Gallien Krueger Club. GK Rules !

[groovaholic]

Been quiet around here lately...

I have a Genz-Benz Streamliner 900 to back up my Legacy 800, and while the Genz is a really great-sounding amp, I'm so used to the attack of GKs that it's tough for me to gig with anything else.

So I'd like to demo some other amps that might offer a different take on the attack, punch, and slice of GK.

Here's a conversation-starter prompt:

"I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

 

[shirojiro]

I'll bite!

I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

Vintage aluminum knob Peavey amps and a Yamaha B100 III.

 

[Z-Bass]

Been quiet around here lately...

I have a Genz-Benz Streamliner 900 to back up my Legacy 800, and while the Genz is a really great-sounding amp, I'm so used to the attack of GKs that it's tough for me to gig with anything else.

So I'd like to demo some other amps that might offer a different take on the attack, punch, and slice of GK.

Here's a conversation-starter prompt:

"I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

For staying in the same GK family, I'd look at the Fusion amps or if you do not mind the size and can still find a used one, check out the Fusion 550. When I was looking at getting a GK amp I almost bought the Fusion 550. It sounded so good having that attack and immediacy but with some tube influence. I would have gone that route but at the time I was on a mission to go tubeless and compact. If you're looking outside of GK, I know a lot of bass colleagues in my area have been praising the heck out of the Aguilar AG700 head. When they describe the tone, "quick and clean" is typically what is mentioned.

 

[Swerve]

I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

Something more vintage voiced. A lot of the gigs I've played this past year the backline supplied is all Ampeg stuff. So while I'm married to my 700rb-ii, the occasional one night stand with something totally different can be a fun experience. The Ampeg Micro VR was surprisingly loud and rock'n'roll as hell. Wouldn't mind owning one with the matching 210.

 

[Queue]

There is a FB page called Gallien Krueger Owners .... with a picture of the guy who is the moderator as the cover photo .
Seems to be the most popular GK page on the Facebook platform.

Shouldn't the cover photo be the GK logo !?! after all it is all about a love for GK and its community of devoted users
...why is this dude posting a photo of himself ?

That's Tony Puleo, on TB: @TonyP- he owns the FB group. He contributes a lot to this thread as well.


...also a GK endorsed artist Tony Puleo — Gallien-Krueger

Thank you Tony for all you do here and on FB!

 

[groovaholic]

For staying in the same GK family...if you do not mind the size and can still find a used one, check out the Fusion 550. ... I know a lot of bass colleagues in my area have been praising the heck out of the Aguilar AG700 head. When they describe the tone, "quick and clean" is typically what is mentioned.

I used to have a Fusion 550; great sounding amp that temporarily put my 700RB-II on the shelf.
In the end, I missed the quickness of the RB and sold the Fusion.

I've been Aguilar-curious for a while, but the AG700 seems a bit bare-bones for how expensive they are.
But if the tone is there, it's there...

 

[Z-Bass]

I've been Aguilar-curious for a while, but the AG700 seems a bit bare-bones for how expensive they are.
But if the tone is there, it's there...

I agree, they are priced a bit high for what you get. I haven't tried one out for myself but I'm hearing great things from some folks that I never thought would switch from what they were playing. We have a bass day get together coming up locally. I'll keep an eye (and ear) out for what people are using currently.

 

[GKid]

I used to have a Fusion 550; great sounding amp that temporarily put my 700RB-II on the shelf.
In the end, I missed the quickness of the RB and sold the Fusion.

I've been Aguilar-curious for a while, but the AG700 seems a bit bare-bones for how expensive they are.
But if the tone is there, it's there...

The difference is that bass FQ choice ...60hz on the 700rb .... 40hz on the F-550 .... it has me constantly going back and forth.
Hopefully Bob adds the option to switch between the 2 FQ's on the Fusion revamp.
Especially since the new Fusion Class D's are 60hz

I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

Something more vintage voiced. A lot of the gigs I've played this past year the backline supplied is all Ampeg stuff. So while I'm married to my 700rb-ii, the occasional one night stand with something totally different can be a fun experience. The Ampeg Micro VR was surprisingly loud and rock'n'roll as hell. Wouldn't mind owning one with the matching 210.

