Product: Gallien-Krueger Backline 350 Head
Price Paid: US $249
Submitted
04/05/2005
at
04:35pm
by
Stuart Massey
Features
:
9
I bought this amp 4/2/05. It was new but did not come in a box as it was on demo (priced accordingly). The amp is rated at 175 watts at 4 ohms, or 115 watts at 8 ohms, with 2 channels, GK active equalization, contour (scooping) knob, effect patching, balance direct line out, input paddding, tuner muting, and safety shut down circuitry. I took this amp out to a gig and plugged it in to my 4x10 cab that I usually run with a 100 watt amp (which seemed under powered). I was not expecting much more volume going from 100 to 115 watts (as I intend to add a second cab to run the full load) but was very impressed by the thump I got at a very moderate setting. The head room was much improved and the tone was great.
Sound Quality
:
9
I play a J-bass with Seymour Duncan 1/4 pounders in Rock, Blues and country bands. I am very pleased initially with the sound and look forward to tweeking with it as a get to use it more over the coming months. I have not yet used the distortion and may not need it due to signal processors I already use.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
Time will tell. No one has yet to review this amp but the smaller (Backline 250) amp is maligned for its perpencity to overheat and shut down. My brother owned two GK heads in the 1980's and they both burned up (output sections crapped out). I will have a backup amp (I bought this as a back up to my SWR but I like this better)
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
9
I've played on for almost 30 years. My first amp was a Peavy century (100 watt) bought in 1978. I've owned an acoustic 450 (loud, but no tone), and a Carvin 300 (even louder, but still no tone). I now own a 1994 Hartke 2000 (needs repair and lacks D/O), SWR working man 10 combo (which allow you to patch in a external cab (8 ohm) making it a 100 watt head. I have done many gigs with this in conjuction with a PA but the volume is weak). I use an Emminence loaded 4x10 and horn, custom built (deep, large ported) cabinet. The Backline 350 amp sounds great with this cab and I entend to add a 1x15 to the rig for the outdoor winery gigs I'll be doing this summer.
