Members been_effected Posted October 25, 2008 Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 I've been hit with a strange case of gas, and have started wanting a 1001-RBII to possibly replace my 1200. It's a downgrade in power, but tone wise I think there would be some differences that I might like. Only problem is I can't seem to decide. Need your opinions here people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 25, 2008 Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 The 1001RB is hands down the best bang for buck...IF THAT's what your looking for. The GB1200 is in a whole 'nutha class, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted October 25, 2008 Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 Since you already own the GB I'm not sure why you would want to change, despite the greatness of the GK. Two different animals. I say you try them both side by side and see which sound you like. I just haven't seen many top players playing the GB but I have seen a lot of them playing the GK. Doesn't mean the GK's better, it just might mean that they trust the GK and think there's no need to spend more than what the GK costs. You'll never need and more power or volume than the GK provides, that's for sure. 700w of GK is like 1000w of most other amps. It's in their pre-amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted October 25, 2008 Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 The GB basically does all the sounds of the GK and a little more, a little louder, for more than twice as much money. It also goes to 2 ohms and has a tube. I wish it were stereo/bridgeable instead of just a monster. It's an overpriced amp (by about 300 bucks, imho) but it is awesome, reliable, flexible, and very responsive. Regarding the GK1001, I think I am happier with my power setup with the GK2001RBP nowadays. The ohmage thing was one thing I could never get past with the GK -- it didn't go to 2 ohms, and so I couldn't do weird selections of speakers. Nowadays I use a stereo power amp, with a 1x12 on one side and a 2x12 on the other (the former used as more of a monitor for me and the drummer), and I'm pretty darned happy with it. Anyway, I loved my Gk 1001 RBII, and would buy it again if I wanted a smaller setup. It's a great price at 600ish bucks, flat out untouchable. ---------------------------------------------- Bottom line, when money is in the discussion, the 1001 RB destroys the competition from any manufacturer. The GBE is a better amp, however. Personally I would not limit myself like that. The GBE1200, while a great amp, is not the best thing you can find for 1400 bucks (in this humble bassist's opinion; I do think the Genz 2x12T Neox cab is the best for the money in its price range, however). At that price point you could start looking at a Thunderfunk or a really nice pre/power rig, or a tube head, or all kinds of crazy boutique {censored}. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members been_effected Posted October 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 26, 2008 OK so the basic consensus seems to be if deciding between the two units, the GK would win, but considering I have the 1200 already I should stick with it? I dunno, I guess the 1200 is clean and sterile. The GK has its own signature tone. I play rock, I play a Washburn/Warwick, both have their own signature tones. I was also lookin at the GK before I bought my GB purely because there are a lot of artists tones I like who use GK gear. It's not that I don't like the GB, its just that I think I'd like the GK more. That and I've come across a damn good deal to get a 1001RB-II.... I'm also getting lazy and wanting to lighten the load a little, and from memory the GK is a good 15 pounds lighter XD. Funny you should mention the 2x12T cab, was thinking about selling the 410 and getting a 212 instead too. Dunno...DON'T KNOW! so many decisions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pbass_groovin Posted October 26, 2008 Members Share Posted October 26, 2008 any clips out there of the same line played through each? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Assumer Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 I have gone through the same thing. I have a GB750 but often wish I had my 1001 back. Both great amps but there is something about GK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members been_effected Posted October 27, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 Well said good deal went before I could move. Probably not a bad thing. Realised too the GK can't handle a 2 ohm load. Not a massive thing, but considering most of the cabs I want so far are mostly 4 ohmers then it might not be all bad. Perhaps part of it is finding a cab to put under it that I like. I still really want a Bergantino NV610, but can't justify the size/weight with the venues we're playing atm. Been looking at GB 212 Neo's, but not convinced they'll put out enough volume at high levels. Tossed up getting a different 410 like an Eden or one of the Berg neo cabs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members justinbass Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 When you play out, do you have PA support, or are you relying on your rig for all of your sound/volume? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 OK so the basic consensus seems to be if deciding between the two units, the GK would win, I wouldn't necessarily say that - IMO, they're both excellent heads, and I'd happily gig with either - but I'd take the GBE 1200(or the 750) over the GK because I feel it's more versatile, and is 2 ohm capable... Also weighing in on that decision is the excellent customer service the Genz guys have demonstrated here time and time again... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 Even though some heads are rated at 2 ohms (capable) I just wouldn't feel safe running them that way. The GK with two good 8 ohm cabs, like the RBH 210 + RBH 1x15, will just blow your doors off. That being said you can always opt for the GK 2001RB and never worry about power. Some people knock GK cabs but the RBH series cabs are outstanding, especially when coupled with the GK heads. People love their GB's though so do a side by side and pick the winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members justinbass Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 Even though some heads are rated at 2 ohms (capable) I just wouldn't feel safe running them that way. Why not? I've run one for hours at two ohms in 90+ degree heat with no issues. GBs are work horses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 OK so the basic consensus seems to be if deciding between the two units, the GK would win... Depending on your goals. Is it maximum bang for buck? ...or gobs of power. I'd love to spend some time with the GB750, because the GBE600 is pretty impressive...but I can't imagine needing the headroom of the 1200. I appreciate my hearing too much to require a head like that. Anyway, I don't feel the difference between the SS sound of the two heads is that gigantic. It's not as though your deciding between