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GK 800rb old/new??
- Thread starter TheOldFlatwound
- Start date
Sure thing, guys. I plan on sending it out by the end of next week so It'll be a good month or so when everything's all said and done. The head casing's finish is seriously beat up as well so I'm getting it powder coated when it gets back from Jim.. Here it is in its present state:
It was fun to hear that 400RB again. I gigged one of those for years. They were state of the art in the 80's IMO!
It did still sound very good, but I guess I'd add, while it kept up (almost
) in volume to the other heads you mention, it did so with MUCH less full range response. The low end was VERY thin versus the more powerful, full range modern amps. However, that's part of the signature tone of these amps, and that attenuation in the low end allows all that GK grit and grind to come through. It's a unique tone that, quite frankly, I wouldn't want to go back to. But, still, impressive as heck given when that amp was designed. The newer GK's actually have a bass roll-off switch that the manuals say is designed to mimic the 400/800. I believe they roll most of the low end under 50hz out of the amp. That's about right to my ear, and is part of the reason IMO these amps are so loud for their rated wattage.
Anyway, cool amps with a unique, grindy tone, and due to the low end attenuation, the amps do get really loud per their wattage (low end takes lots of watts!).
IMO and IME!
It was fun to hear that 400RB again. I gigged one of those for years. They were state of the art in the 80's IMO!
It did still sound very good, but I guess I'd add, while it kept up (almost
The newer GK's actually have a bass roll-off switch that the manuals say is designed to mimic the 400/800. I believe they roll most of the low end under 50hz out of the amp. That's about right to my ear, and is part of the reason IMO these amps are so loud for their rated wattage.
Anyway, cool amps with a unique, grindy tone, and due to the low end attenuation, the amps do get really loud per their wattage (low end takes lots of watts!).
IMO and IME!
Maybe Mr. Gallien looked around at the cabinet designs and driver capabilities at the time and said, well, these cabs can't get down there at all, so why should I waste precious power putting it (those sub 40-50hz frequencies) out?
For the size clubs I play with my 400RB, the low end attenuation is a blessing, and the old skool bluesy sound I like doesn't require that wide frequency response that modern tones require, so I'm good
.Maybe Mr. Gallien looked around at the cabinet designs and driver capabilities at the time and said, well, these cabs can't get down there at all, so why should I waste precious power putting it (those sub 40-50hz frequencies) out?
For the size clubs I play with my 400RB, the low end attenuation is a blessing, and the old skool bluesy sound I like doesn't require that wide frequency response that modern tones require, so I'm good
+1 Depending on the context, more often than not, I roll back the low end on at least some of my rigs.
As I always say, it's a rare time when I hear a bassist in a club using backline with no PA support, and think 'I wish he/she had more low end'. It's almost always 'I wish I could hear the note definition better and hear less boom and mush'.
I'm with you there... Plus even without DI, the bass bleed into the vocal mics and drum mikes (if there are any) is substantial.
I usually make sure my rig is on castors or otherwise so it doesn't bleed even more through stage vibrations hitting the mic stands, which is a VERY mushy bass sound
Direct response: 450+ indoor with a 215 and 115 cab, 1200 outside with a 412 and 115. Two guitars through the PA and drummer fully miked on the outside gig.
I have OPA2134's in my 800rb.
so what IS this mysterious dividing date of 800RBs when they went from ruling the universe to suckitude?
I'm kind of skeptical about it...
Very good question that goes unanswered.
update:
I ended up with 2 old 400rb's and they're working out great for me. I also purchased an old 800rb, and although it's killer, i just put it up in the classifieds. I found that the 400rb can get loud when plugged into a big cab, or, use my SVTII if I need more headroom or want that tone.
