gallien krueger 800RB

[Count Bassie]

The right cab... Yeah that started to be of interest after playing it a bit last night. I did an A/B with an Eden WT405, back and forth between a pair of Kappalite 15s and a Hartke 4.5 XL.
I got it tuned in, but I'm curious about an enclosure to naturally mate with the 800. I'm sure the Ampeg fridge will be effective... But something more portable will be handy.
Anyway I've been enjoying reading all the 800RB testimonials! Yours, Raz, have been particularly edifying.

 

[Count Bassie]

I had one of these a long time ago... Having one again has actually been a wake up call. I'm learning things I don't know the first time.

 

[Count Bassie]

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!

I'm looking at a 400RB for just that reason- getting inside the range of cab abilities, esp in smallish clubs.
I've got a 200RB, but it only runs at 8 ohms, not as practical. But it sure sounds nice! That pushed me to finally look for the 800...

 

[Razman]

I had one of these a long time ago... Having one again has actually been a wake up call. I'm learning things I don't know the first time.

The 800 was a learning curve for me also - very unique amp and I wish more were like it. A 100w section for lower volumes plus the 300w for "normal" volume needs. And, an EQ that doesn't need any tweaking to sound great with all the knobs set to noon.

I'm looking at a 400RB for just that reason- getting inside the range of cab abilities, esp in smallish clubs.
I've got a 200RB, but it only runs at 8 ohms, not as practical. But it sure sounds nice! That pushed me to finally look for the 800...

I have a v3 400rb and it sounded great through the Pro-series fridge I have. Grind all day long - transients are clear though, really cool. One really needs to consider the wattage needed for the sound they are searching for with the RB series, or adjust via cab impedance. Higher impedance = grind at lower volumes.

Hmmm, an RB-series head with a wattage selector would be sweet - to go from 400rb to 1001rb with a dial. That would just about be perfection.

 

[Count Bassie]

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

This was a pretty funny post...

 

[Count Bassie]

Played yesterday evening, put the 800 into the Ampeg fridge with 50-watt Jensens. The report from out front said it sounded great- solid and punchy. But from the stage area it could get blurry, depending on what freqs were pushing.
Most of the time this won't be the cab I'm using, but I'd like to get that blurry thing sorted...
Don't know if it's an EQ issue, or maybe I just have to move the amp further away. But it's hard to play when it's suddenly indistinct like that.
The Fender Bassman 300 Pro head doesn't do that with this cab, I'd been using that rig in a small studio space with a loud stoner doom band and it's been great. Maybe I need to just spend some time with the GK into it...
I'm going to try the little Carvin 215 next time, it's got Kappalite 3015s in it. That tends to be very mid-heavy, but use of the mid-notch toggle and some Boost gets it under control.

 

[Marko 1]

Played yesterday evening, put the 800 into the Ampeg fridge w...

I missed where you posted pics.

you do have pics, right?

 

[Stylee Mousse]

My rig for a very active part of the 80’s was a 400RB and a Sunn 215 cab (the one with cheaper speakers). It sounded fantastic in every way and had plenty of volume for the loud rock and punk bands I used it for.

I was on a tour in the early 90’s where I subbed for the headliner’s bass player and I found I preferred my 400 to his 800rb as it “sang” more at practical stage volume.

 

[Count Bassie]

I missed where you posted pics.

you do have pics, right?

Lol. My Google phone can't seem to load pix.

 

[Count Bassie]

So last Sunday the 800RB into the 810... up close the sound got murked up and blurry sometimes, but the buzz back was it was great out front. I'm thinking that concentration of low mids through the 4 sealed 2x10 compartments of that fridge...
Any of you guys who've used the 800 through a sealed 810 cab, how did you address that?