Members KASH Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 I am thinking about getting a GK 1001RBII but now with the new Fusion 550 I'm not sure. I play heavy rock/sleaze metal and I'm not sure if I can get a 'deep' 'tubey' sound from the 1001RB, I know it's a solid state, but can I get it to sound more 'ampegish'? Will the 550 be 'warmer' with the tube preamp? I sometimes feel the GK sound a bit bright/dry, but can I get it more 'bassy' with the EQ and the boost feature? Any ideas how to achieve this? About the cabs, if I get a 1001RB for instance, should I go for: 1 x 410RBH or 2 x 410BLX? I like Ampeg also, but at the same price I can only get the SVT 3 PRO and I'm afraid it's not too loud (competing with VERY loud drummer and a Mesa boogie rectifier here) and I need that extra volume particularly in large venues and open air gigs. However if you know of a good Ampeg rig in the same price range, please advise. Alternative heads/cabs welcomed Many thanks for your help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 I am thinking about getting a GK 1001RBII but now with the new Fusion 550 I'm not sure. I play heavy rock/sleaze metal and I'm not sure if I can get a 'deep' 'tubey' sound from the 1001RB, I know it's a solid state, but can I get it to sound more 'ampegish'? Will the 550 be 'warmer' with the tube preamp? I sometimes feel the GK sound a bit bright/dry, but can I get it more 'bassy' with the EQ and the boost feature? Any ideas how to achieve this? About the cabs, if I get a 1001RB for instance, should I go for: 1 x 410RBH or 2 x 410BLX? I like Ampeg also, but at the same price I can only get the SVT 3 PRO and I'm afraid it's not too loud (competing with VERY loud drummer and a Mesa boogie rectifier here) and I need that extra volume particularly in large venues and open air gigs. However if you know of a good Ampeg rig in the same price range, please advise. Alternative heads/cabs welcomed Many thanks for your help!!! My 1001rbII does deep just fine. If you're looking for a "tubey" sound, buy something with tubes, but don't buy something with just a tube pre, because you'll probably be disappointed. I haven't played the Fusion, can't comment there, but the 1001rbII has done everything I've asked it to do across a few genres. I love that amp. If you're going to buy an Ampeg, don't fuck around with the #-pro amps, get an SVT-CL. At the very least you'll be getting the tone you're looking for and you won't be bitching about not having enough power and/or volume. As for cabs, you'll do better with a single RBH than you will with two BLX's. The stack will be louder, but the RBH will sound better, and trust me, with the 1001rbII, it will get PLENTY loud. Plus if you decide you don't like it after a while, it will still be worth something on resale. C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Optimus Prime Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 I kinda want to sell my Ampeg SVT-CL and pick up a Fusion. I also want to get rid of my Avatar 410 and get a Mesa Powerhouse 1200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KASH Posted January 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 My 1001rbII does deep just fine. If you're looking for a "tubey" sound, buy something with tubes, but don't buy something with just a tube pre, because you'll probably be disappointed. I haven't played the Fusion, can't comment there, but the 1001rbII has done everything I've asked it to do across a few genres. I love that amp.If you're going to buy an Ampeg, don't {censored} around with the #-pro amps, get an SVT-CL. At the very least you'll be getting the tone you're looking for and you won't be bitching about not having enough power and/or volume. As for cabs, you'll do better with a single RBH than you will with two BLX's. The stack will be louder, but the RBH will sound better, and trust me, with the 1001rbII, it will get PLENTY loud. Plus if you decide you don't like it after a while, it will still be worth something on resale.C7 You've got a point with the tube sound overall but the SVT-CL is out of my league money wise. About the cab, my only doubt is: 1 RBH is not that big (in terms of height and ear level comparing to a stack) and I'm not sure if I'll even use the hornet, which I don't think i'll need. As you have a 1001Rb, does the boost feature make any difference? Thanks for your help, very much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 You've got a point with the tube sound overall but the SVT-CL is out of my league money wise. About the cab, my only doubt is: 1 RBH is not that big (in terms of height and ear level comparing to a stack) and I'm not sure if I'll even use the hornet, which I don't think i'll need. As you have a 1001Rb, does the boost feature make any difference? Thanks for your help, very much appreciated That amp and cab combination would be so fucking loud that you won't need to worry about it being up by your ears. Also, look at the shape of the cab; you can put it on it's side and tilt it back if you need to. As for the tweeter horn with the GK biamp, it's about the best you're going to find when it comes to sound quality from a tweeter in a bass cab. The Boost feature is cool, it's almost like an auxiliary volume control. I keep it set at 12 o'clock, same with the Woofer control, and use the Gain knob on the preamp side to control my volume. C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 The GK amp with "boost" turned up a ways (I'd suggest 12 at a minimum, but probably higher) will do an amazing rock sound. Slightly dirty, but still monstrously deep. I'd suggest going with the 1001 if money is an object---600-650 new (Rmcaudio.com) vs. a couple hundred more for the fusion for I believe less power. If you're wanting a tubey sound for sure, and can afford a Fusion 550---buy a used Mesa 400+ or SVT-Cl instead. You can get them both used for the price of a new Fusion 550. