New GK 800 Legacy!

[Red Planet]

I'm sure some will tell you there's a "baked-in" tone, and that it is quite scooped when run "flat" (by which I think they mean knobs at noon). You can find lots of info on TB about what is an actual "flat" setting with GK amps, and it's no more scooped than any other when set properly. What I've found is that I can get almost any tone I want using the EQ. That's what it's there for! Sure GK has a distinctive sound, that's why we use them! But it's also as versatile as any amp I've used - you just gotta play with it.

That's what I came to hate about the Streamliner no matter what you did you couldn't get that scooped sound out. I defended it for a while as it is a more authentic tube amp sound like a Bass 400 (really scooped). I wouldn't call the RB tone scooped by any stretch of the imagination. You can get a scooped sound out of an RB but it still retains that signature punch. Got to love that sound.

This weekend I used my GK MBF500 and two GK 112 cabs for two shows, next weekend its going to be the 700RB and two CX210 cabs. That's my favorite all time tone, the signature hard grind is unmistakable!

 

[sonojono]

Yeah you definitely have to play around with the EQ to get your monies worth otherwise you see players already posting them on the classifieds describing they couldn’t get a “good tone” out of their amp. YMMV.

My gain, their loss.

 

[chrisan2]

I’m trying to hang out for the model with the tube compressor, hopefully this year, also a XX 610 or XX 810 cab addition would be great for the higher wattage amps.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Tube compresor model ??

 

[chrisan2]

Yeah

 

[JoePineapples]

I’ve been playing mine all afternoon and comparing it to the D800+. The Legacy really has strong high mids and highs compared to the Mesa. I had to dial them both down a bit to find a tone I liked. The GK has great punch, you can really feel it in your chest. I really like the sound of this amp, has a lot of character compared to the Mesa. The real test will be at rehearsal on Tuesday but I’m thinking this thing will punch right through the mix.
Just a few gripes, I wish the bump, contour and presence switches were dials. Flipping them on is just too drastic of a change for me. It would be nice to dial them in. Also there is no carry bag. And you have to physically unplug the amp to turn off the standby light.
View attachment 3467421

Does the manual show the EQ centres? The GK website Support section hasn't been updated with the Legacy manuals yet so I can't have a look in there.

The Legacy amps are supposed to reach the UK on about the 20th of the month and I'm really looking forward to trying one!

 

[Clemouze]

Does the manual show the EQ centres? The GK website Support section hasn't been updated with the Legacy manuals yet so I can't have a look in there.

The Legacy amps are supposed to reach the UK on about the 20th of the month and I'm really looking forward to trying one!

Maybe they are the same than MB ?
if Yes
60 Hz
250 Hz
1 kHz
7 kHz ( this one I find it harsh )

 

[JoePineapples]

I didn't want to assume they would be the same!

I have a DG 900 V1 and I'm looking at getting another amp for a bit of variety and the Legacy is on my try list, along with the EBS Reidmar and the MB Little Marcus.

Next I have to find a shop that stocks them all at the same time to test them with my cabs and bass!

 

[TonyP-]

Tube compresor model ??

That will be the Fusion +

Another great sounding amp.
I lean towards the Legacy.

 

[jeff7bass]

I’ve been playing Gk 800 legacy a couple days now and the tone is prefect for me. The overdrive used subtle is just what my ears want. I think I may return it tho for the 500. I’m using a Mesa Diesel 2x15 and it’s is so freaking loud. Which I guess I should of considered before getting an 800 watt head. I’m usually in small clubs 100-300 type. I couldn’t see ever turning this up past 9 o’clock. I’m thinking the 500 might be easier to find an appropriate volume. Tone is everything I wanted tho from this beast.

I think your problem is too much cab for small to medium size gigs. A pair of excellent 112's will cover almost any gig in my experience.

 

[Red Planet]

That will be the Fusion +

Another great sounding amp.
I lean towards the Legacy.

That's Fusion S you silly rabbit.

 

[TonyP-]

That's Fusion S you silly rabbit.

lol Honeslty I’m not even thinking about the fusion.
I have my Legacy and I’m getting two more this fall

 

[Red Planet]

lol Honeslty I’m not even thinking about the fusion.
I have my Legacy and I’m getting two more this fall

I do like the idea of the tube compressor. For me thats one less pedal on my board if it sounded good/gets the job done. Though I suspect it might be a while before we start seeing Fusion and Fusion S amps.

