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GK1001RB-II vs. Ampeg svt3-Pro

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by hammer2748, Dec 5, 2005.

  1. Dec 5, 2005 #1
    hammer2748

    hammer2748

    Feb 22, 2002
    Hartford, CT
    Hi all. Couldn't find anything regarding a shoot-out vs. these 2, and I realize my ears will be the final analysis, but really just seeing if it's worth my time with the small window of opportunity that I have:

    I recently purchased a GK1001RB-II, really like it, no issues with it at this point, but this is my 1st "pro-level" purely solid state amp and will probably be the last rig I have to purchase (I'm in my 50's) so, before I'm locked, can anyone provide insight regarding how the GK1001RB-II stacks up vs. an Ampeg SVT3-PRO? $650 to $800.00 is what I haveto work with. Will I miss the tubes? Will the hybrid cut throug the mix as well as the GK? We are a 5pc club act consisting of 2 guitars (Line 6 Vettas), keys, drums.

    My current gig is club work mostly, Top-40 Rock covers, but also some country current and traditional, the occasional unplugged venue (ex some original stuff for good luck, and some limited recording work. Not usually performing in anything larger the a medium size venue, but our PA support is minimal (PA on a stick with subs). Stage rig is the amp rackmounted either via a 4-ohm 1x15, OR 4-ohm 4x10, OR 4-ohm 2x15, depending on the venue. Advice appreciated as I have about a 2 week window to work with before I'm locked.

    Cheers,
     
  2. Dec 5, 2005 #2
    bigbeefdog

    bigbeefdog Who let the dogs in?

    Jul 7, 2003
    Mandeville, LA
    I use a 3Pro, and am quite happy with it in a similar band situation to what you describe..... but only when it's partnered with a highly efficient cab. There are many 'round here who decry the lack of headroom, and when I hook it up to other, less sensitive cabs, I see exactly what they're talking about.

    I don't think there's any doubt that the GK will give you *considerably* more headroom. If you like the tone as well, I'd say you're set.
     
  3. Dec 5, 2005 #3
    uglybassplayer

    uglybassplayer

    Aug 24, 2001
    New Jersey
    The SVT3-PRO preamp section is pretty decent (although not any better then GK's IMO), but the amp section can't hold a candle to the 1001RB series. Dialing up the boost control on the GK should give you some grit that comes surprisingly close to a tube overdriven sound. Another bonus: It's about 8lbs lighter than the Ampeg. My suggestion would be to stick with the GK.

    - Ugly.
     
  4. Dec 5, 2005 #4
    4Mal

    4Mal Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 2, 2002
    Columbia River Gorge
    I have the 1001 RB II and think it's a great amp. The DI is clear, quiet and hot. I run mine into with 1 or 4 ohm Bag End 2x10's. (I have an external box that put's the cab's in series for an 8 ohm load). Those cabinets are key. The BE's are quite warm and pair very well with the GK head. Boat loads of punch from that setup. I've settled on running the contour at about 1/2 and then adjusting to the room with the EQ section.

    As a test last week we took Passinwind's new DIY preamp into the effects return of the GK so we could tap into the power amp and bypass the pre og the GK. That sounded fantastic. The power section is plenty healthy and quiet all on it's own. It's a great amp.

    Ampeg... has a very Ampeg tone... The heads seem to work best with Ampeg cabinets and the right Ampeg head and cabinet combination is an undeniably classic bass rig. Personally, I find them to be OK. Not great, not bad, just OK.

    My taste in rigs runs towards clean and full, lot's of punch and no grind (see clean). I do like to thing that happens with a properly setup small tube amp as a studio item. I would not want to live with that live though. The GK might not be the amp for every situation in recording but for live use, it's a total workhorse.

    My rig [​IMG]
     
  5. Dec 5, 2005 #5
    BassNoob?

    BassNoob?

    Sep 18, 2005
    Redding, CT
    Ampegs will always be ampegs.

    Gallien-Krueger amps don't come with a personality. You are able to create that personality. Thats why I love my new 1001 to death.
     
  6. Dec 5, 2005 #6
    AxtoOx

    AxtoOx

    Nov 12, 2005
    Duncan, Okla.
    I play a 3-Pro and love it. I'm still a little miffed that GK is sending a lot of thier production to Tiawan. I think that series is still american though.
     
  7. Dec 5, 2005 #7
    Doug Parent

    Doug Parent Supporting Member

    May 31, 2004
    San Diego, Ca.
    Dealer Nordstrand Pickups.
    Nonsense, mine came with the "Jack Nicholsen" personality EQ setting.
    and when I crank up the boost, its say's......"here's Johnny!"

