Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II

[Sands]

Looking at the Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II for all around amp, including practice at home. Can you play at low volume with good sound quality, with either a 2x10 or 2x12? Or is even volume levels 1 - 3 all basically so loud that it's unusable for living space?

 

[Josh Kneisel]

Yes. I love mine it is great for all uses IMO

 

[Josh Kneisel]

Lower Volumes are absolutely possible. If you are trying to be quiet you might not want to use the Boost Knob in the power section

 

[blubass]

Looking at the Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II for all around amp, including practice at home. Can you play at low volume with good sound quality, with either a 2x10 or 2x12? Or is even volume levels 1 - 3 all basically so loud that it's unusable for living space?

It has a volume knob, so it can handle bedroom levels with ease

The 700 is a fantastic amp. The combination of the boost, input, and woofer knobs will give you a lot of flexibility with how loud the amp is. Also, it has active circuitry, so small eq knob movements can make dramatic changes.

 

[Wicked G]

+1 to everything everyone else has said. The beauty of this amp lies at loud volume, but low bedroom volume is easily achieved by lowering your gain or woofer or boost or combination of all 3. No rocket science involved.

 

[ljazz]

The 700rbII is a classic.... I love mine.... But whenever possible, I reach for my 400rb first (when not using my Shaw Audio B150). The old first series 400rb's are even more of a classic, and pull off that wonderful GK grunt at even lower volumes. It's killer through a pair of neo 112's, and a beast through an Ampeg 810!

Edit.... The 700rbII through the 810 will make you nauseous!!!

 

[Sands]

All very good to know. I'm coming from playing guitar where a 50w amp could be EXTREMELY loud and unmanageable at low volume. Also many guitar amps don't get into their groove until you heat get those tubes smoking. I've got an attenuator to help with that, but wasn't too sure about bass amps, or this one in particular.

 

[Kro]

All very good to know. I'm coming from playing guitar where a 50w amp could be EXTREMELY loud and unmanageable at low volume. Also many guitar amps don't get into their groove until you heat get those tubes smoking. I've got an attenuator to help with that, but wasn't too sure about bass amps, or this one in particular.

I wouldn't worry - the 700RB-ii will sound good played relatively quiet. Will it still sweeten up as you crank it more? IMO yes - both due to its voicing being more geared toward louder volumes (nothing EQ/contour tweaks can't help with), and also because you may get some slight distortion from running the power amp into a bit of distortion that many find pleasing.

Compared to your guitar amps though, those differences will be relatively minor, and will really just be the icing on the cake. The full volume range is usable with those amps.

I love those 700RBs.

 

[tjh]

I am not using my 700RB-II much at all anymore, but every time I think about moving it along, I wonder why ... it is like money in the bank, and should I need something that my little MB200's don't cover, the 700 will do it in spades ... If someone likes the GK's, and if you find a decent buy on a good used one, I can't say enough about what they are capable of ...

I did a bigger outside show with it earlier this summer and brought it out because of all the setting options over my micro's ... but, having not used it in quite some time, the night before the show I set in on one of my little 210AV's in my office to fiddle with a bit, and at a nice low bedroom type level it sounded superb ... brought a smile to my face taking it out again ...

 

[Al Kraft]

IMO the best thing about the GK 700RB-II is that there is no down-side to owning one no matter what volume you like to play at.

 

[andawun]

Great amp!!!

 

[onosson]

IMO the GK contour (and all similar contour controls) is at its *most* useful at low volumes, I'd suggest starting with that to see whether you can get a good sound before tweaking the EQ.

 

[Hand slap]

Looking at the Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II for all around amp, including practice at home. Can you play at low volume with good sound quality, with either a 2x10 or 2x12? Or is even volume levels 1 - 3 all basically so loud that it's unusable for living space?

Yes you can play at low levels, and sound good. That's a good amp, at a good price point.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I love mine - although I rarely drag it in the house for a practice amp. That would mean schlepping a heavier cab up & down a bunch of steps!

 

[Al Kraft]

and all similar contour controls

I agree with this in general, and would add that "voicing" controls like the one on the Mesa D-800/800+ are like a next generation of mid-scoop/contour controls and have utility and usability across the full volume range.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I regularly play my Yamaha DX7 through my 700RII & 4x10 Neo cab, as I tend to practice bass in the bedroom. You can turn the volume low enough not to be heard by the neighbors in a second floor apartment.

 

[bolophonic]

Sounds great at any volume.

 

[Sands]

I regularly play my Yamaha DX7 through my 700RII & 4x10 Neo cab, as I tend to practice bass in the bedroom. You can turn the volume low enough not to be heard by the neighbors in a second floor apartment.

Amazing!!

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Amazing!!

I had an Ampeg B50R that was too loud @ it's softest volume to use @ home without having the volume on the bass rolled way back.

 

[gregmon79]

You most certainly can. Great amp at all volumes! I use my 1001 at home all the time at low volumes at night when everyone is about sleeping. Never bothered anyone. And I used to gig it at loud a$$ volumes live. It's great at all volume levels.