Gallien Krueger Head with Non-GK Cabs????

[KPAX]

Well, if they're so great, why do they have such low resale value? Check on EBAY.
Bass Central won't even take them on trade. Call Beaver and ask. There's too many of them for sale - wonder why?
I was fortunate to get $400 worth of credit (+ cash) for my 700RBII in a deal for my tube SVT head and I felt guilty - it isn't worth that. Sorry you bought them guys - nothing personal. I feel for ya, been there. After way too many gigs I bailed on em. You will too. There's better sounding amps out there. The 700/1001RBII have a sterile but congested sound with an annoying midrange character to them. I challenge you, take your bass and cabs and test a good tube head like an SVT, Mesa 400+ or a Peavey VB-2 - after that, forget it.
Why don't we meet half way and agree that although GK cabs are crap, the best head for a non-GK cab is any NON-GK head - fair enough? Hey I have no axe to grind with GK. The 800Rb sounds good. Anybody want to buy a perfect condition 1001RBII ???

This is hardly misinformation. It's in fact just the opposite. You need their speakon to use their biamp feature with their cabinets. If you're using someone else's you need a different cable and the biamp won't work. That's not misinformation, it's just a way to educate the public on the correct use of their amps. They do hype their biamp feature, and rightly so. It is unique (biamping isn't, but their approach is), they think it sounds good... What's the problem?

In response to your A-B:
A) Why shouldn't they promote their heads? Not many business models work without promotion.
B) Every company that makes both amps and cabs wants you to think this. This is nothing unique to GK.


This is purely subjective, but I'd like to go on record as saying that my 2001RB and the 1001RB-II that I'm using this week sound fantastic.

 

[Tendollarcat]

I was a GK player for years. I used a 400rb for about ten years and then an 800rb, followed by the 1001. In my honest opinion, GK heads are at their best when paired with 12inch speakers. Whenever I've used 4x10s, 2x10s or 1x15s, they have sounded inadequate to me.

My rig whenI gigged heavily was a GK400RB with an ancient Peavey 4x12 cab that weighed at least 100 pounds. To this day, it's the best GK tone I have had. I'd say it's close to the best rock tone I have ever found.

Cabs that I went through with a GK head since I realised the Peavey 4x12 weighed more than my car -

SWR Goliath Jnr 2x10.
Schroeder Mini 12
GK 4x10
Peavey 1x15

The worst of these was by far the GK. The GK cab was flat sounding and quiet.

I think GK heads have a sweet spot. If you find it with the right cab, they are fantastic. My preference was 12s. I've moved on to brands that have a sweet spot for most cabs now - it's just less stressful

 

[JanusZarate]

Well, if they're so great, why do they have such low resale value? Check on EBAY.
Bass Central won't even take them on trade. Call Beaver and ask. There's too many of them for sale - wonder why?

Ever looked at how many AMPEG heads there are on the market? Or considered just how big of a brand GK is?

When you're one of the biggest brands of amps in the world, and your amps are not that expensive, it should be obvious that there would be a LOT of them out there, both new and used. My apologies if you're too short-sighted to figure that out.

I was fortunate to get $400 worth of credit (+ cash) for my 700RBII in a deal for my tube SVT head and I felt guilty - it isn't worth that. Sorry you bought them guys - nothing personal. I feel for ya, been there. After way too many gigs I bailed on em. You will too. There's better sounding amps out there.

The 700/1001RBII have a sterile but congested sound with an annoying midrange character to them. I challenge you, take your bass and cabs and test a good tube head like an SVT, Mesa 400+ or a Peavey VB-2 - after that, forget it.

I hate to burst your bubble, but I've used a LOT of amps in the past few years, so before you climb on your high horse and claim that all-tube amps are the greatest things ever, take a moment to realize that your opinion is just that - your opinion. Not everyone likes all-tube amps, and they're not ideal for everything.

For the record, I DO love some all-tube amps. Many of my favorite artists are armed with them.

The only non-GK heads I've liked as much were the Ampeg SVT-CL and the Mesa hybrid heads (like the M-Pulse). I have been overall disappointed with Markbass, Aguilar (not even their all-tube stuff thrilled me), Peavey, Line 6, and numerous other brands.

Why don't we meet half way and agree that although GK cabs are crap, the best head for a non-GK cab is any NON-GK head - fair enough?

