I would hang on to the Aguilar. I like both but prefer the Aguilar. Especially the AG500.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Aguilar vs GK
- Thread starter Sparkl
- Start date
I too had an Aggie rig and a GK rig. I still have the GK. The Aguilar is great. The GK was me.
I would imagine the SL212 sounds similar to a 112 but double the output.
Yes, but what you hear may or may not have gone through his amp - it could be that you just want his DI. He might share that info with you. And, of course, his fingers. Which, I'm guessing, he probably won't share.
Another vote for GK here. I Had both of them, and never could bond with the Aggie, too wooly and undefined for my taste. Great vintage tone, if that's what you want.
People here who like GK will tell you to get rid of the Aguilar. People who like Aguilar will tell you to get rid of the GK. I got rid of most of my GK stuff and have Aguilar cabs and an AG700. So, if it were ME, I would get rid of the GK. But, it's not me, it's you. You'll have to play both for a while and make that decision, no?
Also, for people who are not familiar with the AG500, I would not call it "vintage voiced".
Also, for people who are not familiar with the AG500, I would not call it "vintage voiced".
Last edited:
Totally agree. Well I created this thread just to vent a little and to see other peoples opinions about it. For sure I will test them both
You know you don't have to keep all one brand, right? And the power difference between the 2 amps is minimal, you aren't going to get a ton more volume/headroom with the GK, so I wouldn't worry too much about wattage numbers.
What you should do is keep both heads and both cabs for at least a month or 2 if you can, and try every combination together in a variety of settings (big and small gigs, practice, at home, etc...) and really get to know every permutation so you can actually make an informed choice. You may end up liking the GK head into the aguilar cab the best, or vice versa. Or you may like the Gk head with the GK cab or aguilar with aguilar. Just depends, but it takes time to really learn the sound of an amp or cab, especially if you change both at once.
What you should do is keep both heads and both cabs for at least a month or 2 if you can, and try every combination together in a variety of settings (big and small gigs, practice, at home, etc...) and really get to know every permutation so you can actually make an informed choice. You may end up liking the GK head into the aguilar cab the best, or vice versa. Or you may like the Gk head with the GK cab or aguilar with aguilar. Just depends, but it takes time to really learn the sound of an amp or cab, especially if you change both at once.
I’m telling him to keep both heads because they sound different and they’re both terrific I’m also telling him to get barefaced cabinets and forget either one of the other brands once you try Barefaced you won’t be going back
Well guess what, I sold my Barefaced Big Twin 2
Maybe the 10s would be more my thing but I am currently enjoying proven and reliable brands with history to back it
My GK 2000 RB was the best sounding amp I've ever owned. but SOOO heavy. I've owned the vintage 400 too but didn't like it as much. The key with GK versatility is higher wattage headroom imo. I also found the Aggies not as precise at high volume when i was shopping amps. If it were me I might choose the Aguilar for recording and the GK for live playing. That's all two of my cents.
Old thread bump, just wondering what the OP ended up with.
I find it hard to find a better sounding rig than a 410RBH and a high power GK RB head (in my case, I use 2001RB). It hits hard, it's articulate, warm, fat, growly and I even use my GK rig for vintage tones (it's hard to make a passive P with La Bella flatwounds sound modern anyways). I was kind of interested in Aguilar for a little while, but every Aggie I've tried sounds a bit muted in comparison. Not to mention expensive as heck, and the only Aggie head I could compare to my 2001 RB quality wise is DB 751. Not worth the extra $$ IMO.
So, did you end up going with GK or Aguilar @Sparkl ?
I find it hard to find a better sounding rig than a 410RBH and a high power GK RB head (in my case, I use 2001RB). It hits hard, it's articulate, warm, fat, growly and I even use my GK rig for vintage tones (it's hard to make a passive P with La Bella flatwounds sound modern anyways). I was kind of interested in Aguilar for a little while, but every Aggie I've tried sounds a bit muted in comparison. Not to mention expensive as heck, and the only Aggie head I could compare to my 2001 RB quality wise is DB 751. Not worth the extra $$ IMO.
So, did you end up going with GK or Aguilar @Sparkl ?
Last edited:
I have owned a few amps over the years from GK to GenzBenz to MESA to finally what most consider the "holy grail" of amplifiers the Aggy 751. I have to admit that when I first got it I was super excited to finally own "The Amp" everyone raves about. I owned that 751 for the shortest amount of time-about 3 months! I couldn't stand its tone NOR its weight!! (though I fully realize its a matter of taste AND muscle!) Turned around and sold it and went back to a GK 1001RBll and when I did, my smile returned once again and at full force! Not to mention the extra money in my pocket!
Gallien Krueger rocks!
Gallien Krueger rocks!
Last edited:
I own a GK-400RB-III head, and I've owned a few more GKs over the years. I've enjoyed every one of them. Loud, rock solid reliability, great sounds, excellent eq.
I own an Aguilar TH500 and a pair of GS112s. This is my small gig setup. I really like the tone of the TH500. It's the closest I've got to a tube sound with an all solid state head. And my GS112s are great. They've served me well over a lot of years.
I find them to be quite different tonally, but I enjoy both equally. Aguilar and GK both make great bass gear, IMO.
I own an Aguilar TH500 and a pair of GS112s. This is my small gig setup. I really like the tone of the TH500. It's the closest I've got to a tube sound with an all solid state head. And my GS112s are great. They've served me well over a lot of years.
I find them to be quite different tonally, but I enjoy both equally. Aguilar and GK both make great bass gear, IMO.
