Best class D or hybrid for rock?

[LuckyScott]

Im a Long time rock bass player, and long time GK 400RB amp user. I have two of them, and love them.
Bought my first one in the 80's and still have it.
I had to step up for current rock band as the 400RB did not have enough headroom and was turned all the way up. I got the GK fusion 800 watt head. Love it.
Yes, its more power than I need. But the tube hybrid tone is so nice and I never have to worry about headroom.
It's overkill, but thats fine.
A lot of bass players will not agree with me. 1. Yes, the band should not be that loud, 2. yes, you should be able to run the bass thru the PA, 3. yes, a small amp should work fine, 4. yes, a big rig is old school.
But a lot of bass players play in small bands. They never had to deal with a crazy guitar player with a Marshall stack or a Drummer that hits the drums like he is trying to kill them. But thats my world and I deal with it.
I prefer to be over prepared, have more power than I need, and just use what I want. Maybe its the boy scout in me.

 

[Waltsdog]

If you're going for a 410 I'd highly recommend this one in the classifieds if you're anywhere near it (no affiliation). For Sale/Trade - Barefaced Four10 (SF/Bay Area)
I use an 800RB into one of those in my loud punk rock band (hard hitting drummer and we often have 3 guitars) and have never had a better sounding rig.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

FWIW... if you don't mind hauling a 63 pound 410 around, the Rumble 410 cab pushes some air. I run a Rumble 500 head in combo with a Tech 21 Character Series Bass Deluxe preamp/DI and it absolutely pounds! The tone is fantastic for rock (and similar genres). You can pick up a used Rumble 410 for $250/$300, a used Rumble 500 head for around $300. Run a decent preamp with those and you'll easily "keep up" with pretty much any band. Just my $0.02.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Id personally recommend the Mesa wd800 its abit warmer sounding and has a tube preamp built in that amp is easily the most versatile sounding out of the ones suggested here too

 

[StayLow]

Right now I have an older 15” GK cab that has a new Jensen punch in it and an older 2x10 GK cab with 2 Jensen’s in it. I believe they came as a set originally but the guy who sold them to me had blown them and replaced with new speakers.
Another reason I’d like a new amp is being able to connect headphones and having an aux in to practice quietly. Right now I have a nice garage setup but we’re thinking of moving so something more modern would help in that regard.

Since you stated you liked the SansAmp so much, consider the VTBass 500 amplifier Tech-21 makes. Some like the GK head you have for rock, but if the SansAmp improved your sound 100x as you stated, then the relatively dry sound of that GK head isn't for you. Been there myself.

The VTBass is perfect for rock and you can get one for a lot less than the others mentioned, especially if buying used. Not sure if it has a headphone out.

The Mesa D800 is not at all a good rock amp for the sound you're describing. I'm a huge Mesa fan and was disappointed with the D800, especially for rock. Maybe the WD800 would suit your needs. Haven't tried it. I think you can do the job you need done as good or better for a lot less money though.

A 1x15 and 2x10 should be enough, but *barely* on the edge of enough depending on your band. Depends on the cabs themselves. Are you sure those replacement speakers are even meant for bass, or were appropriate for the size and type of cab?

Be careful of people claiming you can get the job done in a legitimately loud rock band with tiny cabinets, single speakers, etc. You can't. Full stop. They clearly have no idea what a truly loud rock, punk, or metal band is like to play in. It doesn't matter who built it with what supposedly fancy new technology or baffling or speakers, it will only waste your time and money. You need cab(s) size and you need multiple cones.

Good luck and rock hard.

 

[Qlanq]

Have to bring up the Genz Benz Focus 4x10 cab. Has taken everything I've chucked at it.
Best cab I've ever played through.
Have a very transparent sound. What goes in from the amp comes out of the cab.

 

[Palomar4130]

Thanks for all the responses. I’m gonna start with a quality cab and go from there. The Jensen speakers were the punch bass speakers but maybe they just aren’t that great from the beginning.
I’m also hoping/thinking maybe I can get a better tone out of the gk if I mess with the volume/master/boost. I’d been setting it how the manual states and I read more here that maybe that’s not gonna give me a good rock tone.

 

[BOOG]

Notice earlier I mentioned “fresh” cabs. You’re considering two used 410’s @ $650 ea = $1300
As an example, consider looking at two new (with warranty/ without preowned abuse) hartke hd210’s @ $500 ea = $1000
Vertically it’ll be up around your chest, you and everyone else will hear and feel your bass, they are an easy load in/out, they sound great, and you can throw safely plug in an 800 Mesa-Boogie amp later down the road. With $350 saved from buying someone else’s outdated and likely abused gear you can grab $150 TC 200 watt head with headphone and aux ability from SW and have it on your doorstep by Thursday.
Now you’ve got $200 left to go out for dinner and drinks on Thursday.

 

[MrLenny1]

GK MB series. Small,light, LOUD!!!

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Thanks for all the responses. I’m gonna start with a quality cab and go from there. The Jensen speakers were the punch bass speakers but maybe they just aren’t that great from the beginning.
I’m also hoping/thinking maybe I can get a better tone out of the gk if I mess with the volume/master/boost. I’d been setting it how the manual states and I read more here that maybe that’s not gonna give me a good rock tone.

If you have the space/transportation/ability to carry it, a used 810 would sound killer and can be found for cheap. People unload them for barely anything because they’re so cumbersome. Otherwise, there are lots of options. If you have a local store, check some cabs out. Some people don’t like the Rumbles, but some do. I personally like mine and use a grindy distorted sound.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

If you’ve decided on looking at different cabinet first, I’m getting excellent performance and tone from my pair of Mesa Powerhouse 212s. They have neodymium drivers, which reduces their weight. A single PH212 weighs a very manageable 78 pounds. They’ve been discontinued, but they’re available on the used market.

A single PH212 will handle most gigs with ease. A 4 ohm model would allow your GK-400RB to operate at it’s full rated power.

I’ve also heard lots of great things about GK’s Neo 212 as well.