Gallien Krueger?

[Jared Lash]

Hey all,

I am currently in a band (1 guitar, drums and we are auditioning vocalists) and my little Fender combo amp just isn't cutting it anymore.

We have tentative agreements to play 100-300 person venues once a singer is settled on, and I need to upgrade in the near future.

Here are the details:

I'm planning on buying a good head and a small cab, with the idea of upgrading along the way. Our band covers a lot of ground, but as a broad generalization, I would use Audioslave and The Red Hot Chili Peppers as reference points for our originals.

Though I've admittedly never been obsessive about tone, I like it warm and full with some low end growl. Right now I am looking at GK's stuff, but I am certainly open to other opinions. Another option I am considering is Carvin's B1500. I like the idea of a fairly clean tone which I can color with effects.

Any thoughts?

 

[EBMatt]

Welcome! If you tried them out and you think they sound good, go for it! If you haven't tried them out, then, well...try them out. It's a good idea to try out alot of stuff. GK is a very good brand.

 

[whacker]

GK is rock solid, and the Carvin model you mentioned is undoubtedly (especially as reported on in this forum) a winner as well. In the GK line (since that's what I use), I'd go with the 1001 RB-II, as it's the most powerful 2-space amp they make (700 watts RMS at 4 ohms). The Carvin is much more powerful at that load rating (1250 watts RMS), but it is also a 3-space unit, and a bit more heavy. I've never heard anyone comment that this particular GK ever ran out of steam, so I'd say that you shouldn't foresee that as a problem either, so the power available with the Carvin might be seen as overkill, EXCEPT that you're getting it at such a great price (comparatively more for the money). Also a six-band eq instead of four on the GK (well, the GK has other eq features). Other minor feature differences as well.

Check out "SMASH" 's extensive review on the Carvin. The GK is covered in many posts elsewhere as well. You'd do fine with either model, I think.

 

[Kenny Allyn]

I'll go with GK all the way ... as I have said in several post it's the "Swiss Army Knife" of amps I'm constantly amazed at what even my little 400RB III will do. I bought it for mainly a rehersal/practice amp head ... lugging around my big amp head (see profile) was just not worth it ... but the GK has proven it's ability to power every cab I own and make them sound good too.



... Never go anywhere without my GK, it even fits in my gig case ... so I always have it as a spare!

 

[ryco]

I'm lovin' my new (used) GK 1001.

I was thinkin' of going with Carvin but my guitar playing buddies have had some major repair issues . One guitarist has sent his Carvin combo back to the factory three times and they still haven't fixed the amp to his satisfaction. My guitar playin' brother had troubles with his combo and wound up selling it.

I haven't heard of any issues with bass gear. The price is certainly right and the R1000 looks cool featurewise.

 

[Doug Parent]

GK1001RB-II is my vote. The Carvin is very nice, I've tried it in a store twice and was impressed, although not sure how quickly I could get the tone from the Carvin that the GK provides so easily and satisfies my ear so well.

 

[bamx]

I have a GK2001RB, can someone suggest me a good carrying case for it with rack? Thanks I am posting here because for some reason i cant start a new thread. Dimensions (19"W x 5.25"H x 12"D )

 

[wolfs]

I have a GK2001RB, can someone suggest me a good carrying case for it with rack? Thanks I am posting here because for some reason i cant start a new thread. Dimensions (19"W x 5.25"H x 12"D )

If you want a lighter, yet sturdy, rack case, prolly a SKB or Gator will be fine (I think both of them make "shallow" versions that are better suited to amps under 14" deep like your 2001RB). 5.25" is 2U or 2 rack spaces... so if you're sure you don't want to rack more than just your amp, that would probably be best (i.e. you're sure you don't want a power conditioner or tuner or any of that jazz).

If you want a heavier, even more sturdy rack case, then you're looking at Road Ready Cases or Grundorf or something similar (I think Grundorf makes a lighter carpeted rack in addition to their normal rack cases).

 

[Jared Lash]

Thanks for the opinions.

How about people playing Carvin's B1500? How does it compare to the GK sound wise?

 

[Bayou_Brawler]

Hey all,

I am currently in a band (1 guitar, drums and we are auditioning vocalists) and my little Fender combo amp just isn't cutting it anymore.

We have tentative agreements to play 100-300 person venues once a singer is settled on, and I need to upgrade in the near future.

Here are the details:

I'm planning on buying a good head and a small cab, with the idea of upgrading along the way. Our band covers a lot of ground, but as a broad generalization, I would use Audioslave and The Red Hot Chili Peppers as reference points for our originals.

Though I've admittedly never been obsessive about tone, I like it warm and full with some low end growl. Right now I am looking at GK's stuff, but I am certainly open to other opinions. Another option I am considering is Carvin's B1500. I like the idea of a fairly clean tone which I can color with effects.

Any thoughts?

i would buy a 4x10 cab and an amp. maybe add a 1x15 later down the road.

GK is great stuff. i have an 800RB....decent sound and it's tough as nails.....and when you start gigging a lot a tough rig may be a tad more important then great sound....

 

[svtb15]

I have a Carvin B1500.. I brought that and my Ampeg SVT2 non-pro to another outdoor gig this past week.... The SVT is awesome... butery and loud...
I changed amps on the second show to the Carvin B1500 through my 4 aguilar GS112 cabs..
That Carvin sounded Great!.. It sounds sort of tubey with the drive knob up to about 7 or so.. It is a real Loud amp.. Tighter feeling than the SVT.. but incredible.. as far as reliability goes, the temp was 109 outside in texas.. it was a big stage.. i ran the Carvin @ 2 ohms.. it got real hot.. real hot.. but it kept on going .. so it had 109 degree air blowing through the amp to cool it.. i figured for sure it would quit on me.... but nope.... the amp kills...
I think the carvin is a great buy.. and sounds good too.. its durable...has more power than I would ever need.. i would not hesitate to get the B1500. it performs with the big boys and big dollar amps... sounds tight with clean defined bottom and silky top anf punch in the mids...
I cant do an up to date AB to the GK and Carvin..
i have used GKs as rentals in the past but only the older ones like the 800rb.. i did not care for them at all..to me they always sounded harsh in the top even set flat as flat as could be... the newer series i bet are better... but there is something about them that i do not like in the top end.. i say carvin b1500, it is a killer amp..