Gallien-Krueger Backline 150 Head

Solid state, two channels, 150 watts into 4 ohms, reverb, yadda yadda. GIVE - Gate induced valve effect, which tries to make this solid state amp sound like a tube amp. They actually try to make this look like a tube amp by putting it into a big Marshall size head instead of the smaller heads that GK usually put their guitar stuff into. Separate three band EQ's for each channel. Lead channel has high and low gain modes. A couple of extra switches to fine tune your sound to the cab you are using.

Jackson Rhoads V's with EMG's (81 & 60). I play real metal (old Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Sepultura, etc), not the pathetic excuse for music that passes for heavy these says (Limp Bisquick, Lincoln Log Park, Kornhole). Despite their best attempts to make it look and sound like a tube amp, it won't fool anyone with ears and a brain. It sounds very nice for a solid state amp, but you would't mistake it for a real tube amp unless you have no concept of tone. It still has that cold, sterile quality that all solid state amps have compared to a nice tube amp. The EQ is very versatile, but I miss the 4 band EQ that GK puts into EVERY OTHER AMP THEY MAKE. Once you get used to four, three just doesn't cut it because the amp isn't nearly as flexible without separate controls for high and low mids. The lead channel has a lot of gain in the high gain mode, but at truly high gain settings the attack turns to mush. It also get's noisy at those setting, but that can be expected. I used this through a variety of cabs with good results, but the guy I eventually sold the amp to tracked down the cabinet that GK made for this particular head and said that it really brought the amp to life. So, if you get your hands on one of these, do yourself a favor and track down the matching cab if you can.

I have a vast collection of GK bass and guitar amps dating back to the early 80's. This amp was from the era when GK still put out quality stuff. In the mid 90's they started to change their production methods to cut costs and the quality of the amps they produced suffered drastically. My tech has been working on GK's for 25 years and claims that he wouldn't wipe his butt with the stuff they have done from the mid 90's forward. He also commented on how well this amp was put together inside and out, and he's been around enough amps to know quality from crap.

They put a lot of their older manuals on their homepage, and will help you track down the ones they haven't posted if at all possible. It helps to know someone who works at an authorized GK repair shop, but they do their best to help you even if you are just a Joe Schmoe.

I play guitar and bass and have a vast collection of GK, Mesa Boogie, Trace Elliot, SWR and Marshall gear, so I know a good amp when I hear it. This was a very nice amp for what I paid for it, if you see one on Ebay going for a decent price I would recommend picking it up unless you are a total tube snob. I prefer tube amps, but SS amps still have a place in this world. This is one of the better SS amps that you will come across. I sold the amp because someone gave me twice what I paid for it, but I was very happy with the amp when I owned it.

Made in 1994, and ONLY in 1994. I felt that i had to review this head since it's so rare,a nd there is no information on it ANYWHERE on the web. Everyone's driving me crazy trying to tell me what they think it is. everyone seems to think it's a backline 100 combo amp, but IT IS NOT!!! It's an amp head and an amp head alone. It's also when Gallien Krueger still made guitar amps. Phil Campbell from Motorhead started using these in 94, and still uses them from time to time live and in the studio. i got to meet Phil a few times and he told me he had 12 of them, and that he recently gave one to Adam from tool. It's a solid state head, but hasd a VCV circuit which stands for Vintage Cabinet Voicing. I usually don't like solid state, but this sounds just like a tube amp, if not better! It has it's own unique crunch. The name says it all, it's 150 watts. Effects loop right in the front for easy access, also has a line out jack fro recording. It's extremely versatile.

I play blues based rock and thrash metal. I mostly play charvel's with Duncan JB's in them. I use an MXR Micro-amp for a lead boost and a Bad Horsie wah. Suits my style perfectly, especially since my favorite guitarist Phil Campbell from motorhead uses them. I got the idea for the Micro-amp and the wah from Phil's set up. I keep the gain a little over 3/4, and this thing's got balls! tone stays consistant at high or low volumes. I push the mids, and if i totally crank the gain i can get a tone similar to Slayer's without having to use an EQ. Extremely warm and crunchy tone for a solid state head. Clean channel is just as great, has a great sounding reverb as well.

Since it has no tubes, it's pretty fool-proof. after 5 years I did start to notice it cutting out on me every now and then when I first turn it on, but i think it's something minor like a bad volume pot. It's been nothing but dependable for me besides that, and it seems to only happen when i first turn it on. I just sent it to GK to have it looked at, they didn't even have any info on this head handy! That's exactly why I wanted to write a review for this head. Maybe someone else is trying to find info on this head and can't. Feel free to e-mail me if you own one. I hope they can find some info on it, it's the only older head they can't find info on.

Lany is there parts and service person, and Gene is their product specialist. Even though they knew nothing about this head, they were extremely kind to me and seemed interested in wanting to help me. My calls were promptly returned. I really appreciated that they took the time to listen to me even thought they are focusing on their new products.

I've been playing for about 6 years. If it were lost or stolen I would be really upset. I use very little effects, and only a lead boost that doesn't color my sound since I love the tone of this head naturally. I got it for $200 off E-bay. The only reason i got it so cheap is because NO ONE KNOWS IT EXISTS, lol. If more people knew about it, I know it would've went for a lot more......