Gallien-Krueger Backline 110 Combo

The amp was made in 2008. I play both fretless and fretted, custom made basses. The styles I play are jazz, funk, rock and pop. This little fellow is just that versatile! The simplicity of it's features makes it easy to change from one style to the next one. It's got one channel with a -10db switch as well as a "channel selector" switch for going to a overdriven sound (with my fretless it gives me a kindda sync tone). The equalization is so sensitive and with the contour switch it just gives you every tone you might need. the tilt-back feature is very helpful and the 10' speaker surprises me as it brings out perfectly all the frequencies. I use this amp for practicing, rehearsing and small gigs and mounted over a table it will fill the air with a very impressive low-bottom punch.

As I said, I use both fretless and fretted custom basses, passive soap pickups, just volume knobs. This amp's sound versatility suits every style I play, very clean sound and the overdrive can be very fun. I've never had to play it with the volume all the way, as it handles perfectly my needs (here in Lima, Per??, almost every bar will have a P.A. system, so this amp functions mainly as a monitor in live situations; for rehearsing with my jazz trio or my rock band I will just mount it over a table and for practicing it stays tilted back in the floor).

Has never failed me.

I have never deal with them.

Been playing for around 15 years. I sing, play the uke, guitar (both acoustic -ovation steel and traditional handmade nylon- and electric -mainly a telecaster-), drums (premier set), percussion and a little keyboard (a small controller and Reason).

I would definitely buy it again. I've own a Peavey, a SWR, a Laney and been thru lots of other brands (Fender, Hartke, Ampeg). Never been happier with an amp like now with this little GK.

I just love it's small size, it always fits in whatever ride I get! It's got a pretty big sound and very good low-bottom. As I said, if I need to fill a large venue, I'll just go to the P.A., for any other scenarios, it's more than enough.

Not sure of year of manufacture, bought it in 2005 though. I don't get the volume complaints...I use this both to practice with a classic rock band AND gig with...does fine in either setting. i'm content with the features, especially per dollar. Would have LOVED it had they made the line out where it doesn't kill the internal speaker...there's already a headphone out that does that...distortion sounds cheap & cheezy but I don't use it anyway...overall an 8 here...

I like the sound of this...yeah, it gets farty turned up too loud...but anything I've ever played does...and for the money, this one is really loud and clear. I play this generally with a Spector rebop 4, sometimes a Gibson victory standard. I use the pad for the Spector, none for the Gibson. The sound is pretty neutral, which suits me, I like the neutrality and lack of color. I think it has low end enough for a 10 and it always surprises my drummer as to how much sound such a small box can make.

so far no problems...and I've used it HARD for over a year...

never dealt with 'em

If this were lost or stolen I'd head straight out to buy another...fits in the trunk of a Miata...sounds great, easily portable...I love it. I wish the dayum line out didn't kill the speaker (dumb...very dumb) and other than that just have nothing to complain about. My big ass Peavey rig's been getting left home in favor of this as of late...I'm getting too old for schlepping about a 300 lb monster amp...give me the backline.

2004 model GK backline 110. Bought as a practice amp. I play an eclectic mix of R&B, blues and random pop songs that shake my tree, all on an amateur basis. The amp is very flexible and can get a nice variety of sounds. It is only 70 watts so will not shake the walls and still have the nice tone but it sounds great at lower volume.

Has two channels one clean and one with a distortion circuit, pre and master volume setup with three band active eq. Footswitchable channel switching, headphone jack, direct out and line input for a drum machine or cd player. Best feature is that is it really, really small and light and still sounds good. I live in a 4th floor walk up and drive a two door hatch-back. I would say veritably laden with features for a such small amp

Use it with a Carvin LB70 with older H50n stacked jazz configuration humbuckers and 2 band active preamp - bass boost close to full and treble rolled off to ~50% boostor flat.

Generally I like the clean channel with treble at 11:00, mid at 2:00 and Bass at 3:00. I use the contour switch sometimes and do not use the -10 db pad at all in spite of the active bass. The amp has a nice warm and articulate tone that fits well with my needs. If I need a dirtier tube-like sound a touch of the distortion circuit does the trick. The distortion circuit is a bit much at higher settings though - transistorish clipping sound. Caveat is that the master needs to stay below 12:00 or distorted farting ensues - with as it turns out possibility of blowing the speaker.

