👕 Get New Ernie Ball Merch Now!
  • Ernie Ball
  • Music Man
  • Sterling by Music Man
  • Security notice: Ernie Ball staff will never send you a direct message about a prize or giveaway, and will never ask you to click a link to "claim" anything.
    If you receive a message like that - even from an account whose name looks official - do not click the link. Please report it using the Report link on the message so the moderators can act. A scam campaign impersonating admin accounts was blocked on 29 July 2026; those accounts are banned and their messages have been deleted.
Bongo 2026 Collection

Played my new amp today!

phatduckk

phatduckk

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
OK ... so ive had my GK 1001rb sitting in my living room since last monday and FINALLY today i got off my ass, took it to the studio to give it a whirl.

first impression ... its light :) I have an SVT Classic, so being able to carry my bass and my head at the same time is new to me. I put it on top of my Aggy 4x10 and thought "hmmm, my rig just got shorter". LoL Honestly, after using an SVT CL for so long this thing felt like toy.

So about how it sounds ... first off, i dont have too much tech knowledge about amps so consider yourself warned.

This amp rules! For the first time (not counting combo amps) Ive been able to set my Sterling and the EQ on the head flat and like what ive heard. This was NOT possible with my SVT CL .... now note: this is my opinion, im not claiming its fact.

I honestly just plugged in, turned teh volume up, ok fine ... way up. and it was great. lows from hell and clean highs from hell too. The presence, contour and boost knobs are great. They add a lot of flavor.

The SVT and I didnt get along. I just couldnt get the tone i wanted from it. But, honestly, thsi GK just had what i wanted right out of the box with no knob turning.

I feel like the SVT rounded things off. I think thats what tubes do right? The GK, to me, is closer to getting the "what my bass sounds like unplugged but loud" tone. To me, this gives more of a chance for the strings and my attack to matter. I can really hear my attack come thru with the GK .... i love that. Also picking at different places also sounded different (like it should). Again, i never erally got to this kinda "place" with my SVT.

the damn thing gets loud as hell too.

I really think this is a great head for punk rock. I dig it! And the price is right too!

I dunno why me and teh SVT didnt get along. I swear i tried and tried to no avail.

anywho... so thats my not-so-technical review of the 1001RB. now i wonder what an HH Ray and HS STerling will sound like thru it. hmm, and with a fresh set of stainless steel super slinksys?!??!!! ROCK :) we'll find out next week :)
 
GK and EBMM is a match made in heaven. Used a Y2K Ray through a 400RB-III for years. Only made the switch to Fender recently, and am currently saving up for a new Ray to match my GK.
 
Yep, great amps. I am really impressed with mine. I ned to do a little more tweaking though as I'm not 100% certain I have explored all the possibilities.
 
Glad you like the GK Arin! I also find that my 1001RBII gives me a more true representation of what my basses sound like compared to the SVT Classic.I've A/B'd these amps many times and the GK IMO just sounds better with my Stingrays. Going straight to the board in the studio and toggling between pre/post EQ on the XLR out on the 1001RBII I hear almost no difference.Now we just have to get you to try some of the Neo cabs.........:D
 
Nice review, Arin.

I should be able to give a review on mine from our gig next Sunday. I'm glad everything sounds great flat because I won't have much time to tweek mine between when I get it and the gig.
 
Arin, you know I was glad to hear the news.

Not only because Im a big GK fan, but becasue you listened to my opinion about what you were looking for. I was thinking, oh crap, if he hates it, hes gonna think Im an idiot, if he doesnt already.:D

Seriously loud amp for its size, and glad youre diggin Arin.
 
I sold my B2R yesterday; second owner...got all my money back on the sale. :D

I'm scaling back my rig to just the two 115BLX-II cabs run from the 700RB (540w mod), with my new SansAmp Bass Driver for extra seasoning.

For most of the gigs I get called for (classic rock/blues/classic R&B), it's the right set up. :cool:
 
Moondog said:
Hey - stop picking on the SVT-CL! ;)

Arin - did'ya sell/trade it?
Click to expand...

he he not picking on the SVT. The GK was just uber easy for me to get "what i wanted" out of. honestly, i assumed the SVT was gonna be perfect for me due to its reputation and the list of people who use it.
 
Whats funny with the GK stuff is that its hard for you to sound "wierd" It says so right in the owners manual and thier right, no matter how you set the thing, you wont sound odd, you always sound how your bass sounds, their amps just allow you to articulate certain aspects of its tone. Glad we got another 1001/EBMM player around here. Glad you like it phatty.
 
Im thinking of going with the 1001/neo 212 setup over the 700/112 setup... It only costs a little more (under $200) and itll last me ..forever.

My main thing is if the larger setup will be too loud for quiet practice.

Is it tameable?
 
Figjam said:
Im thinking of going with the 1001/neo 212 setup over the 700/112 setup... It only costs a little more (under $200) and itll last me ..forever.

My main thing is if the larger setup will be too loud for quiet practice.

Is it tameable?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I use the 1001RBII with one 2x12 for practicing at home and smaller shows.You'll get 460 watts into the 2x12's which can get pretty loud if you need it but can be turned down quite a bit and still sound good.If it's too loud at home you can always use the input pad......
 
Agreed, the 1001RBII into a NEO 2x12 is great for practicing and gigging. Sounds great at low volume and cranked - really a great combination.
 
Figjam said:
i think i know my next rig :)
Click to expand...

Wise choice m'friend. ;)

The 700RB + Neo 1 12 is a cute little rig but the 1001RB + Neo 2 12 is absolutely perfect. Great for practicing and gigging.

And a Neo 1 15 it always a great compliment as well. :D

Andrew
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Classic Rock N Roll Slinky
Back
Top