Please help me build a GK rig for Stealth

[oddjob]

You can get the 1001RBII for much cheaper than that through www.rmcaudio.com.

The preamp of the 1001RBII is almost identical to the 800RB. The changes are that where you have switches for contour and presence, the 1001RBII has pots that can achieve all the tones in between. Also, the 1001RBII is rated at 700 watts into 4 ohms, but also has a 50 watt tweeter amp. I run it with the tweeter amp all the way off because I think it sounds best that way.

The 1001RBII is around the same weight as the 800RB, but it's only 2 rack spaces vs 3, and it's fan cooled vs fin cooled. Even with my loud hard rock/metal band with no PA support the 1001RBII does the job just fine into an 8ohm load (Neo 2x12), and I never have to turn it more than 1/2 way up on the woofer volume. Having all that headroom is nice.

The 800RB is a great amp. If it's suiting your needs then I see no reason to upgrade to the 1001RBII. If you're buying new then I see no reason to buy the 800RB over the 1001RBII.

+1 on most of it.
The 800 has that very distinctive GK sound (screamin' '80s ). Like Moto said they had to change some of the internal designs to get the full range eq happening. In the process, they lost some of "The Tone." While the 1001RBII almost nails it it is like saying a Bongo almost nails a SR tone (it is in the ballpark but if you know what to listen for you know it isn't it). At the same time, the 1001RBII has its own distinct tone and I honestly like it better than the 800. Gene over at GK said that all of their amps were built to aproximate the 800 sound at some setting but now they are thinking 1001...

Go with the 1001RBII (IMO).

 

[Dr Stankface]

1001RB-II at www.rmcaudio.com.

Musician's Friend sells it for $749.99 + shipping and tax. RMC sells it for $600 shipped.

 

[oddjob]

1001RB-II at www.rmcaudio.com.

Musician's Friend sells it for $749.99 + shipping and tax. RMC sells it for $600 shipped.

Which means that GC most likely could put you in the 600-650 range...
[starting the chant] 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II 1001RB-II

 

[Randracula]

I believe the 1001RBII also has a wider frequency response than the 800RB.That coupled with the extra power/headroom makes it a good choice if you play a 5 string.
Here's a quote from Dan Elliot(GK Artist Relations) taken from a TB thread

the 1001RB-II and the 800RB use the same EQ design but the 800RB lowend rolls off sooner. It's also got a lower damping factor so is not as quick as the 1001RB-II. Some players like a bit of sag in their tone. It's not as slow as a tube amp, just a little slower than the 1001RB.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Buy the most power your budget will allow.

 

[MingusBASS]

I'm going to get beaten for this but: Why GK? Don't get me wrong, I like GK but have you tried a lot of other brands? The Markbass heads should be coming out soon. You should be able to get a LittleMarkII(500watts 7lbs) for around $600. I've heard that Ashdown makes some pretty sweet stuff too. I will say that the GK 1001RBII gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm going to get beaten for this but: Why GK? Don't get me wrong, I like GK but have you tried a lot of other brands?

It would be just as easy to ask: Why an "all in one" head, given that quality pre amp + power amp rack rigs can give you double the power for around the same price or less. But that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

 

[Randracula]

I'm going to get beaten for this but: Why GK?

Beacuse that's what he's asking about.If he asked about something else that's what we would all be talking about.I'm all for people trying different equipment and getting what suits them best.There are plenty of good amps out there

 

[GassieBall]

Just got back from a pah-tay and whew this thread took off. Yeah, Andrew, I was specifically asking about GK because that seems to be a very popular combination and I have not been able to play many of them around my area (yet). My purchase is gonna be a while off since I want to get my Bongo first and bring it around rig shopping. If it is gonna be GK, then it pretty much looks like it'll be the 1001 but ya know, I haven't even played through on yet so I can't really say, but the more I lurk around here the more I think you guys really know your stuff (unlike some of the BS I read on other places).

 

[Motojunkie]

Beacuse that's what he's asking about.If he asked about something else that's what we would all be talking about.I'm all for people trying different equipment and getting what suits them best.There are plenty of good amps out there

I totally agree. If he had asked about Eden (I only have experience with the Nemesis line) or the HD-500 then I could talk a bit about them, but since he asked about GK that's what I responded with.

