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Thinking about upgrading amps, need some opinions.

A

ambissonnett

Jan 9, 2013
69
3
#1
So my guitarist decided to make his rig a full stack. He's got two Marshall cabs and I have a GK 4x10 BLX and GK BL 600. I want my sound to cut through, so I don't know if I should upgrade to maybe a GK 4x10 RBH and a better quality GK head, or add another BLX 4x10 or BLX 1x15?

I already know that the GK RBH cabs and heads are top of the line amps, but questionable about dropping almost 1K to get used ones. I don't have much experience playing through a 1x15, so can anyone explain the sound you get from them? Punchier? Fatter deep bass sound? or does it even have much effect when combined with a 4x10?

I just want to figure out what will give me that punchier, crispy bass sound. I'd say compare it to Duff Mckagan's Velvet Revolver bass sound.
 
#4
I like the sound I'm getting, but not in love with it. I just don't know if adding another 4x10 BLX will get me that extra punch that I think that I want. I'm not an expert on amps, but doesn't the horn in the help with that? That's why I was considering buying one of the RBH series, or even the NEO series amps?
 
#5
Well I've been searching Guitar Center's used website and they have some affordable option's I'd consider. If I didn't like what I purchased, I knew I could return it. So I can't really put a cap on what my price range is. I'm willing to put the money into something I know that would give me the sound that I want and need.

EDIT: Honestly, the weight doesn't bother me. If I know what I'm getting from the amp is what I want, I deal with the cab weight.
 
#6
ambissonnett said:
Well I've been searching Guitar Center's used website and they have some affordable option's I'd consider. If I didn't like what I purchased, I knew I could return it. So I can't really put a cap on what my price range is. I'm willing to put the money into something I know that would give me the sound that I want and need.

EDIT: Honestly, the weight doesn't bother me. If I know I'll get what I want from it, I deal with the cab weight.
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Then the only way to determine if you like the sound is to play through it. If you are not in love with your current amp/cab, then go find an amp and cab pairing you do like the sound of. If you need more volume double up on that particular cab. Mixing cabs is a crap shoot, so there is no way for anyone else to tell you if it will sound good.
 
#7
Yeah, I know I should go try playing through the amps, so I really appreciate that idea. By "mixing amps" did you mean, for example, mixing speaker sizes or mixing a BLX and a RBH? If I bought a RBH, I already know I wouldn't be playing both the BLX and RBH haha Once again, I'm no expert on amps.
 
#8
ambissonnett said:
Yeah, I know I should go try playing through the amps, so I really appreciate that idea. By "mixing amps" did you mean, for example, mixing speaker sizes or mixing a BLX and a RBH? If I bought a RBH, I already know I wouldn't be playing both the BLX and RBH haha Once again, I'm no expert on amps.
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Yeah, I would not mix a BLX and a RBH. Two RBH cabs sure if one sounds good to you.

If you like the GK sound look at upgrading to any of the "RB" series amps:

400rb
700rb
800rb
1001rb

Then find a cab that you like the sound of the rb amp through, with your bass. Personally from GK I would be looking at a pair of their 8 Ohm 212s or a pair of their 115s. Nothing requires you to match the amp and cab manufacturers though.
 
#10
ambissonnett said:
Yeah, I was thinking about a 700rb and a 4x10RBH. Do you think with that amount of power it would keep up with the my guitarist full stack?
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Nope. If he wants to he will bury you if he has eight 12's. Now thats not to say, you wouldnt be loud enough for the band you are in, but that will depend on how loud your guitard turns up his full stack. Also go try out some cabs, dont sell yourself on the RBH just because its the "top line" GK cab. IMHO the neo series is better.
 

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