So for me one combination I really like is the 700RB cranked with an always on Diamond BCP-1. So you get that crazy hitting the rails RB rone but the compressor raises the inbetweens and increases sustain. For me without a compressor I'm dead in the water. Having a compressor in an amp (if it's a good one) would be nice as I never turn my compressor off.

 

[TonyP-]

I do like the idea of the tube compressor. For me thats one less pedal on my board if it sounded good/gets the job done. Though I suspect it might be a while before we start seeing Fusion and Fusion S amps.

So for me one combination I really like is the 700RB cranked with an always on Diamond BCP-1. So you get that crazy hitting the rails RB rone but the compressor raises the inbetweens and increases sustain. For me without a compressor I'm dead in the water. Having a compressor in an amp (if it's a good one) would be nice as I never turn my compressor off.

Ok so I'm all-the-time-compressor guy as well...Its part of my playing that works hand and hand with 'how&what' I approach the instrument.

My advice...Stick with the pedal and do not really upon the amp.
I'm not trying to talk you out of the Fusion based amps but the Diamond is a good sounding compressor, make that part of you, so you never have to think about it.

What if there is backline and its not that head?
What is your doing a recording and want that sound?

Here is video of my main board when I switched over to Temple Audio.
Check it out...You can also get a much smaller version of this board as well and load it just what you need so your not "dead in the water" my suggestion would be to go a little larger just in case you find other pedals you like.


My signal chain always starts off the same Tuner->Compression (At this point the MXR M87) but I will use others in the studio.

 

[Rickter]

Definitely agree w @TonyP- . I'm a compressor always on guy as well. My Duncan Studio Bass is as much a part of my sound as my P bass and my 1001. I love the idea of a built in compressor on the new amps, but I have my hesitations thinking any built in compressor (from anyone) is going to work as well as an outboard compressor.

 

[rugrat]

I do like the idea of the tube compressor. For me thats one less pedal on my board if it sounded good/gets the job done. Though I suspect it might be a while before we start seeing Fusion and Fusion S amps.

So for me one combination I really like is the 700RB cranked with an always on Diamond BCP-1. So you get that crazy hitting the rails RB rone but the compressor raises the inbetweens and increases sustain. For me without a compressor I'm dead in the water. Having a compressor in an amp (if it's a good one) would be nice as I never turn my compressor off.

I'm also using the diamond as an always on, and if I go the Legacy route, I'll still use my pedal for compression.

 

[Red Planet]

Ok so I'm all-the-time-compressor guy as well...Its part of my playing that works hand and hand with 'how&what' I approach the instrument.

My advice...Stick with the pedal and do not really upon the amp.
I'm not trying to talk you out of the Fusion based amps but the Diamond is a good sounding compressor, make that part of you, so you never have to think about it.

What if there is backline and its not that head?
What is your doing a recording and want that sound?

Here is video of my main board when I switched over to Temple Audio.
Check it out...You can also get a much smaller version of this board as well and load it just what you need so your not "dead in the water" my suggestion would be to go a little larger just in case you find other pedals you like.


My signal chain always starts off the same Tuner->Compression (At this point the MXR M87) but I will use others in the studio.

So I got that backwards BTW somehow my brain did a Freudian slip. The Fusion S is the new standard Fusion and the Fusion+ is the Fusion with added Tube Compressor.

I'm really thinking about a Q strip. Nice Board!

So here is my board (custom made), power supply's are hidden under the board and covered (you never see them). I actually use two compressors the Diamond is always on the Keeley is used for a boost/compression tone.

 

[Red Planet]

I'm also using the diamond as an always on, and if I go the Legacy route, I'll still use my pedal for compression.

Me too I think that Legendary GK tone coupled with a DBCP-1 is a great combination.

 

[rugrat]

Me too I think that Legendary GK tone coupled with a DBCP-1 is a great combination.

I replaced my Line6 tuner for the Shure, like yours. Here's the best Qstrip video I've seen.

 

[rugrat]

I just might order the Legacy 500 and another CX cab. Maybe just the 210. That way, I could double up the 410 with the 210 and use them for outside work with my 1001RB. Smaller gigs I'd just use 1 of the cabs and the Leg. 500. But then again, I still have a GK MB210 II in the arsenal. I guess I could sell it, but what a pain in the arse to ship!