gallien krueger 800RB

[Razman]

I bought an 800rb new in the early 80'swith a gk115 and a gk212. I loved the sound, but what I didnt like was the fact that the amp blew 4 times in 2 years passing DC current to my speakers everytime and blowing those as well.I got rid of that amp and swore I'd never use GK again which I have not in almost 30 yrs.

Sorry you had a bad experience; I can definitely see how that would be very frustrating. I had a similar experience at a Denny's restaurant when I was 9 or 10. My dad took me and my sister there (she was 5 or 6 at the time). We waited an extremely long time to be served; as such the service was mediocre and it took forever to get our food.

We had waited so long, my sister started to get very upset because of how hungry she was. She had ordered the pancake plate that looked like a smiley face: two eggs for the eyes, bacon for the smiling mouth, on top of one large pancake. To our dismay, it came out with only one piece of bacon and one egg! That was it, the tear factory started followed by sobbing and then my dad said, "Look, it's a cyclops!" We all laughed (she through her tears), got up and left, and went to some taco place to eat - never to eat at a Denny's together again.

I grew up, joined the Navy and left home; I think it was only 10-12 years after that I ate at another Denny's and have eaten there many times since. Went there not long ago in fact and it was a pleasant experience.

I'm happy with my GK; makes no difference to me whether you convert to them or not, just sorry it has affected you for so long. Read BGM's review of the Fusion 550 and their interview with mr. Gallien himself; that's what turned me on to them and has me gassing for a 550 (some day).

Cheers,

Raz

 

[husky123]

Sorry you had a bad experience; I can definitely see how that would be very frustrating. I had a similar experience at a Denny's restaurant when I was 9 or 10. My dad took me and my sister there (she was 5 or 6 at the time). We waited an extremely long time to be served; as such the service was mediocre and it took forever to get our food.

We had waited so long, my sister started to get very upset because of how hungry she was. She had ordered the pancake plate that looked like a smiley face: two eggs for the eyes, bacon for the smiling mouth, on top of one large pancake. To our dismay, it came out with only one piece of bacon and one egg! That was it, the tear factory started followed by sobbing and then my dad said, "Look, it's a cyclops!" We all laughed (she through her tears), got up and left, and went to some taco place to eat - never to eat at a Denny's together again.

I grew up, joined the Navy and left home; I think it was only 10-12 years after that I ate at another Denny's and have eaten there many times since. Went there not long ago in fact and it was a pleasant experience.

I'm happy with my GK; makes no difference to me whether you convert to them or not, just sorry it has affected you for so long. Read BGM's review of the Fusion 550 and their interview with mr. Gallien himself; that's what turned me on to them and has me gassing for a 550 (some day).

Cheers,

Raz

Greatest analogy ever.

 

[BBQBob]

Hello to all...

Interesting that this thread is ten years old...like this 800RB, it'll never die I guess.

Having said that...I bought my 800 brand new in 1985 from the local dealer in Ottawa...rack mounted it as soon the rack ears came in and it's only been out of the box since for regular cleaning and maintenance. Twenty seven years of real road work and real world use and absolutely no issues with this head.

I've been driving it with a 1978 Fender P-Bass loaded with active EMG's - again, with no issues. Recently I also added a custom built to my spec, "frankenbass" fretless in a PJ setup (active EMG's) also with zero issues.

I used to run a pair of Kroth cabs with a single 15" JBL in each one...the pair for larger stages bi-amp'd and a single cab for everything else. Smooth, fat, round, clean sound.

Some young up and coming player had to have my Kroth cabs, so down the road they went. I now use a VX-410 over a VX-115 (got a great deal on these "used")...at $100 per box, loaded, I couldn't say no. Big smooth sound again... I've never really been a Hartke guy, but these cabs sound just fine for my old ears.

Bottom line...my GK-800RB has worked very well for me over the years and has never, ever let me down. Would I sell mine...not too likely...but then again... NOT!!!

Yes, I have other amps too...and I've played many over the years for extended periods of time, but I always come back to the 800 as my "basis for comparison" - yup - been saving that one up.

Regards to all and keep it live!

BBQ Bob
Ottawa, Ontario

 

[Dymond-]

I'm running a 800rb with a 115 and 210, shod I plug the 210 into the 100w amp and the 115 into the 300w?

