Double Bass Need advice on a new Amp for rockabilly/psychobilly

[aka Walter]

Hi all

New member here.

Long time lurker, first time poster and all that...

I play slap double bass.

I used to gig a lot back in the day. pub/bars round Manchester & Blackpool UK

Not done for a few years. Got the urge to do a bit again, and found my amp has died in storage, so need a new one....and need advice.

I've never been a massive buyer of gear. I've normally bought something, and if I liked it I've kept it and used it.

I play a Michael Poller Romanian double bass that was new when I bought it in the 90s.. It's not sexy but it's done the job for a quarter of a century, so I can't complain.

I've cycled through the usual suspect strings (Inno Honeys, Inno Rockabilly Blacks, Inno Silver Slaps, Inno Golden Slaps, Superior Bassworks GripMax, & Weed Whackers of various types).

Pickup wise, I've used a Shadow Rockabilly Pro for the past few years. Before that it was a Rev Solo.

I need a new amp.

I've used an SWR Super Redhead 2x10" combo + extension cab forever. SWR son of Bertha mainly....so 1x15" + 2x10". Again, not a particularly sexy label in RAB/Psycho terms, but in terms on longevity and durability I can't complain.

But I need a new one.

After a lot of forum searching and general googling, GK looks most likely with GK 1001RB-ii the favourite. Cab wise, I'm Torn between 4x10 and 2x12...but as far as heads go, the 1000RB-ii doesn't seem to have many bad words written about it on slap bass forums.

The problem I have, before pulling the trigger on a new head is that I've been offered a GK 2001RB-ii at a really nice price.

I haven't really seen or read anything at all about the 2001RB-ii on RAB/Psycho or slap bass forums though, so don't know how to compare the two.

On the one hand, the 1001 just seems highly regarded.

On the other, the 2001 is a bargain.

The 2001RB looks like an over powered monster on paper. And I don't need that much power.

But it's a bargain.

So I suppose the question is whether there are any significant downsides to the 2001RB? (Other than the facts it's A 3 rack-sized 42lbs monster)

If there are...then I'd pretty much settled on a 1001RB.

But I do love a bargain.

In terms of what I want....

Deep thumping bass tone & a woody slap is what I like.

As far as genres go...I've used the terms rockabilly & psychobilly a few times, but I'm between genres I suppose....

I was listening to RAB & psycho in the 80s....and playing it in the 90s. Nowadays, if I think about music it's Johnny Cash, 60s swing, RAB, Psycho, Crazy Cavan and various other things that comes to mind.

Anyway......apologies for the huge number of words... and any advice is welcome

The potentially overpowered GK 2001RB-ii for a bargain price or the highly regarded GK 1001RB-ii?

Many thanks

aka Walter

 

[bherman]

Hi Walter - I used a 1001RB back in the day when I was playing electric bass in a Motown then a rock band. Tons of power, nowadays with the newer generation of speaker cabs and lighter amps not what I'd be looking at. Similarly a 410 or 212 is alot for upright bass, if playing in smaller clubs, unless you need to play at massive volumes. Not sure from your original post if you are looking at used or new gear - but I'd be looking at something more along the lines of a Mesa Subway D800 and a smaller cabinet that can handle that much power - perhaps given your location, a Barefaced Big Baby or Super Twin. Much lighter and smaller cabs that will put out tons of volume. If looking used, I have no idea what the second hand market is like in the UK, so cant make any recommendations on that front.

 

[Wasnex]

I don't play these styles, but I have quite a bit of experience on upright.

I own a series I 700RB and IMHO the voicing and tone controls work pretty well with upright.

The series II amps have a bit more power and supposedly the voicing was modified slightly. Given the same series, the 700RB and 1001RB use the same preamp. The output cards in 700RB and 1001RB are pretty much the same, except the transformer in the 1001 has a higher voltage and current rating.

The 2001RB is pretty much a tricked out model with two output cards and an added OD channel in the preamp. It's also bigger and heavier. The output cards can be run dual mono or bridged. There is a rear panel control that appears to allow you to balance the left and right output card power levels in dual mono mode.

