Looking to buy a GK head - advice wanted

[monkeyland]

I'm still trying to figure out my GK 1001RB MkII, then. After 30 years of being primarily a guitar player (with attendant booteek amps and pedals), I began my "serious" pursuit of bass playing Jan 2013 for a regularly gigging, better paying local band and bought this head from the band after using it a few months. I run this into an EV 210 cab and a 115 cab.

I would suggest that the problem lies not with the head but with your cabs. What are the exact models? Are they actual EV cabs or are they some other cab loaded with EV drivers.

You mentioned an EV 15L which is less than ideal for high power bass. It's data sheet says that it's "designed for lead guitar but is also appropriate for a bass player that likes a bright sound". Jack of all trades...

That 1001 is a good head. I'd pair it up with some good cabs and call it a day.

 

[SunnBass]

Do know if you plan to put the 700 in a rack or headcase, the cooling fan is on top, so it needs an empty space above it in the rack, or a hole made in the headcase, for the fan to breath.

That's about it.

Nah, lots of us use 700RB's and 1001RB's in 2 space rack cases.
The fan pulls air through the grille on the front around the logo and out the top.

 

[Eugene B]

Nah, lots of us use 700RB's and 1001RB's in 2 space rack cases.
The fan pulls air through the grille on the front around the logo and out the top.

I've actually heard the opposite: the fan pulls air in from the top and vents it out the front. Could be wrong, but I was running mine for about six hours last night and I felt more heat around the front grille than I did on the top.

 

[SunnBass]

I've actually heard the opposite: the fan pulls air in from the top and vents it out the front. Could be wrong, but I was running mine for about six hours last night and I felt more heat around the front grille than I did on the top.

Well either way, a 2 space case is fine.

 

[davedblyoo]

I've had my 700 RB in a six space rack along with a tuner and Furman power conditioner for over four years with absolutely no thermal problems. Granted, the tuner doesn't completely cover the fan intake, but I've had zero problems with that setup, and I've had a bunch of five sets a night nights with it. The air actually comes in through the top and exits the front of the amp.

Do know if you plan to put the 700 in a rack or headcase, the cooling fan is on top, so it needs an empty space above it in the rack, or a hole made in the headcase, for the fan to breath.

That's about it.

 

[donnyrocker]

I would suggest that the problem lies not with the head but with your cabs. What are the exact models? Are they actual EV cabs or are they some other cab loaded with EV drivers.

You mentioned an EV 15L which is less than ideal for high power bass. It's data sheet says that it's "designed for lead guitar but is also appropriate for a bass player that likes a bright sound". Jack of all trades...

That 1001 is a good head. I'd pair it up with some good cabs and call it a day.

Thanks so much for the advice.

The 210s are in an EV cab (late 90s). The 115 was loaded with the EVM in some no name cab from one of the local legend bass players that he sold me at a deal. I owned both of them before joining the band. The band still has the matching 210, 115 GK cabs, so maybe I'll talk them into letting me trying them out this next weekend. If I like them, what should I make as an offer ?

(or maybe a Neo 410?)

 

[gregmon79]

Thanks so much for the advice.

The 210s are in an EV cab (late 90s). The 115 was loaded with the EVM in some no name cab from one of the local legend bass players that he sold me at a deal. I owned both of them before joining the band. The band still has the matching GK cabs, so maybe I'll talk them into letting me trying them out this next weekend. If I like them, what should I make as an offer ?

Yeah, it sounds like it was def the cabs falling short. The 1001 has clean headroom for days! I run the boost and woofer up around 3 o'clock and used my master volume with the input volume. I rarely goes above 8 or 9 o'clock. And around 9 o'clock it totally bumps! And it's clean. I use it with the GK Neo 410. Maybe that's why I get such a clean and strong signal/tone. Killer tone.

 

[donnyrocker]

Yeah, it sounds like it was def the cabs falling short. The 1001 has clean headroom for days! I run the boost and woofer up around 3 o'clock and used my master volume with the input volume. I rarely goes above 8 or 9 o'clock. And around 9 o'clock it totally bumps! And it's clean. I use it with the GK Neo 410. Maybe that's why I get such a clean and strong signal/tone. Killer tone.

Picking up a neo 410 tomorrow, and, weirdly enough, a 400RB score on Saturday before my two gigs. I may not get the 1001RB paired to the 410 until next weekend's.

At any rate, I appreciate the advice!

 

[edencab]

Hey all, I'm looking at replacing my Acoustic b200h with an amp that puts out some more power and offers a bit more of a growly tone. My first combo was a GK BL115 and I absolutely loved it (in fact I just cleaned the pots last month and have been noodling around on it ever since).

My question is this: what are your suggestions for a 200-300W 4ohm amp that either is a GK or has a similar tonality to one.

Further info: I'm running an EBMM HH Stingray into an Acoustic b200h/Traynor TC1510, and my music style ranges from funk to indie to post-punk to jazz fusion, all with an explicit rock overtone. Not sure if it matters but I do have some pedals in my setup (el capistan tape echo, voodoo fuzz).

as a fellow Canadian, you gotta try out the Traynor SB200H or SB500H......tons of volume and tone, portable , feature packed and simple to use...and made in Canada.........I have the 200w version, it rocks...are you anywhere near a Long & Mcquade?, they carry them
look here in the Bass > Small Block section
http://www.traynoramps.com/products

 

[somegeezer]

I've actually heard the opposite: the fan pulls air in from the top and vents it out the front. Could be wrong, but I was running mine for about six hours last night and I felt more heat around the front grille than I did on the top.

Yeah, I actually had a conversation a few months ago on here about this. Someone was telling me it pulled in through the top, and I was telling them it wasn't the case, as I even had my own next to me to test. Ended up going to GK directly, to ask them. Turned out I was wrong, and it really should pull in through the top. My cooling fan had been installed the wrong way up.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Buy a used 800RB

Or even a 400RB.

 

[Mvilmany]

Or even a 400RB.

Yup. If you're only using 1 cab, then the 400RB is just as good of a choice.

 

[Bassometer]

I can't say enough about the 700RB-ii, it is an excellent amp. It is versatile and very easy to find a good tone. I went back to GK after trying several different amps, I should have never left. They are very affordable on the used market and fairly common as well. Plus they are very reliable.