Please let me know if you have any questions about GR Bass amplifiers, speakers or combo amplifiers. I’m here to provide information and if I don’t know it, I will find out and get you an answer.
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GR Bass Gear Questions?
- Thread starter jfiles
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This is kind of a general question but it may help on this forum. Do these amps have a kind of trademark tone compared to other amps? IOW - I like my Markbass LMII. It has a certain coloration that I liked right away and continue to like and refine by using this amp. Other players like GK, Mesa, Magellan, Orange, Ampeg, etc pretty much for the same reasons. The amps put their own individual flavor into the signal that maybe some like and others dont. This has continued into DI boxes with signature tones built in representing each company's offerings.
What can you tell us about the GR amps? Do they sound like something we are already familiar with? A little of this and a little of that? Or maybe something totally different? Some idea what they are about would go a long way in sparking interest in these amps.
What can you tell us about the GR amps? Do they sound like something we are already familiar with? A little of this and a little of that? Or maybe something totally different? Some idea what they are about would go a long way in sparking interest in these amps.
Sure, great question. I have found that 'everything' on the market (whether it be microphones, studio monitors, hi-fi gear, bass amps, etc.) always inject some sort of tone into the mix. I have never found anything that is completely flat, transparent, etc. If someone tells you that, I would take it with a grain of salt. That being said, some color the sound more than others (as you suggest above). There are a lot of ideas behind these amps/cabinets and why they exist. To start with, they are a great value, compact, light, super flexible and easy to operate.
But, you asked about sound. They are pretty much on the neutral/accurate side of the scale. For the most part, what you put into it is what you get out. But they are also a very musical & organic design, soundwise (meaning a bit of color for warmth and personality). I personally don't care for the amps on the extreme end of the spectrum that are touted as "invisible, transparent, etc.". I am playing bass through a bass amp for a reason. I see it as part of my instrument, so it is an additive experience.
For example, I play a lot of vintage Fender basses, most with flatwounds, and I want a little of the amplifier tone to go with this. The GRs do this very well. I have a good friend that has a lot of expensive boutique basses and he wants mostly the sound of the bass - the wood, the pickups, the strings, etc. - to come through. The GRs do this very well indeed. I've already gotten long-winded about this, but the best I can tell you is that they lean to the side of pretty neutral, but they are not sterile or like a "studio direct-box" - they are very organic and musical. That's the best I can explain with just words.
Let me know if you have more questions or if I can clarify in some way. John
But, you asked about sound. They are pretty much on the neutral/accurate side of the scale. For the most part, what you put into it is what you get out. But they are also a very musical & organic design, soundwise (meaning a bit of color for warmth and personality). I personally don't care for the amps on the extreme end of the spectrum that are touted as "invisible, transparent, etc.". I am playing bass through a bass amp for a reason. I see it as part of my instrument, so it is an additive experience.
For example, I play a lot of vintage Fender basses, most with flatwounds, and I want a little of the amplifier tone to go with this. The GRs do this very well. I have a good friend that has a lot of expensive boutique basses and he wants mostly the sound of the bass - the wood, the pickups, the strings, etc. - to come through. The GRs do this very well indeed. I've already gotten long-winded about this, but the best I can tell you is that they lean to the side of pretty neutral, but they are not sterile or like a "studio direct-box" - they are very organic and musical. That's the best I can explain with just words.
Let me know if you have more questions or if I can clarify in some way. John
I am considering the 700x2 and am wondering what the power amp module is. I'd be surprised if there are two ICE Power 700 working in this.
But this is a two channel amp with separate outputs for each input?
But this is a two channel amp with separate outputs for each input?
Hi, this is a two-channel ICE module, like the one used in the ONE1400 amplifier. This has separate input levels and separate output volume for each channel. Think of it as a stereo amplifier unit. So, if you had a Ric or an Alembic and wanted to run it 'stereo' (each pickup having its own level control) and had a 1-15" for the neck pickup and a 1-12" for the bridge pickup, this would be ideal.
