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Extreme Makeover: GK RB Edition

#41
I don't think I could be any happier with the results! :thumbsup:

Before:
IMG_20170817_100533376.jpg


After:
IMG_20170817_151938452_TOP.jpg


Before:
IMG_20170817_100527665.jpg


After:
IMG_20170817_151932909_TOP.jpg


Those LEDs really are probably too bright GK. ;)
 
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#43
Kro said:
As I mentioned previously, before I started to take things out, I made a run to pick up some paints - a satin black, satin white, and a satin gray. Felt like Bob Ross with my little pallet trying to mix the right combination to match exactly the gray of the control panel. It doesn't look it (at least not to me) - but that gray stripe appears way lighter than it actually is. Had to keep adding more and more gray to get it right - to the point where it was probably like 90% gray.

Black and white were obviously easy enough though. Here's a first look right after touching up as things are still drying and the differences are a bit more visible.

View attachment 1419897

And a later shot in direct sunlight with a bit more care given for evening things out, and with the paint more dry.

View attachment 1419898

:D

I'll do one more post with the thing plugged in to show off the pretty new LEDs in their new home, along with some "before" shots for reference. :hyper:
Click to expand...

Woot woot! :bassist:

That looks so purdy I think you might have missed your calling as an amp restoration expert! What a fantastic job. This is truly inspiring. The amp looks brand new!
 
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#45
alaskaleftybass said:
Woot woot! :bassist:

That looks so purdy I think you might have missed your calling as an amp restoration expert! What a fantastic job. This is truly inspiring. The amp looks brand new!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

In looking at those pictures, there are maybe a few other things that I could have touched up a bit better, or overlooked, but I don't think I'm in any rush to pull the paint brushes back out. ;)

Truth be told, I'm actually not real anal when it comes to nicks and dings - at least not those that come from normal wear and tear of legitimate use. Now, those that come from misuse or abuse are an entirely different matter...

I think this 1001RB-i/-ii will be left to age gracefully from within the rack from here on out!
 
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#47
McG said:
I really enjoyed watching the transformation, especially since someone else was doing the work. ;)

So now you have the insides you like with an outside that is MUCH better. Coolness!
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Thanks!

Yup, completely modern guts (albeit with a slightly less powerful transformer), with the classic styling. :D

I tested it out a bit yesterday in my apartment, so I couldn't crank it too much, but it sounded exactly like my Mk.2 before I started the swap. Funny thing is, given that I did the work myself, there's still this little part in my brain that wonders if I botched up some minor detail... and is still waiting for the thing to start buzzing or smoking.

I think it'll likely take more than a few loud rehearsals and shows to establish my full trust in this reassembled version. Looking forward to getting over that hump though, as I plan on having this be my workhorse amp for years to come! :bassist:

Even if GK does release a new RB version over the course of the next few months, while I’d be tempted to pick one up, I think I’ll likely wait a bit before doing so. I know that it would likely be different if it's just an update as opposed to a new class for them, but the last time I was an early adopter for a GK product (MB2-500), I paid for it a bit – though in fairness GK took good care of me.

I think from here on out I’ll likely wait for a few years before purchasing a new product just to make sure that all the kinks get worked out. Of course, I say that now…
 
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#49
That came out so nice I'm inspired to work on my old 400RB II. Not the insides, it sounds great. But the outside has the usual wear from decades of use, including a bent heat fin from a load out by a "helpful" fan :bored:

Kro said:
Funny thing is, given that I did the work myself, there's still this little part in my brain that wonders if I botched up some minor detail...
Click to expand...

I know that feeling. More than once have I ended up with extra parts after assembling something ;)
 
#50
Interesting read. I very much like the MK II aesthetics, but your transformation came out very nice and the MK I does look pretty cool. Always nice when you decide to start a project and it works out just as you had hoped and sometimes even better. If you don't mind, I personally would like to see a picture of the whole amp in 1 frame just to get a better sense of how it came out. If you can.

BTW, what are you planning to do with the original MK II housing? Just curious.
 
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#51
McG said:
That came out so nice I'm inspired to work on my old 400RB II. Not the insides, it sounds great. But the outside has the usual wear from decades of use, including a bent heat fin from a load out by a "helpful" fan :bored:
Click to expand...

You know, I had literally considered making this type of conversion for years before I actually pulled the trigger - and now, looking back, I'm very glad I did. :) Maybe you should give it a shot. If you do decide to spruce up your 400RB II, please share pics! :thumbsup:
 
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#52
Wicked G said:
Interesting read. I very much like the MK II aesthetics, but your transformation came out very nice and the MK I does look pretty cool. Always nice when you decide to start a project and it works out just as you had hoped and sometimes even better. If you don't mind, I personally would like to see a picture of the whole amp in 1 frame just to get a better sense of how it came out. If you can.
Click to expand...

