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Ampeg rig to a GK rig: What can I expect?
- Thread starter Warpeg
- Start date
GK? No, theyre still using those crappy Eminence speakers. Ampeg? Well they're usually totally awesome speakers made by Eminence!
So are Marshall, Basoon, Fender, Crate, Epifani etc etc etc.
Those things really are getting to be pretty omnipresent these days, and some probably are better than others. I'm just a bit wary having compared my SWR 8x8 with Celestions to what they sell now(SWR Custom drivers, made by Eminance of course) and pretty much realizing SWR has jumped the shark. Does Mesa still offer an upgrade to EV? Those old boxes with the EVM15L were great. Veering off topic here.
Maybe the word you're looking for isn't omnipresence, but rather, preeminence?
Yeah, I know, bad pun. But yet, it was so clever in my head.
I couldn´t explain it better.
In fact, I didn´t
Oh, you spoke so soon
The answer to this question has, and will be rephrased in several ways. My version was nothing more than using my experiences to relay what the OP could expect, since that's what he asked. As an aside,
You'll find three camps of folks answering though;
Fans of 'the' GK tone and product line.
Fans of 'the' Ampeg tone and product line.
Fans of good, useable bass tone regardless of manufacturer.
I've never caught on to the polarizing effects of brand loyalty, it amazes me how often threads like this bring that effect to the surface.
I'm with the boat that you have to decide what sound you want. I used to play Ampeg but wanted a cleaner sound (funk, R&B) so I went with a GK1001RBII. There are many times I want that "angry" Ampeg sound though so it's a mixd bag with me. I definitely play clean most of the time so to get that Ampeg sound I'll try to emulate it with a Sansamp or something. If I was playing rock or 70's car chase funk all the time, I'd be back with Ampeg.
On cabs though, I agree a good Ampeg cab is better than a GK one. I had a SVT210/SVT15 setup that sounded oh so sweet with the 1001RBII. I use Dr. Bass now so take that with a grain of salt. Trial and error my man. That's half the fun!
On cabs though, I agree a good Ampeg cab is better than a GK one. I had a SVT210/SVT15 setup that sounded oh so sweet with the 1001RBII. I use Dr. Bass now so take that with a grain of salt. Trial and error my man. That's half the fun!
My brand loyalty lasts just as long as the product does the job for me. This is why I'm very loyal to Ampeg vintage tube amps, and this is why I just switched my SS loyalties to Markbass.Oh, you spoke so soon
As an aside,
You'll find three camps of folks answering though;
Fans of 'the' GK tone and product line.
Fans of 'the' Ampeg tone and product line.
Fans of good, useable bass tone regardless of manufacturer.
I've never caught on to the polarizing effects of brand loyalty, it amazes me how often threads like this bring that effect to the surface.
Actually, I'm anyone's b***h for free gear
If someone wanted to swap with me and I was interested I would ask them for a weeks trial period or something like that. I don't think you would be dissapointed though and it's true that GKs sound very nice through Ampeg cabs, in my experience I would prefer to use one through an Ampeg cab rather than a GK cab of similar wattage.
It's not about brand loyalty per se, it's about the very real differences in tone.
I agree 100% the tone and feel are drastically different. It's the preference for that tone which typically equates to brand loyalty. From what I've seen in most cases with this community, that loyalty, whether you see at is brand loyalty or tone loyalty, leads to intensely biased support of a particular brand rather than acceptance of many products being capable of producing great tones for a variety of genres (ughh, hate that word). Surely enough as I say that there are posts to contrast, but they are fewer than the hard edged supporting posts.
Essentially, the tone is the product. The signature tone could really be considered the brand, the *insert favorite brand here*being nothing more than the recognizeable name for the tone.
Didn't intend to derail the thread, just hoping to clarify my comment.
I'll be watching to see what the OP's initial impressions are!
Not according to all the GK literature I've read. According to GK they're using 'Paragon Loudspeakers' which they apparently make.
Now, these very-well might be re-branded Eminence speakers, but if that's the case they're doing a great job of disguising it
Now that all the GK fans have posted. I have used GK stuff and find it is close in sound to Ampeg, not as good but close, if I was forced to use a SS amp, I'd probably go GK. Trade the modern Ampeg for a vintage SVT, 70's head and cab instead of a GK and THEN you'll really poop your pants and find out what Ampeg is really al about.
As the OP of this thread, I have noticed the trend that players believe Ampeg amps are warm, angry, aggressive, and classic sounding. Players also believe that GK amps are modern, hi-fi, punchy, and loud sounding. Is this an accurate depiction?
I'd like to hear more from people who do not have a bias toward one company or the other, and people who have experience with both companies.
I'd like to hear more from people who do not have a bias toward one company or the other, and people who have experience with both companies.
my major journeys in bass amps have been back and forth between ampeg and GK. I am currently GK (1001rbII 2x neo 212, 800rb.)