Now, if you wanted to run your bass 'mono' (the same basses but using a single/mono pickup output), you could get the ONE1400 and have a single input channel with far more EQ shaping ability, and would still have two independent output channels (700w RMS each) with level controls. You could then drive (4) 8-Ohm cabinets (two per side), or have two different types of cabinets/efficiencies and blend the volume of the two cabinets.
There are all sorts of other possibilities for the PureAmp 700x2 as well. If you play electric bass & Moog/key bass, you can use one channel of this amp for your electric bass with a conventional bass guitar speaker (let's say a GR210) and the other channel with your key bass, but use a PA type speaker for the synth. Or double as an electric bass/upright bass with different speakers. The upside is the flexibility of levels and using two speakers for unique applications. The downside is the loss of EQ control and you have to carry two speakers.
If you don't have to have two independent input channels (not sure what your needs are) I would recommend the ONE1400. You have a single input channel, but you have a stereo power section (which shares the same input source) with level/output controls for each of the 700s RMS power output sections to control speakers.
If you need more info, or if I was not clear, please let me know and I will help in any way that I can.
Thanks! John
Now, if you wanted to run your bass 'mono' (the same basses but using a single/mono pickup output), you could get the ONE1400 and have a single input channel with far more EQ shaping ability, and would still have two independent output channels (700w RMS each) with level controls. You could then drive (4) 8-Ohm cabinets (two per side), or have two different types of cabinets/efficiencies and blend the volume of the two cabinets.
There are all sorts of other possibilities for the PureAmp 700x2 as well. If you play electric bass & Moog/key bass, you can use one channel of this amp for your electric bass with a conventional bass guitar speaker (let's say a GR210) and the other channel with your key bass, but use a PA type speaker for the synth. Or double as an electric bass/upright bass with different speakers. The upside is the flexibility of levels and using two speakers for unique applications. The downside is the loss of EQ control and you have to carry two speakers.
If you don't have to have two independent input channels (not sure what your needs are) I would recommend the ONE1400. You have a single input channel, but you have a stereo power section (which shares the same input source) with level/output controls for each of the 700s RMS power output sections to control speakers.
If you need more info, or if I was not clear, please let me know and I will help in any way that I can.
Thanks! John
Hi. Just got the one800. Very happy. Agree with You on the tone answer above. Clearer than the LM3 with more useful top and bottom. My question: who makes the speakers for the cabs? I might be looking for upgrade on my two 2x10 from MB.
Great to hear you love the ONE800 - I do too! There are a couple of different manufacturers of speakers depending on driver size. These are not off the shelf drivers and are voiced/tuned to the cabinet's internal volume and port size/design, so they would not necessarily 'plug and play' in another speaker cabinet. This is true of any of the higher-end products. That's one of the things that can increase the cost of a product - paying for driver research/design and then having proprietary components made. That being said, if you let me know which cabinet you have I will do some research and even see if they might be available. If not, I will see what the closest 'off the shelf' driver would be. The next sonic matching problem would be getting the crossover/horn to mate well with a different set of woofers. To be honest, it would probably be about the same difference if you sold you MB and got a GR210 speaker cabinet. BTW, I will have (1) GR210 4-Ohm in White that will be in the NAMM booth next month that will be shipped back to my warehouse in Austin. Not trying to tempt you, but . . .
Thanks, but I am in Europe. Probably will end up with a couple of GR 210 cabs. They seem to have a wider spectrum than the ones I have.
I own a great GRbass cube800 combo.
Wich ICE module drives the cab, and is the speaker in the cube 8 or 4 ohm.
I’m asking because the ICE modules can run on 2.67ohm and when the speaker would be 4 ohm the amp can run it’s full power to the combo alone.
When i connect a second 8 ohm cab the amp would run on 2.67ohm what would fit.
