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Galien Krueger vs Ampeg
- Thread starter FenderBinder
- Start date
I have used and loved the old SVT with the 810 cab...
Im now using a GK RB700 210 combo that I suppliment with either a GK neo 115 or a GK neo 210..... massive power tone and it covers me for small and large gigs...using my 6 string, fretless or even double bass.... Im a GK enthusiast now..... and that's no knock to Ampeg....cause Ampeg is awesome
Im now using a GK RB700 210 combo that I suppliment with either a GK neo 115 or a GK neo 210..... massive power tone and it covers me for small and large gigs...using my 6 string, fretless or even double bass.... Im a GK enthusiast now..... and that's no knock to Ampeg....cause Ampeg is awesome
Was an Ampeg/Magnavox player but been G-K for over a decade. Would I weep if I had to go back to Ampeg/?, no but I would miss the G-K more than I miss Ampeg now.
I gigged with an SVT into various speaker cabinets from the mid 70's till early 80's. I loved it and sold it when bi-amping became the rage.
For the last several years I gigged with a GK1001RB. I was happy with the power, weight, and features, but never bonded with the tone. I eventually decided it was the low end...just not the "right" character. I added a BDDI and that gave me the type of lows I wanted.
That head died in a tragic "glass of ice water falling into the cooling fan" accident at a gig. I replace the amp with an Ampeg PF500.
I am thrilled with the PF-500. It has the tone I was missing with the GK. No BDDI needed. While the GK provided a solid platform, the Ampeg is more of an extension of my bass.
I am convinced that the combination of the passive "boost and cut" Baxandall bass and treble, and the inductor based active midrange boost and cut of the Ampeg is responsible for the Ampeg voice. I've gone over the schematics for the PF-500 and I don't know how they squeeze that bit of grind out of it.
The schematics for the GK1001RB show a pretty conventional op amp design. The "boost" knob looks like just a master volume on the schematic, but it does hit the next stage harder to produce the "growl" that GK is known for. Simple circuit, good to great results.
In the 70's the band and I went through a bit of an adjustment period, when I switched from my SS Carvin amp (which was a tight, substantial bass head) to the SVT. I experienced the same adjustment period with my current 3 piece, blues/roots rock band. The tone of the Ampeg fills the room differently than the GK did. I am far more satisfied with the voice of the Ampeg than the GK. They are both solid, differently voiced, valid bass amps. I will repair my GK but it will be a backup.
For the last several years I gigged with a GK1001RB. I was happy with the power, weight, and features, but never bonded with the tone. I eventually decided it was the low end...just not the "right" character. I added a BDDI and that gave me the type of lows I wanted.
That head died in a tragic "glass of ice water falling into the cooling fan" accident at a gig. I replace the amp with an Ampeg PF500.
I am thrilled with the PF-500. It has the tone I was missing with the GK. No BDDI needed. While the GK provided a solid platform, the Ampeg is more of an extension of my bass.
I am convinced that the combination of the passive "boost and cut" Baxandall bass and treble, and the inductor based active midrange boost and cut of the Ampeg is responsible for the Ampeg voice. I've gone over the schematics for the PF-500 and I don't know how they squeeze that bit of grind out of it.
The schematics for the GK1001RB show a pretty conventional op amp design. The "boost" knob looks like just a master volume on the schematic, but it does hit the next stage harder to produce the "growl" that GK is known for. Simple circuit, good to great results.
In the 70's the band and I went through a bit of an adjustment period, when I switched from my SS Carvin amp (which was a tight, substantial bass head) to the SVT. I experienced the same adjustment period with my current 3 piece, blues/roots rock band. The tone of the Ampeg fills the room differently than the GK did. I am far more satisfied with the voice of the Ampeg than the GK. They are both solid, differently voiced, valid bass amps. I will repair my GK but it will be a backup.
Zombie thread....
Oh well
I started off with Ampeg from High School going through 3 different Ampeg amps.
So far I ended with GK and have 4 GK amps currently.
Oh well
I started off with Ampeg from High School going through 3 different Ampeg amps.
So far I ended with GK and have 4 GK amps currently.
I have to agree with Steve Dallman.
I've been playing through a pf-500 for a year and a half now and love it. About 6 months ago I was looking for something different. Went with a GK 700rb. A great head. I just never bonded with it. It made me love my pf-500 that much more. I was looking for a more modern tone, that's why I got the GK. But I think that the pf-500, being solid state, is a great compromise between that classic ampeg sound and having that clarity/crispness/bite of a modern head. Especially with a cab with tweeters.
What I noticed most was the way they filled a room differently. For me, the way the ampeg fills a room/band is just what the doctor ordered. I eventually sold the GK. I felt guilty having such a nice amp that I didn't really use.
I've been playing through a pf-500 for a year and a half now and love it. About 6 months ago I was looking for something different. Went with a GK 700rb. A great head. I just never bonded with it. It made me love my pf-500 that much more. I was looking for a more modern tone, that's why I got the GK. But I think that the pf-500, being solid state, is a great compromise between that classic ampeg sound and having that clarity/crispness/bite of a modern head. Especially with a cab with tweeters.
What I noticed most was the way they filled a room differently. For me, the way the ampeg fills a room/band is just what the doctor ordered. I eventually sold the GK. I felt guilty having such a nice amp that I didn't really use.
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
Over the past 30+ years, I have owned GK 400RB, 800RB and 1001RB-II.
I have also owned several early 1970s SVT heads, BR2, SVT4PRO, SVT CL and SVT6PRO.
I still own and early 70s SVT head and an SVT6PRO.
GK and Ampeg are both great, but if you want that classic tube sound, there is nothing like an Ampeg. If I wasn't using Ampeg I would be using GK.
I have also owned several early 1970s SVT heads, BR2, SVT4PRO, SVT CL and SVT6PRO.
I still own and early 70s SVT head and an SVT6PRO.
GK and Ampeg are both great, but if you want that classic tube sound, there is nothing like an Ampeg. If I wasn't using Ampeg I would be using GK.
I've owned both. Ran an Ampeg VT-22 through the effects loop of my old 800RB. I suddenly had tone where before I just couldn't.
My opinion won't matter, but someone stole the VT-22 (yes, I know, how?!?) and the 800RB went to a local music store, not even on consignment.
My opinion won't matter, but someone stole the VT-22 (yes, I know, how?!?) and the 800RB went to a local music store, not even on consignment.
Haha indeed!
I have to say I'm a GK man. But I cheat on er' with ampeg sometimes. I push my GK Neo 410 with a 1001RB for my main/gigging rig. When I'm at home or jamming at decent volumes with others I play/bring my ampeg B50R. Love that little combo. Smooth as silk. The GK gives me the tone and power I want and need in my main band and for live performances. Plus, as others have stated, a really nice ampeg rig, one that I would really want, is out of my price range at the moment. I do plan on getting a pf800 and a 410hlf or pf15 one of these days.
Ampeg through and through. I had a GK for a short while and it wasn't bad, but my VR w/ 810 is the best sounding amp I've ever played. I've had a ton of SWR, Fender, Acoustic, and others over the years, and the SVT VR is the best. I play a '67 SB-12 at home, and I often record with a B-15n. For rehearsals it's usually the B100r (Rocket Bass). Ampeg has me covered
