Well, I'm in Europe, and my 700RB II states clearly at the back: Made in USA. So I have no idea about any RBs that were made in China. GK NEO cabs, yes, MBs, yes. RBs, no.
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Gallien-Kruger made in USA
- Thread starter ThomasG
- Start date
Well, I'm in Europe, and my 700RB II states clearly at the back: Made in USA. So I have no idea about any RBs that were made in China. GK NEO cabs, yes, MBs, yes. RBs, no.
Thomas G,
For me, the original 200MB (RCB), 400RB, and 800RB were Gallien-Krueger's finest achievements, but that's just my opinion. Jimmy is correct, that the Backline amps sound infinitely better through other cabinets. I was told by a very reliable source that there were some problems with the earlier 700RB and 1,000RB amps. Gallien-Krueger replaced the all units that had the problems, but my source, a GK dealer stopped, carrying the line because he had to send a number of units back to GK for replacements. GK replaced all the heads. I had three GK micro bass amps a 200MB series I, 200MB series II, and a MBE. None of them every had any problems. So regardless where the amp comes from, problems pop up from time to time. The Backline amps weren't totally new designs, like the MB500, MBFusion, MB200, and MB800 heads are. Personally, IMHO even with your own plant in mainland China, running an entire new line of amps from across the ocean has some built in difficulties.
Ric
I'd agree the backline cabs are pretty lacking, didn't hit the right combination of "cheap but decent" on those. I did once play a backline600 amp at a jam party/gig of sorts through different cabs, a carvin 15 and 210 in this case and I'd say it is a quite good amp. Maybe one of the best sounding in it's price range. They did hit the right "cheap but decent" balance on that one.
True. The 700RB-II and 1001 addressed the problems and upped the power from the previous 700 and 1000. The 800RB is still one of my all time favorite amps. A lot of stuff has come out since then. Different, yes, but I don't think really any better.
I wonder who said this? Every contact at the G-K head quarters in California I have talked to have said all the RB series are built in the US plant as well as the Fusion. My sources have said after an initial run of the re-released 400RB IV, that production is planned to move to the overseas plant (that model only).
I am also in favor of seeing Americans back at work and will gladly pay an extra $100 for an amp or cab made here.
If I have to try to figure out which company's lines are made in the US and which are in asia I will choose a different company.
Carvin and Avatar are high on my list. Ampeg and GK are not.
Made in the USA should mean quality products providing good jobs in a healthy economy.
If I have to try to figure out which company's lines are made in the US and which are in asia I will choose a different company.
Carvin and Avatar are high on my list. Ampeg and GK are not.
Made in the USA should mean quality products providing good jobs in a healthy economy.
This is my understanding as well.
Somewhat of a list/explanations, etc. in this thread. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/i-want-support-buy-american-829198/
So just to be clear? You won't support G-K a US company that makes their own speakers and cabs in their own factory (in China) there by keeping 70% of the profits here in the US. Can't argue Carvin because I don't personally know who makes their speakers, Avatar can very well be using China Eminence reducing the US profit margin to 30-40%?
Did I get that right?
Did I get that right?
Very well said Pickinator. For me, it's been tough finding an appropriate cabinet that's CLEARLY made here without breaking the bank.
In addition to supporting our national economy more than an import, something that doesn't have to be shipped from halfway around the world is another win.
In addition to supporting our national economy more than an import, something that doesn't have to be shipped from halfway around the world is another win.
Pickinator,
Personally, all my gear was built in the U.S., as I have two Walter Woods amps (a MI-400-8 and a Electroacoustic Ultra) a 1964 B-15N(C) and a Lakland U.S. 55-94. a Euphonic Audio VL-108 and 208, and a Thunderchild 112. However, unless they buy a Carvin, it would be difficult to find amps that are affordable enough, for a kid, or student just starting out. Carvin makes a great product, just as long as you don't have to resell it for some reason, which totally baffles me, but there it is.
Ric
I read "carbon footprint" maybe? Yes the footprint is smaller to build here from imported parts than to ship completed assemblies.
GK RB800. One of the best amps I've ever played. Tubes, I dont need no stinking tubes.
I read "carbon footprint" maybe? Yes the footprint is smaller to build here from imported parts than to ship completed assemblies.
BString,
Good point, shipping something from overseas would definitely raise it's "carbon footprint" a bit. Of course it you buy a SVT from Vietnam or China it would raise it a bit more than say, an Ampeg PF 350. Interesting perspective though.
So just to be clear? You won't support G-K a US company that makes their own speakers and cabs in their own factory (in China) there by keeping 70% of the profits here in the US. Can't argue Carvin because I don't personally know who makes their speakers, Avatar can very well be using China Eminence reducing the US profit margin to 30-40%?
Did I get that right?
Not sure who that's at but I like GK, considering moving a couple things to get another 800rb (should've never sold my first one). While yes, I look for American as a criteria and will go that way whenever I can but let's face it, nothing is totally 100% made here. FWIW, Avatar and Carvin use OEM eminence drivers in the bass gear and Celestion on the guitar side. I assume the emi's come from Kentucky, and I assume most of the materials they make them out of come from china. I think Celestion has also moved most of their stuff out of the UK. The "buy American" isn't the be-all, end-all but it is a factor for me. That said, I drive Japanese cars because they just plain last longer than any American one I've had, except for a 1956 GMC truck. (my first vehicle in the 80's, my mom still has it).
B-string said:
I was told this by Brian Clark over pm. I'll dig it out. I know the 1001rb Australia get moved from being USA made to Chinese made a bit over a year ago. I got one of the last USA ones...
Brian Clark said:
This is a difficult claim to assess. Insofar as the average carbon footprint of American *people* generally exceeds that of people most anyplace else in the world, who is to say that artificially keeping jobs in the USA is ecologically beneficial? An American worker employed at a G-K plant will almost certainly use that paycheck to support a range of decisions that use exponentially more energy than his or her Chinese counterpart - for one thing, the decision to have and support American babies.
The law of unintended consequences often leads me to conclude that consumer choice, with limited available information, is a blunt and ineffective means of achieving broader social and ecological ends. Perhaps attempting to hoard anything in one country - be it energy, wealth, jobs or bass amps - tends to do more harm than good to the rest of the planet's environment?
