Sell GK rig and upgrade Mesa rig?

[DanAdams]

Ditch the GK, live with the current Mesa for the next year, use it to push the gk4-10 if you like that air movement. why not?
You'll probably find something else in your life that's more important than an incremental mesa update or matching gear name plates.

 

[ObsessiveArcher]

I voted yes, but I wanted to clarify:
I would get a D-800+. Then for backup, either keep the D-800 or the GK and sell the other.
Regarding cabs, I would get another 1x15 and sell the 4x10.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Your story has more positive points about the GK rig than the Mesa rig???

 

[SM2]

I had A GK 1001rbII for like 9 months or so. Ran it through a gk Neo 2x12 and 1x15. it was great at the time, then I played a mesa. So I purchased a subway 800+ and then traded the GK for an M9 Carbine. Love the Mesa gear. The customer service is insane. I decide which one gets the call by what the gig is. I run them both through either a bag end 410 or a Mesa PH1200. in either case, I never once regret the decision or even miss the GK, not even a little bit.

 

[five7]

How does the GK 410 sound with the mesa. I love my 800+ thru any and all cabs I have. Gas is non existent.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Dump the 4x10s and keep the GK head as a backup. Honestly I like the Paragon 12" drivers from GK more than the 10's in all the configurations I've heard. The Neo 212 is a great cabinet, I'd give that a try. If you were going to go 100% Mesa though...I'd snag another 15" cab to match your current one. That way, you've got the 1x12 for smaller gigs, 1x15 for medium stuff, and can bring out 2x15s for big stuff which should definitely be enough unless you are playing stadiums with no PA support.

 

[tekhedd]

The second you get rid of the GK rig, you'll get a high paying outside party gig, and when you get there it will rain rain rain, and all the tarps in the world won't convince you that your mesa is really safe.

The horror.

(+1 keep the head)

 

[GManfromOz]

In my humble opinion, yes. Why keep the extra rig if it won't get the call? Mesa is very reliable, so no need for an expensive backup. And a modular rig would be great.

I agree getting the D800+. But, why the extra 2x10? Not saying it's bad to get it... but what are you looking to accomplish? Run them all together? Or different cabs for different situations?

I agree, the 115 and 112 with my D800 are awesome and fill virtually any room. I also bought the 210 but rarely use it. It sounds great but it doesn’t fit in when I have the other two cabs. You could e three cabs but that’s just nuts . I gave up on my GK gear after the second warranty repair. The guy then sold it to had another repair job on it. By contrast the Mesa gear has been bullet proof.

After buying the MESA gear I don’t even lust after gear anymore, GAS cured.

 

[kleinenenten]

I say keep GK, if you have to get rid of something. I also play in a metal band and use the exact GK rig you describe. It’s never left me wanting for volume or tone. I have never played a Mesa, but have also never wanted one after owning GK gear. Everything I play sounds wrong through any other amp. It seems you have more positive to say about the GK, but have a slight preference for Mesa. I’d wait to do anything serious until you have more of a preference.

 

[gt96g]

Here's my advice. Upgrade the Mesa rig first. Get it the way you want it and use it on several gigs and practices. Then when you are absolutely sure the GK rig has seen it's last night out and only then, sell it. I upgraded my head recently. A shuttle 6.2 which I love, I tried a shuttle max 9.2, which was okay but it wasn't until I got my hands of a regular shuttle 9.2 and gigged with it that I felt comfortable selling the other head.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The 700RB is worth about $350, the cab $400. Are you looking for the proceeds to fully cover the cost of upgrade? If so, I'd keep the GK rig. The Mesa is a great setup, but I always like to have a backup head and cab. You have two cabs and the 112 and D800 cover times when you need a smaller rig. If the GK is really doing nothing and you want the space, sell it and grab another head.

 

[Ribofunk]

I wouldn't sell anything until you've verified the config you want will work. I currently play in a metal band as well and own similar setups - a GK1001rb, a Mesa PH4X10, a Mesa D800+, and one of each of the subway cabs (115, 112 and 210). In our practice space, I need every bit of the D800+ with 2 cabs to keep up with our guitar player's stack, and the D800+ with 1 cab just won't cut it. The GK with the 4x10 is plenty in the same space. On the other hand, at gigs with FOH support any combination of the above works fine. For me, if I were to ditch the 4X10 or the GK at some point I would have a setup that would leave me wanting. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jim C]

So, the GK rig sounds awesome but the cabinet is too big to move around
The Mesa rig also sounds awesome but it could use more drivers (presumably for high SPL or more high end)

Sounds like the issue is with cabinets and not amps.
Multi-driver Neo cab for the win.

