belated N(B)AD - Gallien-Krueger 400RB

[marqueemoon]

I've been staking out the usual places for months looking for one of these at the right intersection of condition and price. I played several, mostly Class D amps in the meantime and they're just not for me. My first bass amp was a GK (200RB), and most recently I've been borrowing an 800RB. That sound is just burned into my brain, apparently.

Took delivery on Friday. Looks like one replaced pot and rubber foot. Lots of small scratches, but overall pretty clean for a 30 year old amp.

I had been running the 100W section on the 800RB as the low frequency power amp is apparently burned out, so at 200W this is actually more power than I'm used to. It's not dramatically louder, just a little fuller sounding. Finally got to try it at practice tonight and it just fits so nicely around the guitar, vocals, and drums. I think it would make a reasonable clean ss guitar amp too. Maybe stick my RV-6 in the effects loop or something.

[Embenny]

Nice! I adore GK amps, and the 400RB is a classic. I don't know if they're "underrated" per se, as they've been around for ages, but they're at least underrepresented in online bass gear forum culture.

Their old stuff is great, their new stuff is great - I'm a fan all around.

[marqueemoon]

Nice! I adore GK amps, and the 400RB is a classic. I don't know if they're "underrated" per se, as they've been around for ages, but they're at least underrepresented in online bass gear forum culture.

Their old stuff is great, their new stuff is great - I'm a fan all around.

To me it’s one of the all time classic bass sounds.

The 800RB gets more attention, but biamping really isn’t a thing in 2019.

[Embenny]

To me it’s one of the all time classic bass sounds.

The 800RB gets more attention, but biamping really isn’t a thing in 2019.

For sure. Bassists (and guitarists) also seem to be trending toward less wattage on stage than they used to. In many situations the bass amp, if there is one on stage, is being used as more of a monitor than anything, with a DI signal going to FOH anyway. And if it's a small enough venue to not be able to handle the bass with their FOH, then you aren't gonna be needing a cranked 800RB or SVT or whatever anyway.

And like you said - biamping isn't really a thing, partly because of that.

When I saw Pinback a little while ago, ABSIV was rocking one of those new tiny MB heads (500 or 800, they look identical) and man did his tone kill. I was impressed. Alembic into GK - doesn't get much better than that.

[marqueemoon]

Right. Watts are cheap these days and even modest clubs often have subs.

Filling the room is no longer a requirement, and I’d actually prefer the person running sound decide how much low end is needed. They are literally in the best position to judge.