Thx for you’re reply
Wich ICE module drives the cab, and is the speaker in the cube 8 or 4 ohm.
I’m asking because the ICE modules can run on 2.67ohm and when the speaker would be 4 ohm the amp can run it’s full power to the combo alone.
When i connect a second 8 ohm cab the amp would run on 2.67ohm what would fit.
Thx for you’re reply
My assumption is that they're not giving a specific answer. Open it up, take a picture and let others decipher what it actually is.
Hi, Yes the GRBass CUBE Combo has the ICE module and is rated to drive a minimum of 2.67-Ohms. An 8-Ohm and a 4-Ohm nominal load will indeed be a nominal 2.67-Ohm load, so you are correct. What this means, of course, is that with your combo you can add either a single 8-Ohm or a single 4-Ohm extension cabinet. You will get the full power (800w RMS) at either 4-Ohms or 2.67-Ohms. At 8-Ohms the amplifier will deliver 400w RMS. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Thanks! John
Hi John, inside the Cube is housing a 4 ohm speaker right? , so an external 4ohm cab is not possible i think, because you are going to drive the ICE700AS1 below 2.67 ohm.
Is it also normal that fan works almost the whole time in the live mode?
Grtz Hans
Is it also normal that fan works almost the whole time in the live mode?
Grtz Hans
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Hi, yes the CUBE has a 4-Ohm speaker insides, so you are correct, an external 4-Ohm load is not a possibility. An 8-Ohm should work fine as far as power goes. The only difference you will have is the efficiency difference between the 4-Ohm speaker and the 8-Ohm speaker. But, you may also find that the difference is not that great - you would just have to listen to it.
The fan is dependent on the environmental temperature, how hard you are pushing the amplifier, etc. It is not uncommon for combo amps to run a bit hotter than a separate amplifier because often the cooling is comprimised with the amplifier being housing inside a sealed box. You might just try and reset your settings on your amp. To explain the options, here is the excerpt from the manual:
"On the ONE 800 and ONE 700x2 amplifiers, pressing the LED button for about 8 seconds allows to select the operation mode of the fans by switching from “LIVE” to “STUDIO” and vice- versa; a brief flash of 24 LEDs visually displays the selection change. In “LIVE” mode the fans will activate when the amplifier reaches a safe temperature threshold. In “STUDIO” mode, the fans are normally turned off; however, after several hours of use and under rather hard climatic conditions, the fans may turn on. Eery time the amplifier is switched on, the operating mode is reset to “LIVE” mode. On the ONE 350 amplifier, pressing the LED button for about 8 seconds allows to toggles the cooling fan activation."
Thanks!
John
Why is the speaker cable from the combo equipped with a 1/4” jack instead of a neutrik speakon, on this high power levels?
Hi, You can run plenty of power through a cable with a 1/4" jack. The main reason that manufacturers embraced the speakOn connectors was threefold; a) it allowed speaker cable builders a broader selection of cable diameters (this is outside dimension, not necessarily inside wire size), b) the locking speakon design helps ensure that the cables do not vibrate out of the am/speaker when played at high volume, and c) to reduce service issues where a line/instrument cable was used instead of a speaker cable.
On the combo amps, the speaker cable to the internal speaker is a 1/4" because it is not subject to b) & c) above. It is secure and attached to the amplifier and will not vibrate loose & does not invite using another cable. Using the 1/4" connector helps keep costs down.
Also, the ONE800 and the ONE1400 use combi jacks on their amplifiers, so you can use either a 1/4" or SpeakOn, so you have this option as we.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Thanks! John
On the combo amps, the speaker cable to the internal speaker is a 1/4" because it is not subject to b) & c) above. It is secure and attached to the amplifier and will not vibrate loose & does not invite using another cable. Using the 1/4" connector helps keep costs down.
Also, the ONE800 and the ONE1400 use combi jacks on their amplifiers, so you can use either a 1/4" or SpeakOn, so you have this option as we.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Thanks! John