 

[Element Zero]

If they are both paid for... keep them both, no such thing as too many. Besides, once things are gone, they are gone.
Rock on.

I agree with every word here.

 

[Rebel Rocker]

Got to love Mesa gear. I've got a D800+ with (2) SW115s and a SW112. Lots of ways to use it. Never really use all of it at once. Still have my other rig Aguilar AG700 with (3)DB112s. Can't stand it. Always sounds muffled. But you can feel the Mesa behind you. I like running the (2) 115s together.

 

[joel406]

3 years ago I was playing through a GK MB-800 into 1 or 2 (whichever was needed at the time) GK 410 cabs.

Sounded phenomenal.

Then. The Subway came out.

Raves everywhere.

So I buy one. The D-800+.

I like it. HPF is cool. High and low switches. Low and high mid volume controls ok. Through the GK 410s.

By the way these are not neos they are 800 watt real drivers that punch.

Worked with that Subway for a year.

From rehearsal studio all the way to a large 200 seater auditorium. And several smaller gigs on the way.

The Subway was always missing something I couldn’t get with the GK.

And I worked it. Every control it had for a year.

Now don’t get me wrong the Subway is in a class all it’s own. Sturdy and powerful.

But there was a presence missing.

After a year I purchased the GK MB-800 Fusion.

My full punch is back. Crisp snapping notes and biting lows that thump with the bass drum and can give CPR.

Maybe it was the cabs. Maybe this is why Mesa doesn’t make a Subway 410.

But I sold my D-800+.

What about the HPF? Well....

The MBF-800 has a presence and a contour control. High and low boost and a 3 tube preamp. Plus some other goodies that are eluding me at the moment. But I don’t miss anything about the Subway.

It’s a great amp. The GK is better.

For me.

YMMV

 

[Red Planet]

Sell Mesa rig an upgrade GK Rig.

That will be five dolla.

 

[Red Planet]

3 years ago I was playing through a GK MB-800 into 1 or 2 (whichever was needed at the time) GK 410 cabs.

Sounded phenomenal.

Then. The Subway came out.

Raves everywhere.

So I buy one. The D-800+.

I like it. HPF is cool. High and low switches. Low and high mid volume controls ok. Through the GK 410s.

By the way these are not neos they are 800 watt real drivers that punch.

Worked with that Subway for a year.

From rehearsal studio all the way to a large 200 seater auditorium. And several smaller gigs on the way.

The Subway was always missing something I couldn’t get with the GK.

And I worked it. Every control it had for a year.

Now don’t get me wrong the Subway is in a class all it’s own. Sturdy and powerful.

But there was a presence missing.

After a year I purchased the GK MB-800 Fusion.

My full punch is back. Crisp snapping notes and biting lows that thump with the bass drum and can give CPR.

Maybe it was the cabs. Maybe this is why Mesa doesn’t make a Subway 410.

But I sold my D-800+.

What about the HPF? Well....

The MBF-800 has a presence and a contour control. High and low boost and a 3 tube preamp. Plus some other goodies that are eluding me at the moment. But I don’t miss anything about the Subway.

It’s a great amp. The GK is better.

For me.

YMMV

Kind of weird for me surprising I know. I made a conscience decision to get rid of my MB500 Fusion. I purchased a couple other amps and after spending some real jack the absolute best tone, power, and authority I have on tap out of all my amps is my MB500 Fusion. It has this certain KARANG to it even with different cabs that is just so totally satisfying in a band context.

I have resolved to move my GK head into a rack so I can protect it.

 

[somebrains]

Kind of weird for me surprising I know. I made a conscience decision to get rid of my MB500 Fusion. I purchased a couple other amps and after spending some real jack the absolute best tone, power, and authority I have on tap out of all my amps is my MB500 Fusion. It has this certain KARANG to it even with different cabs that is just so totally satisfying in a band context.

I have resolved to move my GK head into a rack so I can protect it.

His sentiment echoes every other brand head or cab that doesn't resonate with the owner.

Gotta find the setup that works for you.

Shrinkwrapping your gear down to matching brands doesn't work for me now. When I was a kid I got a matching SVT setup bc it's an SVT and I was limited back then. I get a Mesa 400 head and I just had to have a matching RR 215 for it bc I didn't like it with 810's and "modern" 410's back then we're $700+.

At some point I got a couple GK heads and decided I liked them with SWR cabs. 25+ years later Subway cabs are it for me with an 800rb.

I got an SWR head, the smallest one they make, and ironically liked it best with Ampeg 810's and a power amp.

Now I'm using this weird little 310 cab bc it fits in my car and I don't feel like spending $ on what is essentially a personal monitor.

 

[lermgalieu]

Sell the GK stack, get a D-800+ and keep the D-800 as backup.