Gallien-Krueger 1001RBII / GLX 810

I play in a rock/alternative band. We normally gig 2 weekends per month. I needed a bass amp after my Behringer amp died...(through no fault of it's own). I knew that I needed an amp over 500 watts, and I was tired of muddy lows and speaker clipping from using an underpowered cab. I went to my local GC an picked up a GK 1001rbII head. I loved the tone that I get with my jazz bass, and knew that this was the head I wanted. Now for a cab. The head was WAY too powerful for my current Peavey cab...constant speaker clipping and popping. I needed to upgrade to a cab that I could hear onstage. I researched reviews, looking at Peavey, Ampeg, Fender, David Eden, etc. I knew I wanted a sealed cab as opposed to ported, to maintain the integrity of the sound across the spectrum. One cab that kept coming back with top user reviews was the 810GLX or "Goldline" cab from Gallien Krueger. I have never been one to care if my equipment matched, but i thought it might be worth a try. I located one at a GC and tried it out. I was completely amazed at what a difference this cab made to my sounds. At first I was put off by the fact that the amp is bi-ampable, and the cab wasn't. GK also advertised the cab as having "scooped" mids...I would prefer my pre-amp section to create my tone. But the more I listened to the tones of the GLX810, the more I realized that I really didn't need a seperate tweet. I tuned down to B, (my lowest tuning) and played a hard driving line. My old cab would pop in protest at being asked to play so loud so low. The speakers reproduced this in a way I had never heard. Loud, clear and undistorted, sans the small amount of overdrive I add. Then I switched settings on the amp, using the contour scoop and the presence filter. Tried a little funk pop and slap stuff. Running through some RHCP bass lines, the high end actually caused my ears to ring, and I thought the slaps were going to knock the drywall down, so I turned down the gain. I have never heard highs this pristine, even through aluminum coned Hardke cabs. These GK designed aluminum cone speakers can put out massive highs and driving lows. This rig is better sounding (IMHO) than any tube or any other solid state amp I've played through, and that includes most brands. There is absolutely NO noise....at all, it's deathly quiet even with the gain up high. The tone I'm able to achieve reminds me somewhat of the late eighties Trace-Elliot tone, I really loved the highly compressed sound...but for a MUCH more reasonable price. This amp provides you with one of the industries best D.I.'s, with adjustable levels. I don't even use a seperate box running into the p.a. And the other nice thing is, I don't have to run into the p.a., as this rig doesn't need additional amplication. What I paid for this brand new full stack: 1001RbII- $650.00 GC; 810 GLX cab- $400.00 MF scratch and dent. Total $1050.00 for a versatile, loud, punchy stack. These kinds of deals are out there every day if you are willing to take the time to shop. If you play bass, check it out, as you will be glad you did.

I use alot of contour when I'm playing funk style. This cab has a natural midrange roll off. I was afraid that it was going to effect the "rock" sound I utilize. I was wrong. Pleny of mid-drive, and now I just use my contour and a little compression when I change back and forth. The highs can damage your ears with their volume. The lows literally shake the room. I haven't heard any distortion yet, even with the 1001 turned up half-way. I play through a Fender jazz bass (Geddy Lee sig), and a Cort artisan NB-4 with 9v Bartilloni's.

I haven't gigged enough sice owning to comment on the cab. The head is rugged. Mount this head in an amp rack, as rumors abound about how easy the finish will scratch. I haven't had a problem with the head, other than it overpowering my old cab.

I have not had to contact the company, other than to register the products.

I've been playing bass for 20 years. Ever since Duff was endorsing the GK stuff, and now I know why he did