Ampeg vs. Gallien Krueger rig

[afroman]

I would definately go for GK.
Look for a new or used GK800 or 700 and aGK410 or 212 NEO cab.
For $1000 I think you can find them.

 

[68Goldfish]

After near a decade with my G-K 800rb it is the reason I even considered letting go of my old Ampeg

Dude, your really scaring me!

 

[Dr Stankface]

I love GK but I would steer clear of the Goldline series.

 

[DanRJBrasil]

i don't care for the GK sound , some people love it, but the new ampeg reability and warranty is a issue for sure, try it out if you love get ampeg, or mesa that has a similar vibe( mesa lovers please don't hassle me ), get gk if you love the sound.

 

[georgestrings]

Used G-K 700 or 1001rb-II, and a used Ampeg SVT610-HLF for your $1k - and you're set for any gig, for life...


- georgestrings

 

[Outlaw_son]

Dude.........[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Amp is only $500 US also.

Dude..........

 

[Outlaw_son]

BTW, Ive got the exact rig and bought from them also. Good people. The rig kicks like asses too! Dude...........

 

[B-string]

Dude, your really scaring me!

What, It was a friendly divorce?

 

[60bass]

I was never really a GK fan until I plugged into a 1001RB-II.

Same here. I just bought a new 1001RB-II and used it through my Ampeg 410HLF for 3 hours yesterday at moderate to high volumes and was very impressed. I never was a big GK fan but the 1001RB-II is a great sounding amp. So now you can call me a "semi" GK convert.

If I want what I consider the real deal for me - I still break out my Genz GBE1200.

As for the OP's question, I'd still go for a new or used GK because parts and service will be readily available. Ampeg's future is in doubt right now so I rule them out, at least till we know what the future holds for Ampeg. As for cabs, I'd go with a new Avatar B410 NEO. Great cab for a good price and service is very good.

Keep Low

 

[klago]

My Ampeg SVT3Pro just crapped out. A spark followed by some smoke from the right rear side. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a GK 700rbii or a 1001rbii, but I can decide which. The warranty isn't transferable, and I just had a supposedly solid amp die on me, so I'm thinking of buying new from the site that has been mentioned in these forums. I look at the artist list on the GK site and see plenty of great players using the 1001rbii but none using the 700rbii. Then I listen to the people here saying they prefer the 700rbii. Any more advice about the two amps? By the way, a used 700rb just closed on ebay for $205, so with some patience, the original poster on this thread should be able to get an awesome rig with his budget.

 

[B-string]

The 700rb is lower wattage than the current 700rb II. The 700rb II has plenty of power for most players, most with 1001rb II's find they have to much power. They try to find the signature G-K "growl" and find they have to get way too loud.

 

[D-Man VanKrill]

If I was you, I would buy a GK 1001RB-II, 700RB-II or 800RB. Then I would do yourself a big favor and get an Avatar cabinet. Their bang for buck cannot be matched. So for a price estimate, you can get a GK 700RB-II head and an Avatar 2x12 bass cabinet for $970 NEW, and for less if you buy the GK from rmcaudio.com. So it would probably be about 850$ if you buy the head from RMC. Also, the Avatar cabinets are US made and have quality eminence speakers in em'. Also, the guys there are great to do business with. If you take this route, you would probably stomp most of the other local rigs quality wise and, it would probably cost half of what other simillar quality rigs would cost Trust me, you won't regret it.

 

[RickenBoogie]

So, motionkid, what have you done? Are you getting your rig?

 

[Mystic Michael]

The two brands are quite different in tone. Listen and decide. They're well-represented in many music stores, so it should be easy to check 'em out.

Agreed. And also agreed that you should buy used, if you're committed to buying either make.

I'm personally not an Ampeg fan, so if I could buy only GK or Ampeg, it'd be GK. If Ampeg really speaks to you, then there's your decision. But the GK/Avatar route makes a lot of sense. And of course, there are many, many other options as well...

MM

 

[BWB]

The question I would consider is in a year or so GK will still be around if you need warranty or a repair, will Ampeg???

Paul

And this comment is based on what?

I might add, Ampeg's reliability has been discussed here to death. Hope the OP goes looking for it with the search function.

Yep, slightly pissed off.

 

[unclejane]

I was never really a GK fan until I plugged into a 1001RB-II. If my SVT ever craps the bed beyond repair, I think I'd buy a GK next.

Yeah there's really no comparison, the GK is just the nuclear weapon of amps. And the other half of the purchase - the factory support - is as good as I've seen.

I have 2 1001RB-II's. Both of them died within the warranty period, and one of those I had no reciept and didn't remember when I'd actually bought it.

GK fixed em both under warranty at no charge. So far, both amps are working fine after the repairs.

Since then, I'm hooked on the GK's....

LS

 

[tycobb73]

your ears wil tell you which one to get, but if they don't the deciding factor to me would be that a GK head weighs around 20 lbs whereas the tube heads will be much heavier and being solid state you don't have to do maintenece on the GK like Ampeg. But to a lot of people the weight and maintenence is worth the sound.

 

[phat-bass-tard]

I prefer solid state "GK" rather than tubes "am-peg". there is nothing like turning on your amp and finding you have a tube gone bad. the whole tube/tone thing is kind of dubious anyway.

 

[TheMutt]

Having played and owned both GK and Ampeg gear, there's some things to consider:

Solid state Ampegs aren't going to be much different in tone from solid state GK's, especially the 800RB.

The flagship models of both companies are very different beasts. It's definitely a matter of which tone you like more.

It also depends on your preference for all tube/hybrid/solid state. (Ampeg has all three, GK doesn't do all-tube as of yet)

I'd highly recommend going used as well since you're going to be getting better quality for the money that you want to spend.

Also, the weight is a consideration. I had an Ampeg SVT 4-Pro, which has a particular cooling space need for ventilation when racked. I also wanted a surge protector 1U unit, and a 2U drawer for all the cables. It ended up being a monstrous 140lb rack that took up 60% of my back seat, making me the only one able to ride in my car unless the passenger was a small child. Sold it off rather quick once my old back injury worsened.

All-told, between the two, I'd probably go with either a GK 800RB head, or an SVT-CL and an Ampeg 610 or 810 or two GK 212 or 410 Neo cabs.

 

[smem]

I run a GK 800rb into an ampeg 8-10 with a ric 4003. The sound punches you right in the chest, I used to use vintage SVT's exclusively for most of my career (19 yrs) and never gave the GK stuff a chance because it "didn't have tubes so it sucked". I walked into my local music store and they had a 700rbII plugged into an ampeg 8-10 and that was it, I bought the GK that day and the ampeg was gone soon after.