• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Gallien Krueger Fusion 550

#22
Bob and the GK team clearly spent the time to get it right, blending tubes with the stellar Rb powerhouse. IMO this is a match made in heaven. I previously would not use the horn bi-amp with my 1001, but the 550's tubes mellow out the harshness, and now I love the horns. The simplicity is great.
Well done!!! Big fan!
 
  • Like
Reactions: madjazzbass
#23
When i got my 550 i was originally looking to buy a 1001rb as i have used these a lot.
I love the 550 the pre amp is great .has all the head room i need has a fantastic tonal range and a usable di .the moving knobs are useful. .as is the foot switch with mute button.
I chose they fusion because it offered me great versatility in voicing .the deep switch offers a great low end but for me without it it has deep punch as well.
It is a big heavey amp but i dont mind .it has got some added weight with the road case but hey its worth it to me.
The bi amp mode is easy to use and provides smooth clarity in the top end .
Cheers .
 
  • Like
Reactions: madjazzbass and Jo-
#24
I have one as well and use every feature but the bi-amp option..but that will come next week I have ordered a 4 ohm neo cab.
I have used a spark booster to have that natural OD on demand feature with the amp and love it...
I also use a Billy Sheehan OD with the level of dirt controlled by a volume pedal and it takes it just fine it takes me to harmonic heaven.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jo-
#25
jdwilliams said:
I have one as well and use every feature but the bi-amp option..but that will come next week I have ordered a 4 ohm neo cab.
I have used a spark booster to have that natural OD on demand feature with the amp and love it...
I also use a Billy Sheehan OD with the level of dirt controlled by a volume pedal and it takes it just fine it takes me to harmonic heaven.
Click to expand...
 
#26
In would agree a little boost into the tube preamp gives you more control of your breakup. I use a hot 18v active bass and get great control of the breakup just with finger pressure. I also ditched my compressor since using the 550, just felt like it didn't need it? Am I crazy?
 
#27
BassPlayerSAHH said:
In would agree a little boost into the tube preamp gives you more control of your breakup. I use a hot 18v active bass and get great control of the breakup just with finger pressure. I also ditched my compressor since using the 550, just felt like it didn't need it? Am I crazy?
Click to expand...

Nope. The tube preamp does a natural compression that outboard processors try to imitate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jim C
#28
An amazing head!!! I've been playing mine for about two years now and I keep finding new, sweet tones (I didn't know the countour knob could make the 550 very versatile). next on my list is the neo 4x12 :D

BTW I'm really curious in what kind of booster and/or OD pedal are you guys using in front of it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: madjazzbass
#29
I had one for a short time - was a great amp, but in the end the tone just wasn't my thing. There were things I loved about it though. It was SUPER loud - surprisingly so for it's rated watts. Very big low end. Loved being able to push the pre-amp tubes. Best tubey drive I've gotten out of any hybrid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: madjazzbass
#30
Edgar664 said:
An amazing head!!! I've been playing mine for about two years now and I keep finding new, sweet tones (I didn't know the countour knob could make the 550 very versatile). next on my list is the neo 4x12 :D

BTW I'm really curious in what kind of booster and/or OD pedal are you guys using in front of it.
Click to expand...

In front of it? My bass, if I want overdriven tones I turn up the gain to the desired OD level (and hope I can turn the master down enough).
 
  • Like
Reactions: TMARK
#32
Thanks b-string! Didn't like that compressor anyway! I agree with you that the gain knob is a great built in OD. I love the simplicity now, I'm down to the gk channel/mute and a volume pedal in the loop!
I hope this thing is not too sensitive to tube rolling because I'm running some dusty old RCA 12ax7's in this and love it!:)
 
#33
Wondering who here uses them with passive basses.. I'm using a Epifani 502 head at the moment, and it really sucks with passive basses.. I'm thinking of getting a Mesa 400+ head or a Fusion 550.. Mesa is huge and I have to retube it.. But is all valve, and has a 'cool' factor to it..

But I'm wondering if any motown/ r&b players here use the 550 with something like a P w/ flats.. Love to hear your thoughts
 
#35
xelaalex said:
When i got my 550 i was originally looking to buy a 1001rb as i have used these a lot.
I love the 550 the pre amp is great .has all the head room i need has a fantastic tonal range and a usable di .the moving knobs are useful. .as is the foot switch with mute button.
I chose they fusion because it offered me great versatility in voicing .the deep switch offers a great low end but for me without it it has deep punch as well.
It is a big heavey amp but i dont mind .it has got some added weight with the road case but hey its worth it to me.
The bi amp mode is easy to use and provides smooth clarity in the top end .
Cheers .
Click to expand...
Hi, i'm looking to get this same amp, my reason is that i'm quite sure the "G" string will carry the same tone as "E A D",.."G" string thins out too much with solid state,..I'm hoping that my new GK neo 4-10 cab coupled with this "Fusion 550" will put and keep a big smile on this boy's face for years to come,..(oh yeah, Jazz bass too, OWCH!!!)
 
#37
I've never touched a Fusion 550, but if it's similar to the MB Fusion 800 I can say that I love the hell out of my Fusion 800. It sounds seriously good with any bass I use with it - active, passive, 4/5 string. Kudos to GK and RAG.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back