Clearly, you have no idea where the halfway point is.

I gig with a GK Neo 212, and it's one of the best cabs I've used in terms of tone, volume, and portability. And again, I've used a lot of cabs. I haven't been happy with all of GK's cabs (some are indeed not worth buying), but I think they did an excellent job with the Neo series.

Hey I have no axe to grind with GK. The 800Rb sounds good. Anybody want to buy a perfect condition 1001RBII ???

Yeah, violate some TB User Rules while you're here... that's wise. :scowl:

You reek of arrogance, and I'd rather not waste more time arguing with the arrogant. So until you decide to come down from your cloud in La-La Land, I'm no longer motivated to continue to talk to your brick-walled mind...

 

[silky smoove]

I hate to burst your bubble, but I've used a LOT of amps in the past few years, so before you climb on your high horse and claim that all-tube amps are the greatest things ever, take a moment to realize that your opinion is just that - your opinion.

Big +1 on that point. For what it's worth KPAX, feel free to look at my profile as well as Boo's and you'll see that we're both coming from experience when we say we like how GK amps sound. The only difference is we're not slamming the amp manufacturer's that we happen to dislike

EDIT: After a re-read that came off a bit aggressive. I'm not trying to come off that way (although my point is still valid, so I'll leave it up). All I'm trying to say is that slinging insults at GK isn't the best way to express your disdain for their product. Why not simply say "GK didn't work for me." and leave it at that?

 

[pgurns]

Big +1 on that point. For what it's worth KPAX, feel free to look at my profile as well as Boo's and you'll see that we're both coming from experience when we say we like how GK amps sound. The only difference is we're not slamming the amp manufacturer's that we happen to dislike

EDIT: After a re-read that came off a bit aggressive. I'm not trying to come off that way (although my point is still valid, so I'll leave it up). All I'm trying to say is that slinging insults at GK isn't the best way to express your disdain for their product. Why not simply say "GK didn't work for me." and leave it at that?

In addition it has nothing to do with the OP question.

 

[Bza]

700RB with Ashdown ABM 410T?

My friend has this but Ive yet to hear it.

 

[KPAX]

Jeez guys, lighten up and have a sense of humor. Is Bob Gallien your father in law? Don't taze me!

Ever looked at how many AMPEG heads there are on the market? Or considered just how big of a brand GK is?


Clearly, you have no idea where the halfway point is.


Yeah, violate some TB User Rules while you're here... that's wise. :scowl:

You reek of arrogance, and I'd rather not waste more time arguing with the arrogant. So until you decide to come down from your cloud in La-La Land, I'm no longer motivated to continue to talk to your brick-walled mind...

 

[Standalone]

I currently have 3 cabs, yamaha, GB, and GK. My 800RB sounds very different through each, but the four bands of eq get me to a sound I like with each, and fairly quickly. I have not yet gig tested my 212 with the amp.

I do wish I still had my 210xlt to hear the head through.

One of the things I like is that the tone of the 800 seems to come from the power section-- I like pushing a 210 with it rather than pulling back on the master volume with the 212.

 

[KPAX]

There ya go, exhibit A. You can get a decent sound with a lot of work and just the right stuff around it but why bother? Too stressful. There's other heads that always sound GREAT.

I was a GK player for years. I used a 400rb for about ten years and then an 800rb, followed by the 1001. In my honest opinion, GK heads are at their best when paired with 12inch speakers. Whenever I've used 4x10s, 2x10s or 1x15s, they have sounded inadequate to me.

My rig whenI gigged heavily was a GK400RB with an ancient Peavey 4x12 cab that weighed at least 100 pounds. To this day, it's the best GK tone I have had. I'd say it's close to the best rock tone I have ever found.

Cabs that I went through with a GK head since I realised the Peavey 4x12 weighed more than my car -

SWR Goliath Jnr 2x10.
Schroeder Mini 12
GK 4x10
Peavey 1x15

The worst of these was by far the GK. The GK cab was flat sounding and quiet.

I think GK heads have a sweet spot. If you find it with the right cab, they are fantastic. My preference was 12s. I've moved on to brands that have a sweet spot for most cabs now - it's just less stressful

 

[KPAX]

I like the 800RB - a good sounding amp that made GK but unfortunately lightning hasn't struck twice. It's been airballs ever since. One and done.

