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Opinions on GK 800RB

#61
chiplexic said:
The only quirk I have with the 800rb is that I and probably most,never use the 100watts for highs. So you tote around 100w of extra weight and bulk that you can't put to use. Unless,ofcourse you want to haul around an extra cab too.
Wow, imagine if it was a full range 400w from it's inception!
Still, the amp is legendary.

Wouldn't that be an interesting development. If GK kept the same casing, eq design and simply make it a full range 400watts. Through an advertising campaign behind it and I'd bet they would be quie popular. Why wouldn't they be?

Look at all the responses to this thread already with people recalling how much they love/loved their 800rb,wishing they has one again? Easy for me to say. I'm sure electronic design wise it's probably a bit more involved. But removing the 100w components must free up a substantial amount of space in that already big casing.
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IMO, modern cab designs would be best run as full range, even off the 100 watt section. Remember, just about everyone with experience with this amp lauds those 300 watts as being very loud watts: watts that kill a 500 watt LMii, for example. (this is IME, as I bought a/b'd and returned one)

That other 100 watts of headroom isn't necessary-- this amp is designed to be run wide open. You might actually lose some of the desirable sound of this amp that way.

And anyway, 23 lbs ain't all that much... :cool:
 
#63
Jim C said:
Wonder why a new 800 RB costs $200 more than a 700RB-II?
800 has 300 watts / 100 watts and 700 has 480 watts / 50 watts.
Can't be due to amortizing R&D costs as the 800 has been around forever.
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Plain and simple, the 700 is cheaper to build. Both amps in the 800 use discrete compoents, except for one ic, all hand stuffed.


In comparison 700 uses an all in one chip for the 50 watt amp.

But there might be another reason, maybe they do because they can. I mean, the 800 is still here because there is still demand for it. Guys who want one, want one, know what I mean? It really doesn't compete in the same market as the 700/1000. It's sort of an odd duck compared to the other artist heads. Even the current 400rb is not like the original. Its built like the 700/1000.

the 800? Its the 800. Its like buying a new 65 mustang.
 
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#64
I used mine with a swr triad it sounded sweet i wired the cabinet so you could use it full range 300 into 4 ohm's or flip a switch and bi- amp it-200 watt's to the 8 ohm 15 stock pas and 100 watt's to a 8 ohm eminence beta sounded great that's a good cabinet for the rb800 sounded great full range as well, i liked it both way's ,for the upright sound bi-amp, for louder rock full range,i will get another one someday.
 
#65
One thing that isn't clear about the RB800 is... When bridging both amps together... do you plug both speakers into the two 300watt outputs... or one into the 300watt out and the other into the 100watt out?

I just got one with 2 SWR cabs... a 4x10 Goliath and a 1x15 son of Bertha cab for $550. Awesome deal. But a strange configuration since the 1x15 plugs into the 100watt amp and the Goliath plugs into the 300watt amp. It's gotta be that way or else the 300 watt would be pushing the Son of Bertha cab pretty hard.

I love it though... my drummer calls it a beast.
 
#66
First of all, there is no bridging feature on an 800RB. It has two separate power amps, one at 300w@4 Ohms/200w@8 ohms, and the "HI" amp is 100w @8 Ohms only.
You need to know your cab's impedances. If both are 8 Ohms, you can run them full-range from the "LO" side at 300 watts. You must not plug any cab under 8 Ohms into the "HI" side!

If one cab is 4 Ohms, you can use it on the "LO" side, and if the other is 8 Ohms, you can use it on the "HI" side. All this is with the amp in "Full-Range" mode.
 
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#67
My beat up 1987 800RB is still my main amp even though I don't really love the sound until I need to be heard in the mix. As mentioned before, the power available in the mid-range is impressive. I have a friend who logs 200+ gigs a year with the 800RB and an Ampeg 810 even though he has SVTs at home. I can't imagine you would be disappointed and if you buy used resale will always be possible.
Good luck!
 
#68
scuz said:
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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I have one from either 1986 or 1987 in just about perfect condition. This was before they made them with the rack ears. What year did the rack ears start for the 800RB? I played mine quite a bit until I gave up playing in 1989. I used to bi-amp it into a 2-10 cab and a 1-15 cabinet.

I still have this amp too. I wish it had more wattage and I might be using it today (started back playing bass in 2006). Should I keep it as a backup or sell it? It lives in the closet these days.

