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Opinions on GK 800RB

#2
Punk? SVTs were punk in Miami in the 80s. Nothing more punk than loud, obnoxious and authorative- the best weapon for slamming your head up against the loud, obnoxious authority of The Man!

The 800 is a great head. It's on the list called "I Wish I Still Had My..." Plenty of volume and growl, once you learn how to set it- like anything else. It's not very heavy either.
 
#3
#4
zongeek said:
I see and hear and read good things about these amps. I've also heard the rumor that this was sort of the 'punk' amp?

How do you folks feel about it? Pros/Cons? Old/New?

Favorite cab pairings?

Thanks ahead!
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Just read through the years of threads about GK and you'll find lots of testimonials to the 800 RB. They're built like tanks too yet still not lead sleds.

I liked pairing them with a 1x15 and 2x10 combination. I did several gigs where the GK and that cabinet set up using Ampeg cabinets was supplied as the backline. Wonderful sound and plenty of power.
 
#5
Count Bassie said:
Punk? SVTs were punk in Miami in the 80s. Nothing more punk than loud, obnoxious and authorative- the best weapon for slamming your head up against the loud, obnoxious authority of The Man!

The 800 is a great head. It's on the list called "I Wish I Still Had My..." Plenty of volume and growl, once you learn how to set it- like anything else. It's not very heavy either.
Click to expand...

I'd take an 800 RB over an Ashdown!

:hiding:
 
#8
Saw Todd the Rod from Propagandhi using a 800RB with an Ampeg 8x10 and it sounded pretty awesome for the kinda sound he goes for nowadays. The only thing that makes it seem a little unappealing to me is that it's only 300W, probably a very honestly rated 300W but I can't imagine getting much volume without getting rid of quite a bit of low end in any kind of loud rock setting.
 
#11
I had a late start to an out of town gig a month or so ago and in my rush to load in the truck, my 800rb fell off the top of my cab onto the asphalt drive. Put another good size scratch in it and yet it still works like a charm.

Warm and fuzzy feeling once the music starts. The thing is a loud beast (if you want it to be).

I like the EQ on the 800rb better than the newer RB-2's, though this is just my experience. You need to dial up some lows versus cutting them out like the newer models for a good stage mix. An old school bass head in that sense.
 
#13
With the older GK 800's you very rarely saw any problems. I still wish I kept my late 80's one best amp I ever owned. The newer ones are just as good but I do see some of them going to the repair shop. Whether this is from miss use or newer design I don't know. But they have been and will always be one of the best work horse amps on the market.
 
#14
I miss mine......all of them........I traded them away to try something new but in the end I always want the GKs back. As a matter of fact , I'd like to have another one if anybody has one for sale.....
B.
 
#16
KPJ said:
Reliable, great tone, you had one Roger, what more do you need to know?

Oh and, wait 'til you hear my AMPs on Saturday. I think you'll dig the 260!
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Honestly, back when I had mine right up to around the present I would only play at gigs, so never have gotten very good at dialing in a lot of my stuff. Sounds stupid, but that's how life has been. And at a gig you show up, load in, start playing- hard to tweak your gear in a small room full of people waiting for the band to play. Not really in the rules much of the time!

The SWR has gotten more attention than any of them. I'd be curious to get hold of another 800RB though... but, I want to finally stop with the "gear-neediness"! I'm pretty good with what I have- the Ashdown has now shown up and it might be interesting if it happens, but it's not a concern really.
 
#17
davidjbass said:
With the older GK 800's you very rarely saw any problems. I still wish I kept my late 80's one best amp I ever owned. The newer ones are just as good but I do see some of them going to the repair shop. Whether this is from miss use or newer design I don't know. But they have been and will always be one of the best work horse amps on the market.
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for the most part the the stories ive heard about newer 800s have been from people connecting 4ohm cabs to the 8ohm power section but either way the 800 has been one if not the MOST trusted head out.
 
#18
Attesting to the longetivity of these amps: I found one that's still in great working order from 1987, and the only thing that's wrong with it is the effects loop! Check out the attached picture; it's a thing of beauty :smug:
 

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