• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thoughts on a vintage GK 400B?

mikopita

mikopita

Feb 22, 2007
474
136
Central Florida
#1
There's a vintage GK400B with an EV loaded 18" cab available in my area for $225. I'm considering looking into it, though it's roughly a 45 minute drive to test it out. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this amp? I need another one like I need a hole in my head, but I figured that this sounded like a deal that I cannot pass up.

Anyone?
 
#3
I've owned an older model of the GK400RB for about a year, and it's worked great. No quality issues, good tone.

I use it as my main home practice amp, and for small gigs. I'm happy with it. I bought mine along with two cabinets (Ampeg 2X10 and Ampeg 1x15) so I can't quite compare pricing, but if you're getting the amp and a cab for $225, sounds like a great deal.
 
#5
I have an old 400RB that I bought used in 1985. I use it from time to time as it still works flawlessly. It can power just about any cab pretty well, but really shines at 4 ohms. One punchy little amp, and with that speaker, a very good deal. I don't know if I will remain true to my words, but I said long ago that this will be the last piece of gear I sell when I hang it all up.
 
#7
I have a 400B and it is both the loudest and quietist bass amp that I have ever owned although I prefer to run mine through a 4x10 cab I can only imagine what it sounds like through an 18.
 
#8
I have a 400RB that I bought new in 1985, and it's never failed me (except that I had to replace the input jack a few years ago because it finally wore out).
These are excellent amps. Some people (not me) feel that the 400RB lacks a certain warmth, but with an 18", I can't imagine that would be an issue. I would go to check out the amp and speaker immediately, just to make sure they're functioning (and these amps are famous for being reliable), and buy them. If they *are* both functioning (forget cosmetic concerns) it's a great deal, and you won't be disappointed. Later, if you change your mind, you could easily make the money back, just by selling the amp alone.
One more thing: at the Gallien Krueger site, you can download PDF files for all their manuals, including the one for the 400RB. When you understand how the input volume, the boost and the master all work, you can get lots of different sounds, all useable. The EQ on these amps is very simple and powerful, too.
Good luck!
 
#9
I had one back in the day. I used it to drive two Ampeg B25B cabs (2 x15's each). No it wasn't a SVT but sounded awesome and never ever gave me a single problem. I wish I still had it:bawl: Definitely check it out. Price sounds great as well.

Play On!:bassist:

Bassmore
 
  • Like
Reactions: brbadg
#10
I used 400B for a long time. It is what I moved to after an SVT... no more touring, no roady, no sound company for support ... and I needed to get more portable.

1. - these amps don't have much in common with the 400RB by the way - well except they have the familiar agressive GK voicing and character.

2. Did I mention that these are great amps and very, very hard to kill ?

3. The common point of failure is the effects loop. If you get this amp - have the effects loop jacks replaced.

I sold my last one to someone in Texas for - well a lot less that what you're seeing a couple of years back. Last I knew the guy was happy with it. I bought those amps back in like 78 ? 79? 80 ? rode 'em hard, put 'em away wet, for a long time.
 
#11
Those 400rb's are workhorses. Built like tanks. Here's a link:

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/product/Gallien-Krueger/400RB/10/1

Here's a pic of my head: $175 used, beat to hell & sounds great. Matt

photo1_145ef-Original.gif


Photo2_b5607-Original.gif
 
#12
dougjwray said:
I have a 400RB that I bought new in 1985, and it's never failed me (except that I had to replace the input jack a few years ago because it finally wore out).
These are excellent amps. Some people (not me) feel that the 400RB lacks a certain warmth, but with an 18", I can't imagine that would be an issue. I would go to check out the amp and speaker immediately, just to make sure they're functioning (and these amps are famous for being reliable), and buy them. If they *are* both functioning (forget cosmetic concerns) it's a great deal, and you won't be disappointed. Later, if you change your mind, you could easily make the money back, just by selling the amp alone.
One more thing: at the Gallien Krueger site, you can download PDF files for all their manuals, including the one for the 400RB. When you understand how the input volume, the boost and the master all work, you can get lots of different sounds, all useable. The EQ on these amps is very simple and powerful, too.
Good luck!
Click to expand...

Graeat post!
 
#13
mikopita said:
There's a vintage GK400B with an EV loaded 18" cab available in my area for $225. I'm considering looking into it, though it's roughly a 45 minute drive to test it out. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this amp? I need another one like I need a hole in my head, but I figured that this sounded like a deal that I cannot pass up.

Anyone?
Click to expand...

I have the same problem: If I see something cheap enough, I just can't pass it up!
 
#15
I picked up (cheap) a 400B, apparently late 1981 vintage, (no, it's not the RB, earlier, a somewhat different beast) at a pawn shop a couple years back, they said it hummed. I ordered up some replacement electrolytic power supply capacitors, ready to go in, soldering iron in hand. The GK website doesn't have manuals or schematics back this far.

The labels are corroded off my back panel, and I have no manual. There are four 1/4 inch jacks on my back panel, in a rectangular layout, not like the four in line like I see in pictures I've seen. I can make out enough of the lettering to see that two are pre-amp out and power amp in. The other two must be speaker jacks. Don't know how they were labeled, 4 ohm or 8, series or parallel.

Documentation on the GK website doesn't go back that far.

I Emailed GK, waiting for a response.

Can anybody help me out with a schematic or picture of the back panel of a unit with four jacks, two above the other two?

Thanks,
MartyH

P.S. No, I'm not going to junk it because it's from 1981. I'm from 1954, and I'm not in a landfill yet, still working, more or less :). I'm old, it's not :).
 
#16
I had an older 400rb for a while. My II maybe (had a built in power cord). I liked it and sold it to a really nice pro. He determined it needed some work and wasn't putting out what it should have. These are tanks but after a while some electrical components can go.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back