Gallien-Krueger 800RB Head

This was made either the early to mid 90's. This amp is definitey very versatile for the style of music I play. It can cover just about anything, from jazz to metal. The 800RB has been a mainstay for 20 plus years and nothing about the features has changed. Now I don't know about the quality of the 2000 and up models but the 80's I believe may have the highest quality made and second the 90's. The features are simple, with effects loop and biamp capablities. What I really like are the 3 filter voicings. You can change your sound for the style of music with just a push of a button. It significantly alters the sound from deep smooth bass to punchy in your face bass tones. With 300 watts into 4@ and 200 into 8@, it certainly has enough power for most situations.

I use a Fender American HotRod P Bass with Vintage P/62 Jazz pickups.
The 800RB is very quiet and it's designed for live and studio work. This amp can get a variety of sounds. Like I've stated before it's been a standard for 20 plus years and can cover just about any style of music out there.

This is a 90's model and I recently just got it. It's been very reliable during practice sessions and have no doubt that it will continue to last without any problems. These amps are workhorses!

Great service!

I've been playing bass for 16 years. If it were stolen? I wouldn't mine getting another one but there are many good bass amps out there that I would check out first. But I certainly wouldn't hesitate to get another 800RB especially when they can be had for a great deal in the used market. They sound great and reliable. What's not to like about it? I was a longtime ampeg svt III user and that amp has been great to me. But I always wanted to own a GK ever since I saw a band play out and the bass player had and 800rb with an ampeg 8x10 and it sounded incredible!

I think the model I have was made somewhere from the late 80's to the mid 90's. It???s kicks in full at 800 watts through a combination of different outputs. There???s two 4 ohms and two 8 ohm outputs a switch for a buy amp mode, which is what I use. Also there are two different volumes for the 8 ohm output and the 4 ohm. I just use the two 4 ohm through two separate 15 peavey black widow speakers in custom built cabs. There is a verity of buttons on the head. There is a low cut, mid cut and a high boost. Also there is a switch for a low-end boost that can be operated by a foot switch. I find that were my amp .is eq it really does nothing but boost the volume. No complaints here. oh yeah also it is so so so light weight.

Hands down the best solid-state head I have ever used. For some reason with this head you are able to get the most spectacular high crunch while also getting the kind of low that makes your hair stand on end. Crystal clear grinding crunch. I love it

The only problem I had was the screws coming loose on the outer shell from the vibration. I try to stay on top of it, it not really a problem. It???s gonna happen when you play as loud I do.

I???ve played bass for about 15 years. I???ve used all types amps, sunn, edan, hiawatt, peavey, swr, fender, crate, and so on. I???ve owned/own all types of amps, some work some don???t (I collect equipment). The only other head I???ve ever ben this happy with was my ampeg svt, but the cost of repairs on the ampeg and the weight be came too much. I read about these heads so I tried one and bout it on the spot. I love it. It gave me a new joy in playing again. It just cranks so much and weighs so little.

I'm guessing mine was made in the early or mid 90's. Everyone should know this amp by now: fully solid-state, separate 4-ohm 300w and 8-ohm 100w power amps, 4-band active EQ, biampable, effect loop, DI, three voicing filters (lo cut, mid scoop, and hi boost), and a footswitchable boost control for adding grind/growl. Painfully basic, but that's just a part of its beauty. It's very compact for an amp designed in 1982, and it only weighs about twenty pounds or so. It is rack-mountable with the optional rack ears and has a handle on the side.

The amp is very simple and pure; however, this simplicity is what lends to its versatility. Power-wise, it is insanely loud, even when only using the 300-watt section. I'm guessing it's due to its punchy voicing.

I use three mid-90's Warwick 5-strings: a Fortress One, a Flashback, and a Thumb BO. I also use a vintage Musicman Stingray. All four basses sound outstanding through this amp, and they retain their natural character and vibe without insane amounts of coloration from the amp. I play a lot of jazz and avante-garde, along with some experimental rock and even some hardcore. My tone is always big and strong, and the low B on the Warwick basses is always clear and fat-sounding. The best thing about the 800RB is how it keeps your sound strong while retaining your individual bass's character. If you play a crap bass, you'll get a crap tone.

The amp is very quiet with minimal buzz/hiss. The Boost knob is an amazing thing for rock guys... when you turn it up, the amp gets a lot meaner and louder without sounding like piss.

I'm currently using it with a borrowed ADA 1x15 cab, but soon plan on getting one or two Avatar 2x12 cabs, or maybe going all-out GK and getting some Neo cabs!