 

[B-string]

I'm running a 800rb with a 115 and 210, shod I plug the 210 into the 100w amp and the 115 into the 300w?

Only if one of the cabs is 4 ohm (use the 300 watt for that cab ONLY), you want to adjust the cabs for different level or you want to use the Bi-amp. Otherwise plug both 8 ohm cabs into the 300 watt (this would leave the 100 watt free for an 8 ohm cab for your drummer).

 

[Andrew 17]

Just happened to come upon this thread and have enjoyed reading through peoples' experiences with Gallien Krueger equipment. In 1984, I purchased a 800 RB new, along with a GK 410B speaker cabinet. At the time I was gigging full time until about 1988, and active part-time thereafter. The GK amp and speaker have performed reliably and flawlessly since then over hundreds of gigs and rehearsals for 30 years now. Beyond normal, periodic maintenance, this rig has required no special attention, nor has it ever failed me. This rig provides clean, rich, adaptable sounds that serve for a wide spectrum of musical styles. I simply love this equipment, having used it with a 1966 Jazz Bass, 1982 G&L L2000, 1980 Fender Bullet Bass, and a 1984 Aria Pro II, all sounding great. Last year, after thinking about it for years, and after some focused searching, I located a matching, vintage 115B cabinet to complete the stack. What a treat to have both the 15" and 4-10" speaker cabinets onboard with the 800RB. This sounds amazing in bi-amp mode, providing a deeper, richer tonal quality to what was already a good rig. Attached photo includes the GK stack, a Fender Bassman combo, with a 1966 head and 1965 speaker cabinet, all original. I was also gifted the Fender Vibro Champ (1966 vintage) in the picture. One of those "found in Grandma's closet" scenarios. While I know that technology has advanced and that is an ever increasing array of good equipment out there, being a bit of a old timer, old school guy, I am very much satisfied with the this older equipment. Hope to enjoy these for years to come. Now if I could ever afford an older vintage Ampeg Portaflex bass amp, I would then be in amplifier heaven! We'll see.....

 

[LYNCHMAN]

love the gk 800rb...had one in the early 90's...used it all over the usa with 3 ampeg cabs, 1-8x10 fridge, 1 4x10 and 1 single 18...shook the house everywhere we went...ahhh the good ole days...

would buy another in a heart beat...

 

[kpc]

Hi all!

I've been using the 700rbII for a few years now - and just bought an old 800rb (horizontal switch, red leds, 2x high-amp outputs, etc...) for THAT sound.

Recieving the head tomorrow via post, and am so psyched! I'm sure it'll be the last amp I ever buy!

Cheers! John

I own a 96 800rb and it's amazing. It's bench tested around 800wts. They're great heads.

 

[Angel Chunky Bass]

I found one for $370 at Reverb.com. After having a 400RB, I set it up the same way, and it's awsome. Mine is from 1990.

 

[dannylectro]

After years of Ampeg SVT & V4B’s... I did years of 800RB through an Ampeg 810. It was beautiful. Then I went to a 400RB through an Ampeg 410. Didn’t miss a thing. Then I went to the 400RB through two Schroeder 112’s... my back loves me...

 

[dwade]

This amp doesnt like active basses at all. All I got was distortion when the volume went past 3. The XLR output is useless in a recording session because its too noisy. When I first bought it the power capicitor blew while using an 8 ohm JBL cabinet. GK fixed it for free. I got rid of it and I only use Hartke and Acoustic amps now

You had a bad one. Something was clearly wrong & never resolved. I've had an 800RB for a very long time & use only active basses, most with super high output levels/18V preamps. Never had an issue.

The DI's are highly regarding. I know a few studios that keep the 800RB around just to use as a DI.

 

[dwade]

It all depends on what sound I go for and where I'm playing....Small gig, warm/thumpy...Ampeg BA115,...upwards of that clean....GK...

Great point! The GK sound, for me, is not a good fit for me for small bands or acoustic type acts. I use mine in those settings from time to time but I feel like an Ampeg would serve me better.

 

[dwade]

Whilst considering the purchase of a new-to-me '99 800rb I found this old thread and decided to do CPR on it to bring it back to life (Halloween is tomorrow, why not?).

I'm discovering what many have already raved about (seemingly far more power than rated, the GK grind/growl, tone, tone, and more tone, etc.) and how unique this amp is.