The specs say the series II 700RB make more power than one output of the 2001RB, but the 2001RB outputs are rated down to 2 ohms. In bridge mode the 2001RB makes more power than the 1001RB at 4 ohms.

Seems like the 1001RB may be the best choice unless you want the added features of the 2001RB, or plan to run a massive rig.

Manuals in case you want specifics:
700rb_1001rb.pdf (squarespace.com)
160-0290-B+2001RB+Complete+Manual.pdf (squarespace.com)


Edit: Forgot to mention, the RB series is discontinued.

 

[aka Walter]

Hi Walter - I used a 1001RB back in the day when I was playing electric bass in a Motown then a rock band. Tons of power, nowadays with the newer generation of speaker cabs and lighter amps not what I'd be looking at. Similarly a 410 or 212 is alot for upright bass, if playing in smaller clubs, unless you need to play at massive volumes. Not sure from your original post if you are looking at used or new gear - but I'd be looking at something more along the lines of a Mesa Subway D800 and a smaller cabinet that can handle that much power - perhaps given your location, a Barefaced Big Baby or Super Twin. Much lighter and smaller cabs that will put out tons of volume. If looking used, I have no idea what the second hand market is like in the UK, so cant make any recommendations on that front.

Thank you for the reply bherman.

Ah yes. I've come across brief vids of the Mesa Subway 800, but mainly discounted it on the grounds that I'm old school enough to believe that bass gear has to weigh more than I do..

Maybe I should Look at it.

 

[bherman]

Thank you for the reply bherman.

Ah yes. I've come across brief vids of the Mesa Subway 800, but mainly discounted it on the grounds that I'm old school enough to believe that bass gear has to weigh more than I do..

Maybe I should Look at it.

I’m not just old school, I’m old! Check out the newer stuff, you’d be amazed how good it’s gotten. If I had to choose between the 2, I’d go with new technology lighter cabinet paired with an old school head.

 

[aka Walter]

I don't play these styles, but I have quite a bit of experience on upright.

I own a series I 700RB and IMHO the voicing and tone controls work pretty well with upright.

The series II amps have a bit more power and supposedly the voicing was modified slightly. Given the same series, the 700RB and 1001RB use the same preamp. The output cards in 700RB and 1001RB are pretty much the same, except the transformer in the 1001 has a higher voltage and current rating.

The 2001RB is pretty much a tricked out model with two output cards and an added OD channel in the preamp. It's also bigger and heavier. The output cards can be run dual mono or bridged. There is a rear panel control that appears to allow you to balance the left and right output card power levels in dual mono mode.

The specs say the series II 700RB make more power than one output of the 2001RB, but the 2001RB outputs are rated down to 2 ohms. In bridge mode the 2001RB makes more power than the 1001RB at 4 ohms.

Seems like the 1001RB may be the best choice unless you want the added features of the 2001RB, or plan to run a massive rig.

Manuals in case you want specifics:
700rb_1001rb.pdf (squarespace.com)
160-0290-B+2001RB+Complete+Manual.pdf (squarespace.com)


Edit: Forgot to mention, the RB series is discontinued.

Thank you for your reply Wasnex

The specs for the 2001 say it has 2x530w low range amps & 2x50w high range amps. That's certainly overkill for me in terms of both power and functions.

It's purely the price that attracts me.

Would there be a difference in voicing between the 1001 & 2001?

 

[aka Walter]

I’m not just old school, I’m old! Check out the newer stuff, you’d be amazed how good it’s gotten. If I had to choose between the 2, I’d go with new technology lighter cabinet paired with an old school head.

Me too. I bought my last amp pretty much before the internet existed

 

[Wasnex]

Thank you for your reply Wasnex

The specs for the 2001 say it has 2x530w low range amps & 2x50w high range amps. That's certainly overkill for me in terms of both power and functions.

It's purely the price that attracts me.

Would there be a difference in voicing between the 1001 & 2001?

I have not played the 2001RB, but AFAIK the preamps are voiced the same. However, the sound and feel may still be slightly different. I own two older 2000RB. Although they don't sound 100% alike, they do both sound is very similar to my 700RB.

Here's a relevant thread. gk 2001rb vs 1001rb II | TalkBass.com