the GBE1200 and the Orange all tube head. Or the 1001RB and the Traynor all tube head. More attention needs to be on your cab configuration, IMHO. That will have much more impact on your overall sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 Maybe it's not true for the GB's but in many cases running at 2 ohms (on a regular basis) will reveal problems that running at 4 ohms will not. It's like running a high performance car real fast. The high performance car is built to run fast but is still likely to have issues that you won't have running a Toyota Corolla at normal speeds. Correct me if I'm wrong but amps built to run at 2 ohms usually require some additional engineering to keep them from having problems, right? I like to hear a side by side comparison of the GK vs the GB at 4 ohms. It's still tough to judge because basically one might perform better than the other depending on what cabs you are using. You almost have to pick the cabs you like the best and then pick the amp that suits the cabs the best. GK's sound the best with RBH cabs, in my experience anyway. Not to say the GK's won't make Avatar and Dr. Bass cabs sound great but you need to re-wire them in order to take advantage of GK's bi-amping system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 78pbass Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 Maybe it's not true for the GB's but in many cases running at 2 ohms (on a regular basis) will reveal problems that running at 4 ohms will not. It's like running a high performance car real fast. The high performance car is built to run fast but is still likely to have issues that you won't have running a Toyota Corolla at normal speeds. Correct me if I'm wrong but amps built to run at 2 ohms usually require some additional engineering to keep them from having problems, right? I like to hear a side by side comparison of the GK vs the GB at 4 ohms. It's still tough to judge because basically one might perform better than the other depending on what cabs you are using. You almost have to pick the cabs you like the best and then pick the amp that suits the cabs the best. GK's sound the best with RBH cabs, in my experience anyway. Not to say the GK's won't make Avatar and Dr. Bass cabs sound great but you need to re-wire them in order to take advantage of GK's bi-amping system. I like the GBs a LOT, but they tend to like GB cabinets to sing best. Contrary to Jeff's statement above, my experience is that the GK's tend to be more universal. They sound better properly matched, but its less important that some of the other heads out there. In fact, i LOVED my Dr Bass's with my GK400RBIII. That may have been my favorite tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JeffBass Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 I like the GBs a LOT, but they tend to like GB cabinets to sing best. Contrary to Jeff's statement above, my experience is that the GK's tend to be more universal. They sound better properly matched, but its less important that some of the other heads out there. In fact, i LOVED my Dr Bass's with my GK400RBIII. That may have been my favorite tone. Yeah but the GK 400rb is a full range head and not a bi-amped head, correct? Pretty sure the bi-amping starts with the GK 700rb. The bi-amping heads actually work like any other head but the bi-amping is disabled for normal cabs as compared to GK cabs (with special crossover). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 You almost have to pick the cabs you like the best and then pick the amp that suits the cabs the best. This is what I was getting at, because between these two amps, your pretty much splitting hairs if it comes down to SS tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bigmac9137 Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 GET THE GENZ-BENZ 6.0 SHUTTLE! AMAZING..i wanted one for a while, but then bought an Ampeg SVT-CL. The Shuttle 6.0 is great, fat ass sound and very simple controls, hybrid, and only 3.7 pounds. Runs new for 600 with 600W. Cant beat it, its very very fat, punchy and clear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 GET THE GENZ-BENZ 6.0 SHUTTLE! AMAZING..i wanted one for a while, but then bought an Ampeg SVT-CL. The Shuttle 6.0 is great, fat ass sound and very simple controls, hybrid, and only 3.7 pounds. Runs new for 600 with 600W. Cant beat it, its very very fat, punchy and clear From reading the thread, it seems that tone is the priority, and how different(re. better) is the Shuttle than the 1200? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 If money were not an object, I think I'd roll with a Thunderfunk and two Neox212T cabs, were I going solid state. I don't see myself picking up the GB head under any normal circumstances (other than say, getting it for free, or half price). However, if I had to choose with money not being an issue I would take it over a GK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 Why not?I've run one for hours at two ohms in 90+ degree heat with no issues. GBs are work horses. Yeah, I've played a ton of 3 set shows under some hot conditions with Peavey amps(Mark IV, VI, FB 700, T-Max, etc...) at 2 ohms - never had a problem with any of those, either... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 I can't even count the hours I've spent running my old Peavey 400-series head from the 70's at 2 ohms into a 2x15 and 2x10 cab. Never any problems. My GBE-600 gets run at 2 ohms pretty regularly, too, either into the same two cabs as before or into the 2x10 and a 1x12, depending on the size of the gig (although I usually just run one of the smaller cabs when I'm playing a gig with decent PA support). As far as the amp choice, I've played through a GK 800RB before and loved it. And I bought a GBE-600 and love it. Once you get to an amp of that quality, it's all personal preference. I went with the GBE because of the outstanding customer service, the rave reviews of the product, and because the 750 had just been released and MF was blowing out the 600 amps so I got it way cheaper than normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poltergeist Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 i'd say a GK 2001RB if you need that much power. a GK 1001RBII is so insanely loud for what i'm doing that i'd never consider getting the 2001RB anytime soon, you know? loudest 700W ive ever heard without any sort of breakup at high volumes whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ToeJamFootball Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Man, if you are really having GAS over this "GK" , If you can afford it buy one. Then use it for a bit, trial it at some gigs and see how it goes. Then sell off the one you don't like. I strongly suggest you try the Neox212 though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members txbass68 Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 I have the 700RB-II with the GK NEO 212. I love the volume and tone of it. I have only played the GB in store so I really can't speak on its behalf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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