I actually just came across an MB500. Sounds like that will definitely be a great fit especially considering I get nervous about blowing my cab. I also don’t want to spend too much.
Thank you to everyone for the replies. This is such a great forum.
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Looking for new mini amp head to replace GK800RB
- Thread starter mrkrinkledude
- Start date
I actually just came across an MB500. Sounds like that will definitely be a great fit especially considering I get nervous about blowing my cab. I also don’t want to spend too much.
Thank you to everyone for the replies. This is such a great forum.
Don't change. Get a lighter more compact rack bag for the 800RB. It weighs 23 pounds -- that's not bad at all. And I've never played an amp that sounds better. Why spend money to downgrade unless you are gigging via public transit, etc.?
This rack bag is 8 pounds -- making your whole amp a 30 pound affair. Gator GR-RACKBAG-2U Lightweight Rack Bag
This rack bag is 8 pounds -- making your whole amp a 30 pound affair. Gator GR-RACKBAG-2U Lightweight Rack Bag
GK Legacy or Fusion for sure. I’d been down this road myself not too long ago. I got the legacy and was initially a little underwhelmed, it was in the ballpark tone wise, but similarly to my experience trying the MB800 in store, it had way more bottom, and the tops where more hifi than my 800rb was. At this point my 800rb was long gone, so I decided to hire one from a backline place to do a direct A/B - I ended up making this video.
Essentially the way I approached it was “how do I make the legacy sound more like the 800rb” so I went to my go to settings on the 800rb and then worked with the legacy’s eq to match. In retrospect maybe I should’ve done this with the 800rb set flat. However, the settings on the legacy could be a good starting point for anyone struggling to get theirs in the 800rb territory.
Making the video affirmed to my ears that the Legacy has more bottoms and tops than the 800rb. That said, ironically, using the bump switch, while rolling off the bass and increasing the low mids seemed to help a lot (as you can see in the settings on the video). In the end, the result of hiring one was me wanting another haha, which I’ve since bought. I’ve also since replaced the legacy with a fusion as well, between selling my first 800rb and getting the legacy, I was a longtime fusion 550 user, I now feel I’ve got the best of both worlds. The fusion S is way easier to control volume wise than the 550, and with the voicing filters the tone can even get more “RB”-like.
Essentially the way I approached it was “how do I make the legacy sound more like the 800rb” so I went to my go to settings on the 800rb and then worked with the legacy’s eq to match. In retrospect maybe I should’ve done this with the 800rb set flat. However, the settings on the legacy could be a good starting point for anyone struggling to get theirs in the 800rb territory.
Making the video affirmed to my ears that the Legacy has more bottoms and tops than the 800rb. That said, ironically, using the bump switch, while rolling off the bass and increasing the low mids seemed to help a lot (as you can see in the settings on the video). In the end, the result of hiring one was me wanting another haha, which I’ve since bought. I’ve also since replaced the legacy with a fusion as well, between selling my first 800rb and getting the legacy, I was a longtime fusion 550 user, I now feel I’ve got the best of both worlds. The fusion S is way easier to control volume wise than the 550, and with the voicing filters the tone can even get more “RB”-like.
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Great suggestion. The Gator GP-66 is another great option and currently how I transport mine as I use modular cabs that aren’t wide enough for my rack case. Now the 800rb sits nearly ontop. Invalid Link Removed
Bought a brand new G.K. 800 RB in 1984.
Gigged it in working bands into a Ampeg 8x10 till 2008'ish.
I wanted to go lighter/smaller.
Jumped onto the lighter, Neo loaded bass cabinet and class D head band wagon. Spent several years in my search for a class D head that suited "my ears" and was dependable.
Tried most major manufacturers D's that are now available and have went full circle back to G.K. with a Legacy 800.
Top 2 or 3 heads in the pic are now for sale locally (may keep one as a backup.)
The Legacy stays with me!
Gigged it in working bands into a Ampeg 8x10 till 2008'ish.
I wanted to go lighter/smaller.
Jumped onto the lighter, Neo loaded bass cabinet and class D head band wagon. Spent several years in my search for a class D head that suited "my ears" and was dependable.
Tried most major manufacturers D's that are now available and have went full circle back to G.K. with a Legacy 800.
Top 2 or 3 heads in the pic are now for sale locally (may keep one as a backup.)
The Legacy stays with me!
Attachments
I was going to do this originally. I love my 800RB. But I realized I don’t have a backup and I’d like something similar. Plus I like the idea of putting something small into the bottom of a duffel bag since I don’t want to carry another bag.
That rack bag is neat though. I’ve never seen anything like that before.
Take the GK out of the hard case ...use the side strap handle after you remove the rack ears...Lightens the head and is much more portable..
The frame of the amp is pretty strong
Or...buy a Mesa Subway D-350 or D-800
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These get overlooked by rock players all the time, and I don't know why. I love mine. 2.1" x 7.2" x 7.4" and just shy of 3 lbs. It's 500 watts rms @ 4 ohm, 300 @ 8 ohm.
For small powerful heads the Markbass Ninja is a decent option, though maybe not tonally what you want.
I play primarily black metal and death metal Having owned a gk fusion500 I couldn't gel with it's distortion I ended up flipping it and got a mesa wd800 and couldn't be happier it just was a better grit for my taste more in the vein of a Ampeg svt less harsh and brittle sounding but as always ymmv.
This.
I’ve never racked an RB. They’re just such a great size in the raw and have an unbeatable tone. I tote mine in a plastic tub with my pedal bag. Too easy.
DiCosimo Audio makes a preamp pedal that clones the 800RB preamp/boost section almost perfectly. You could get a Quilter BB800 and use any preamp you want into the XLR in at a quarter of the weight
It’s been over 20 years since I’ve taken it out of the case so I’m going to check it out. Thanks everyone.
A Darkglass 900 V2 might fit. It has 2 distortion engines. I play mostly Country and Classic Rock, but I've found I can get "Ampeg-Like" tone by dialing the distortion down. I think a Metal player could really take advantage of the capabilities the amp has. Good clean sound, too.
