Double Bass GK1001RB for double bass?

[thejumpcat]

Anybody used a GK1001RB for upright? Currently, I've got an Acme Low B2 (4 ohm) that I'm powering with a Markbass LMII -- but I'm not convinced this is the head for me. It's tough to consistently get a really good sound out of it.

I love the fact that the LMII is light, but when you consider how little time it takes to carrry equipment to the car and into the gig, compared to how much time spent playing it, the weight isn't THAT big of a factor (though not that I'm ready to schlepp an 8x10).

I know I need a lot of juice to run the Acme, and this GK has 700 watts. Years ago, I used to have an old GK400 and then one of the micro combos, and I liked them both.

And, I have a chance to get a new 1001RB for $450, which I THINK is a pretty good deal. I guess I could buy it, try it and return it if it doesn't sound better than the LMII.

Any thoughts on pairing a 1001RB with the Acme? Also use a Realist on an old Swingmaster and an fdeck HPF-preamp. Play in a four-piece jump blues band that can get FAIRLY loud, not absurdly.

Cal

 

[Freddels]

I just got an Acme B2 this week. I haven't plugged my URB in yet but I have been using my Mouse 30 with it. I have tried a few heads (iAmp 500, GB NeoPak, and GK 1001RB-II). So far, I prefer the GK 1001 with it and the Mouse.

The GK MB150 is a very popular combo for URB and I think the bigger GK heads sound similar (unless you really want to crank the Boost) and I've seen upright players use them.

I'm still undecided about the Acme.

 

[Ric Vice]

Anybody used a GK1001RB for upright? Currently, I've got an Acme Low B2 (4 ohm) that I'm powering with a Markbass LMII -- but I'm not convinced this is the head for me. It's tough to consistently get a really good sound out of it.

I love the fact that the LMII is light, but when you consider how little time it takes to carrry equipment to the car and into the gig, compared to how much time spent playing it, the weight isn't THAT big of a factor (though not that I'm ready to schlepp an 8x10).

I know I need a lot of juice to run the Acme, and this GK has 700 watts. Years ago, I used to have an old GK400 and then one of the micro combos, and I liked them both.

And, I have a chance to get a new 1001RB for $450, which I THINK is a pretty good deal. I guess I could buy it, try it and return it if it doesn't sound better than the LMII.

Any thoughts on pairing a 1001RB with the Acme? Also use a Realist on an old Swingmaster and an fdeck HPF-preamp. Play in a four-piece jump blues band that can get FAIRLY loud, not absurdly.

Cal

Cal,
I guess its best to say that the Little Mark II evidently gets mixed reviews as a Double Bass amp. I've only played through one a few times. I've always wished that they would build a DB specific amp without the VLF and VLE filters. That said, if I were going for a smaller DB amplifier for around the same price the GK might work if you like their pre amp voicing.

Ric

 

[robgrow]

The Acme cabinets have phenomenal low frequency response and are really in a category of their own in that regard. However I never found them to be very practical. Not much presence and very inefficient (the price for such amazing low end from a relatively small cabinet). You need a lot of power to drive a Low B2 properly, and I also would think an amp that has a lot of midrange presence like a GK could be an advantage with an Acme, which is very neutral in the mids. The LM II is not my favorite amp for DB.

 

[guyl]

I've found the GK1001RB to be great for electric, because it slightly colours the sound to punch certain frequencies throught the mix.

For clear/transparent upright pickups, with flat speakers, the GK "colour" punching those same frequencies makes the upright "honky" and prone to feedback. For example, the GK sounds horrible with my B-band statement and EA cabs.

However, if you're playing in a loud band and your pickups sound a bit "electric", it will work fine if you eq out the low-mid honk and dampen your strings.

For me, the GK with Markbass 4x10 with a Wilson and magnetic pickup on the noisy gigs works great. For quieter gigs though, I'm after a more natural upright tone and I can't find it with the GK.

 

[thejumpcat]

I bought the GK from Guitar Center figuring I could try it for 30 days.

Used it on a trio gig last night. Low volume, for sure, but the GK got a good sound right off the bat. Set everything flat and then just turned the Contour knob to about 10 o'clock, and everything was fine.

Have a much louder gig Thursday, so we'll see how the GK works on that. Already, though, I think it's going to be better for upright than the LMII.