GK Backline 600

[BrianKrashpad]

Hi kids.

I have the chance to get a Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 head for $120 used. Since this is under half of the $300 "street" price, it satisfies my rule of thumb for a good used deal.

In addition to your thoughts on the price (seems good to me!), I've seen somewhere that the Backline has 2 speaker outs in parallel, so that if I run two 8-ohm cabs, the head will run at 4 ohms (and thus I'll get the 300W it's rated at, at 4 ohms). I assume that if I only use one output, it'll be fine with a 4 ohm cab and give me the 300W, but won't have as much wattage with a single 8 ohm cab.

Is that right?

Thanks in advance.

PS-- Fwiw, my two bass heads right now are an old '60's vintage Sunn 200S (60W tube) and a Crate BX200 (200 W solid state), so I'm thinking I should be able to get a bit more oomph out of the Backline

 

[RustyAxe]

Yes, everything you say is correct. Nice score on the price, too. A much under-rated amp. There have been reports of problems with "B" channel sometimes latching "on" when you don't want it, but I've had no problems with mine. I'm running into two 8 ohm cabs (1x15 and 4x10 Ampegs) and it sounds excellent.

 

[TeamTrejo]

180 watts at 8 ohms.
300 watts at 4 ohms.

One of the better amps for the $$.

I use mine for an 8 ohm Fender Pro 115 extension cab when I don't want to haul around the 400 Pro 210 combo.

Have had zero problems.

 

[BrianKrashpad]

Woo-hoo, I love it when I figure stuff out right! (A rare occasion, haha.)

Thanks for the info, though of course if anyone else would like to chime in, please do!

 

[kjd]

It is an excellent sounding amp, and a great buy at $299 new, which is what i paid for it, so its an even better value at $120.

Since i've had mine, i haven't had any trouble with the b channel. I've only had some problems with bad tone at higher volume levels, but i think this has more to do with one of my cabs that i bought used. i usually play through a g-k goldline 210 and a blx 115. they arent of the highest quality, so its not handling the power well when i play louder venues.

i'm probably going to get rid of mine eventually to upgrade to something with a little more headroom, but i couldnt have been more pleased with the amp in the time i've owned it.

 

[BrianKrashpad]

Thanks kjd!

 

[Vic Winters]

A BL600 was my first real amp (not combo). I mainly use it for practice with one of my bands along with an old Peavey 2x15. It also serves as a backup to my 1001RB-II. Never an issue.