unless this GC is extra stubborn, they are taught to make deals. My guess is that they took in this trade for about $150-200 somehow or another. And I think I'm being pretty generous with that guess.

This is how it works: You tell them you are interested in the amp but have to make you a better offer on the pricing, or like I said hit 'em with a low price like $300 or lower. They'll go check their computer because they know they price them high to build in some bargaining power. They have some standard minimum percentage which they have to get to make profit. From what I've understood, it's like 15-30% more than what they paid for it. Something like that. They will look at what they need to get for it and either reject your offer and counter offer, or they will say they can do it at the price you offered. Usually, if the guy is cool with you, he'll give you the lowest price that the store will allow which is that profit percentage amount. Salesman makes a sale, GC makes a little money, they move the gear and make room for more gear. If the salesman is tough, he'll counter your offer with a slightly lower than sticker price offer and appear to make it seem like that's the lowest he can do. If it is only slightly lower than sticker price, he can go lower. As I said, politely say that you understand his situation and ask to see the manager and if he could "approve" a better deal. Yeah, I know, these games suck. But unless money is no object, you'll save money selling your bass elsewhere and bargaining on the amp.

Best of luck...
 
#16
ok i got BOTH here... svt3 and a gk800rb with a 215 and a ampeg 810. i HATED the svt3... if you want that tone... get the svt4 and spend a lil more money. i got the 800rb as a bday gift from my gf. i A/B them both in the 215 and then in the 810. the gk definitely sounds louder. i didnt need to crank the 800rb and i havent looked back ever since. If anything.. i'd get a 700rb later..


ive recently been using the only 100watt section going in to my BF Omni10.5 and i have no problems. the only reason i know for the 100watt going down is because people connect a 4ohm cab to the 8OMH 100w... and that will fry any head..
 
#17
yay! the bass god smiles upon me!

I just nabbed a Gallien-Krueger 800RB, about 15 years old, in mint condition (minus about 3 total inches of rack rash on the top) for a grand total of.........

$205.17!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must say, I am satisfied. The guy also said he had an old Mesa 2x10 cab for $200, and a Warwick 411 cab for $300. For what I'm saving, I think I'll tackle the 'wick cab as well.......
 
#20
How is the 6 PRO Obscene? Volume wise? Don't mean to be a smart ass here, you can just turn the VOLUME DOWN. Does the tone not fit? I really can't see how the tone does not fit for what you do. Too many buttons on the unit?

Is the Ampeg just not for you? Then I suggest going for the GK. The 3 PRO is going to sound similar to the 6 PRO, but with less power.
 

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