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Trying to find an amp that sounds like...

What amp head for prog/metal?

  • Ampeg SVT7PRO/Other Ampeg head

    Votes: 90 37.5%

  • SWR Working Pro

    Votes: 10 4.2%

  • GK 1001-RBii

    Votes: 63 26.3%

  • carrots

    Votes: 77 32.1%
  • Total voters
    240
V

VTheHTyphoon

May 4, 2010
281
83
#1
Ok, so I have 2 GK 212s that I want to take full advantage of. Problem is, I am not quite sure which amp head to go with. I was looking at a GK 1001-RBii, because I have heard GK heads are very quick and articulate. But, I have seen the SWR Working Pro 700 and that it's gotten some positive reviews in areas. Lastly I practice in a studio and instead of bringing my own amp, our guitarist has an ampeg combo that I believe is one of the rocket combos. So, I was looking at getting maybe the SVT 7 PRO because that rocket combo amp has some sweet thump to it. I play prog/metalish music, and I need an amp that can keep up with me.

Edit: I also do use effects, in case that makes a difference.
 
#6
For it would be between the GK and the Ampeg. I'm not a fan of SWR, and their Workingpro stuff isn't quite in the same league as the other amps mentioned.

I own a GK 2001 RB and a bunch of Ampeg stuff. I play prog metal too. Both amps do great at pretty much anything. I really don't think you can go wrong. I might give the slight nod to the GK as they do take pedal very well...but that's not to say that the Ampeg does not.

When you say you want to take full advantage of the GK cabs, you pretty much need to use a GK head with biamping to make that happen, so you may have answered your own question.
 
#7
bassgod0dmw said:
For it would be between the GK and the Ampeg. I'm not a fan of SWR, and their Workingpro stuff isn't quite in the same league as the other amps mentioned.

I own a GK 2001 RB and a bunch of Ampeg stuff. I play prog metal too. Both amps do great at pretty much anything. I really don't think you can go wrong. I might give the slight nod to the GK as they do take pedal very well...but that's not to say that the Ampeg does not.

When you say you want to take full advantage of the GK cabs, you pretty much need to use a GK head with biamping to make that happen, so you may have answered your own question.
Click to expand...

+1 I voted for the 1001RB-II, because it would allow you to take advantage of the GK HMS (horn management system), but really, the 700RB-II might be a good bet, as well. It's plenty loud, IMHO, and it gets that sweet GK snarl that comes on as you push the "rails" of the output section. Consequently, it can sound more aggressive than the 1001, though the 1001 definitely has more clean headroom. Any of the lightweight MB heads would also kick, but do note that they do not incorporate the HMS and separate tweeter amp.

Ampeg was a close second, though. That 7Pro really would do well with those cabs, and it would undoubtedly give you a thicker, creamier tone than the GK head, if that's what you are after.
 
#10
It kind of depends on what sounds best to you. I would choose between the GK and Ampeg. I own a 7 pro because I really like the character ampeg adds to my sound. The 7 pro also sounds darn close to an all tube SVT. I also own a GK MB210 combo. I like it but like the sound of my ampeg much much better. The GK has a more aggressive character to it, more top end when set flat (to my ears anyway).
These guys a pretty progressive. In the first video the bassist is using ampeg which he uses now. In the second GK with a 412 which he used to endorse.
umvideo's Channel - YouTube
umvideo's Channel - YouTube
Maybe that will help. What ever you choose Ampeg will be at least a bit fatter and smoother sounding and GK will have a bit more kick in the mids (which is why they are sometimes perceived as sounding faster). I have very limited experience with SWR so I can't recommend for or against them.
 
#11
or a mesa boogie 400+..... or one of those 200 watt "Mywatt" amplifiers- that would prob be my choice. That thing seems to sound great for the prog metal thang (sound clips meah---->Invalid Link Removed) Put it together with those 212s and possibly a thunderbird bass and I dont think you could get anymore prog/metal than that!

Maybe the 400 watt? more break up on the 200... probably better suited
 
#12
TF Ghost said:
It's not listed, but I'd choose a Mesa M6 or M9.
Click to expand...

This

or if you want versatility...get a good preamp (say, a VT bass deluxe) and juice it with a good power amp. It's like having 6 amps in one. If you own any distortion/overdrive or fuzz pedals, the VT will do WONDERS for it if you stick it before the VT in your signal chain. My crappy, cheap DS-1 sounds amazing with the VT. :bassist:
 
#13
If you care to, you can search out my other threads regarding my amp experiences over 8 years being in progressive metal / technical hardcore / metalcore bands but here are my recommendations:

For Clean Fingerstyle:

-Genz Benz Streamliner 900 and Genz Benz Uber Cabs
-Ampeg SVT-7pro and 610HLF
-Genz Benz Shuttle or Shuttlemax and Uber cabs

For Dirty Fingerstyle:

- Ampeg SVT-7Pro and Bergantino NV610 or SVT810e
- Genz Benz Streamliner and Genz Benz XB3 cabinets
- Tech21 Sansamp RBI + power amp and NV610 or SVT810e
- Orange Bass Terror and NV610 or SVT810e

For Pickstyle:

- Learn to play fingerstyle :eek::D

If you're wealthy:

-Ashdown Small Block 427 and Ashdown CL-810
-Marshall Lemmy Rig
 
#17
I voted for the 7pro, but I may change to the SWR upon reading your description. I use a WP700, which has an excellent clean base tone (not quite as potent as the 7's) but in my experience, it handles effects much more readily and effectively because the tone s much less colored initially.

that being said, the ampeg line is certainly more traditional in this setting, and the tone would be much more familiar at its core.
 
#20
Not sure if I am buying new or used, I was originally going to order it on MF and then sell my Line 6 Lowdown HD400 and the FBV Express MkII I have on craigslist it cover the money, but MF recently put up a Shipping soon thing under the 1001RB so I might be buying used because, in my experience MF tends to post those dates its shipping stuff way too early and then just periodically pushes them further away. I remember when I originally was going to get the MB800 and in June it said it would be out in August... now it is moved to October. Also I was looking at the Ampegs because the two GC's near me have a few models that sound good, but they are quite warm and that isn't something I entirely want but at the same time, if the price was right I would go for one
 

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