The 800RB is probably the most reliable amp on the planet. They are fairly common around here, and nobody I know has ever had a problem with one, and most of them treat the amp like hell. I always baby my gear, which probably just adds to the reliability.

I would totally gig this amp without a backup, and if I was using another amp, this would <i>be</i> the backup!

I've dealt with GK a few times, and they were amazing! Every time I've needed parts, they send them to me for free! Screws, handles, knobs, anything! And they're always super courteous on the phone. As far as email, they've always responded to me within a day.

I've been playing bass for about 5 years. The only other amp I currently own is an all-tube Mesa/Boogie Bass 400, which always seems to be on the verge of blowing its own brains out. I've also owned most of Ampeg's Pro series, as well as an SVT Classic. To be completely honest, I love the 800RB way more than any of them. I had one about a year ago, and regretfully sold it. A couple of months ago, I really found myself missing it's powerful, clean tone and unquestioning reliability, so I scooped up another one. If it were stolen, I'd probably just find another. They're ubiquitous, and with good reason: they're simply the best bass amp ever created.

Most other reviewers have covered the features, but I'll run through 'em once more: Solid state. 400w biampable (300 low/100 high) with individual master volumes for both low and high. Footswitchable boost. Effects loop. XLR Direct out. 4-band EQ with 3 tone-shifting buttons (low cut, mid scoop, hi boost). -10dB pad for active basses. And it's been that way since they first made the 800RB in the early 80s. Mine is a 1984 model (Thanks, Brian at GK for helping me ID the year). I bought it used from a local guitar shop. No, there aren't many features on it. There's no drive channel like on some of their newer models, and there's no 5-string voicing either. This is just the classic GK "grunt" in all its glory.

And what a grunt! I have a P-Bass Special (P-J combo) and I simply run it straight into the 800RB, eq set flat with no tone shift buttons pushed in. That runs through an old Peavey 115 cab with an Eminence Basslite C2515 installed (the stock speaker's voice coil blew). One word: Damn! I'm looking to eventually get a 2x10 cab with a tweeter to give me the full frequency range I want, but as far as the low-end goes, I really think I've got everything I'll ever need. I've tried Ampeg, I've tried Eden, I've tried Peavey, I've tried Fender. All of them make excellent bass amps, but there's just something about Gallien-Krueger's simple, well-defined, straightforward tone that I love.

The phrase "I have a 24-year-old amp that has never been serviced or needed servicing of any kind" probably doesn't get said too often these days, but that is the case with my amp. Short of maybe slighty scratchy pots, this 24-year-old amp has no problems whatsoever. Sure, there are cosmetic issues, but nicks and scratches just give it character, right? Anyway, I could gig (and have gigged) with this baby without a backup. I don't forsee having any difficulty with this amp unless it's an outdoor gig in the summertime, in which case I'd keep a small fan blowing on the back of it to make sure it doesn't overheat.

Gallien-Krueger is known for having a caring staff of people backing their products. I haven't dealt with them in any super-significant way (trying to get parts for it, sending it to them for servicing, etc.), but I did contact them with the 800RB's serial number to find out when it was made, and they provided an answer within three hours. Not too shabby!

Gallien-Krueger is still making the 800RB, and from what I hear, it still sounds as good as the earlier models. If you're a modern bass player who needs extended low end for your 5-stringers, you might do better to look at one of GK's newer models (1001RBII, for example), but if you're a bass player just looking for a classic sound that has a lot of definition, this is it. Look no further.

89 or 90 year model. all the features a pro bassist needs. not to much not to little. i get a good sound with little eqing. i use the mid scoop when slapping. never use the low cut or high boost. rarely use the foot switchable boost, but it comes in handy at times. i use this amp 3 to 4 times a week. i gig with 3 bands and free lance often. i play any thing i'm call for from r&r to r&b to funk and blues.this amp is solid state and VERY transperant sounding. a good bass sounds good and a crappy bass sounds crappy. 400 wats of bi-amp power? yea that enough.

i mainly use a roscoe 3005 and an american p bass. best suited for the clean slap and top 40 rock. has a little hiss while idling but not noticable when playing. popps a bit when you power it down. i have an assortment of speaker cabs including gk's, hartke. i useally use the 210 hartke on top for the highs and gk rbh 115 on the bottom for a beefer lows, faster highs. i always bi-amp. never distorts. never have to turn the volumn past 4 or 5 . this amp is loud and clean. sounds just as good at low volumes.

i bought this amp new in 89. it has never failed or given the slightest problem. i gig 3 to 4 times per week and it has held up to the roughest roidies and sound crews around. it has been dropped, had beer spilled on it, and left out in the heat and cold inside our trailer. i always carry a back up amp but have never use it( i might need to check it out to see if it still works lol).

never dealt with them

i have been playing for 30 years. i also own a swr baby baby blue which i think sounds much better and warmer( tube pre) than this amp however it is not powerfull enough for the big gigs. i also own an ashdown amp which is my back up rig. i wish this amp had a tube pre but i solved that promlem by using a high quality outboard pre and i also use a tube compressor. other than an bbe ( barely cracked on) and the rack mount tuner, i dont use any thing else. i choose this amp for the same reason most people don't like it. its VERY srerile sounding . it doesn't color the sound at all. a good bass sounds good a crappy bass sounds crappy.