I agree. they are fun. I used to call one night stands ... "Auditions"

putting my F-550 up against an early 70's SVT on Sunday ...with a matching Squareback fridge .
Will report back with results

 

[TonyP-]

There is a FB page called Gallien Krueger Owners .... with a picture of the guy who is the moderator as the cover photo .
Seems to be the most popular GK page on the Facebook platform.

Shouldn't the cover photo be the GK logo !?! after all it is all about a love for GK and its community of devoted users
...why is this dude posting a photo of himself ?

Hi GK Kid,
Tony, here…If you notice there is several GK related products in the pic. They liked it and I have been artist with them for well over a decade.
If you questions about the group please feel free to ask away.
If you have some video or pics of you playing GK gear give a go and post away up there. I encourage you to, cheers.
-Tony

 

[TonyP-]

That's Tony Puleo, on TB: @TonyP- he owns the FB group. He contributes a lot to this thread as well.


...also a GK endorsed artist Tony Puleo — Gallien-Krueger

Thank you Tony for all you do here and on FB!

Thank You Queue,
I appreciate it, I do my best to keep the stoke alive.
If there is one product that I'm exclusively with, its GK. Nothing else responds the same way and reacts to the way I play like GK.

 

[TonyP-]

Been quiet around here lately...


"I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

Nothing as far as amps go. Literally nothing…

I will use a channel strip or a nice DI in the studio but I will mix it with the GK plug-in a lot of times or miked GK rig.

 

[Count Bassie]

"I usually use GK amps, but when I'm not using GK, I also enjoy using ________"

Well it's not like GK, and they're no longer a current offering: Eden WT405.
What I like about it is that it reproduces, to my broken and abused ear, what I send it, without adding any new envelope or features. When I plug in the Epiphone Classic Pro Thunderbird, it sounds like that. The modded Hamer with RIC p'ups and harness, it's that one. It's got a flavor, but it's *real plain* and the instrument I'm playing doesn't have to compete with the preamp's signature.
When I hit it hard, it sounds like it- it gives me that dynamic. When I lighten up, it doesn't get darkened up, just quieter and without the natural 'breakup' of the hard string hit. It represents what you do. In this way it has no character of its own.
I don't know if I can explain it any better. I think the the discontinuation this amp is a loss.
I used to think it was too "precious" a sound for rock n roll, until I finally started gigging with it and beat it up a little.
No it's not GK. I've got a 700RB and it's a different animal, and I'll have to A/B them one night at a gig and record them both. I like my GK, that responsive thing it does, the way it grabs the action of the speaker and handles its travel is brilliant- but I do find the Eden to be a simpler sound, and to me it sounds more manageable across the board.
And that's, like, my opinion, man.

 

[groovaholic]

Eden WT405.

I've got a 700RB and it's a different animal

I like my GK, that responsive thing it does, the way it grabs the action of the speaker and handles its travel is brilliant- but I do find the Eden to be a simpler sound, and to me it sounds more manageable across the board.

Great description! Well now you've made me want to check out an Eden...

 

[Z-Bass]

I like my GK, that responsive thing it does, the way it grabs the action of the speaker and handles its travel is brilliant- but I do find the Eden to be a simpler sound, and to me it sounds more manageable across the board.

I can relate. My only other amp before I went all in on GK was an Eden WT300, which was closer to a WT400. Back in the day you could send it back to Eden for an upgrade. Anyway, I loved the tone of that amp but even though it was 400 watts, kind of sounded soft...tough to explain. When I tried out a GK after my Eden went down, I was blown away by how it punched and the immediacy of the notes. I did get the Eden repaired and eventually moved it on but sometimes I wish I kept it for recording purposes.

