The GK or the Ampeg?

[georgestrings]

The 700RB sounds different than the 800RB so they are not interchangeable. The SVT-7 Pro is not like other “modern” Ampeg heads either so I wouldn’t make any presumptions. Best bet is to try out the SVT-7 pro and then make the decision, assuming you know what the 800RB sounds like.

The 700rb-II can most definitely cop any sound the 800rb can make, plus a whole lot more...


- georgestrings

 

[ksandvik]

GK MB 500 Fusion and you get the tube pre-amp, actually two gain channels so you could have fun between clean and non-clean.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I have been looking at the Gk 800rb and the Ampeg svt 7 pro. I know these amps are different but I like both. I want to see what everyone prefers for wht I am playing. I play mostly 70's and 80's inspired punk and other aggressive hard rock. I want something that will cut through well and have a lot of punch and sound full. I play a 2011 american standard p bass. the cab is a 810e. what ar your opinions? which would you choose? Another amp?

speaking as an 80's punk rocker myself, who did sound for a lot of 80's punk bands, the 800RB is "period correct".
They also get quite loud for "only 300 watts". Remember there is a high pass filter on the 800RB that cuts out pretty much everything below 40hz or so. This, and it sounds pretty good when you run it hard.

 

[Angelsbass]

If you are running an 810 cab then you need that extra headroom. I would just go for the GK 1001rb II. You will not regret it!!

 

[birminghambass]

I vote 700rb2. I looooove the Ampeg tone but am wary of the reliability of the newer models. (I had a 7Pro die while I was testing it out at GC). My GKs have never let me down.

 

[JimmyM]

Period correct....lol!

Anyway, a couple people said that modern Ampeg isn't as good as old Ampeg, and as someone who uses a lot of vintage and modern Ampeg, I would take the "counterpoint" to their "point." The cabs are made better and sound better now, the heads are just as good as they've always been, and I don't think there's a better class D head on the market than the 7 Pro. Maybe the 8 Pro, but it's $2000 and I've yet to play one so I don't know from experience.

Anyway, funny how this poll seems to be a dead heat. I guess that means the OP will have to decide on his own which one to get. Of course, that's ALWAYS the way you should decide how to buy gear. We're not going to be up there playing it with you.

 

[birminghambass]

I agree about Ampeg cabs being made better now. I used Ampeg up until 2004, been through almost every cab they ever made. The MFD stuff was heavier and less durable than the new stuff.

 

[jeff7bass]

The 700rb-II can most definitely cop any sound the 800rb can make, plus a whole lot more...


- georgestrings

hmmmm... no.

My bud and I did a side-by-side comparison and they sounded different. What's better is personal (mine was the 700rb, his was the 800rb), but they were different.

 

[musicman281]

I personally love GK and have been using them for as long as i've been playing but if your focusing on more of the punk rock scene then i would go with the ampeg and even if you went with the 800rb you wouldn't be very happy with it . If you go with GK go with a 700 or 1001rb

 

[birminghambass]

hmmmm... no.

My bud and I did a side-by-side comparison and they sounded different. What's better is personal (mine was the 700rb, his was the 800rb), but they were different.

Please tell us your findings! I love my 700 but always wanted to try a 800. Never did because i've always heard they are so similar.

 

[topcat2069]

While I much prefer the GK tone over the Ampeg tone any day of the week, I would select an amp with more headroom than the 800RB - which offers (IIRC) only 300 watts into 4 ohms.


I'd go for a GK 700RB-II, if I were you...

MM

+1 and the Sans Amp VT Bass [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[slade]

I'd go with a 7 pro- I bought a GK 550 and returned it and kept the 7 pro. That's only my ears talkin' though....

 

[georgestrings]

hmmmm... no.

My bud and I did a side-by-side comparison and they sounded different. What's better is personal (mine was the 700rb, his was the 800rb), but they were different.

Are you talking about the 700rb or the 700rb-II???

Because I have also played both the 700rb-II and the 800rb side by side more than a couple of times, and I can absolutely cop the 800rb's tone with a 700rb-II...


- georgestrings

 

[Slapstyle]

I hated the SVT 7 I tried with my Warwick. Just sounded flat and sterile. I love GK stuff though. Never been disappointed, even with the cheap stuff. I have an MB500 and I love it, but I'd really like a 700rb myself.

 

[nubs]

not much experiance with th GK800 but i have owned an 1001rb and it was a great amp, i switched to and SVT CL and loved it, but then switched to the SVT4pro the classic is just a heavy load. shop around get the best bang for your buck GK or Ampeg wont disappoint.

 

[deeptubes]

Hmmm. This thread was started 3 months ago. I wonder what the OP went with.

 

[JimmyM]

Dang it, why do people always revive these old threads and not say they revived it?

 

[vin*tone]

Haha. Lownered.

 

[Catinshower]

Hey everyone, thanks for all your help, I now own the 7 pro and am very happy. it fits my needs perfect and after over a month with it I still love it!

 

[JimmyM]

Very cool. Now you can proceed with the important stuff...rockin'!