Suitable Replacement for GK 800RB?

[rholler]

For a couple of decades now, my primary bass rig has been a GK 800rb head into either a Hartke 410XL or an SWR 210 Goliath Jr cabinet. I've *NEVER* regretted spending my hard-earned money on that rig, as I absolutely love the sound it gives my old '72 P-Bass! Sadly, my trusty old Gallien-Krueger 800RB finally bit the dust last week, and can't be repaired. I loved that amp, and I'll miss it dearly.

So, I now unexpectedly find myself in the market for a new bass amp head. Since I've been *so* satisfied with the GK 800rb all these years, I've not really paid much attention to what else is out there on the market. I'm pretty well sold on the GK brand, and I'm currently considering the MB500 or the RB700. But thought I'd ask here if there are other heads out there that would be a suitable replacement for the 800rb in terms of sound, in the $500-$750 price range. (?)

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I can only suggest newer G-K products.
My only personal G-K experience is my 400RB.
I do know the newer ones don't sound quite like the RBs.

What makes your 800RB unrepairable?
It sounds like you'd really prefer to keep it, if you could.

 

[JACink]

How about looking for another (used) 800RB? You might get lucky.

 

[Dave W]

Yep. If you love the 800RB so much definitely get another. The other GK heads in the RB series will get you a similar sound if you'd rather get something different

 

[rholler]

While I would *love* to just get another 800rb, the age of these heads makes me a little leary of buying a "used" one -- it *might* last another 20 years, but more than likely it won't, and *could* break down tomorrow. I took mine to a repair guy that many of us local musicians use (and trust), and he said that there were just way too many things that had gone wrong when it had its meltdown, and unfortunately it just wasn't feasible to try to repair it. Sadly, I trust his evaluation.

I'm going to visit our local Indianapolis GK dealer this coming week, and give a listen to the current GK products. Then, with that test drive in mind, I'm also going to drop by a couple of the other major retailers in the area to see what they might have available. I have a feeling I'll end up back at the GK dealer, but I'll give the other guys 1 shot to impress me with something else. ;-)

 

[groove pump]

I had a similar experience with an 800rb some years ago. I picked one up 2nd hand and after a little while the thing broke down on me big time. Chalked it up to experience, but haven't gotten around to getting another GK. If I wanted one for a new gigging rig, I think the first model I'd look at would be a 700rb... new... with a warranty.

 

[slade]

1001rb.

 

[rholler]

If I wanted one for a new gigging rig, I think the first model I'd look at would be a 700rb... new... with a warranty.

Yeah, I'm currently torn between the 700RB and the MB500 (which I could carry in a gig bag or briefcase!). I'm hoping that our local GK dealer has both of them in stock so I can do a live review!

 

[Dave W]

While I would *love* to just get another 800rb, the age of these heads makes me a little leary of buying a "used" one -- it *might* last another 20 years, but more than likely it won't, and *could* break down tomorrow. I took mine to a repair guy that many of us local musicians use (and trust), and he said that there were just way too many things that had gone wrong when it had its meltdown, and unfortunately it just wasn't feasible to try to repair it. Sadly, I trust his evaluation.

I can understand that but I wouldn't be leary of getting one. They are fairly simple to repair. Find one in good shape, have your tech go through the whole thing, possibly replace the caps and other wear items, then rock it for another 20 years.

Mine is from 1984 and still works like new. I've also got a 400RB from 1990 in the same shape...

 

[tjh]

the 800RB was made up until just a few years ago, just look for a newer one if you are leary of one from the 80's/90's ...

I let my '95 800RB go last year, it went to a super nice guy on TB that was travelling from down south and picked it up in person ... I am sure there will be times that I fondly look back and wish it was still here, just like '65 Jazz bass and the '65 Cutlass 2-door hardtop coupe I sold back in '73 when I went in the service .. for those moments I kept my fav of the many 400RB's that I have had (an '89) ...

I have an MB200 and MB500 now to keep the ol' 400 company, and was able to do most of last years fall/winter shows with the MB200 (line out if needed), I am liking 2 and 4 lb heads with 26 lbs cabs ... I never 'biamped' per se for highs/lows, but did run both amps in the 800RB for impedance reasons & allowing 3 cabs ... IF I should get in that situation where it is needed, I will just run the MB200 through one of my Crest Pro-Lites ...

.. maybe try something else and see if it can make you happy ... if not, the 800RB's are still fairly plentiful ... and at that time desire may win out over the leariness, and you can grab one again ..

JMHO ...

 

[SunnBass]

Suitable Replacement for GK 800RB?

Either another 800RB or a 700RB II.

 

[B-string]

It must have been one heck of a smoke and lightning show if it is unrepairable. Unless it had the obsolete switch IC (which could be defeated) they are highly repairable.

 

[Spent]

When my 1001RB bit the dust I picked up an mb500. Small, plenty of power, excellent DI and it fits in my gig bag. I don't know if it sounds exactly like the 1001RB (I'm sure there are some differences), couldn't A/B them, but in a live setting it's close enough. I'll never go back to a large amp again. I love the GK sound and have owned two 800RBs over the last 30 years. I still have a 200RCB, 400RB and recently picked up an MB500 Fusion. Very happy with them all. GK makes excellent stuff, there's no need to look elsewhere IMHO. Unfortunatly I just picked up a Genz Benz Shuttle. Never should have opened that can of worms. I gotta stop spending time on TB, but that's another story.

 

[tallboybass]

I've been in a similar position and went with newer GK products. They sound great but the only thing that sounds like an 800RB is....you guessed it, an 800RB!!

 

[1bassplayinfool]

I've been in a similar position and went with newer GK products. They sound great but the only thing that sounds like an 800RB is....you guessed it, an 800RB!!

+1 I can get my 1001RB pretty close. Still have my old 800RB in the rehearsal room. (it won't die )

 

[cableguy]

It must have been one heck of a smoke and lightning show if it is unrepairable. Unless it had the obsolete switch IC (which could be defeated) they are highly repairable.

+1

My 700RB-II whet back to GK and received a new power section. The bill for repair including shipping was around $300 if I remember right. There's a reason these amps have been around so long. They're well built and can be repaired instead of the throw away stuff now. Might be worth sending you amp back to GK for a quick look to see what it will take to fix. It will just cost you shipping and some bench time.

 

[bassbrad]

I replaced my gigged out 400RB with an MB500 several years ago and could not be happier with the performance, portability and tone. Works great for small to large gigs with a selection of cabs from a 1x10, 1x12, 2x10, 1x15 and 2x15.

 

[Zitch]

The closest match to the 800 rb would be the 700 rb not the 1001. Ive owned both and much preferred the 700

 

[Ewo]

I picked up a barely used MB800 for $500 in the TB classifieds. Good value can be had, in used gear!

 

[rholler]

Thanks to everyone who's replied so far. I'm leaning strongly toward the 700RB, but I'm also very interested in the MB500. The 500 is virtually the same in terms of power, and is $150 cheaper than the 700. Not to mention that the 500 would fit in my gigbag or briefcase, allowing me to lose the heavy wooden GenzBenz rack that my old 800RB lived in. I'm hopeful that our local dealer has both in stock so I can compare them side-by-side, just to see of the added features of the 700 are really worth the additional size and $$.