Genz Benz GBE 1200----OR---Gallien Krueger 1001RB II

gb all the way, such clarity, im getting the same amp

 

I don't have either amp, but I have read here that the GB is more versatile and can aquire the GK sound pretty easily but not the other way round.

 

I like my GK 1001rbii. Very clean, but you can add "Growl" with a few simple knob tweaks (I love Boost). With a 410 and 115 I can easily drown out a loud drummer and guitarist w/fender 212 160 watt amp at 60-70% volume, its plenty loud. With the EQ you should be able to make it fit in any music.

I am biased, though! I love my amp.

Looking at the GBE1200, it may do the real tube cruch a little better(maybe a lot better) if that is a consideration. The GK growl is a good sound but not the same as a tube breaking up. And there is a few hundred more watts with the GBE1200
I hope that helps.

 

the genz is nice but for that price you can get a mesa head in nz. are you looking at rockshop? they overcharge a lot. if you wait til they go on sale you'll probably be in luck. saw a 1001RB-II for 1500 once.

there's a whole hell of a lot of mesa m-pulse 360s in new zealand at the moment, if you're interested. henderson rockshop still has a ton, and i'm sure the other shops do as well.

 

GB all the way, GK is nice for the tone it does, but it isn't nearly as versatile as the BG! GBE600 was probably the best sounding amp I ever gigged with!

 

Genz all the way

 

I love me some GK but the GB is a way better amp and much more versatile. Thenagain it is huge. Not near as portable as the 1001.


Dan

 

If you are worried about the GB being too heavy or powerful, take a look at it smaller counterpart, the GBE750. Still has plenty of power for most applications. Might be a bit cheaper too. IME, Genz wattage is understated, or maybe everyone else is overstated and the Genz is just accurate. My GBE600 is only 425 watts@4 ohms, but its WAY louder than any amp in that same power class that I've ever heard.

I love GK amps as well, but the Genz is just way bigger sounding and more versatile IMO. Get the GBE1200(or a GBE750).

 

+1 for GBE. my GBE600 is all I'd ever want in an amp. With the optional 4 button footswitch and the included channel switch, I have all the variety I want at my feet.

 

sold a gk700rbII to get my gb neopak, no regrets.

genz benz rules.

 

I seem to be in the vast majority on this one, but for me GK absolutely blows GB out of the water in practically every regard. The only place (for me) that GB beats out GK is in customer service... That said GK has great customer service as well so its basically a moot point.

 

The GB750 and 1200 amps are way too big, way too heavey. They maye be fine sounding but GK is another shade of fine sounding - and in a much more convenient package. Price wise - man with the greenback in the sad shape it's in right now - I'd be trolling the internet alley's like TG GFS looking or a 1001 RB II. Over here - it's $600 shipped. Used they pull $450 to $525 depending on who's selling and who's buying figure $130 in freight or less to NZ and whatever duties you have to pay - that can't add up to $2000 in NZ dollars ...

(not sure about the 110/60hz vs 240/50 issue. It's been a while since I owned my 1001 RB II - I may own another shortly though. Great amp.)

 

I think you mean vast "minority"

IMHO apart from weight I'm not sure what regards the GK blows the GB out of the water. The GB can do the GK sound easily but it can also do so many more tone variations that the GK could only dream of. That's not to say that I don't like the GK tone - I love it - but that was the only tone I could get out of it.

I would say if you're buying on the basis of weight I recommend the GK. Tone on the other hand...

The GB is more powerful, tonally more flexible with better impedence options and IMHO worth at least $500NZ more than the GK on those options alone. As Double Agent suggested the GBE750 will give you nearly as much power as the 1001RB and when I last looked at the RockShop it was going for the same price as the 1001RB.

 

another vote for Genz Benz. and the BassPlace in Arizona has a new demo floor model for sale right now for $950US. that's the GBE 1200. check their ebay store for details.
good luck

 

Good choice!! Have you got it yet?

Two good ones to choose from, though I haven't played the Benz.

Killer rig finally!! I was thinking about you just a couple of days ago...

 

I own it, it is awesome!..............You can choose Fet, or Tube, or blend both. It is versatile, you can run it in 2,4, or 8 ohm configurations. Best rack mount head for the money, IMHO............