Going to get a new head for Christmas. After looking around I've got it down to the Ampeg SVT-4-Pro and the Gallien Krueger 2001RB!! I play heavy as well as funk and blues. Any info(pro and con) will be nice!!
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svt 4-pro or gk-2001RB
- Thread starter Phil54
- Start date
I have 2 4 PRO's, they are great heads if you use the mono bridge function, otherwise the amount of wattage they put out is quite low. They both have their own sound - they both can work just fine for the genre's you specified.
The GK sounds somewhat sterile in the high end, clear and thick low end, good character to the midrange and good growl. The 4 PRO is a thicker sounding in the midrange, less growl than the GK - but close. The 4 PRO has a definite low mid push to the sound and a lot of low end with the bass/33hz slider set flat. Either head will do you good, but it really depends on your ears.
The GK sounds somewhat sterile in the high end, clear and thick low end, good character to the midrange and good growl. The 4 PRO is a thicker sounding in the midrange, less growl than the GK - but close. The 4 PRO has a definite low mid push to the sound and a lot of low end with the bass/33hz slider set flat. Either head will do you good, but it really depends on your ears.
I would strongly encourage you to try both amps out through a cab similar to the one you're going to be using.
Like Gearhead17 said, they're both great amps in their own right.
Like Gearhead17 said, they're both great amps in their own right.
Thanks for the info. Has anyone had problems with either of the SVT-4 pro or GK2001RB not holding up? I have seen alot of mixed reviews on the Ampeg but nothing good or bad on the GK. There are alot of threads that say the SVT-4 does not put out the watts that they say and that they also are overheating and cutting out! I do not know how to fix them so I need the most reliable head as well!! Thanks.
4 PRO is side ventilated - don't block the sides and you will be fine. If you put it in a rack, add a fan in the back to keep it cool. It puts out the watts is says it does - the real issue is Ampeg has set the low end content extremely high at the "flat" setting for this amp. Most of the time I turn the bass knob down and push the 33hz EQ slider down too. Once I do that, I feel the unit gets punchier throughout the midrange and still retains plenty of low end. The massive low end boost will eat up every available watt and that is why people complain about the head.
Both are reliable - the 4 PRO's only flaw are the EQ sliders. Those sliders are cheap plastic and will break easily; I just broke one and waited two weeks for a replacement slider. Otherwise, they are both going to take the rigors of load-in, load-out.
Both are reliable - the 4 PRO's only flaw are the EQ sliders. Those sliders are cheap plastic and will break easily; I just broke one and waited two weeks for a replacement slider. Otherwise, they are both going to take the rigors of load-in, load-out.
GH17 is right on. The 4PRO is a great amp, but most users aren't able to read the manual and destroy the things. If you put the amp in a shock rack buy a ventilated type shock rack to keep airflow.
If you transport the things bottled up in a case you usually won't bust the sliders either.
As far as power out.... I've discussed this many times in posts all over this site. The amp is rated including its built in overhead. It will make 1200 Watts but in reality the top 800 is for its ability to pass peaks without clipping. It is equivellent in volume to a 400 Watt tube head nicely and has more poop than an SVT tube head.
BOB
If you transport the things bottled up in a case you usually won't bust the sliders either.
As far as power out.... I've discussed this many times in posts all over this site. The amp is rated including its built in overhead. It will make 1200 Watts but in reality the top 800 is for its ability to pass peaks without clipping. It is equivellent in volume to a 400 Watt tube head nicely and has more poop than an SVT tube head.
BOB
One of the advantages of the G-K 2001RB is it's versitile. From the manual:
2001RB ONLY:
Output Power:
Woofer Amplifier 2 x 540W @ 2 Ohms
Both Ch. Driven 2 x 360W @ 4 Ohms
240W @ 8 Ohms
1080W bridged @4 Ohms
650W bridged @8 Ohms
You can run it as little as 240 watts into a single 8 ohm cab, up to 1080 watts into eight 8ohm cabs. It really does need a solid 20 amp circuit under high power use. Most people find the 2001 RB to be one of G-K's warmest amps and you get an overdrive channel for those who use an overdriven sound.
2001RB ONLY:
Output Power:
Woofer Amplifier 2 x 540W @ 2 Ohms
Both Ch. Driven 2 x 360W @ 4 Ohms
240W @ 8 Ohms
1080W bridged @4 Ohms
650W bridged @8 Ohms
You can run it as little as 240 watts into a single 8 ohm cab, up to 1080 watts into eight 8ohm cabs. It really does need a solid 20 amp circuit under high power use. Most people find the 2001 RB to be one of G-K's warmest amps and you get an overdrive channel for those who use an overdriven sound.
