GK 1001, Traynor DB800H, Ampeg Svt

[afroman]

With a little more info we could be more helpful.

But out of those 3 I'd choose the GK.
They're clean, versatile, growly and have great power and headroom.
I do cut a lot of the highs in the EQ, because GKs are kind of bright for my tastes, but they're very good amps.

 

[timzrage]

I agree, GK 1001 and SWR cabs. A good combo.

 

[basseuse]

With a little more info we could be more helpful.

But out of those 3 I'd choose the GK.
They're clean, versatile, growly and have great power and headroom.
I do cut a lot of the highs in the EQ, because GKs are kind of bright for my tastes, but they're very good amps.

what else you like to know? hopefully i can answer

 

[kosmicwizard]

For G-K my favorite head is the 2001Rb, I find the 1001Rb a little sterile, I like the 700Rb and a Diesel Dawg pedal, good quality stuff.

I own an Ampeg B4r (SLM era MIA) it is a really great SS head, lots of tonal abilities, tons of power, sounds great with my 8x10E, and I got it for a good price.

Cheers.

 

[basseuse]

this has been great, i'm also checking other threads and the Carvin interests me, although i have no experience with them or do i know anyone who has
so the more info the better

anyone know how to erase that other thread i started (like a moron i am)

 

[basseuse]

i got a 700rbII and a sbx 410 used and come in under what i thought i would be spending on the amp
i'm on the gk bandwagon for sure

 

[MIJ-VI]

i'm going with the power based on my dealer's recommendations and what i believe to be a wiser decision over the long run. i trust this guy and he's never steered me wrong. he recommends the gk over the other two brands for sure with traynor being 2nd.

i want the amp that best controls the speaker

i've no doubts on build quality and was aware of the issues ampeg may or may not have

In addition to the trust you have in your dealer, may I respectfully recommend that you Google the (name-of-each-prospective-amp), REPAIR. Any amp - no matter how reliable - can be broken.

I personally favor Traynor amps because I live in the same town where they are made, so I know where I can get one fixed.

 

[B-string]

i got a 700rbII and a sbx 410 used and come in under what i thought i would be spending on the amp
i'm on the gk bandwagon for sure

Congrats! Should be a smokin' rig.

 

[Stanley Design]

Definitely three very different heads, and I've owned a 1001RB and currently use a Yorkville XS800H (identical to the DB800H other than cosmetically).

Unless you are SET on clear punchy tone, or need the biamping, go for the Yorkie. It has MUCH more tone control and some more headroom.

 

[Sean S]

The Traynor has a 2-year "even-if-you-break-it" warranty.

 

[johnnydenver]

speculation about quality aside, i'm pretty sure you'll like the svt rig the best.

and remember - you might be the guy that gets a really reliable one...

mine's a year old and i already need new tubes. oh well, it's worth the tone compliments i get after every gig.

i don't care if it needs serviced annually. it destroys...

 

[JimmyM]

speculation about quality aside, i'm pretty sure you'll like the svt rig the best.

and remember - you might be the guy that gets a really reliable one...

mine's a year old and i already need new tubes. oh well, it's worth the tone compliments i get after every gig.

i don't care if it needs serviced annually. it destroys...

LOL! I don't think it'll need serviced annually, but from all accounts, the tubes LOUD uses really suck, so a retubing might actually be a good idea in your case. If I were you, I'd get NOS tubes, though, at least for the preamp and driver tubes. NOS tubes are just plain made better IMHO.

BTW, even though the guy got a GK and I'm sure he'll love it, for what it's worth, I agree with you. I just started using my 69 SVT again and it kills. I'm 47 and out of shape, but I'll move that sucker gladly! Not a fan of LOUD by any means, but hey...it's an SVT!

 

[johnnydenver]

i am glad to see you have come back to the dark side, jimmy. last year when i joined this group, you were all about those hideous little amps with the orange faceplates...

$200 for new power tubes hurts, but i expect it to run for a good long while beyond that.

i am 40, and i always have the wife help me load the svt on my way to the gig, but it's funny - when i return at 1am with a beer buzz, i am much stronger and just muscle that beast myself...maybe it's not the beer, but really the high of having just subjected the audience to the thick, gravy-like tones that only 300 watts of tube destruction can deliver...

 

[Wes Whitmore]

I assume you mean an Ampeg SVT-3 or something that is solid state, but with the tube pre. I have a Gk1001 RBII, and love it. It's cheaper than the ampegs. More power than anyone ever needs. Not as many knobs to mess up your sound. It's biampable (2nd amp is just for the tweeter) with the right /rewired cab. Both are 4 ohm stable.

The EQ is more flexible on the Ampeg. They have 2 EQ sections, one with a mid position nob for quick changes of mid-frequency response, as well as a usable graphical EQ. You can bypass the EQ if you want. There is even a bass boost button. It's about as flexible of an EQ section as you are going to get. It's a bigger case and heavier, and not as powerful. It still has plenty of usable volume, especially with efficient cabs. I like them both. I have only been around that one SVT-3, but no problems with it over the past 10 years. Can't comment on the new ones.
Wes

 

[basseuse]

i've played ampeg several times and love the tone, it was a "perceived" quality issue that i couldn't get passed. the pro series was out of the budget.
i am very happy with the gk and will likely look for a ported cab (the sbx isn't) and that will make it perfect, i will probably entertain a 2 12 but have no idea what or i may go with a ported 4 10... we'll see
i need something to spend my "lack" of money on

thanks again for the advice people

 

[gregwatts2008]

I have owned a 400RB, an 800RB, I still use a 1001RB and a 2001RB. Tunaman is absolutely correct, I use SWR cabs, either a 4x10 or a 6x10, And I get a thunderous sound. A great bass helps as well.

 

[jjbass_gt]

I´m kinda partial to GK gear since I own a 700rbII.
If your looking for tube tone, you should consider the GK fusion 500. its a hybrid amp that may suit your tone requirements.
Regarding cabs, if your considering the GK try out the Neo series. they kick ass and you can carry them on your own!! plus you can control the tweeter volume with the biamping feature which I think is really cool

 

[JimmyM]

i am glad to see you have come back to the dark side, jimmy. last year when i joined this group, you were all about those hideous little amps with the orange faceplates...

$200 for new power tubes hurts, but i expect it to run for a good long while beyond that.

i am 40, and i always have the wife help me load the svt on my way to the gig, but it's funny - when i return at 1am with a beer buzz, i am much stronger and just muscle that beast myself...maybe it's not the beer, but really the high of having just subjected the audience to the thick, gravy-like tones that only 300 watts of tube destruction can deliver...

Aw, poor Markbass...shunned for the color of its faceplate. I look forward to a day when all amps of all different colors and sizes can one day be judged not by the color of their faces, but by the amount of ass they can kick. And for a SS amp, the LMII kicks a tremendous amount of ass. So you'll still see me use it as a backup or as an "it's going to rain on my outdoor gig" amp. Honest to God, I hear a ton of Ampeg in its tone, way more than any other SS or hybrid I've tried.

But it just ain't tubes, is it?

Gotta learn to control myself with it, though. I got way too loud tonight on my gig tonight and kind of initiated a volume war with our guitarist and drummer. But I couldn't help myself. We were outside and I wanted to push it just a little. Sometimes I think we get a little too geezerish with our ultra-low stage volumes. OTOH, it would suck to get canned for being too loud, so I better show some discipline.

 

[Geezerman]

The GK 1001rb kicks major butt, more power than you'll need.

Exactly GK1001rb-II is massive tone

 

[B-string]

Engage the string switch if you want bass boost from the G-K.