I currently have 3 cabs, yamaha, GB, and GK. My 800RB sounds very different through each, but the four bands of eq get me to a sound I like with each, and fairly quickly. I have not yet gig tested my 212 with the amp.

I do wish I still had my 210xlt to hear the head through.

One of the things I like is that the tone of the 800 seems to come from the power section-- I like pushing a 210 with it rather than pulling back on the master volume with the 212.

 

[JanusZarate]

Jeez guys, lighten up and have a sense of humor. Is Bob Gallien your father in law? Don't taze me!

If you're labeling your posts as funny, then Saving Private Ryan is a romantic comedy.

There ya go, exhibit A. You can get a decent sound with a lot of work and just the right stuff around it but why bother? Too stressful. There's other heads that always sound GREAT.

It appears you keep missing two key points...

A) Personal preference, personal preference, personal preference. I can't stress that enough.

B) No amp sounds good with everything. Sometimes, that includes its own "matching" brand of cab. For example, I really didn't like how smaller Markbass cabs sound with the Little Mark II. But it sounded pretty good with their classic 8x10 cab. I had a similar experience with Aguilar.

I can respect your opinion (i.e., being sorely disappointed with GK gear) as long as you don't tout it as the unquestionable truth. Remember that truth is in the eye of the beholder. Is it that hard to grasp the concept that your favorite amp isn't everyone's favorite amp, and not everyone hates what you hate?

 

[silky smoove]

There ya go, exhibit A. You can get a decent sound with a lot of work and just the right stuff around it but why bother? Too stressful. There's other heads that always sound GREAT.

Exhibit B: My 2001RB sounded great with my Legion Sound 2x12 loaded with no-name PA speakers. It currently sounds great with my Schroeder 410R. It sounds great direct to the board in the studio. Last weekend it sounded great through my stepdad's 70's Kustom 2x15.

 

[KPAX]

Hey dude, I said I never used a 2001RB.
I was talking 700/1001RBII - those I have EXTENSIVE experience with (130+ gigs, 5 different basses, several cabs, many pedals) and they're a struggle to get a decent sound out of. I'd like to try the 2001RB. Flea's tone has been worse since he started using them and RBH cabs (it was good with 800RB and mesa cabs) but Justin Chancellor used 2001RB (with mesa cabs) on the last Tool album and his tone is great.

Exhibit B: My 2001RB sounded great with my Legion Sound 2x12 loaded with no-name PA speakers. It currently sounds great with my Schroeder 410R. It sounds great direct to the board in the studio. Last weekend it sounded great through my stepdad's 70's Kustom 2x15.

 

[KPAX]

Saving Private Ryan isn't a romantic comedy?? Well, maybe not but it's a total chick flick.
Re no amp sounding good with everything, name one cab (that's capable of sounding good) that doesn't sound good with an SVT Classic ir SVT II. Hmmm?
Put another way, when is it HARD to get a good sound out of a tube SVT?
Beauty (not truth) is in the eye of the beholder. Truth is truth.

If you're labeling your posts as funny, then Saving Private Ryan is a romantic comedy.



It appears you keep missing two key points...

A) Personal preference, personal preference, personal preference. I can't stress that enough.

B) No amp sounds good with everything. Sometimes, that includes its own "matching" brand of cab. For example, I really didn't like how smaller Markbass cabs sound with the Little Mark II. But it sounded pretty good with their classic 8x10 cab. I had a similar experience with Aguilar.

I can respect your opinion (i.e., being sorely disappointed with GK gear) as long as you don't tout it as the unquestionable truth. Remember that truth is in the eye of the beholder. Is it that hard to grasp the concept that your favorite amp isn't everyone's favorite amp, and not everyone hates what you hate?

 

[JanusZarate]

The 2001RB isn't that different (the preamp is generally the same), so I don't think you'd like it very much either.

Interesting that you mention Flea and Chancellor... I personally like Flea's tone now more so than with his prior rigs. But IMO, it has a lot more to do with his bass. He's now using Fender Jazz basses; before, he had used Wal, Modulus, Ernie Ball...

Chancellor could have easily used a 1001RB-II and produced the same results, especially since again, there's a lot more to his sound than the amp or even the cabs. And AFAIK, he doesn't use the extra perks of the 2001RB that make it different than the 1001RB-II. Odd, huh?