I ended up with 2 old 400rb's and they're working out great for me. I also purchased an old 800rb, and although it's killer, i just put it up in the classifieds. I found that the 400rb can get loud when plugged into a big cab, or, use my SVTII if I need more headroom or want that tone.
update:
I ended up with 2 old 400rb's and they're working out great for me. I also purchased an old 800rb, and although it's killer, i just put it up in the classifieds. I found that the 400rb can get loud when plugged into a big cab, or, use my SVTII if I need more headroom or want that tone.
I ended up with 2 old 400rb's and they're working out great for me. I also purchased an old 800rb, and although it's killer, i just put it up in the classifieds. I found that the 400rb can get loud when plugged into a big cab, or, use my SVTII if I need more headroom or want that tone.
I feel compelled to correct this information from earlier in the thread. Perhaps "B-String" misread the question.
The 700RB (1001RB,2001 etc.) will not operate full range into two cab sets from it's "Lo" and "Hi" outputs. This series of amps have a different "bi-amp" type feature than the 800RB. It's actually called "Horn Management System" (HMS), and has a fixed 5000Hz crossover point that supplies the "Hi" outputs with only 50 w. of power. This is intended for use with a compatible G-K cab and a 4 pole Speakon cable. Signal above 5kHz is routed to the tweeter in the G-K cabs.
OTOH, the 800RB has a crossover that is variable from 100 Hz to 1 kHz, and is switchable (in or out). Switched out, the head behaves like two separate full-range amps (300w/4 Ohms & 100w/8 Ohms), so you can conceivably run three 8 Ohm cabs, with level adjustments on the 300w side and the 100w side.
BTW, after using my 800RB since '88, and 700RBII since '06, I was somewhat dismayed last year when I discovered the supplied backline for an outdoor concert on the Mississippi Riverfront in New Orleans was a 400RB. Even though we had PA support, I figured the 400RB would probably be a little power shy for a windy, outdoor evening gig.
Boy, was I surprised!! (really, I guess I wasn't shocked).
That amp handled the gig without breaking much of a sweat. I should've known from experience that G-K will always give you more than expected!!
Now if they can only work out the bugs in the MB[2]500.........
Boy, was I surprised!! (really, I guess I wasn't shocked).
That amp handled the gig without breaking much of a sweat. I should've known from experience that G-K will always give you more than expected!!
Now if they can only work out the bugs in the MB[2]500.........
You can run a second 8ohm cab from the 1/4" output, if your speakon cab is also 8 ohms. You can use the speakon and 1/4" outputs at the same time so long as the min load is not exceeded. The 1/4" outputs are full range only, there is no high and low on G-K amps other than the 800rb. The H.M.S. is speakon connection only.
Well perhaps I misunderstood the question then. He was referring to the guys who were using the 800RB's 100w amp as a monitor with a separate volume control. Obviously the 700RB wouldn't be able to do that but yes, you could run a second cab from the1/4" out. It just wouldn't have a separate control, and would be parallel with the main cab.
Exactly, but we all know drummers are deaf so it might be okay?
LOL!! Deaf and dumb in some cases!!
Aw, I shouldn't have said that....
......Some of my best friends have actually been drummers.I used to tell my old drummer buddy the definition of drummers is; Someone who likes to hang around with musicians.
LOL!! Deaf and dumb in some cases!!
Aw, I shouldn't have said that....
I used to tell my old drummer buddy the definition of drummers is; Someone who likes to hang around with musicians.
LOL
I use that on the drummer i've been with for over 10 years! He just tells people if it wasn't for him I would never get my shoes tied? Drummer humor
I agree. My 800RB is an 83, and it is a sweet amp; it supplies all the balls and nuance i need for a small to mid size club. They are just GREAT!!!
Robert
Robert
I have not run the 100w, but that is a GREAT idea. If you really got stuck by lack of cabs, you could do it, with a tilt-back (vocal floor) monitor instead, and dial back the monitor a bit. Bet it would still work. Just a thought...............................Robert Sears
thanks for resurrecting this old thread. I'm still waiting on Xtralongscale's review of the Jim Williams 800RB mods!