 

[Count Bassie]

I can relate. My only other amp before I went all in on GK was an Eden WT300, which was closer to a WT400. Back in the day you could send it back to Eden for an upgrade. Anyway, I loved the tone of that amp but even though it was 400 watts, kind of sounded soft...tough to explain. When I tried out a GK after my Eden went down, I was blown away by how it punched and the immediacy of the notes. I did get the Eden repaired and eventually moved it on but sometimes I wish I kept it for recording purposes.

I get you about the "soft" thing. I have found however that that volume knob really works! Also I've really come to like the fact that the Eden *doesn't* have the same punch as the GK... It is very plain and lacks any character of its own. It's all just me and my bass, and that's how I started, that most essential, and for me, necessary relationship. So this stuff gets personal.

My Epi Thunderbird (Classic Pro) sounds really good through the Eden. (EDIT) And I'll add, about that "soft" remark, that character still doesn't compromise the forward, or even sometimes aggressive intent of my sound. The beginning of "Whipping Post" is as gnarly as it ought to be with the Eden... It's that 'plain' thing I mentioned.

But it's true that nothing really does what the GK does. I've got a 200RB too, that's kind of an all-time favorite... That one mostly lives at the rehearsal space, but occasionally ventures out to a rock gig. I send it to foh so it's just a stage monitor on its own.

 

[Count Bassie]

Great description! Well now you've made me want to check out an Eden...

Lol, thanks. This stuff is still out there...

 

[DTWilliams]

After piecing things together over the years, it's finally complete.

I purchased the 400RB at a pawn shop in Tucson, AZ around 2015 for like $250. Got rid of my Avatar 212 after finding the GK Neo 212 used on FB Marketplace for $400 late last year. Most recently, I got this 800RB last week from a guy in Texas for $350, spent about $43 getting her tuned up (a broken solder or two plus a worn out jack), and now she's roaring.

I'm very pleased with these old GKs & glad to have a backup

 

[shoot-r]

Oh thanks alot guys!!!

I'm in the market right now looking for a new gigging amp to replace my, (can't seem to be fixed, scratchy pots, MB Fusion 800)...now I'm gonna have to check out a Aguliar AG700.

 

[thadMc]

The full rig has landed: Legacy 800 head + two Neo IV 4x10 cabs. Cranking a Pbass and this Lakland through it all. Have not gotten to use these cabs at full volume in a show yet but eager to feel their full force. Aesthetically I love the way these stack to give that classic 8x10 look

 

[groovaholic]

I'd like to demo some other amps that might offer a different take on the attack, punch, and slice of GK.

Lately, I've gotten philosophical about what makes an amp work in the mix...

I'm still recovering from injuring my left index finger in August.
For the past two months, I haven't been able to rehearse, gig, jam...nada

The last time I gigged, rainwater fell on my Legacy 800, and it seems like the fans might have been affected - so I sent it in for service, hence my pondering what might be a more suitable backup.

I'm a sucker for amps and cabs that have big lows and bright highs, but it occurred to me that some of the most revered bass tones are anything but "hi fi":

The Ampeg B-15 isn't huge down low, and there's only so much treble that a 15" can produce, but it's a classic tone that fits so well into the mix.
Another Ampeg example is the SVT 810 - which rolls off rapidly below 80Hz and above 4k - yet still became a rock and roll staple.

Similarly (and closer to home) I briefly owned an 800RB, 700RB-II, and Legacy 800 all at the same time.
The 800RB had a great sound, but the 700RB-II was my favorite due to its bigger lows and brighter highs.
The Legacy initially struck me as midrangey - but I've since come to love how it sits in the mix.
And there was something undeniably classic and tasty about that 800RB...

My "lightbulb moment" was that classic gear didn't become classic in spite of its limitation, but because of those limitations...and my conclusion is that gear that narrows the bandwidth tends to make the bass punch harder and slot into the mix better.
A literal punch feels VERY different from a slap delivered by the same hand - and that's all about concentrating vs. distributing the forces in question.

So whatever amp joins my Legacy 800, it's going to have to be a punchy beast - and I'll try not to get seduced by hi-fi tones that work best at home.