Gallien Kruger 800RB

[toneseeker74]

I know that an 800RB can get punchy 80's tones, but can it do rounder heavy 60's and 70's stuff too? I'd like to cover a wide range of tones...McCartney, Entwistle, Geezer Butler, Berry Oakley, Duff McKagan. I'm betting this is too much to ask for the 800RB, but I wanted to hear from those who have used it. If I have to get a two-amp rig, I'll probably get something like a Traynor YBA-1A or YBA-3 for tube tones and the 800RB for more modern stuff. Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[toneseeker74]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

Nobody?

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

The GK has a signature tone, that is aggressive and growly. You can dial it back to get some other tones out of it, but it retains a bit of that DNA still.

 

[toneseeker74]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

Thanks, Bad Monkey! That's the type of info I'm looking for :burnout:

 

[kilphody]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

Back in the day when I worked for the sound co' GK ruled.
Now I'm an EBS freak.
PC

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

Mckagan used the 800 almost exclusively until the 2001 came out. Nails the Geezer, Glover and Entwistle tones too, though Mccartney might be hard to pin down unless you use everything else he was using, particularly the tapewound strings in order to tame the amp, but it should be able to cop an acceptable Paul tone. Pretty warm sounding for a solid state, tons of punch, output and growl. I'd say it's exactly what you're looking for.

 

[toneseeker74]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

I have a lead on an 800RB!

 

[brunogio]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

It might be what you're looking for. I played one with a bass with active pups and it had a lot of growl. It didn't get really that thumpy warm thing. At that time I switched to a Fender BXR bassman head that was also SS and had more warmth I was looking for.

 

[marcboomer]

Re: Gallien Kruger 800RB

I lived with this old favorite for years for the 70's/80's tones I was playing. I used the mid contour button ON always for vintagy tones. With it off, it can get harsh and growly. Always clean and powerful. Now it's always in my truck as an emergency backup to my Eden's and SVT's just in case due to its super small size. It's worth getting even just for that.