My head is from 1991. All the same stuff - voicing filters, 100W/300W biampable solid state power amps, 4 band EQ, footwtchable level control.
For me these are plenty of features - I am definitely of the "less is more" thinking. I absolutely love the 4 band eq with the split high and low mid contorls. Being able to separately control 2 cabs whether going full throttly or biamped is an invaluable feature. This really helps you get YOUR tone!

I use a G&L L-2000, a Peavey Grind NTB and an OLP 5 string through this amp (mainly the G&L). This amp is the best amp out there - if you ask me. Way back in '90 I had a Crate 200W bass head. One day, as my ears got better - I figured out that it sounded like crud. Instead of jerking around, I sucked it up and bought a GK 800RB! Talk about no regrets - this thing growls, slaps and pops, can be round and fat - whatever you want!
I personally play a very attacking style with heavy fingering that 'clickety clacks' against the frets (big Stever Harris/Geddy Lee fan). I also due some aggressive slapping and this amp handles this style better than anything I have ever heard! needless to say, I have to watch the treble, but this head has such fantastic control of the sound that I never get too crisp of a treble sound - it is perfect. This is also the LOUDEST amp for the rating it has. I usually have the Power amps set at 12 o'clock, the level at 3 o'clock, and the main never goes more that 1/3 of the way up. This amp will move earth if you ask it to.
The amp powers a Hartke 2.5 XL on top and an Ampeg 410 HLF on the bottom. I really like the combination of paper drivers and aluminum drivers. This amp is taylor mad for this kind of set as you can really blend the different tones that these cas put out to your liking.

Like I said - it is a '91 and the only repair I ever had to make was replacing a knob that I broke when breaking down after a gig. I loaded it into an Anvil Road Case and this sucker still looks and sounds brand new!

I have never had to deal with them because as i mentioned - never had a problem!

I've been playing for over 20 years and have playe it all - funk, metal, cheez metal (80's-90's), blues, to my current family/responsibility gig - folk bank at church.
Along the way, after hearing soooo many great things about Ampeg and always liking Jason Newstead's tone, I picked up an SVT III head. Well, it's gone now and the GK remains. Enough said.

Solid-State, 300w low & 100w high end. I don't know what year it is; I bought it used about a year ago. I play contemporary jazz and gospel, R&B and Blues mostly. I use this head mostly in church primarily in "full range" mode. I only bi-amp when I really need an extra push and/or punch. I love the mid-contour and hi-boost buttons!

I currently play a Dean Q-5 and an Ibanez TR-500 expressionist (4-string). I generally get the sounds that I want with regard to power; just wish it was warmer.

I have read the other reviews and mine is no different. I haven't had any problems with the head itself. I had an issue with some severe popping a few months ago but later discovered that it wasn't the amp but an electrical problem with our lighting system. For some reason, my amps and our new spot lights didn't get along. (laugh)

I have only had to deal with them once. That was to ask general and procedural questions about the amp itself. I did not reach them at first. I left a message and within a day or so, they called me back. Again, no problems so far.

I have only been playing bass about 3 years; I am a converted keyboard player and vocalist. I bought a G-K at the recommendation of my instructor. I had only played Peavey stuff before I bought the 800 but I am totally satisfied with it. I have looked at buying a higher end head such as the SWR sm-900 or the Aguilar DB-500 but they are so pricey. When I dial in, I usually get the sounds that I am looking for. Also, I am a believer that a great bass will make just about any rig sound good anyway. My next bass will be a Roscoe or Sadowsky. Then, I won't need a big, expensive SWR or Aguilar. I believe (for the money) you just can't go wrong with the 800. If it were stolen, I would probably go buy another one just like it.

Plenty.
Too much maybe.
I prefer the full range sound over the bi-amp feature.
I wish it had an overdrive or some kind of tube simulation circuit.

This amp makes two sounds.
Bright and clean,and brighter and cleaner.
Not much in the way of warmth or crunch.By tweaking the voicing filters I was able to get some PUNCH but it is a very crisp punch.This amp is solid-state and NOT ashamed of it.

