Opinions on GK 800RB

[Queg]

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.

That being said, I snooped your profile and see that you now play a Mesa 400+ ?

I agree with above post that it's a testament to the quality of the 800RB that it takes a larger, heavier, far more expensive amp to beat it. Maybe that's no longer true.. in the era of class D micro amps.. but it's still a great value on the used market.

 

[MIJ-VI]

Out of curiosity, can the 800RB be internally modified to work with 230VAC?

BTW. What's a reasonable price to pay for an '89 800RB in good shape?

Thanks.

 

[Ajrocks]

The only problem I ever had with the 800 RB is when I ran it thru a 4ohm 2x15 cab, people would swear they felt the Earth move. Strange phenomena!

And that's a bad thing! I love moving the earth with mine!!!

 

[BassLife77]

800RB is a nice amp head. I played my Stingray through one from mid the 80's to early 90's. I blew a power cap and GK fixed it for free. The only con was I couldn't turn the Stingray volume level past a certain point or it would distort. I couldn't use the -10db pad because it muffled the tone too much

 

[babebambi]

I like my Eden WT800 more than I like my Mesa M9.
Does that mean I probably won't like the GK 800RB very much?

 

[Ajrocks]

BTW. What's a reasonable price to pay for an '89 800RB in good shape?

Thanks.

I've seen them from 400-700 in very good condition, mine's beat up and picked it up about 3 years ago for 300, I jumped on it!!

 

[Standalone]

800RB is a nice amp head. I played my Stingray through one from mid the 80's to early 90's. I blew a power cap and GK fixed it for free. The only con was I couldn't turn the Stingray volume level past a certain point or it would distort. I couldn't use the -10db pad because it muffled the tone too much

My old Ibanez roadster has a very hot P pickup, hotter than any other passive I've played. I've never had an issue with any distortion at the preamp at all with the 800RB. I think it's pretty robust.

Maybe a maintenance or possibly a cabling issue? If there was a blown cap, something else up or down the line may have been damaged or caused the damage. Doesn't sound like the amp was running at spec.

 

[jjk2007]

Put me in the "wish I never woulda sold mine" club or whatever you want to call it. Bought one new in the early 90's and gigged it like crazy. Took it to Europe, took it all over the US and no issues at all. I was a young and foolish lad when I sold it. I'll get one again someday!!

 

[Rockbobmel]

Mine worked fine for a few years then threw a high DC into the speaks. (A resistor went in the board) It still needs an input pot but I want to get it back in service. I am using an original Ashy ABM500 head and love it also. It has a more weighted sound, but the 800RB does have it's own thing. BTW, my GK had a chunk tranny not a donut one.