    Seriously, I'm almost 50-well 49 actually and I have no doubt I bought my last amp. There's no doubt probably better, heavier, more Hi-Fi stuff out there at 3X the price. But this thing just does awesome on it's own merit and has a quickness you just gotta love.

    I play in variety top 40 bands as well, there's no way I could make do with the Ampeg. No contest.
     
  8. Dec 5, 2005 #8
    brothernewt

    brothernewt Some people call me the stormtrooper of love...

    Apr 13, 2004
    Gladstone, OR
    I like the Ampeg 'cuase I'm just an Ampeg guy. I agree with the "lack of headroom" problem already pointed out, so I went with the SVP-Pro pre and a seperate power amp. My basic preferences asside... both are great amps and will probably last you as long as you decide you still like the sound. Keep whichever sounds best to you.
     
  9. Dec 6, 2005 #9
    bagman

    bagman

    Sep 28, 2005
    SE Florida
    I bought the GK 1001 RB-II. I could not be more pleased with the tone & punch. Every one in theband loves it.

    I am looking for two GK 410 RBH cabs.

    cheers :hyper: :bassist:
     
  10. Dec 7, 2005 #10
    hammer2748

    hammer2748

    Feb 22, 2002
    Hartford, CT
    Thanks for the advice all. Yeah, I've had the chance to really experiment with this over the last 2 days and have really found a lot of things I like without any external effects. The voicing filtration and boost features really do offer good things, but the headroom as mentioned earlier is really the ticket. This thing really brings out some nice tones from my Spector 5'er and was also pleasantly surprised of the tones from my Fender P.

    That said, I'm sold on the GK and not looking back. Cab upgrade will be the next step, but definitely not until well into '06. Thanks for all the valuable input.

    Cheers,
    Hammer
     
  11. Dec 14, 2005 #11
    hammer2748

    hammer2748

    Feb 22, 2002
    Hartford, CT
    Update: I had the chance to a/b these 2 amps 2 days ago. The cabs available were both Ampeg (pr410 and svt410, both HLF's I think???)

    In both cases, I started with everything pretty much flat. Straight away, the GK ate the 3-Pro for lunch. Bigger, rounder tone, and more powerful of course. Nothing I did with the 3-pro after that worked for me. I don't mean to say the Ampeg didn't sound good. It did, but compared to the GK, I'd give the 3-pro an OK, not a WOW! That went to the GK.

    Later that evening I had to stop at another shop on unrelated business, but in the middle of the used gear pile was a used GK1001rb-II with 2 115RBH cabs. Only 1 of them was hooked up to the head. Of course, I had to try it.....well let's just say, I need that cab. Punch that hits you chest like a slege hammer with full rich tone. I'm more convinced than ever, I made the right choice with GK. Thanks again for all your input.

    Cheers,
    Hammer
     
  12. Dec 14, 2005 #12
    BluesMan845

    BluesMan845

    Oct 6, 2003
    Suffern, NY USA
    Hey Hammer,

    Welcome to the club of very happy GK users ! I've been using them for years and just recently added the 700RBII/112 NEO combo and I am floored by it's performance and sound. The headroom of a GK amp is the first thing you notice right away. It's something you not only hear, you can feel it through the instrument because all of the sudden you are able to get the instrument to respond to every nuance of your playing! The instrument has actually been responding the whole time, it's just the source of amplification was clouding it with too much coloration or a lack of headroom.

    Don't cheat yourself of trying out the GK NEO speaker line ! You may be very surprised, as I was just how great they sound!

    Come over to the GK forum and join the "official" club ;)

    John
     
  13. Dec 14, 2005 #13
    hammer2748

    hammer2748

    Feb 22, 2002
    Hartford, CT
    Hi John. Thanks. I'll take you up on that soon (the forum). Actually originally, my plans after the 1st of the year are pointing me towards the Neo 212, but I came across a deal on a used 1x15RBH that might be a little hard to pass up. And I am in need of a cab. We'll see how things shake out. I am really tempted on the Neo's though. Everything I'm hearing on 'em sounds great.

    Cheers,
    Hammer
     
  14. Dec 15, 2005 #14
    UrbanIvy

    UrbanIvy

    Aug 1, 2004
    San Francisco
    Congradulations on finding a good one!

    I play an Ampeg 4 Pro as my main amp. Tonight I plugged into my backup, a Gallien Krueger 400rb and totally discovered how much I missed the pure tone. It's funny though because I know if I only played a bigger Krueger, I would start missing the heck out of the Ampeg.

    Have fun dialing in.