Going to your questions... sure, I'll play.

I don't like the all-tube SVTs as much with ported cabs, ESPECIALLY those with tweeters. I think they're better suited to sealed tweeterless cabs, like the 810E. Plus, they don't stay as clean at high volumes. But IMO, if you're going for clean tones that sound like your bass unplugged, Ampeg is the wrong way to go. It's best suited for rock... and that's why I like it.

So, there you go. A scenario where it doesn't work. That doesn't mean you couldn't use it for any style - it just doesn't work as well as other amps might in particular styles. But remember that it's just an opinion; you don't agree with me, and I'm sure many others don't either. But there are just as many that do.

And regarding truth... without going too far off-topic, I'll say that if truth were objective, we would never need a jury in a trial. Nor would we need a complex justice system. Or elections. And I can go on and on... my entire college and law school careers have been dedicated to this sort of thing. So tread lightly.

 

[silky smoove]

Hey dude, I said I never used a 2001RB.
I was talking 700/1001RBII - those I have EXTENSIVE experience with (130+ gigs, 5 different basses, several cabs, many pedals) and they're a struggle to get a decent sound out of.

Fair enough, but as Boo has already pointed out, the tonal difference between the 2001RB and 1001RB-II isn't much. I'm currently using a 1001RB-II (I'll be back with my 2001RB next week) and it sounds basically the same (excluding channel B on the 2001RB which the 1001RB-II doesn't offer).

The only real issue here is that we're expressing our opinions while you're expressing opinions as if they were factual information, which they most certainly are not.

 

[KPAX]

Wow! Entire college and law school careers - that's very impressive. Yeah man, say no more. I'll tread lightly for sure. Case closed.

The 2001RB isn't that different (the preamp is generally the same), so I don't think you'd like it very much either.

Interesting that you mention Flea and Chancellor... I personally like Flea's tone now more so than with his prior rigs. But IMO, it has a lot more to do with his bass. He's now using Fender Jazz basses; before, he had used Wal, Modulus, Ernie Ball...

Chancellor could have easily used a 1001RB-II and produced the same results, especially since again, there's a lot more to his sound than the amp or even the cabs. And AFAIK, he doesn't use the extra perks of the 2001RB that make it different than the 1001RB-II. Odd, huh?

Going to your questions... sure, I'll play.

I don't like the all-tube SVTs as much with ported cabs, ESPECIALLY those with tweeters. I think they're better suited to sealed tweeterless cabs, like the 810E. Plus, they don't stay as clean at high volumes. But IMO, if you're going for clean tones that sound like your bass unplugged, Ampeg is the wrong way to go. It's best suited for rock... and that's why I like it.

So, there you go. A scenario where it doesn't work. That doesn't mean you couldn't use it for any style - it just doesn't work as well as other amps might in particular styles. But remember that it's just an opinion; you don't agree with me, and I'm sure many others don't either. But there are just as many that do.

And regarding truth... without going too far off-topic, I'll say that if truth were objective, we would never need a jury in a trial. Nor would we need a complex justice system. Or elections. And I can go on and on... my entire college and law school careers have been dedicated to this sort of thing. So tread lightly.

 

[JanusZarate]

Yeah, I think we're at the end of the road for this anyway... any further, and the thread will get closed for excessive off-topic discussion.

 

[BillyRay]

KPAX, the resale is so low because GK has always been conservatively priced. Same thing for Hartke (well Hartke used to be expensive). Does this say anything about the quality ? No. All it tells us is that the price they go for new is pretty low.

And not being able to get a decent tone out of an amp doesn't mean that it is crap. It doesn't mean you suck either, it just means that you couldn't get what you wanted from it.

Stop trying to pass your opinions as truth: sure tube amps sound good, yadda, yadda, but they're also higher maintenance, more expensive to buy, heavier and not always suitable for lower volume operation. It reeks of "Iknowitallosis" and it probably is grating to people who have way more than 150+ gigs experience with their GK rigs and are very happy with them.

 

[BillyRay]

To OP, I have played many backlines where GK and Ampeg were mix and matched and I always liked what I heard. My current rig is an ancient 400RB into a 215D BW and they are certainly "matched".