The mighty GK 400RB

[SLIV]

My first real bass amp was a 400RB I. Like others, I wish I never got rid of it. Went for a preamp/poweramp setup that is long gone (but I don't miss that one.)

Is the newest version, the "IV" the same as the "I"? I know it has more features, but is it voiced the same as the old? Sometimes I wonder if my ideal bass sound, that I imagine in my head, is connected to the first bass amp (kind of like marrying a woman who subconsciously reminds you of your first crush).

Then again, this kind of talk is what GAS is made of.

 

[Chad Michael]

The first time I played through a separate head / cabinet rig, it was a 400RB with a Hartke XL series 115. Together, they sounded amazing .

 

[dougjwray]

The first time I played through a separate head / cabinet rig, it was a 400RB with a Hartke XL series 115. Together, they sounded amazing .

I had that exact rig for a while, too.

 

[winston]

Has anyone tried a 400RB with a whizzy 12? Seems like it would be a nice pairing, and one that I'm considering. BTW I own an older 400RB and have owned two 800RBs. Great plug and play amps and reliable too.

This is my compact rig--'87 400RB into an original Wizzy 112. It's my favorite setup for gigs where I play both upright & BG. IMO it's the ultimate house party/jam rig--gets a growly, righteous tone that fills the room without boom, and I don't have to worry about other people destroying it if they sit in.

The efficient 4 ohm Wiz wrings every last dB out of the amp and really brings out the midrange detail. Only downer is it's a bit hissy compared to more modern amps and the Wizzy doesn't have an attenuator.

 

[Road-Dog]

I have been using a 400rb,since the early 80's. Same amp never been in the shop,never let me down. Pair it with a Hartke 410 and an occasional Hartke 15. I play mostly blues and personally love this combination

 

[strke-fender]

i can get one of these bad boys for $200. good deal?

I talked him down to $180. booya.

 

[j_micho]

How many versions of the 400RB there is? On GK's website I see two discontinued model : the 200W and the 240W (both @ 4 ohms). What are the differences (aside from power of course).

There's a guy here who wants to sell a 150W one...I'm guessing it's the 200W one he's talking about (150W @ 8 ohm I guess). Does that make sens?

 

[rappa29]

How many versions of the 400RB there is? On GK's website I see two discontinued model : the 200W and the 240W (both @ 4 ohms). What are the differences (aside from power of course).

There's a guy here who wants to sell a 150W one...I'm guessing it's the 200W one he's talking about (150W @ 8 ohm I guess). Does that make sens?

Don't quote me on this but I believe there's:

400RB - the original. 200w@4ohms. Grey faceplate\graphics. Connected power chord.
400RB (II) - the designation 'II' doesn't actually appear on the graphics, but it is an upgraded model of the original. I have this one. IIRC it's rated 240@4ohms (I'll have to look on the back of the head again to be sure). Detachable power cable. Black\white faceplate graphics.
400RB III - specifically designated as such with a III in the graphics, black\white.
400RB IV - specifically designated as such with a IV in the graphics in red. New style graphics with the GK name plate across the front grill.

Generally, each upgrade increased the power rating and the III and IV added an XLR DI with separate volume control and a fan.

Again, don't quote me on this, I'm just going by memory and the pictures I've seen of my unit in comparison to older units.

 

[basslinejam]

I've got to jump in to the 400rb love thread. My 84 is still my main gigging amp because it never lets me down with tone or volume, it just works. It sounds perfect with 15's, even though I'm using it with an Epi UL210 right now..


All hail the 400RB! All of us 400rb cranks should have a club.

 

[SLIV]

Don't quote me on this but I believe there's:

400RB - the original. 200w@4ohms. Grey faceplate\graphics. Connected power chord.
400RB (II) - the designation 'II' doesn't actually appear on the graphics, but it is an upgraded model of the original. I have this one. IIRC it's rated 240@4ohms (I'll have to look on the back of the head again to be sure). Detachable power cable. Black\white faceplate graphics.
400RB III - specifically designated as such with a III in the graphics, black\white.
400RB IV - specifically designated as such with a IV in the graphics in red. New style graphics with the GK name plate across the front grill.

Generally, each upgrade increased the power rating and the III and IV added an XLR DI with separate volume control and a fan.

Again, don't quote me on this...

I WILL quote you!-- to get further information from others. They added some extra features on each one (it looks like it). What makes them all the same?

 

[Big Daddy Mac]

I just recently joined the 400rb club. I use this mighty head with a Traynor TC210 and a Traynor TC115. I can't believe the versatility of this equipment. I have put my BNX3 and Line 6 pedals away. I was basically using one or the other for a tuner anyway. I added a Korg DTR 2000 into my Gator rack-case thing as well. I tried a Behring tuner but took it back the next day....It would not even recognize a B on my 5 string !

 

[Let It Fall]

I owned one about 6 years ago. It was my first bass amp complete with a avatar 2x10 8ohm cab. While I had nota clue what I was doing back then I hate the sound, thought I really think what I hated was the avatar 2x10 I always believed it sounded too plain.. I'd love to give one another shot now that my ears know what tone is and my fingers and mind know how go active it. I always atributed it to the cab being rated at near 500-800 watts and the amp only making 150

 

[lolaviola]

Bump this for a great amp question.
Is it wrong to use the hi boost?
Does annyone play like this?
I have mids in.
Does the hi boost give mpre grind?
Still trying todial in the sounds w/j bass & 2x12 cab.

 

[bluesrx]

I own 3 of these bad boys.... 2 - mid 80's and a '91. Other than replacing the send/return jacks on 2 of the amps and 2 - TIP 31B transistors in one of them, they have been workhorses.

I run mine thru a 4 ohm Peavey Black Widow 1505 loaded in a old Carvin 15 shelf ported cab. Nice combo !!

 

[BenGrim]

My 400RB (gray face mid 80s original) makes a somewhat loud pop when I turn it on. Does anyone else have this problem? It works fine other than that, I use it for guitar a lot.

 

[barroso]

just to say that my 400RB mark I is still going strong!

 

[CDweller]

Does anyone know how to date a 400RB by its serial number? I have a connected power cord 400RB that I don't know the year of.

 

[LTDVIPER333]

I've got one of the original 200 watt 400RB baby's with the Grey colour, as in accordance to the description given above. Currently under repair as it went dead quiet in the middle of a gig last Thursday which sucked, but hopefully it will be alive and running soon as possible.

It's also my first real amp.

 

[LTDVIPER333]

Does any one have any pics as i would like to see some of these older vintages mods and if they look similar to mine. Also some of the newer mods would be sweet.

 

[Loel]

Does any one have any pics as i would like to see some of these older vintages mods and if they look similar to mine. Also some of the newer mods would be sweet.

Here's a pic of my 82 400RB still runs strong!.