Dave
 
#69
dave2 said:
I have one from either 1986 or 1987 in just about perfect condition. This was before they made them with the rack ears. What year did the rack ears start for the 800RB?
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My 1987 (March-87) has a rack ear option. They came stock with plain end caps and you could order rack mount end caps. I have both.
I played mine quite a bit until I gave up playing in 1989. I used to bi-amp it into a 2-10 cab and a 1-15 cabinet.
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Played mine full range into a pair of JBL K140s, but also would bi-amp with a large 1x15 and a 2x12 without tweeters.

I still have this amp too. I wish it had more wattage and I might be using it today (started back playing bass in 2006). Should I keep it as a backup or sell it? It lives in the closet these days.
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I never found it lacking in power and I played arenas with it. Go ahead and send it to me and I'll send you a crisp hundred dollar bill! :D
 
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#70
800RB or 400RB are the only solidstate heads I have tried that I liked. They both are a lot louder than you would think for their watt ratings. And when driven hard dont get that harsh SS sound like an SWR, Eden or whatevs will.

As far as punk bass head. me being a recovering old punk rocker.
(Crimpshrine, Soup and Isocracy played my 18th bday party, many years ago)
And former punk soundman I would say that the three bass heads I saw the most were the 800RB/400RB, Peavey MKIV and Ampeg SVT. Pretty much in that order. The Ampeg may be the bass head that people think of when they think of punk bands NOW. But back in the 80's adn 90's I did not see lot of dudes rocking those unless they had some major cash. Those have always been expensive! And you know the old punk rock thing about not appearing to have any money. Work a job!? Thats not punk! (nevermind how much those Docs, that leather jacket and all you punk gear cost!).
Tonewise I would take an 800RB over a MKIV. And of course an Ampeg over an 800RB.
But for value, its hard to beat the 800rb. I dont think GK has topped that one with any of their newer models even.
 
#71
XtraLongScale said:
+ totally. This thing was used by robots for field goal practice and it still rocks the block.

100_0754-1.jpg
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Ichi the Killer? Nice avatar.
 
#72
P bass through an 800RB and an Ampeg fridge is pretty damn punk. I've had one nearly 20 years, along with 400RBs and an MB2-500. There is a reason it has remained all this time. It's a fantastic amp. You see them sometimes around $200 on Ebay. Unbeatable really for the value. I use an SVT also and the 800RB holds up to it pretty damn well. The 800 is punchy as hell.
 
#73
What are the differences in the older 1980s 800rb models and the current 800rb models?

I took some photos of my 1980s 800rb earlier after reading this thread and I'll post a couple soon. Mine is still in very good condition.

I'll bet this amp rocks through an Ampeg 8-10 cab ....or two.... lol

Dave
 
#76
I had one of these for awhile. It sounded great but in the year or so I owned it the power supply blew twice. Then it was stolen, so that was the end of that problem I suppose.

I also had (still have) a 400 series head in which the power supply blew as well. Both used with different cabs, connected properly (being a soundguy, I'd like to think I can at least do that part right ;) ).
 
#78
I sold mine a few years ago when I took a break... I almost bought another one but I'm glad I could afford not to.

Plenty of good to be said for it - reliable, compact, VALUE.. cuts thru the mix.
It's great for a lean mid, grindy edgy, cutting tone (you can get that stereotypical punk sound.. playing with a pick... not saying it like a bad thing).

The 300w LO / 100w HI design doesn't work in the real world, or at least I couldn't figure out how to best maximize that 100w channel. Originally I tried to run a 2x10 thru it, but it didn't deliver.. it'd be interesting to try a 6" mid as in the fEarful cab.

I used it in both punk and metal bands.. and here's the problem already mentioned by others: It lacks balls in the low end. Especially competing against 2 guitar stacks in a D tuned thrash metal band. Running a 2x15 cab, it didn't push air.. and its weakness was embarrassing when direct compared using the same cabs with a borrowed Mesa 400+.

I now have an Aggie DB750, which makes me feel like I'm all growed up.
 
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#80
800RB not loud enough in the low end? I have caused miscarriages with that head and an ampeg 8x10. Also with my old Acoustic 2x15 (106? I think was the model. I think the low end kind of changes depending on how you gain it and how you use the eq. Havent had one in 10 years so cant rightly say how.
 

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