GK 800rb old/new??

I'd say that if you're young then get a new 800RB which will last as long as you do.

Then snap up a good deal on a used one as a back up/more power for big gigs.

 

I have one of those original 400RBs. I bought it new in 1985, and it's never once failed me. Both the 400s and the 800s are simple, louder than they "should" be, and super reliable. Enjoy them!

 

The newer 800rb's have the vert. power switch, a little lighter as the iron core transformer is gone and you can find parts (if needed) for the newer model. The old horz. power switch amp has some preamp parts that are a couple of decades obsolete. Just something to keep in mind also?

 

I've recently acquired a 1999 800rb and its awesome. GK builds good amps. Period. If someone is telling you "GK just doesn't make 'em like they used to" either hasn't got any recent experience with the newer gk stuff or is lying to you. Until Bob Gallien is no longer a part of the company, i would buy any gk product with confidence, regardless of date of manufacture.

 

Ive had older 800rb's and now a newer model. They all kick butt.

 

I suppose that GK is still selling the 800RB for the same reason that Fender still sells a Precision Bass...

 

I used to have an older 400RB (with cord attached) and at a small GTG at KJung's we put it against some MarkBass amps, Genz Benz, Thunderfunk and a Tech Puma.

I REALLY think we get caught in the moment of the latest "Ooo shiny & new" and move on from older stuff.
The reason I say this is when we plugged it in EVERYONE was stunned on how much it had the same tone as these "amps of the day".
It was a little short in the power dept. But overall, it hung with the new gear tone wise with ZERO issues.

AN old 800RB would be the cats nutz.
I cool mod is to send it off to Jim Williams at Audio Upgrades and have him rip it apart and rebuild it with new high-end parts(he's the guy who rebuilds Neve consuls out in Cali).
I've heard a few he did- WOW!
Same GK grind and tone, but better. Don't know how to explain it, just "better" sounding.

Yeah, 800RB, how could you go wrong- old or new.

WOW!!! Just found this:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=562366&highlight=800rb

 

like mike said, old or new you can't lose. the 800rb is a great amp. I take mine to all my gigs as a back up or when I'm in the mood for SS, I use it as the main.

 

I bought an 800RB as a backup for an Ampeg (3 pro with prh410), then bought a 400RB because it was a great deal. Sold the 400RB, use the 800RB with Ampeg as backup. Now I wish I had that 400RB as a backup. I'll find another one.

 

I was running a svt3 and then got a 800rb(new) and i still have the 800rb!

I have a mb2-500 now and the 800rb still gets play time. I dont think there is much difference between the old and new to warrant getting the old over the new.

 

I wouldn't call it "old skool" sounding at all.

 

Has anyone here run the 800RB's 300 watt output to their bass cab, and the 100 watt output to a small tilt-back cab used as a bass monitor for a drummer?

 

I love the bi-amp feature of the 800RB, and using the 100W "HI" output for a drummer's monitor sounds like a pretty good idea.

My son uses an Avatar 212 out of the 300W "LO" output and an ADA 200W 115 out of the "HI", and it sounds great.