Gallien-Krueger Bass Amps & Speakers

I play a Gallien-Krueger 700RB combo as my main gigging amp and love it. So I was eager to check out the models from G-K, especially the 700RB-II to see how it compared with my older model. I was also curious about the new SBX speakers, especially when I learned they are about half the price of the RBH models. Maybe I could now afford to add an extension to my combo.

The first setup I choose was the 700RB-II head on top of a single SBX cab with a 15" speaker. I'd add the 2 x 10 cab next, and then try the 410. Hooking up reminded me how nice the Speakon connector cables are. They're required for biamped operation and G-K provides them. They snap on and lock securely.

Ready to go, I took a first good look at the amp face. The new design is cool, but the basic layout is the same. All the familiar knobs were there: 4-band EQ, contour, presence, horn and woofer levels, gain, and volume. I dialed the EQs flat, set everything else the way I usually do, and flipped on the power switch.

I expected to be greeted by a completely familiar sound, but what I heard was surprisingly different-bigger, more full, and lots warmer. I ran through my usual set of lines and grooves. All sounded stronger and the amp's response on demanding riffs was fantastic. This was definitely an improved 700RB.

When I added on the 2 x 10 cab, the sound got seriously large. It was that clean G-K sound but super pumped with a deeper low end. I loved it. I had a tower capable of floor-buckling power bass at my control and it was vibrating the floor so much it made my feet tingle. That's the kind of sound you feel as much as hear.

The power factor
It was apparent to me that G-K had worked some magic on the 700RB-II. I went running to Mr. Manual to find out what. The big thing I found was an upgrade elegant in its simplicity-MORE WATTS! My 700RB combo powers up to 380 plus 50 watts for the main drivers. The new 700RB-II rates at 480 and 50, a jump of 100 watts. Surely this is the main reason why it sounds bigger than the 700RB. It IS bigger. Wattage isn't all that makes one amp better than another, but all things being equal, more wattage means more reserve power, faster response, and more consistency between low and high volume performance. Dynamics are made easier. In the case of the 700RB-II, the extra 100 watts makes a big difference.

Louder but quieter
I also noticed the 700RB-II ran quieter. I asked a G-K technical guy about this and learned that the 700RB-II redo included an upgrading of components throughout-higher-grade 1% resistors, polyester capacitors instead of ceramics, bracket-supported pots, etc. He rattled on the way technicals do, mostly over my head, but the upshot was that the quieter operation was the result of these internal improvements.

Needless to say, I was impressed with the 700RB-II. New cosmetics, more power, and improved internal components make it quieter. These are substantive upgrades to an amp that wasn't exactly needing improvement in the first place. I was perfectly happy with my old 700RB, but here was G-K luring me once again. I couldn't even take comfort that my older 700RB was less costly. Version II is the same price.

Affordable stacks
The SBX Series Speakers are a great new addition to the G-K line. They are way less expensive than the RBH speakers, yet they sound killer. I really liked the frequency range and combined character of the 210 paired with the 115. And the 410 Cab is fantastic: tight, punchy, with very clear, well-defined bottom. The biggest treat was plugging into two 410 Cabs. Here was a true wall of sound with Mike Tyson-level punch, enough force to knock you off your feet. I could just imagine what the eight speakers would be like driven by a 1001RB.

All the SBX cabs are solid and well built, but use a lesser-grade plywood than the special birch used in the RBH cabs. Otherwise they are much the same: same hardware, crossovers, horn, and Speakons as the RBH models. Besides the cabinet wood, only the speakers have changed. The SBX speakers may not have the super-high power handling of the RBH speakers, but they have plenty, and are very well-matched with the 400 and 700 RBs, or the 1001 when stacked. Most importantly, they sound fantastic-a warmer sound which is sure to make some players actually prefer them to the RBH models.

One notable feature of the SBX cabs with multiple speakers is that each speaker mounts in its own unported chamber. This makes the cab a little less efficient, but the lows roll-off much more slowly than they do in ported, uni-chambered cabs. Consequently, it produces the lower tones that especially 5-string players need. It gives all basses a punchy low end and very warm overall sound. It also has excellent close-proximity fullness so you can better hear what you're playing.

Overall I was quite impressed with G-K's 2003 offerings. The 700RB-II is truly better than ever, and the SBX speakers sound great and open all kinds of doors with their affordable prices. I had been wondering if I could afford a stack at all. Now, at these prices, I'm thinking seriously about which configuration I want for my dream rig. Gallien-Krueger does it again! These are exciting products for bass players, and Musician's Friend has them ready to ship at fantastic prices. We've also put together some great package deals. Jump on the amp or speakers you want. The sooner you order, the sooner you'll be playing and enjoying.

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