GK 400RB

[Scott Sauna]

So my dream amp head is a GK 700rb, not because of the power, but because of the great tone. I absolutely love how it sounds with my P bass and an Ampeg cab. Will a 400rb give me a similar tone with less power? 400 watts is still above my power requirement and its cheap so that I really great.

 

[garp]

The 400RB isn’t capable of 400 watts RMS. The original 400RB was rated at only 200W, and the current iteration — the 400RB-IV — is rated 280W @ 4Ω. I’ve got a 400RB-IV and a 700RB-II. Both do the G-K thing with aplomb.

 

[dougjwray]

Yes, the original 400RB is only 200 watts into 4 ohms, but, as has often been said around here, GK amps sound louder than they "should." I've never been in a live situation where I've needed more volume than I've gotten from mine (purchased new in 1985). What you do get from the more powerful heads is more clean bottom end (that chest vibrating, pants flapping thing); but that can sometimes be too much for certain rooms, and the 400RB's articulate midrange works better in those situations. (For me.)
BTW, in October I picked up an additional one at Guitar Center for just over $100. It's a 1994 one (a "mark II", with detached power cord) and it sounds just as good as the original. So, you can find amazing deals on these things. They are classic amps.