Gallien-Krueger Review: 400RB Original-Type

History:

Purchase: I bought this unit new from Mars Music in Nashville, TN. for roughly $400.00. It was bought as a quick replacement to my SVT rig that had recently burned in a club fire!!!

What I Like About This Gallien-Krueger 400RB Original-Type: Great little bass amp, no doubt. I went from a 300 watt Ampeg SVT with an 8x10 cabinet, to this bass head and an Ampeg 4x10 cabinet overnight, so I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss something in tone and volume. But thats not to knock what the 400RB can do. It is very efficient and loud for its size and weight. The center-frequencies for each of the four EQ knobs are at just the right spot. It has a certain clarity that tubes can't give, giving a great slap-tone and picking sounds, as the mids are very flexible without alot of boomy low-end.

What I Do NOT Like About The Gallien-Krueger 400RB Original-Type: It's hard to complain, especially considering the price. Will it keep up with a 100 watt Marshall or Mesa-Boogie 4x12? NO!!! It won't. But then again, it takes nearly three times the power for a bass amp to equal up volume of a guitar amp. Did I eventually replace my old Ampeg SVT head and 8x10 cabinet? YES!!! I did, happily. Only because of the 400RB's issue with stage volume.

Gallien-Krueger 400RB Original-Type Quality Rating: My GK 400RB has been on the repair bench twice. The first time it went in, the technician beefed up the output stage, since it had to be replaced anyway, producing a few more watts and a little fatter bottom end. I could hear the difference! The second time, it just needed to be thoroughly cleaned because life on the road can be rough on middle-of-the-road-gear. A great sounding amp, built tough with it's all-steel housing, but the internals seem a little brittle, so I'd suggest a good rack case to mount it in.

Review Summary: If you want great sound, set-and-forget operation, and need something light and small, you will love the 400RB. Just don't expect teeth-rattling power, and you won't be dissapointed. If your a musician performing 3-5 nights/days a week, go with something more solid, because it will break-down. Most suited for the studio, I believe.

Rating of this Gallien-Krueger product: 4

This Gallien-Krueger 400RB Original-Type Bass Guitar Amplifiers Review Submitted By: wademanthebassman

Review Date: 2002-08-12