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Which GK Amp Best...

jmattbassplaya

jmattbassplaya

Supporting Member
Jan 13, 2008
11,837
9,833
#1
...exemplifies the GK growl that they are so well known for?

I've had my fun cycling through all kinds of basses and have finally settled on P bass and StingRays, and now I'm beginning to set sail on a wonderful GAS journey through the world of amps :)

Right now the 1001R looks like the ticket, but I figured I'd ask here just to get some opinions. If it helps, I dominantly play rock, jam, and funk styles of music, so I'd like a GK that best works with those styles.
 
#3
Classic GK growl = 800RB. I've said it before and will say it again. One of the best amps of all time and there's a reason GK still makes that dinosaur.

IMO GK's entire line growls, some more than others but the 800RB just grinds and growls with ease. Sum of the parts type thing.
 
#4
Probably more than you need, but I have a 2001RB for sale in the classified I'd give you a killer deal on. I don't need the power any more and went with one of GK's micro heads (MB500).

--Jason
 
#7
I don't know anything about the 2001 but I think the 1001 has the same control panel as the 700RB but is more powerful.

800RB
• 300 watts (4 ohms) low amp, 100 watts high amp
• Bi-amp/fullrange with crossover
frequency select
• Active 4-band EQ
• Switchabe contour, low cut &
high boost
• Footswitchable boost (valve effect)
• Effects loop, XLR out
• 1/4" outputs
• 17x5.25x8 (3 rack spaces)
• 25 lbs.

700RB-II
• 480 watts (4 ohms) plus 50 watt
Horn bi-amp system
• Active 4-band EQ
• Adjustable contour, presence & 4/5
string voicing
• Boost (valve effect)
• Seperate tweeter & woofer
volume controls
• Effects loop & tuner out with mute
• XLR out with level, ground lift &
pre/post switch
• Speakon & 1/4" outputs
• 19x3.5x8 (2 rack spaces)
• 19.5 lbs.

1001RB-II
• 700 watts (4 ohms) plus 50 watt horn
bi-amp system
• Active 4-band EQ
• Adjustable contour, presence & 4/5
string voicing
• Boost (valve effect)
- Seperate tweeter & woofer
volume controls
• Effects loop & tuner out with mute
• XLR out with level, ground lift &
pre/post switch
• Speakon & 1/4" outputs
• 19x3.5x8 (2 rack spaces)
• 22 lbs.

2001RB
• Dual 540 watts (2 ohms) or 1080 watts bridged (4 ohms) plus dual 50 watt horn bi-Amp system
• Clean & overdrive channels
• Active 4-band EQ
• Adjustable contour, presence & 4/5
string voicing
• Boost (valve effect)
• Seperate tweeter &woofer volume
controls
• Effects loop & tuner out with mute
• XLR out with level, ground lift &
pre/post switch
• Speakon & 1/4" outputs
• 19x5.25x12 (3 rack spaces) 42.5 lbs.
 
#10
The 800rb/400rb are THE classic GK's that started it all, and still among the best to this day IMO. The 700rbII get a little sweeter growl than the 1001, at least at sane volumes. They sound like they have slightly deeper lows than the 800 to me. It's all a matter of taste, you can't go wrong with any of those. Haven't played any of the new mb micros. They are said to sound pretty deep/strong, but still give that GK growl.
 
#11
I've used a ton of Gk over the years. MB200 amd MB2-500 for me now. Multiple 1001 RBII's ... I can find 'me' in any of them. As for growl, it's more or less a bs term as no 2 people can agree on what it is. Advice- try a couple and see which you like best. M Don't ignore the micro's... They are really darned good!
 
#12
jmattbassplaya said:
Any thoughts on the 1001 or 2001?
Click to expand...

If you need a whole lot of power the 1001RB and certainly the 2001RB will get you there in style. But if you want growl and don't need a boatload of clean power to do your gigs, the 700RB-II is more likely to get you where you want to go growl wise as you'll be driving it harder. The 700RB-II is no slacker power-wise AND you get the growl in spades.
 
#13
Depending on how loud you want to be...400RB or 800RB hands down. I've owned the 1001RB II...nice sounding head...but to me and my bandmates, the 400 or 800 is THE SOUND. And, they'll survive a nuclear blast...long after we're all extinct from the nuclear holocost...three things will be surviving...Peavey's, GK 400 and 800, and cockroaches...they will no doubt choose the GK's over the peaveys when they evolve enough to play bass.
 
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#15
Terry-MaQ said:
I've had a 1001rb-ii for about 6 years now and I really love it for heavy stuff with a nice set of steelwounds.
However, I am planning on selling it as my LMIII sees much more action these days.
I do think I'd regret selling though...
Click to expand...

I actually own a LMIII, which I love. Would you mind expanding on why you prefer your Markbass over the GK? Please :)
 
#17
will33 said:
The 800rb/400rb are THE classic GK's that started it all, and still among the best to this day IMO. The 700rbII get a little sweeter growl than the 1001, at least at sane volumes. They sound like they have slightly deeper lows than the 800 to me. It's all a matter of taste, you can't go wrong with any of those. Haven't played any of the new mb micros. They are said to sound pretty deep/strong, but still give that GK growl.
Click to expand...

Word has it that the 700RB-II can replicate ALL the tones of the 800RB (in addition to its own, more modern tones) - but that the reverse is not the case.

I can't testify to this from personal experience. Just thought I'd share... :hmm:

MM
 
#18
I'd look at the 700, 800, MB2-500 and MB Fusion if you're looking for the famous GK growl at proper gigging sound levels. Each has their own little twist on the GK sound, so it's a matter of what works best for you, can't go wrong on any of them.

Love the 1001RB, though, very clean and lots of headroom, but I prefer "riding the rails" myself and that one's a little harder to do that at sane sound levels. YMMV.

I have a 400 (besides the 800) and it too gets the classic GK sound but I prefer it for rehearsals, recording, or better yet, my DB w/one or two 10s :bassist:
 
#19
You will be happier with a 700 than the 1001, you can get that grind at a much lower volume, and still have enough volume to play bigger rooms. The 1001 requires stupid volumes to get that grit that GK is famous for.

I love my 700RB II
 

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