Yes it is dependable within limits - this is not an appropriate amp for gigging though will work fine for low volume rehearsal or recording settings. It will not keep up with the volume of a drum kit or 50 watt 212 tube guitar amp unless the other musicians are sensitive about volume.

I did blow the speaker in just such a situation playing a percussive bassline at pretty much the amp's maximum usable volume (50% pre, 75% master).

I have had it repaired - the amp was out of warrantee when I blew the speaker but the guys at Amherst Music House got me a replacement G-K paragon 10 driver at cost - Thanks, Steve and Rusty!. So, based on the support I got from Amherst Music House, which is a G-K dealer, I would have to say customer support is stellar. Just another good reason to buy your gear at a local independent merchant vs. the behemoth mail order places - cheaper is not always less expensive in the long run.

Been a guitarist who owns a bass for 30 years, picked up the bass seriously after a several year hiatus from playing about a year ago and I am completely converted - should have switched years ago. Other instruments are: Tacoma DM9 acoustic, '75 Fender Stratocaster and a '66 Guild T100D played through an old Peavey Classic Tube amp.

If it were to disappear I would replace it. I love the small size and good sound. Wish it could be louder in the same size but it is a great practice amp.

I needed a 50-70 watt combo amp that was portable to be carted across campus, but still loud enough to work with a pop-rock band for practices and the occasional house party or dorm lounge gig. My 15 watt Crate practice amp is too weak to cut the mustard and my Ashdown MAGC210 300 watt 2x10 combo is overkill. It's big and heavy too.

This GK amp was bought brand new and on sale for $170. That's a steal. 70 watts, portability, some cool features (i.e. dual channel, contour switch), tilt-back, active/passive input switch, and a tone I liked. Yep, my needs are met.

I will get into more specifics in the other sections. For reference, the bass I use is a Samick Fairlane 6-string. It's a bolt-on bass with an alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, stock active electronics (full on the neck pickup, volume centered, bass & treble flat), and 1.5 month old SIT PowerWound strings.

Enter the GK Backline 110. I tried out a Fender Rumble 60 watt combo and hated it. Flat, the tone was too boomy and muddy. I prefer a more modern articulate tone. I tried an SWR LA12 60 watt combo. That amp had a wonderful sound which was very smooth and articulate, down to my low B. Unfortunately, the store didn't have any in stock and I needed an amp in a hurry.

I looked around at the other amps and tucked away almost hidden from view was a Gallien Krueger Backline 110. 70 watts, 10" speaker, and I knew GK are very good at making good, loud amps in small packages. I tried it out. The tone was certainly not as smooth as the SWR's but I liked it. It handled the lows and highs of my 6-string adequately. Obviously a bigger, more powerful amp can do better, but I already have a big amp and I was looking for a more portable one.

I prefer the more "new-school" bass tones- the kind that rip paper off of walls. If you're looking for an amp that does thick and fleshy old school tones, this is NOT the amp for you. The clean channel A had a modern clean to its sound and the distortion channel B was nice. The gain added some nice grit to my sound for those "ripping paper off walls" modern tones. The A channel has a 3 band EQ. I'm not much of a knob tweaker, so I like the simple design.

It gets noisy when pushed hard, though.

My bass naturally does old-school tones really well, and a more modern-voiced amp like this complements it nicely. The Gallien-Krueger voicing is not for everyone, but I loved it. I think a Fender Rumble 60 is voiced more for old-school "thick and fleshy" and the SWR LA12 is a great compromise between that and the GK's ultra modern.

GK amps have always had a good reputation for durability. Though mine is new, I wouldn't be surprised if the one at the music store saw its fair share of abuse, given how much the store guys were fumbling with it, but it sounded quite good. It feels sturdy and heavy for something so small.

I have not dealt with GK.

Over all, the GK Backline 110 is a solid practice/jam/small gig amp. It meets all my needs. It's adequately powerful for performances where my big heavy Ashdown would be an overkill. I love how it sounds; the flexibility between a clean channel and a gain channel is cool. It's portable. I snagged it at a honey of a price.