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KASH Posted January 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 Would save money and get a 2001RBII instead be a good idea? Or the would the 1001RBII be enough for my needs? (medium gigs, the odd open air festival, etc)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 You know what I'm going to suggest; Fusion without question. If you need more power than what the Fusion offers you are probably playing stadiums:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KASH Posted January 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 You know what I'm going to suggest; Fusion without question.If you need more power than what the Fusion offers you are probably playing stadiums:D What are the main differences from the 1001Rb, I know it's a hybrid, it has a tube preamp and the solid state amp is the same or similar, higher price...but sound wise? Can't find a shop with one to try out around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 Would save money and get a 2001RBII instead be a good idea? Or the would the 1001RBII be enough for my needs? (medium gigs, the odd open air festival, etc)? The 1001rbII will be plenty. That amp is loud, man. Dan-O really likes his Fusion, too. I guess if you can try them out side by side, do it. Tonewise I'm sure they're two different animals. All I know is, if I ever need an amp with more mustard than the 1001, I'll buy another one and use them both. C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 What are the main differences from the 1001Rb, I know it's a hybrid, it has a tube preamp and the solid state amp is the same or similar, higher price...but sound wise?Can't find a shop with one to try out around here. Tube preamp, completely different from the 1001 or 2001. It's a naturally clean amp with tons of clean usable headroom. You can get dirt out of it if you want fairly easily but I leave the dirt up to my pedals. From what you described, the Fusion is right up your alley. It's warmer and rounder than the 1001, it's a bit more versatile, equally as loud IMO. The GK sound is dry and punchy but the Fusion brings them into a completely different direction. I wouldn't say the Fusion could cop an Ampeg tone though, it's a bit too clean whereas Ampeg is more gritty and thick. I think either one of these amps will serve you well. I personally think the 1001 is better suited for metal applications but the Fusion is more versatile and could sit in just about any situation comfortably. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KASH Posted January 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 Now I really want to try the 550 but as i said, there's none available in my area. Is there any sound clips anywhere?!? for both 1001rb and 550? I tried youtube, but I only found a couple of players...and it's not the same thing. I guess I'll have to call every shop around here and try to test them both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 Now I really want to try the 550 but as i said, there's none available in my area. Is there any sound clips anywhere?!? for both 1001rb and 550? I tried youtube, but I only found a couple of players...and it's not the same thing. I guess I'll have to call every shop around here and try to test them both. No clips that I know of but there are quite a few threads over at Talkbass on the Fusion, there is even one on the Fusion vs. the 2001RB with some good descriptions and comparisons on the sound. I don't think you'd be unhappy either way. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 I don't think you'd be unhappy either way. Dan +1. It's just that if you go with the Fusion, you'll be as happy as Dan, but not as happy as me. C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted January 25, 2009 Members Share Posted January 25, 2009 Now I really want to try the 550 but as i said, there's none available in my area. Is there any sound clips anywhere?!? for both 1001rb and 550? I tried youtube, but I only found a couple of players...and it's not the same thing. I guess I'll have to call every shop around here and try to test them both. Where are you from? When dropping that kind of coin, it's really best that you hear your head and cab combination beforehand. If you want honest tube tone, there's only one way to get it, and that's with tubes. Hybrids will get you part way there, and that works for many. There are several great hybrid heads out there. That said, if your looking for grit in your tone, I would give serious consideration to a 1001RB with a SansAmp Bass Driver in front of it. That just might prove to be not only your biggest bang for your buck, but quite versatile as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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