Is this more along the lines of what you had in mind? Happy to snap additional pics if needed.

IMG_20170817_191250393_TOP-2.jpg


Wicked G said:
BTW, what are you planning to do with the original MK II housing? Just curious.
Click to expand...

Given that this whole process is entirely reversible, and that I may still one day decide to make use of the Mk.2 transformer, I've fully and safely secured all of the Mk.1 guts into the Mk.2 housing for safe keeping. I didn't take the time to wire it all up, but as it stands, it's now resting on a shelf in my closet - sandwiched between my 700RB-i and MB2-500.

As far as the transformer is concerned, while I still haven't had the opportunity to fire this thing up at-volume (likely won't until rehearsal next week), this converted 1001RB-i should do 340 watts into my 8 ohm Fearless - which is just 20 watts more than my previously owned 700RB-ii. Given the similarities between the two, it should be an entirely known quantity, but who knows if I'll ever decide that more power is needed in the future. Regardless, it's nice to have options.
 
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#54
Kro said:
Is this more along the lines of what you had in mind? Happy to snap additional pics if needed.

View attachment 1470717



Given that this whole process is entirely reversible, and that I may still one day decide to make use of the Mk.2 transformer, I've fully and safely secured all of the Mk.1 guts into the Mk.2 housing for safe keeping. I didn't take the time to wire it all up, but as it stands, it's now resting on a shelf in my closet - sandwiched between my 700RB-i and MB2-500.

As far as the transformer is concerned, while I still haven't had the opportunity to fire this thing up at-volume (likely won't until rehearsal next week), this converted 1001RB-i should do 340 watts into my 8 ohm Fearless - which is just 20 watts more than my previously owned 700RB-ii. Given the similarities between the two, it should be an entirely known quantity, but who knows if I'll ever decide that more power is needed in the future. Regardless, it's nice to have options.
Click to expand...
Thanks, That is indeed what I had in mind. Looks very nice, good job. Good idea to put the housing and older guts away as you never know when you might need them. Hopefully never, but then again you never know.
 
#55
Well, I guess I should make note of something before somebody in the future finds this thread and rightfully calls me out on it, or decides to use it as a reference and gets incorrect information.

Here goes: after doing more research on the part numbers associated with those boards that came in that beat-to-hell Mk.i, I'm now lead to believe that it already had Mk.ii boards in it when I received it. Albeit much earlier versions that had enough visual differences for me to think they were different, but upgraded Mk.ii boards nonetheless.

I learned a lot about those amps over the course of preparing to, and then tinkering with them, and have a much better eye now for differentiating parts (as well as better resources on hand, after now also having found and read through service manuals for both).

Given the condition of the boards in the Mk.i case when I got it, I'm not upset about having spent the time swapping them out for the newer versions in the least, but I definitely feel a strong need to mention that fact here in the interest of full disclosure for posterity!
 
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#56
Nice write up, sorry for resurrecting an old thread. I just got a damaged 1001RB-I from a friend that was going to throw it away. Turned it on and saw some sparks through the vent on the power amp section just south of the speakons. Opened it up and there were all kinds of resistors, diodes, transistors fried, looks like something spilled through the vent/fan, because everything was also corroded. I looked furiously for a replacement board to no avail, then emailed GK and they told me MKII amp will work..woohoo I was stoked, Lany even sent me instructions, I will post them here for reference. I found this thread because of one minor thing on the instructions that had me. Like you said Kro, the Red wire was a little mysterious. The instructions are clear about it being J15, but the associated picture looks different. Anyway thanks for confirming for me, I am about to fire her up after I post this.

Edit: It's breathing fire, YES! My rig is a Carvin BX 1500, Fearful 12Sub and Fearful 12/6/1. Sounds better than the Carvin right now, and definitely has enough balls.


 

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#59
Bassmaniac60 said:
Great thread, thanks for the informative read. I nearly bought a Fusion 550 (almost new) yesterday for $1200AU but I love my 1001rb and prefer it to the mkII which I find you need to drive too hard to get the growl. I thought I might look into putting in a mkII pre amp in like yours. Could you tell me the major differences it makes please?
Click to expand...

Tone wise, no major differences. Very slight voicing adjustment in the V2 when compared side by side with the V2 having a bit more low end.

Aside from that really just some component updates.
 

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