GK 1001RB / 2000RB users I need your advice

I owned the 2000 RB and used it live for a couple of years. I ran it bridged mono into one 8 ohm cab or, for big rooms and outdoors, 2 8 ohm cabs. Plenty of headroom and it had a great sound. Never had a problem with it.

Before the 2000 RB I used a 400 RB with those same cabinets. For almost all but the hugest rooms at stupid volumes, it also did the job and had a great sound.

I've tried the 1001 RB, but not on a gig. I like it a lot and it seems to have plenty of power, more than the 400 RB.

The big difference for me would be the weight. That 2000 RB was a heavy beast even though I had it in a SKB rack.

With the 1001RB you'll be getting a new amp under warranty, so you may want to consider that. I don't think you'll need more power.

 

One more thing-when I used the 2000 RB bridged it put out about 700 watts into my one 8 ohm speaker which was rated for 400 watts. I never blew the speaker and if I needed more volume added another. You don't have to use the full amount of power available.

I did try using 2 cabs in stereo mode with the 2000RB (225 watts per channel at 8 ohms). It sounded fine too. But in bridged mono it had just a little more bite at high volumes, maybe because of the increased headroom.

 

I used a speakon connector cable for the 2000 RB that was made up by a tech friend for me. There's a wiring diagram on the back of the chassis showing how the pins need to be connected, The price for the GK cable was $50 Canadian. Mine cost me about $10. You have to make sure you put the switch on the back of the chassis in Bridge mode.

I don't know about switchable drive-it never seemed like something useful for me. I just set my input volume to where it would only clip if I whacked the E string hard, turned Drive up to where it sounded "tubey" and then set the master where I needed it.

Yes, the 2001 RB has some refinements. but, for me, it's way more amp than I need now.

I use a Walkabout Scout now and its 300 watts is plenty for my needs. The sound is wonderful. But the GK is no slouch in the sound department either.I've been playing since 61 and been through just about everything at one time. If I had to buy something other than my Mesa, I'd get GK-probably the 700 RB or 1001 RB. Weight is very important at my age. When I bought the Mesa I had intended to get the GK 700 RB but they were out of stock and had a great deal on the Mesa, so I took that.

I'm sure you'll be happy with either amp you choose and the only limitations you'll have will be in your speaker system. If it's a good one, you're all set.

 

I love my GK1001RB. I have the mark I that has 540 watts, and it can get obscenely loud. I would really love to try the newe version with 700 watts. If I were to buy another head, it would be the new 1001, so I could have 2 of them. I have not found an amp yet that really does it for me more than my GK. The 1001 won't let you down, and the light weight of the amp has really spoiled me. I love it.

 

I use the GK1001RB mark II and its quite adequate power wise at 8 ohms, and the size/weight aspects are ideal. Can't imagine you'd be very disappointed with that product. Having had SWR and Eden, I can say the GK works for me.