I noticed from switching back and forth is really clarity versus warmth. a GK can be a bit more adaptive, as were ampeg is a one trick (but good trick) pony. i would suggest a 800rb into a ampeg 810. the 1001-rb almost needs a GK horn management cab. i do prefer the classic look of ampeg, but that's just me. for terms when i think clear bass i think flea and warm bass john paul jones.
over the past 8 years i have owned many an ampeg and GK Cab/Head:
Ampeg:
PR410hlf (very awesome, but heavy)
SVT 210 (won't work as stand alone, fine in bi-amp rig)
SVT 115 (one of my fav 15 cabs because no horn!)
portabass 212 (aweful, zero to fart in 1.2 seconds)
B410HLF (wooten cab) (didn't like this vs PR version)
610hlf (didn't dig it, middle speakers prone to fart)
SVT410 (sealed cab, cannot handle lows)
ampeg SVT350 (looked/sounded nice, not much power)
during some backlined gigs. i've played several SVT810s and always dig it, i like ampeg tube heads, they can be one dimentional, but the buttery warmth is worth it, but that fan is always so loud in SVT heads. quality control- I had to have tech work done on one 210, one 115, and the BHLF410.
GK stuff:
Micro guitar head. (used a bass head, blew up)
1001rb (old version, worked fine, no 'meltdowns')
410rbh (awesome, best 410 period!, except for carpet)
410sbx (crap, no handling, all punch, no boom)
115 sbx II (didn't dig it, lacked warmth)
backline 600 (great small head!)
1001rb-II (my main amp for 3+ years, killer!)
neo 212 (compact, toltex!, full range, so far, so good)
GK800rb (classic, unique sounding in the world of solid state)
quality control- my first 800rb went bad, 115sbx went bad, mirco head blew up.
longwinded again...
I noticed from switching back and forth is really clarity versus warmth. a GK can be a bit more adaptive, as were ampeg is a one trick (but good trick) pony. i would suggest a 800rb into a ampeg 810. the 1001-rb almost needs a GK horn management cab. i do prefer the classic look of ampeg, but that's just me. for terms when i think clear bass i think flea and warm bass john paul jones.
over the past 8 years i have owned many an ampeg and GK Cab/Head:
Ampeg:
PR410hlf (very awesome, but heavy)
SVT 210 (won't work as stand alone, fine in bi-amp rig)
SVT 115 (one of my fav 15 cabs because no horn!)
portabass 212 (aweful, zero to fart in 1.2 seconds)
B410HLF (wooten cab) (didn't like this vs PR version)
610hlf (didn't dig it, middle speakers prone to fart)
SVT410 (sealed cab, cannot handle lows)
ampeg SVT350 (looked/sounded nice, not much power)
during some backlined gigs. i've played several SVT810s and always dig it, i like ampeg tube heads, they can be one dimentional, but the buttery warmth is worth it, but that fan is always so loud in SVT heads. quality control- I had to have tech work done on one 210, one 115, and the BHLF410.
GK stuff:
Micro guitar head. (used a bass head, blew up)
1001rb (old version, worked fine, no 'meltdowns')
410rbh (awesome, best 410 period!, except for carpet)
410sbx (crap, no handling, all punch, no boom)
115 sbx II (didn't dig it, lacked warmth)
backline 600 (great small head!)
1001rb-II (my main amp for 3+ years, killer!)
neo 212 (compact, toltex!, full range, so far, so good)
GK800rb (classic, unique sounding in the world of solid state)
quality control- my first 800rb went bad, 115sbx went bad, mirco head blew up.
longwinded again...
The GK paragons do not look like re-branded eminence drivers to me - I've replaced a paragon in a Backline 110 and the construction is completely unlike the eminence beta 10 in my Omni 10.5's. Bob Gallien stated somewhere that GK builds its own drivers too.
For an idea of what to expect:
-Duff McKagan has used GK throughout his entire career. 800RB and now 2001RB plus 410RBH cabs.
-Justin Chancellor used GK2001RB's for 10,000 Days.
-Flea has been using GK for a while now. 2001RB + 410RBH + 115RBH.
-Tony Kanal of No Doubt uses a 800RB.
-Johnny Christ uses 2001RB and 412 Neo.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] gives you quite the list.
-Duff McKagan has used GK throughout his entire career. 800RB and now 2001RB plus 410RBH cabs.
-Justin Chancellor used GK2001RB's for 10,000 Days.
-Flea has been using GK for a while now. 2001RB + 410RBH + 115RBH.
-Tony Kanal of No Doubt uses a 800RB.
-Johnny Christ uses 2001RB and 412 Neo.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] gives you quite the list.
mikeyswood
Inactive
what gives me more GK tone, the cab or the amp?
looking for what to buy first.
was considering ampeg too but GK won
Amen! I am madly in love with my GK 700 RBII thtough an Ampeg Isovent!
Warpeg said:
In my opinion these are two of the best names out there; Ampeg for the classic bass sound and GK for creating their own sound.
As several others have said, try them and go with your ear.
Good luck
Honestly, I don't think it's the most accurate description of either.
If you're comparing an SVT-CL to a 2001RB, you'd find that "aggressive" and "angry" apply to both in different ways. And they do have some tonal overlap. But generally speaking, the 2001RB would be thought of as more hi-fi, punchy, and modern, while the SVT-CL would be more "classic", warm, and boomy (in a good way).
The choice of cabinets can produce a perceived difference as well. A lot of bassists who I see in GC every now and then compare an SVT-CL with an 810E (no tweeter) to a GK 1001RB-II with a tweeter-loaded GK cab of some sort, and the tweeter on. It's no surprise that people will jump to the "hi-fi" or "sterile" conclusion in a matter of minutes; you're comparing apples to oranges with those sorts of cabs, and the tweeters are only the beginning of the faulty comparison.
But even using the same cab, you will still likely make some of those general distinctions I mentioned before. However, IMHO, you'll find it impossible to say they're polar opposites in tone (although they're certainly different regardless, mainly because of the EQ and gain structures).
