Gallien-Krueger 400RB Original-Type Reviews 
4 / 5 based on 1 reviewsI 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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
wademanthebassman rated this unit
on
2002-08-12.