Again, though, this amp is not for everyone. Many people would find this amp harsh sounding and the gain/distortion useless and pointless. The GK voicing is geared for more modern tones than old-school tones. People either love this amp or hate it. There is no middle ground. I happen to love it. It's a wholly different beast from my Ashdown- which does girthy old-school with a new school touch.

This is definitely a "try before you buy" amp and be sure to A/B other amps as well.

2004 vintage, bought new from Guitar Center. As you can see from the reviews here, either you like the overdrive channel or hate it...I like it. Used sparingly, it's another sonic tool for you to enjoy. Two channels are nice, and the second channel can either be set to flat response or kick on the EQ section and enjoy that.

I like the sound of this amp quite a bit, it's used as a practice amp. If you try to turn it up to 11, you'll overload the speaker. It's either a practice amp, or small gig one. The EQ section on this amp is very useful to me. I tend to use the EQ of the amp more than the EQ of my Ibanez SR400 with this amp.

Just bought it, it's built like a tank. I'd give it a 10 on how reliable I THINK it will be.

Haven't had to use them.

To me, this is an easy 10. As mentioned, I think this is a great practice amp. Small, pretty lightweight, even tilts back which helps in a smaller room. I played everything in the GC bass room, this more than held it's own. For the price, this amp is a real deal in my eyes. Would buy it again. Love the EQ!

This amp is brand new. I bought it because of the size and weight. I use an Ampeg SVT and a 115 and/or a 210 stack to gig. This is pretty much for practice and very sparing needs.

I was down to the Fender bassman 25 and this one. While I preferred the way the Bassman sounded, this amp was much louder than the Fender and the difference in tone was marginal.

I play most anything other than heavy stuff. It seems to be working out fine. It is plenty loud to practice with and also works well with a keyboard or acoustic guitar.

It has two switchable channels (footswitch not included), although the distortion channel is pretty awful sounding. I wouldn't call it usable. But then again, I never use bass distortion anyway.

Three band EQ and the typical GK contour switch. I basically was looking for something small, light simple and cheap. This met the bill for me.

When I first tried this amp out, it was funny that I was immediately hit with the same impressions of GK that I had when I played them nearly 20 years ago. This amp, like all GKs I have ever played, sounds pretty good if you have a nice bass. A $2,000 GK stack is the same way. My every day and main gigging bass is a Modulus Quantum 5 with the Bartolini pre and PUs. It sounds great through this little amp. But, GKs have never been known to be particularly warming, so if you have a mostly lifeless sounding bass, you should expect as much through this amp. I personally like this about them, but if you are looking to make chicken salad, try something else.

I don't have any issues with the volume output. It's plenty loud for my needs. If you are looking for something to jam with a rock band, don't be looking at this amp or any other budget 110 for that matter.

I haven't made it distort, but then again I haven't pushed it really hard either. I used it in a rehearsal with two guitars, a violin, chello, aux percussion and a vocal team without problems.

I play most all amps with the EQ completely flat on the bass and amp. The contour switch does doll up the tone a bit, but at the expense of scooping the mids. Nice for soloing or practicing, but in a rehearsal mix, you'll loose your bite.

It's new and it's solid state. I would expect it to do what it does for a long time.

GK has online warranty registration, which is really my only requirement for happiness. The page was a little goofed, but it worked.

I have been playing for nearly 20 years and have gone through plenty of amps. If you are looking for a small, light practice combo on a budget, this might be something to look at. If you take it for what it is, it's a great little amp. If you want something huge and loud with a big bumping bottom, then be prepared to be disappointed.

If you like the GK sound, you'll be happy with the Backline.

Ultimately, I want something flat to 31 hz that hits 105 db, fits in my backseat and weighs 25 pounds. But, in the real world, this is fine for my needs.