I only had this amp a little more than a year but it seems very reliable and rugged.I have been hearing since the mid-80s that all GK is amongst the most reliable gear ever.I seem to recall back some time ago always hearing "AMPEG SVT vs. GK 800RB" debates.As far as warm tone the Ampeg was the winner but when it comes to unstoppable bullet proof reliability and ease of maintenance the GK was the winner.
Also,the GK is about 40 lbs lighter.

Never dealt with them.

As stated I no longer own this amp.I acquired the 800RB as my first "serious stack" for my two USA FENDERs(Prcision and a Jazz).At that time I was stringing both basses with roundwound strings and playing with a pick.I placed the GK atop an AMPEG BSE 1x15 and an SWR Goliath Jr 2x10.
The sound was decent but not really as great as I wanted.The Jazz bass was good but my Precision clearly favored my AMPEG B100R combo.The limitations of the GK became really obvious when I made the transition to flatwound strings and plucking aggressively with my fingers.I wanted a John Paul Jones ZEPPELIN sound on my Jazz bass and a Geezer Butler SABBATH sound on my Precision bass.I got neither on the GK 800RB but once again my little AMPEG combo sounded much MUCH better.The Fenders now w/ flatwounds sounded totally dull and flat through the GK but round and full through the B100.Even with the offensive tweeter on the SWR 2x10 cab turned off the tone was always way too bright.I soon abandoned this stack and have since moved on.I only wish I had given the 800RB another chance through "beefier" cabs.Maybe AMPEG Classic 1x15 and 2x10 or the combination of a big 18"
could have thickened it up.

bought it in may of 98its a bi amp bass head . 300w low end 100 high end. sounds so good for solid state!!

this amp has lots of headroom. a deep fat sound . have a peavey dynabass with 3 band active pickups and it works well together.i use a 115 for low and 210 for highs and it will blast you away.lots of real power,not over rated power like some of the mopre expensive competition. yes i owned them too.

never broke down. never. and i play gigs every weekend,honestly.

never used them

been playing since 1976. have 2 genz benz cabs.would buy another if stolen.i love the size and weight. compared this to swr,mesa boogie and eden.same wattage catagory. over priced and sounded no better. in fact the gk is louder IMO using same cab when i bought it.if you want big fat sound and low wieght and price go for it

Recent model, I'm not exactly sure of the date manufactured. The amp is without question a versatile piece of gear. Anyone reading these reviews is probably already aware of this. The features are simple, easy to use, and effective. I believe the 100 watts for the upper frequency cabinet, at 8 ohms isn't quite enough, as I like to use bigger cabinets for this. A 4 ohm, 300 watt upper amp would be more useful. I do not use the boost feature, but I'm sure it is desireable for some bassists. Even so, the amp is pretty much the industry standard, and the rental company standard for reliable bass amps.

I use all kinds of basses, Uprights with Gage and Underwood pickups, Fender Precisions, an '87 Japanese re-issue Jazz bass, and several handmade (I'm a luthier) instruments -one is a 5 string with Alembic pickups, and the Stanley Clarke circut. This amp is suitable for just about any situation, I've been on the road, using rented 800rb's, through Hartke cabs usually, and it does exactly as it's supposed to do, no noticable anomalies. It gets a 9 out of ten, only 'cause there are more high tech, more powerful amps out there to choose from.

This amp is absolutely reliable. I had a problem with mine, as a result of a less than honest seller- I got it used in near mint cosmetic condition.....the channel volume pot was broken, and one input jack was questionable. This is not the fault of the amp at all. I have seen some of these used, with the knob centers missing, I think that's cheesy looking, and it's typical for GK knobs...a small complaint.

I've looked over the other reviews, and felt the need to write one because of my dealings with GK customer service. I needed to order the aforementioned volume pot, and the customer service people I dealt with were VERY helpful. The part was inexpensive, arrived quickly, and I repaired it myself. I had questions as to why the boost light was always on, and they explained that the newer models are wired this way, and you can use a footswitch to turn it off, or simply keep the boost volume pot in the off position. I think they were cool, considering that I had a relatively small problem. Good amplifiers, good people. I got the feeling that I mattered to them.

Playing 35 years, own so much other gear that I can't keep track of it all. These are quite plentiful, and replacing it would be reasonably easy, and inexpensive. I like the light weight, power for it's size, and versatility. I do not like the plastic input jacks, and circut-board mount pots,...they're cheap and prone to breakage. I bought one of these amps after hearing Kenny Aaronson play his OLD reliable 800rb at an outdoor concert, and diggin' the sound.