Gallien-Krueger RB series?

[mauerkraut]

Anyone have some one on one time with these heads? How are they?

They've produced the tones for Joe Lally (Fugazi) and David Wm. Sims (Jesus Lizard) and well... their tones are incredible. I currently have an Acoustic B200H that I've pondered ridding for something from the RB series. Thoughts? Recommendations?

[The4455]

I would not get one, for one major reason. The limiter sucks alot and is really "poppy" sounding and bad. I would get somethign else like a Hartke HA3500, simialar tones to the GK Rb sereies and, honestly, mutch better quality, versatility adn usability. The only thing I like about teh RB series is that I use the extremely shitty adn quiet overdrive channel as a mute, so I just turn the gain and volume down on itall teh way and use a footswitch to switch to it between songs so I can noodle about and not have to fiddle with my amp.

[mauerkraut]

Really?! Because it seems like one of the most roadworthy, "toss around" amps I've seen. Can you take the limiter off?

[The4455]

Really?! Because it seems like one of the most roadworthy, "toss around" amps I've seen. Can you take the limiter off?

No, the limiter is always on. I'm sure you could physically take it out, as in solder it out of the amp. But yeah, I would spend your money elsewhere. Now GK cabinets are awesome, especially the neo cabs, they are really light and realy loud. The cabs are great the amps are not. If you told me your budget I could point you in teh right direction.

[one bad monkey]

I would definitely NOT compare the GK rb series to Hartke at all, having owned both a HA 3500 and a 700 rb-II. Very different sounds from both.

I have not had any issue with the limiter at all, but then again, I didn't run this thing past 1 o'clock on the master volume. The 700 with an Aguilar GS-112 really was my rig for a couple of bands, and easily - EASILY - held its own in those settings and in theatre work, where volume control is a must. GK makes some really loud amps; even my MicroBass combo that I used for a while was a freakin' volume monster.

In the two years I had the amp, I gigged with it probably around 100 or so times in various venues, and unlike my Hartke, it fired up every time and stayed on. It was very reliable.

If there's anything I can say about GK that is negative, it is that a GK amp will ALWAYS sound like a GK amp. It has that signature tone that you can distinctively tell apart from other amps, and you can't dial out or filter, no matter the components used. Every bass I had sounded a lot more similar than usual when run through the GK, whereas direct they all have distinctly different voices.

Ultimately for me, I needed something more transparent and clear which was why the GK left my arsenal. But if I was doing another rock/blues band, I'd pick up another 700 in a heartbeat.

[Joe Gress]

GK 700RB-II user here. I've got it matched with an Avatar 210. I've never had problems at all getting the volume I need, but this wasn't with a loud rock band or anything like that. I wish I could match it to some better and more (than 2) speakers. It does have that GK tone, so if thats what your looking for, its hella easy to get. I've never used the Biamp myself, but I imagine it works the way its supposed to. As far as the limiter going off this was only when I had a loud pop from static building up in one of my pedals. I've driven that sucker hard to. Lots of dirt and fuzz with a booster. I've never had it clip so far. I've always got the boost function nearly dimed as well.

[mauerkraut]

I just want a nice solid state amp that has a nice clear and crisp midrange, nice and bubbly. I'm getting that from my Acoustic B200H but there is a certainly quality I hear in that GK tone that draws me to it. But damn, I think their amps are ugly. No fashion show though. I will look into Hartke 4455. I wish I would just line up my Acoustic and shoot it out against a GK RB series and a Tech21 VT Bass 1969 (which also has my attention).

[Joe Gress]

To me the GK tone is so clear but not Hi Fi at all. It has a little edge/ss grind to it that really sits in the mix, and shines through when needed.

[theshoegazer]

I loved my RB800 when I had it. Incredibly solid and had a really nice round sound to it. It was an 80's model though so they may have changed over the years?

[mauerkraut]

To me the GK tone is so clear but not Hi Fi at all. It has a little edge/ss grind to it that really sits in the mix, and shines through when needed.

Exactly. It's a really articulate sounding amp. And it has that tube-like mild edge to it.

I loved my RB800 when I had it. Incredibly solid and had a really nice round sound to it. It was an 80's model though so they may have changed over the years?

"round sound" is a good way to describing it. Nice midrangey bump. Not too nasally either. 80-90s model would be ideal for me

[adrianlee]

I'll buy your acoustic head.

[Joe Gress]

"round sound" is a good way to describing it. Nice midrangey bump. Not too nasally either. 80-90s model would be ideal for me

The 800RB hasn't changed at all since they released it.

[mauerkraut]

"round sound" is a good way to describing it. Nice midrangey bump. Not too nasally either. 80-90s model would be ideal for me

The 800RB hasn't changed at all since they released it.

Yes, but some of the other RBs have changed in graphic and tone. I don't think it's a huge difference, but hey!

[Eric!]

Used a 400RB-IV, currently own a 700RB-II, I've rather enjoyed them both thoroughly

[Joe Gress]

Yes, but some of the other RBs have changed in graphic and tone. I don't think it's a huge difference, but hey!

Oh yeah there is a definite difference between the RB's and the RB-II's. The RB-II's are cleaner louder, and have a few improvements here and there.