2003 Gallien Krueger Backline 110 Combo. Single cheesy 10 inch speaker, 70 Watts at 8 ohm power, single input with -10db pad for active instruments (I leave it on all the time, even for passives), footswitchable overdrive channel with gain and volume control. For the clean channel, it has gain, a three band EQ with a contour switch (would be nice if it was footswitchable), and master volume. Other features include a headphone out, a line out, a line in, and an "extension speaker" out, which isn't really, because you have to unplug the internal speaker to use it. I think this amp's downfall is that it has too many features. This amp is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none when it comes to features. It would have been nice just to have a single channel (especially since the gain channel is infinitely cheesy) that sounds good, and an external speaker jack that didn't require you to unplug the internal speaker. I do like the high wattage and portability though. I got it for jamming at college where I would need an amp that could fit in a tiny dorm room and that I could still take out on the train to rehearsals with a drummer and guitarist. Also, being a college student, I am on a wicked tight budget. For example, in the past month and a half, I have purchased a CD and a dozen Krispy Kremes. Sad, huh?

As stated before, the speaker in this thing is terrible. I can get it fart out at relatively low volumes and it doesn?t sound very good. I keep the ?10db pad activated at all times because even with passive instruments, it is too easy to clip the preamp, and on a cheesy solid state amp, that sounds real bad. The gain channel is wicked cheesy. It goes from no gain to terrible solid state buzz in about 1/50th of a turn of the gain knob. Volume-wise, this amp can get decent volume, as long as you don?t have the bass turned up too loud. As with any cheesy 10 inch speaker, bass response drops out as volume increases. The EQ section is also mediocre. The controls don?t have very much effect and the overall tone is too midrangey. Therefore I keep the contour switch activated at all times. There is hope for this amp, however. Through an external cab, this amp can get pretty good sounds out of it. I run it through an SWR Workingman?s 115T Cab (15 inch speaker with horn tweeter, 200 Watts at 8 ohms) and the tone is very good. I can actually push towards the 70 Watts the amp can put out without that stupid 10 inch speaker farting out. The preamp is more responsive and the tone is deeper. There is still no use for that freaking gain channel. I?m considering removing the guts of the amp and building a small, portable 70 Watt bass head with it. That way, I can push a decent cab and get a good portable practice sound. That or I might drop a new better speaker in the amp and see if it improves. As is, however, this amp is sub-par. Good value for the money, I guess though. It was cheap. This amp also makes a sub-par guitar amp.

Most people have beef with the reliability of their GK products. I do not. This amp is used in my dorm room most of the time. Then it is strapped to a small two-wheel dolly and rolled along the bumpy uneven pavement of Boston to the train station where it is bounced along into the train, goes with me to another train, then finally to a commuter rail train for an hour ride out to Worcester Mass. Then it?s thrown into a car, driven to a rehearsal room and cranked for a few hours of rehearsal. Then, finally, its toted back to school and back to my room. This amp has suffered no internal or external damage. It still sounds sub-par, but it?s the same sub-par as the day it came out of the box. The thing heats up a lot when used at high volumes for a while, but it doesn?t sweat.

Never dealt with GK. Wouldn?t know. I service my own equipment.

This amp is an alright amp, I guess. It?s sound an too-many-crappy-features are its downfall. It definitely has potential though. I?ve been playing for about 8 years and play every style of music imaginable. This amp is alright.

Exceptionally versitile, handles many kinds of music, it has two channels clean and an overdirve channel,the overdive is really cool, althought i still prefer mi boss od most of the time. it has a headphone jack, line out,and a speaker out, which i think is pretty cool that you can detach the speaker built into the amp, its built like a very small halfstack thats fused together if you can picture what i mean. i mostly use this amp for practices and its able to stand pretty steady next to my guitarists marshall half stack with a 4x12 cab so its got a little punch as lon as you try not to get too much low end out of it.its also got a neat little contour button which boosts the bass and trble and cuts the mid.

When i practice i just use a squier 4 string p bass and im stunned at how good it makes it sound. i do wish i could get a little more low end on it at high volumes but i think thats expected from such a little amp. as i said before the sound of the overdrive is really cool and just adds a little attitude for these classic, up beat, Jet style if you will type songs weve beel getting into. The distortion can get pretty brutal whe you got the contour on, bass eq cranked all the way up, and the volume all the way up. but as long as you know your limits on this it sound very clean

Oh wow i dont know if i just got a monday morning amp or if there all like this but the speaker cable gotin to the head from the speaker started crackling on me like a couple months after i got it, but it sounds better than ever now that i got it fixed. wouldn't use this as my only amp but i never trust only one amp.

never delt with em

Good amp, good features, good sound ill give an an 8 and being generous. if you want a low end, passive sound get a peavy instead i think thats what i shouldve done but gk is a great company and this is good for a cheepy

2 Channel bass amp with 1-10" speaker, 70 watts. This amp desperately needs a compressor and does not handle low-end very well at all even at moderate volume. A compressor might help...