I'm quite confident that I can get useable tones out of any number of amps out there. I get my useable tones out of my GK when it's set flat. That's why I speak so highly of them - no adjustment required for great tone. Which also means that there's a lot of tone shaping available since I don't have the EQ maxed out - it's dead in the middle.

 

[BigStrings]

No doubt about there being plenty of good amps out there, the problem is getting to play them side by side. Something else, different amps sound better with different basses. I'm sold on the GK 800 with my double H Bongo 4. I tend to agree with the above information that the 800 low end rolls off rather quickley, but paired with the double H Bongo, (low end signal galore), it's perfect. My single H Sterling paired with the 800 could use a little more low end but paired with my Seymour Duncan 400 (great amp, not made anymore), which has enough low end to loosen your teeth, it sounds great. I've got a double H Stingray 4 coming in about a week (reason I'm trying to sell my Sterling) and I can't wait to see which amp it will sould best with.

 

[GassieBall]

Yeah, Eden, Markbass are still in the running. I don't know how to explain it but Ashdown has never "done it" for me. It's just that wherever I search, I see EBMM/GK as a very popular combo. To tell you the truth, I've always been partial to the Ampeg sound, but I need to get out of that mode and think out of that box.

Heck, if I didn't come here, I would be playing an American Jazz instead of a Bongo in a month!

 

[Motojunkie]

Heck, if I didn't come here, I would be playing an American Jazz instead of a Bongo in a month!

We're glad you made it. And not only because we averted that tragedy, but because you're obviously fitting in around here.....

 

[GassieBall]

We're glad you made it. And not only because we averted that tragedy, but because you're obviously fitting in around here.....

Aww, shucks, man, thanks!

 

[oddjob]

To tell you the truth, I've always been partial to the Ampeg sound, but I need to get out of that mode and think out of that box.

I realize that you are trying to get out of that mold... but why??? I don't like Ampigs but if you do roll with it (Bongo/SVT4 is suppose to be a great combo). While GK and Ampigs aren't polar opposites they are tonaly different (the new GK amp might be what you are looking for though... 500 watts with a tube front end... it is suppose to rock).

I have the other side of the story... liked SWR but wanted to get away from it (but loved the sound)... got a Pig Classic 'cause it was the popular thing, sounded ok but wasn't me... sold it and got another SWR.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Haha. Personally, I didn't even go amp seeking after I heard the Neos at Travis' house. Listening to the tone of this setup at his place, I was a kid looking at a really freakin' tall building. Drooling and all!

 

[GassieBall]

Ritch,

You're point is really on the mark. But I'm just trying to really see what people think about a really good GK rig and when I get the Bongo, I'm gonna find one and plug into it, and then hopefully it'll bring tears to my eyes (like that Heart clip in the other thread, sniff sniff).

I was one of those "Bongo, WTF, no - no way!" and then it's like, "Whoa, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

I'm hoping the same will happen with the GK/EBMM combo.

OK, here's a little S.A.T. in Ed's head type analogy (really, really deep)...

Gallien-Krueger : Ampeg :: EBMM : Fender

 

[oddjob]

Ritch,

You're point is really on the mark. But I'm just trying to really see what people think about a really good GK rig and when I get the Bongo, I'm gonna find one and plug into it, and then hopefully it'll bring tears to my eyes (like that Heart clip in the other thread, sniff sniff).

I was one of those "Bongo, WTF, no - no way!" and then it's like, "Whoa, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

I'm hoping the same will happen with the GK/EBMM combo.

OK, here's a little S.A.T. in Ed's head type analogy (really, really deep)...

Gallien-Krueger : Ampeg :: EBMM : Fender

Well I hope you do like the GK/Bongo combo (I know I do)... by the time you are ready the GK Fussion should be out though and I have heard it does nothing but awsome things for EBMM's (Gene over at GK said he loves Bongos and the Fussion loves them too). Well good luck with your amp hunting and keep us informed...
As to the SAT thing... reminds me more of my Miller's Analogy Test to get into grad school... oh the nightmares

 

[MingusBASS]

GK:McDonalds hamburgers:Saturn Cars:Faygo Pop

I'm just kidding!!!

 

[GassieBall]

Hmmm, gotta go get a Big Mac!

GK Fussion? Oh darn, gotta do some google-ing

Ed