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Based on repairability, would you get a horizontal or vertical switch Gallien-Krueger 800RB?

MetcalfBass

MetcalfBass

Dec 19, 2012
96
136
Providence, RI
#1
So I already own a horizontal switch 800RB. Love it. It lives at my rehearsal space. I want to get a second one for my home rig (and plus I figure redundancy when it comes to 30ish+ year old amps is never a bad thing). The reason I'm debating a vertical vs horizontal switch model is that from what I can gather, the vertical-switch models can be repaired while the older models no longer have parts available. However, part of me still wants to just role the dice with another horizontal version. Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2
MetcalfBass said:
So I already own a horizontal switch 800RB. Love it. It lives at my rehearsal space. I want to get a second one for my home rig (and plus I figure redundancy when it comes to 30ish+ year old amps is never a bad thing). The reason I'm debating a vertical vs horizontal switch model is that from what I can gather, the vertical-switch models can be repaired while the older models no longer have parts available. However, part of me still wants to just role the dice with another horizontal version. Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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I think you will find that both models suffer from most of the same parts unavailability as the component manufacturers phase out critical parts.
 
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#5
While these are workhorses, the horizontal switch has a longer history of unobtanium parts. TL604 switch, long gone pots with a conversion service note issued and power transformers (service note to convert). While supply issues for output devices (and overall parts costs) ended it's production these heads biggest issue was user error (driving too "low" of a load) and WD-40 sprayed in control pots. You stand a better chance of repairing a vertical switch issue than the older unit if the need arises.
 
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#7
DiCosimo 800RB pedal and a power amp. Almost identical tone still being produced in "small batches" so the rarity factor stays in play. Otherwise I guess embrace whatever modern GK amp comes out. I dislike class D amps but I have to admit the modern GK amps sound really good.
 
#8
Hertz said:
DiCosimo 800RB pedal and a power amp. Almost identical tone still being produced in "small batches" so the rarity factor stays in play. Otherwise I guess embrace whatever modern GK amp comes out. I dislike class D amps but I have to admit the modern GK amps sound really good.
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I have a Master Effects Super 800+ and a Quilter. Maybe I just need to spend a little more time on getting that dialed.
 
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#9
DaveParker39 said:
can we stop that from happening lol
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Nope, it's a problem with all amps. They are all ticking time bombs. Whether it's oddball tubes, unavailable transistors, transformers and custom components it's always possible that an amp will become unrepairable.

The best strategy I know is buying working spares that you can cannibalize if need be. I did that for years with my A.M.P. BH420 head since the company folded only a year or two after I bought it new. At one point I had four of them plus a BH260 (still have that) and a KB400 with blown power amp transistors as a source of spare knobs, pots, switches and some preamp components :thumbsup:

It's not just MI amps, I bought the top of the line Pioneer receiver in 1977. Only five years later in 1982 the power switch failed and the local repair center said parts were no longer available, not even the frigging power switch which of course was custom. I removed the switch from the circuit, so it turned on as soon as it was plugged in. I kept it plugged into a power strip with an on-off switch and kept using it that way for a number of years.

I haven't bought a Pioneer product since then :mad:
 
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#10
From what I have read, the Master effects tend to have more gain in the preamp. I have no experience with one so I just can't confirm. Perhaps you can confirm this. Ive been using the old RB series so long I tend to turn my nose up at anything that doesn't sound period correct. Haha, a little cork sniffing here. That being said the newer GK amps sound very good and retain the "tone". if I were to move on from GK I might try a Trickfish preamp and or a Grace Design Alix.
 
#12
The old GKs sound great. I had a Gen1 400RB in the early 90's. Decided to have another go and have picked up a 400 and an 800. I imagine if one stops working I could find another. They're still out there.... for now. And if the day comes that one could not be serviced, I'll move on to something else. For now, I say buy!
 
#13
ultra60 said:
The old GKs sound great. I had a Gen1 400RB in the early 90's. Decided to have another go and have picked up a 400 and an 800. I imagine if one stops working I could find another. They're still out there.... for now. And if the day comes that one could not be serviced, I'll move on to something else. For now, I say buy!
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That's what I'm leaning towards. Haha let future me deal with future problems.
 
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#14
Just saw a friend's band this weekend and he's still rocking his OG 400RB with all it's road scars. Any amp can break down but the first gen RBs are pretty hard to kill.

P.S. Saw another friend's band just before Christmas and he's on his fourth GK…started with a 400RB when it came out, then a mkII, then an MB500 and now he's got a Legacy (not sure which). I'll have to ask him sometime if he switched because they broke down on the road (he's been touring steadily since the 80s). His Sonic 15" cab has lasted through the whole period.
 
#18
MetcalfBass said:
I thought I saw that mentioned in another thread, but didn't find much other info.
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Yup, a new GK with conventional power supply (that would be Class H for GK) has been hinted-at and rumored since before COVID.

But even established amp makers like GK are relatively small players in the global supply chain, so they're at the mercy of what electronic components are (and aren't) readily available. I'm guessing they had to go back to the drawing board a couple times when key components became unavailable.

Anyhow, NAMM is coming up soon, and I know GK will be there.
No idea if/what new products they might introduce - but if the new amps are ready, that would be the splashiest time to introduce them.

I've owned a lot of GK amps, and for a long time (9+ years) my favorite was the 700RB-II.
A couple years ago, I scored a "non-working" 800RB (it just needed the effects loop jacks cleaned).
I was able to compare it to my 700RB-II and my Legacy 800 - and I ended up liking the Legacy the most.

But I'll still be VERY curious to check out whatever GK comes out with next.
 

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