The main problem with this amp is that it just can not handle low end. I don't know how anyone can give a good 'sounds' rating on a bass amp that can't handle bass. And the distortion channel is completely useless -- it goes from no gain to mega-cheesy gain in one micro-turn of the gain knob.

It is fairly loud, but I don't think the speaker will handle the farty low-end for long. I really wanted to like this amp and had almost ordered it online on a few different occasions... I came across one at Guitar Center and all I can say is I am soooooo glad I didn't buy one.

I like the concept of the amp -- just add a compressor, a better sounding gain channel, a better speaker, and port the cabinet and it would probably be fine. Power-wise, it actually seemed okay... just sounds bad.

I have owned GK gear before without a hitch... Same problem though -- just didn't sound good. I think this amp will blow its speaker with anything other than soft practice.

I didn't actually buy the amp -- I walked away from it thankful that I hadn't bought it from someplace that I would have to return-ship it to. If you are thinking about this amp, definitely listen to it first, for you will surely be disappointed.

I own a Carvin PB100-10 which sounds light-years better and handled a 5-string's low B with ease. Only problem is it needs to go into the shop... It did work fine for about 4 or 5 years until recently failing. It has a slightly bigger cabinet and weighs 36 lbs. It doesn't angle back, which would be a nice improvement, but it sounds good. I'll have to get it fixed...

My main bass rig is a Roland DB-500 which sounds amazing. Plenty of volume, a gain channel that sounds incredible, handles low-end unbelievably well. If I ever need more power (which I doubt), I'll probably run the DB-500 line out into a power amp and into other speakers.

Why am I looking at the GK? As light as the Roland is, I ws hoping the GK would have sounded as good as the Carvin... It would be great to have a small 30lb amp for rehearsals. Also, I need a second rig. I'll probably get another DB-500 and get my Carvin repaired for rehearsals.

Anyway, the GK was a huge disappointment -- I so badly wanted to like it, but a bass amp that craps out on the low end is unacceptable to me. You may like it, and that's fine -- just listen to it before you buy... If I want a practice amp, I could just buy a cheap Crate or Behringer or something. FYI, the 12" version sounds just as bad.

See below or GK site for specs - basically 70 watts to a 10" speaker. Nice light package, quality construction, tilt cabinet.
Not alot of bells and whistles (I don't think it even has an effects loop) but the fact that it's 30 pounds and can fit on the floor in front of your backseat is just incredible.

Used my Peavey BXP 5-string with this amp. I thought the tone was nice but in the end it just didn't have the volume for me. Had to crank it up 80% of the way just to be heard "monitor style" with my church worship group (not like we're a metal band or anything), and at just about that point the speaker created an annoying distortion if I played anything below the low A on the 4th string with any kind of volume... Goes without saying that the 5th string was too much for this little guy.

I reluctantly took it back to the shop 3 days after getting it to look at the 112 version which also created an annoying distorted sound when I got the bass level up where I wanted it. The 110 may have actually been better! I don't know, maybe it's just me (I've only been playing bass about 9 months and haven't become a tone master yet - but have been playing guitar for 16 years so I know how to tweak an amp) but I did try all kinds of different settings as well as running by SansAmp Bass Driver before it to get the max from this amp. I wound up taking home a used 50lb SWR Workingman's 12, and waved goodbye to the little GK110 with a tear in the corner of my eye(sniff, sob...) The size was perfect & I really wanted the GK110 to work out for me.

Seemed built to last. But then again I've had great luck with a little Behringer amp (their reputation for reliability stinks!) so I might just happen to have a guardian angel that cares about amps?????

Don't know.

Size, shape and simplicity were wonderful. Volume just not there. I didn't think my group was all that loud and that this would be the perfect monitor amp... Loud for 70 watts but not loud enough for me. Can't think of a better practice amp though!