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Do GK amps have reliability issues?
- Thread starter snake23
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- amps gallien-krueger
I think, given that GK is one of the best selling amp brands, if they had reliability issues, we'd hear more about them. There have been a couple cases over the past 10 to 15 years, where an isolated production run of GK amps was problematic, and GK handled those issues gracefully.
On the other hand, there have been scattered reports of broken gear at GC stores, so it could just be that floor stock receives weird forms of abuse.
On the other hand, there have been scattered reports of broken gear at GC stores, so it could just be that floor stock receives weird forms of abuse.
It was very disappointing,I was excited about playing through one for the first time and based on what I've read and seen about GK it seemed like that's what I'm looking for. I once again have no way to try one now that the only one they have is broken. What makes it worse is that they didn't seem to care that it was broken,they didn't even pull it off the floor. I hate guitar Center anyway but there is no where else to go in my area. I was wanting the 1001rb with the 412 neo cab.
+1 to @fdek, I've always heard and experienced the same. Every electronic device manufacture will eventually run into a quality control issue, but GK has a strong reputation as being very reliable and great customer service. If the GC experience is an isolated incident, its very likely something on their end.
Try the GK MB combo's if they have those over in the "Bass Corner".....IMO one of the best combo's out there in that price range.
Bassist4Eris
Frat-Pack Sympathizer
Could be any number of reasons why it was in protection mode, not necessarily because the amp itself was at fault. They may have had it plugged into a speaker cabinet with too low of an impedance rating, for example.
IME, you can drop kick a GK down a flight of cellar stairs and it'll be fine for the gig. (Hyperbole; not an actual recommendation.)
IME, you can drop kick a GK down a flight of cellar stairs and it'll be fine for the gig. (Hyperbole; not an actual recommendation.)
I recently bought an MB500 and I had to send it back due to a malfunctioning mute switch. They're swapping it out for a fresh one, and hasn't turned me off from the brand.
I'd agree with the sentiment that the floor model amps take a beating. Last year I checked out a selection of Ampegs at a Guitar Center. The PF500 I tried was DOA. I tried four different BA series combos, two of which were malfunctioning is some way. I'll admit that this experience made me a little wary of the new Ampeg stuff.
I'll also add that my less than 6 month old Aguilar TH500 died. Ending up needing new power amp. Aguilar is somewhat known for their reliability, which was one of the primary reasons I purchased it. I bought the GK MB500 as a backup. And it had to go back.
My point being, all brands have some issues, from the info I've gathered on TB and elsewhere I don't think GK has any more reliability issues than others.
My 700RBII is going strong after 7yrs of weekly use (knock on wood). Most likely the example you played had been rode hard and put away wet by hundreds of "customers" until it finally decided enough was enough. Or they had a bad cable or improper cab hooked up to it.
I had the exact same Ampeg experience as you....tried the newer BA combos at my local GC, two were completely DOA.
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No, they are the most faultless amp I've ever used. I was endorsing them for a number of years, and never had to call in an emergency on tour. I went to GK and they pulled my 700rb II head straight from the assembly line, rocked it night after night at 75% volume through an sbx810 and it just worked.
My early 90's 800RB went into the shop for the first time last week. Not bad for a 20-year-old amplifier.
It's Guitar Center. The bass amps at my local Guitar Center look like the set from Sanford and Son.
For all we know, some Saturday afternoon nut-job may have plugged things into it that should not have been.
For all we know, some Saturday afternoon nut-job may have plugged things into it that should not have been.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
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No. IMHO, the GK amp I have is good, and that means it's about like most SS or hybrids I have.
All amps break down, but the only amp I have that never had issues (yet) is a Crest CA6 lead sled. Never a hiccup, again—YET.
My GK went in once to the factory for a fix as did a Genz Benz Shuttle and a SWR 350 silver face. My Mesa Carbine M9 was in three times, IIRC. That said, all those amps are still working fine and I use them for various tasks.
Then there were the '60s tube heads from Fender and Marshall. No comment.
All amps break down, but the only amp I have that never had issues (yet) is a Crest CA6 lead sled. Never a hiccup, again—YET.
My GK went in once to the factory for a fix as did a Genz Benz Shuttle and a SWR 350 silver face. My Mesa Carbine M9 was in three times, IIRC. That said, all those amps are still working fine and I use them for various tasks.
Then there were the '60s tube heads from Fender and Marshall. No comment.
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Other than a input jack that wore out on my old 800RB... no problems with any of my GK amps.
My assumption would have been that a broken demo unit was broken by user abuse. You wouldn't believe some of the user abuse I've seen--how about plugging the speaker output from a powered mixer into a preamp? And that was from an "experienced" adult user. 
Rock solid stuff in my experience. I'd put it up against anything on the market for reliability/longevity and versatility.
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I cannot speak for the modern class D stuff - I'm betting it's great - but my old 400RB took flight off the back of a motorcycle on the 101 in SF, and then got run over by several cars. I thought it would catch on fire when I plugged it in, it was so destroyed. It still worked.
Worst part about that was that it wasn't on my motorcycle, or even in my possession. One of the guys who shared our rehearsal space took it without asking. I told him it was a great head and obviously indestructible and that I was sure glad he'd just bought it. He paid up.
Worst part about that was that it wasn't on my motorcycle, or even in my possession. One of the guys who shared our rehearsal space took it without asking. I told him it was a great head and obviously indestructible and that I was sure glad he'd just bought it. He paid up.
Not that I've heard. I like the rb heada I've played, not so big a fan of the mb's but that's a matter of tone not reliability