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GK 400RB Question

L

LanceRocket

Dec 27, 2008
29
1
#1
Gallien-Krueger has been producing the 400RB for a long time. I'm curious if the newer models are considered more desirable, or less desirable than older models. For instance I have a 400RB head manufactured in 1985. Are the electronics and overall construction considered better than what's produced today?
 
#3
I own GK stuff from back in the day as well as the newer offerings. I recall that GK had some reliability issues with the 400RB as well as the 800RB in the mid to late 80's, but they overcame these problems and continued to produce solid, reliable gear. FWIW, my own 800RB is around 20 years old, never had any issues and is in service to this day. I even have some of the old cabs with the pink and blue logos, which - like my old Member's Only jacket - never leave the house. :)

I prefer the newer issue GK stuff, for ease of use and overall availability. That said, I think there's a classic tone to the older GK heads that hasn't been fully captured by the newer models, but it's close enough for me.

Edit: lookit all these GK ads from shopzilla and MF all around these posts!
 
#5
LanceRocket said:
Yeah, I've never had any issues with my 400RB and I've owned it for over 20 years. It's never been serviced, never needed to. Maybe I'm just fortunate.
Click to expand...

Not lucky, thats the way they are. The mark III had a cooling fan issue that G-K was taking care even after warranty. Thats the only failures that were common. The 800rb had people blowing up the 100 watt side amp till they went to only one speaker jack, people were hooking up two 8 ohm cabs to them and it only supports 8 ohms not 4 ohms. The 300 watt side goes down to 4 ohms.
 

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