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Hey all. I'm looking at switching from a Mesa rig (Prodigy and 2 210 Subway cabs) to a GK rig. Specifically the GK Fusion 550 and 2 212 Neo ii cabs. What do you all think about that Fusion 550 head when compared to the 700rb or the more current heads?
Idk much about the 550, but I went from a Prodigy to a 1001RB-I and now a 700RB-ii and it is a night and day difference in quality of tone. The aggression the Prodigy has can also be found in the 700RB. I think you'd be quite happy with the 550 vs one of their class D offerings. I've had all of their class D amps at one point and nothing can top the organic tone I get from the 700RB, the 1001 was a bit too clean but they warmed up the tone for the ii series. As always this is just my opinion. I've purchased the Prodigy 3 separate times and I fall in and out of love with it relatively quickly. I'll be buried with the 700RB-ii.
I also think you'll get a more aggressive voice and deeper lows out of the 2x12's vs the Subway cabs.
Sounds like we have similar tastes. This is the second Prodigy Ive owned. I think I'm hung up on tubes and the fact that I think Mesa is really cool. Don't know where that came from but there it is. I have always loved the RB heads I've tried (400rb iii and 1001rb ii) and have always said "if (insert current brand im using) did t exist then id play a GK". Well maybe it's time I played a GK
I definitely feel a difference between class D and other SS/tube heads. Class D is. It for me (played them for the first 15 years of my playing) and not too keen on going back.
The Fusion 550 has a tube front end and selectable contour freq but is also 10 more lbs and a 3 rack space unit. The 700rb ii is what GK is about… they cut their teeth on all SS bass amplification and are one of the best at it. It only seems right to get an all SS head from them.
There are lots of decent ways to add a bit of tube warmth to any SS amp!
I know all tube amps are usually a bit of a different thing.
I get the best of both with my Two Notes Opus tube preamp/tube power amp/cabinet modeler.
I bought a Fusion 550 new with a 212 cab and added a second cab later, despite owning quite a few other heads, I always come back to the 550. Yes it's a bit bigger than a D class, but it sounds so good, the weight issue soon goes away.
I have a 410 4 ohms cab too, it isn't as smooth sounding as 4 x 12" speakers, definitely recommend.
The 700rb ii is indeed one of their flagship amps and a no brainer when considering GK. However, the Fusion 550 is really special. I don't own one but when I was considering a GK years ago I demoed their complete lineup at a local shop. I went through the RBs (700 and 1001), the MBs (both regular and Fusion), and the Fusion 550. Although I ended up with an MB500 due to the size and weight (and tone of course), I really was close to going with the Fusion 550. It just sounded so good and is really a different beast than the usual tube amp. If one popped up used or if they ever decide to relaunch, I'd definitely consider getting one.
RevGroove
Commercial User
- Jul 21, 2002
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I tried the series iv with a legacy800 head and did not like it at all. I even tried it with a Mesa head and still didn't like it. It was too hi-fi
Is the Fusion 550 the one with the automated knobs? That's the big thing that would hold me back.
RevGroove
Commercial User
- Jul 21, 2002
- 2,411
- 173
- Disclosures
- Regional Account Services Supervisor @ Long & McQuade or ON & Atlantic Canada
Have you tried the II? I liked them when I had them...I have a project/custom 2x12 cab that I'm upgrading with 2x 8 ohm NEO IV drivers (increasing the power rating and going down to 4ohms...)...so far so good...
I believe there is a controller chip that can be pulled and the motors no longer function. No need to swap potentiometers.
If you disable the knobs, you lose the second channel. One unique aspect of the Fusion 550 is that it is a "mechanical" 2 channel amp. You set the knobs for the channel you're on. When you select the other channel, the knobs will move to the other channel's last settings.
Mine haven't been an issue but I can see that it could become one in a nightly gig scenario if you're switching channels a lot. I feel like the knobs would eventually fail, as any mechanical device will do eventually.
The thing sounds amazing though. I've run it through a single and a pair of GK Neo 212s (first gen) as well as a GK Neo 115/210 stack. Love it in all scenarios.
kgb
Mine haven't been an issue but I can see that it could become one in a nightly gig scenario if you're switching channels a lot. I feel like the knobs would eventually fail, as any mechanical device will do eventually.
The thing sounds amazing though. I've run it through a single and a pair of GK Neo 212s (first gen) as well as a GK Neo 115/210 stack. Love it in all scenarios.
kgb
Personally, I'd have chosen programmable resistors with separate encoders, but that's also 2025 vs, I don't know, a long time ago, plus I'm thinking clean slate, where these guys have been working in a familiar amp design context. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 and at the time nobody would've expected huge issues, so I definitely wouldn't want to give any impression of bad intent or anything.
But whatever the case, can't say that GK hasn't been forward thinking.
But whatever the case, can't say that GK hasn't been forward thinking.
I certain thought of such at the time which is why I stuck with the two 700RBs (first Gen.) I had back then.
Sure, and that's why I'm a bit leery of electromechanical components, especially when integrated. I could've been clearer, but I intended to refer to the GK design team.