For example, the relationship between the input volume (gain) and master volume. For warmth, turn down the master and use the input gain to get more volume but keep it warm. For clarity, max out the master and use a small amount of gain. Pretty neat.

Then there's the boost knob - a class all it's own. 'Nuff said.

I ran a couple Hartke XL's with it, used the mid and hi switches in, low cut off, full range outputs and EQ flat (with a bit of highs added). I get close to my other head's sound without being unpleasantly 'off'. Can't wait to run it into my Henry 8x8, it should be a little monster.

Since my bass runs hot, I'll need to use my MXR DI to reduce my input signal slightly as my B string clips the preamp stage - using the pad cuts some of the clarity (i.e. adds warmth) which is undesirable for my tastes.

I like how quiet it is. I don't like not having a tuner/mute switch, but my TC Elec. tuner pedal I got from a bud just fixed that. Haven't tested the DI, hope it works and is clean. It's built solid -with purpose - no frills, just what is needed.

Anyway, thought I'd add MHO to the legacy of an amp that is still "alive and well" after all these years.

Raz

Those voicing switches make all the difference in the world for me. Low cut "out", mid cut "in", high boost "in", tone controls flat & the thing will knock your socks off.

 

[dwade]

I love GK heads! I owned an 800RB for about 5 years (I even had two at one point) and I gotta be honest, I tried, really tried, to love it but unfortunately I could never seem to get the sound out of it I was after.

They are built like tanks, but mine was old and had a couple of caps go on the fritz so I had to have it serviced. But when I got it back it was a good as new and probably will keep going for another 20 years, at least to the guy I sold it to.

However, I bought an MB500 and it was PEREFECT right out of the box! Even with all knobs at noon it had the sound I was looking for. So I'm still a believer!

I've been using the MB500 every night for about 3 years now. I still love the 800RB but I wanted some modern features. Speakon connectors, tuner out, a bit more low end. And I love the weight

I sure miss those voicing switches though. To me, that's the biggest sacrifice. Turning the contour control full clockwise gets close but it's just not the same. The MB500 is, in my opinion, a more versatile machine. But the 800RB is a classic, for good reason.

 

[RockDoc]

The iconic 800RB, like this thread, endures!

 

[Rockillo]

End of 2018 and in a few days I will get mine….endures amp!!!

 

[tchristian]

I just dug mine out of the closet where it's been for 3 years. When I bought it I had a Highway 1 jazz and a couple Goliath Jr II's. Then I had an SVT410 and 115. Then I built a Fearful 15/6/1. I tried the 800rb through all of them. I tried it with an L-2500, an LB-100, a Carvin fretless, and a Kiesel PB 5. I've tried lots of different strings. It just didn't turn my crank.

So I was convinced I should sell it. I found this 18 YEAR OLD thread while I was looking for pricing advice and you hosers, wherever you are, convinced me to give it another chance. And Jeez oh Pete does it sound righteous through my SVT 810 Heritage. So good, in fact, that I'll start gigging it tomorrow, in place of my Traynor tube head.

Many thanks boys.

 

[tchristian]

Well, I take it back, sort of. The Traynor is still king of my heap. In the studio the GK tone jumped up and hit me between the ears, but I couldn't get it to sing at gig volume. So I switched back to the Traynor for last weekend's gig and was blown away - again. There's just something about that fuzz . . .

So at this point maybe the GK will do rehearsals and recording but it's back to toobs for gigs.

(I'm feeling sheepish now)

 

[Count Bassie]

Hehehe... I'm only resurrecting this old thing because I've just gotten an older 800RB, and in running it into a cab or two I got into the voicing filters (pushed in the mid-notch button) and the Boost control. Turned up the High Mid knob a bit and BOOM. Woah baby. Just what I wanted to hear!
Then I checked out this thread and, well, Bob's your uncle. This old box is dynamite, and seems very intuitive to use.
It's going on top of the 810 fridge at an outdoor party this Sunday. Looking forward to it.

 

[Razman]

Thanks Count! It's cool getting likes for stuff you wrote eons ago, and then going back to read it. You made my day! And I hope the GK makes yours; I'll say this, RB series heads must be paired with cabs that can handle their juice. The 800rb I had made a Goliath III cry for mercy! A 700rb atop my two PJB 9b cabs is a force to be reckoned with however, that rig sounded great - it's the only way I could crank that amp and not worry about blowing up the cabs or the building I was in!