GK 2001RB vs 400RB

[Ænima]

I would love to have a 2001RB Gallien-Krueger amp, but its a little out of my price range. I am looking at purchasing the cheaper 400rb head. I know that the 2001rb has several options that the 400rb doesn't have, but is there any tonal difference in the two amps?

 

[Breslin dp]

There is a huge sound difference between the 2001 and the 400. With that said if you get the 700rb that to my ears sounds more like the 2001, even more so than the 1001rb. The 700 when driven hard sounds like the 2001rb. Check out the 700rb for yourself. I play a 2001rb with a 410rbh cab and a Mesa Power house 1x15 and it sounds amazing!!!!

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

There is a huge sound difference between the 2001 and the 400. With that said if you get the 700rb that to my ears sounds more like the 2001, even more so than the 1001rb. The 700 when driven hard sounds like the 2001rb. Check out the 700rb for yourself. I play a 2001rb with a 410rbh cab and a Mesa Power house 1x15 and it sounds amazing!!!!

Having owned and used them all except the 400 I would agree with Breslin's assessment of the 700, 1001 and the 2001. The 1001 was my least favorite. I found it to be the sterile and dull sounding in comparison to the other 2. The 700 has great tone and has more warmth to my ears than the 1001. It is on par with the 2001 for goodness. I play through 2 -410RBHs and add on 2 - 115RBHs when I am feeling dangerous.

Of course - all IMHO.

 

[jeff7bass]

You get overdrive the 700 easier than the 1001 but the 2001rb has an extra circuit for drive/distortion. If you plan on playing loud get a 700. Louder get a 1001.

 

[yamaha]

I haven't tried the 2001, but have tried the 1001, 700, 800, and 400. I agree that the 700 and 1001 are much more versatile, but I prefer the tone of the 800 a lot more, followed closely by the 400.

 

[Ænima]

Thanks for the info guys! I think I'm gonna go with the 700

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I really like the tone of the 400 - and the price! - but it really can't power more than one cab. But for the money, it is da bomb, no doubt.

 

[Bassgrinder77]

Really?
I owned both a 700RBII and 1001RBII at the same time for a couple years and they sounded EXACTLY identical.
Even the power difference really wasn't obvious (they're both ridiculously powerful).
They're the same amp, same circuit. The 1001 just has more output transistors and probably a bigger power supply/transformer.
I played many gigs with each and they sounded exactly the same.

Having owned and used them all except the 400 I would agree with Breslin's assessment of the 700, 1001 and the 2001. The 1001 was my least favorite. I found it to be the sterile and dull sounding in comparison to the other 2. The 700 has great tone and has more warmth to my ears than the 1001. It is on par with the 2001 for goodness. I play through 2 -410RBHs and add on 2 - 115RBHs when I am feeling dangerous.

Of course - all IMHO.

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

Really?

Yes....really. Don't get me wrong the 1001 is great head. I would have no problems using one again but the 700 for some reason sounded better to me.

Funny how people's ears can hear things differently.