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GK 800RB vs Backline 250

Alexdeth89

Alexdeth89

May 7, 2012
136
8
37
Hermosillo
#1
Maybe this question is stupid, but I don't know really, lol.

Well, the thing is there is a nice 800rb at my local pawn shop that is in mint condition.

Right now I'm not gigging, only practicing in my room and rehearsing with a band.

My amp is a backline 250, but the question is what differences in tone I can expect if I get the 800, like day and night maybe?
 
#2
If it's mint, grab it. If you can, test both amps (lower and upper) first. Bring a little cab with you.

How much? It has more power, two internal amps (300w + 100w) and has better parts for better sound and longevity. To many it's the Holy Grail of amps.
 
#6
Umm......assuming it is in good working condition, you would be a fool not to get it. Comparing that to your amp would be like comparing the actual Incredible Hulk to a little kid wearing an Incredible Hulk costume....
 
#8
?
I'm sure the 800 is great but the OP is inquiring about the tone differences between the two amps and if it would be worth "upgrading" from the BL250 in his situation.

I would love to hear what the differences are (in tone) between these two amps. Do they sound similar?
 
#9
shaginwagin said:
?
I'm sure the 800 is great but the OP is inquiring about the tone differences between the two amps and if it would be worth "upgrading" from the BL250 in his situation.

I would love to hear what the differences are (in tone) between these two amps. Do they sound similar?
Click to expand...

I'd like to know this, too. I've heard the Backline is like a cheaper, lower-powered version of the 1001RB. I wonder how the 800RB's "grit" compares to the Backline.
 
#10
SpasticTastic said:
I'd like to know this, too. I've heard the Backline is like a cheaper, lower-powered version of the 1001RB. I wonder how the 800RB's "grit" compares to the Backline.
Click to expand...

I have the BL600 and 1001RB-II. Objectively the 1001RB-II is the best amp.... but the BL600 has more character. Yup, it's a growler, or whatever subjective you want to use to describe it.

My go to amp however is an Ampeg PF350. (My taste in tone has changed.)

I might be getting rid of the 1001RB-II. Not the BL600. Mostly because one can bring is some money and the other not. ;)
But the BL600 is definately something I would like to keep around.

The 1001RB-II is too sterile in my opinion. And a bit too much for what I need.


I never played an 800RB. I don't think they were ever sold here, so I can't compare that. Problem with overheating on 220V or some rumor I picked up on.
 
#11
I played a guys BL250 a few years ago. Been too long to remember finer details. They're decent amps, just didn't have a little "something" the old RB heads have...maybe power, who knows.

FWIW, a more accurate comparison for the BL250 would be the 400 RB. The BL600 should be about as strong as a 800RB's woofer section. None of the backline series are as strong as a 700 let alone a 1001.
 
#12
Europe adopted a heat radiation standard and the exposed "convection" heatsink on the back of the 800RB exceeds that standard. Bob Gallien wanted the 800RB as unchanged as possible from the 1981 design and it would have required a major re-design to continue export, so export stopped.

The BL250 was a scaled down model, the voicing on the 800RB is unique. You can get "close" to 800RB voice from the BL250 but the 250 has a little more very low end and not quite as "punchy" as the 800rb.
 
#14
I had a BL250 head for a very short time ... it was part of the 'Brat Pack' package that MF was offering, which included the BL250 head, the Backline 115 cab, covers for both and cables for $249 shipped ... heck of a deal I thought, so I ordered it .. the cab was very poor, sound, build, etc .. the head never got a fair test with that cab, and I may have kept it had I not had to return it all as a package to MF ... the killer for the head was that it was only 8 ohm capable ... I cant remember exactly what the sound was like, other than the distortion was virutally useless ... other than that, it was decent, but I wouldn't even rank it with the 400RB ... GK offered a BL350 head for a while, and that and the BL600 would be much closer to the 400RB in my opinion
 

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