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Gallien-Kruger made in USA
- Thread starter ThomasG
- Start date
+1
I still have my GK RB800 I bought in 1987 along with the 4x10 and 1x15 Hartke Cabs of the same year...that stuff lives at my church and rarely ventures out due to the heft.
I am a GK user from the 1980s. Still have that original head, btw. But several years ago it needed servicing and I wasn't sure it was worth repairing. I hadn't bought any new gear in a long time. I did a lot of research, and then...
A few years ago, I bought a brand new 400 RB-IV from a well-known dealer in the US. I don't remember with absolute certainty where it was made, but I'm pretty sure it said it was made in China, IIRC.
I never took it on a gig, only used it gently at home at very low volumes (with an older G-K cabinet) and it basically stopped working on its own shortly after the warranty expired. Repair estimate was 1/2 the price of the amp. It also showed very serious signs of corrosion while the amps which I have which are physically right next to it (in a warm, dry place), showed no corrosion. I sold it for next to nothing.
Summary: GK lost a lifelong customer who had been raving about GK to anyone who would listen...for years. I still feel ripped off.
LL
A few years ago, I bought a brand new 400 RB-IV from a well-known dealer in the US. I don't remember with absolute certainty where it was made, but I'm pretty sure it said it was made in China, IIRC.
I never took it on a gig, only used it gently at home at very low volumes (with an older G-K cabinet) and it basically stopped working on its own shortly after the warranty expired. Repair estimate was 1/2 the price of the amp. It also showed very serious signs of corrosion while the amps which I have which are physically right next to it (in a warm, dry place), showed no corrosion. I sold it for next to nothing.
Summary: GK lost a lifelong customer who had been raving about GK to anyone who would listen...for years. I still feel ripped off.
LL
You should have contacted G-K directly, there were troubles with the flux used when manufacturers had to stop using lead/tin solder. Not just from the China G-K plant but everyone who converted. G-K made good for those that had problems. Sounds like you ripped yourself off?
All production went back to California only in 2012.
All production went back to California only in 2012.
Yeah I was about to say, idk about ALL the manufacturing but they state on their website that they assemble in the USA and manufacture some parts here as well. I think people are just blown away by the amazing prices and think "No way that's made in the USA!"
I called G-K (and/or the distributor). I was told the warranty expired and that was that. It sounds like the remediation you're describing was provided after the era I'm referring to.
I don't feel like I ripped myself off, as you put it (although I do see your question mark). I feel like I went with a known brand, got a product that didn't have the lifespan that I expected, I tried to remedy the situation by making direct contact, then cut my losses. I then shared the experience with members of the bass community without any coloration or undue bias.
LL
