BassAdder60

On my Stingray bass it has a slotted string tree for the A and D strings I changed string gauge from 40-100 to 45-105 and the A string doesn’t sit in the slot. Do you think this is an issue ( plays fine ) ??? I have a spare chrome string tree that I could file out if it’s crucial it sits in the slot

I’ve tried that and don’t care for it Far too much mids going on unless you’re playing an overdriven metal tone ? Also the treble maxed makes too much hiss through the horn

Wow that’s a low output volume! At rehearsals my Abm600 output is around 9 o’clock to 10 o’clock and we are a loud band !

Bass frequencies travel a long way and in all directions but close to your cab seems to be the worst place to hear them ( especially if a good sound makes you play well )

Standing next to my cab at last nights gig ( used GK Legacy for first set ) I thought it was an ok but not great sound. Some phone clips showed it sounded really good in the mix. Second set used my ABM600 and this felt and sounded nicer to my ears standing by cab. Vid clips I heard later sounded a good mix ( more like what I was hearing standing close ) but overall it sounded about the same out front It can really make you doubt your settings when standing close yet seems to sound so different to the audience which is what matters. This was without PA support in a large pub venue.

When I had the V4B reissue head the band said it was the best sound they have heard from me, it was good but for a band very overdriven ( great for rock ) It was tough saying goodbye to it but I have the excellent ABM600 and newly arrived GK Legacy and they provide me more tonal options The V4B is a truly wonderful amp but could do with a bit more clean headroom for live work I had the SVT CL in the past and was never pushed as it was too loud Ideally a 200w version would be nice

The Legacy 800 is very loud and more powerful than my ABM600 or certainly as close to it. The best way to describe it is a less bassy, more mids and top kind of tone With good EQ adjustment you can go super bright or deep and punchy and full. The ABM can go deeper and fuller but often find it’s not really needed I think for an American built product at just over £500 it’s a great amplifier. With Bob still running the company and directly being involved in the design ( as an engineer and musician) says a lot for the well thought out design. They are not a huge company so in that comparison not too dissimilar to Ashdown etc At first I struggled to get my Stingray sounding how I wanted it ( too much mids ) but my PBass sounds really nice. String gauge change on the Stingray made a far better match with the amp

The opposite in fact, more than enough mids in the Legacy.

They are a brighter amp compared to say Ashdown and Ampeg. Inherently more mids too. Once you find the tone you want they are very nice sounding, very loud too. Hopefully reliable, we will see At just over £500 new they are a good amp to consider ( EBay via Polar )

I’m finding bass maxed, mids backed off and treble centred works but depends on amp settings etc my 45-105 Elixir strings have improved things no end

My PBass stock have all got 40-100 nickel RW and they sound great My recent addition Sterling Ray34 was also fitted with new 40-100 RW strings and I struggled with the tone ( too mid focused ) Popped 45-105 Elixir RW on the Ray and it changed the tone drastically. More deep bass and the weak G string is way better More balanced across the strings and seems a better gauge compared to the factory stock gauge. The PBass didn’t alter much from 45-105 but made it a tighter full sound The Ray came alive in comparison with the larger gauge strings. Might of also been the Elixir strings adding to the warmth Just shows you the smallest change can make a bass a keeper or up for sale !!

I’ve improved things by putting 45/105 roundwounds on it Adds to the fullness of the tone and less mids dominating the sound Did notice the string tree on the headstock has slots that don’t quite fit 85 A string gauge

I was considering selling it today but … taking the advice from others back off the mids ( most ) lots of bass and treble slightly boosted I get a nicer fuller tone. It’s the sound I was looking for I’ve read the Mid control is 500hz but it’s already a mid heavy sound due to pickup location. This change has improved things and I’m happier with the sound

On my new Sterling Ray34 3EQ I’ve found that to get a better sound ( less honk ) I’ve backed off the onboard mid control ( a lot ) boosted the bass and treble around centre Any other Ray users found it had too much mids ? In our band I found the Ray34 was a loud bass and very prominent but lacked the deep thump that a PBass gives you. Turned the mids down a lot and it sounds better in the band context ( deeper, fuller and less angry sounding !

I thought I needed to use a compressor but found that it was simpler and better without

They really need a new range of heads The PF series are known for issues and are an old design in comparison to many. With Yamaha ownership a complete new Head series ( a good one ) would put them back on track.

Ampeg still seem to be plagued with amp shut downs

Yes definitely agree onboard compressor drops volume ( it’s not great either ) And as already suggested get that input VU needle hitting the red on occasion ( massive difference in volume )

I played a hall ( approx 100 people ) no PA support and using my ABM600 and two 210H cabs I was very loud ( master volume around 11o clock With this it was a very powerful full sound ( cabs are great ) and loud Not sure how much louder the head would go but it didn’t disappoint for a second. I found that with the EQ off etc = lifeless under powered sound, Shape Out = a buried woolly sound Getting the right EQ and having a high input gain seems to work

The “white noise” GK issue I think I’ve read about isn’t an issue The amps have a natural bright tone which can be turned down using the treble control. I can achieve the same brightness and hiss if I boost my Abm600 heads treble control I don’t think it’s a fault with GK I think they are designed from the start to have a bright tone. Back off the treble control and I can make it dark and vintage sounding. The drive is very good too and can be level adjusted ( solo boost perhaps ) The fans are whisper quiet too which you don’t get in many amps today Good EQ points that work well with my PBass and Stingray

Interested in how other GK Legacy users set their input trim ? I can max mine out even with my active bass ( the GK video suggests max setting and back off if clip light comes on ) Does anyone also use the “ bump” setting or does it add too much bass when playing loud Finally drive settings how do you set yours ? Im looking to have mine as always on with the slightest amount of grit and same volume level etc

Yes the drive is influenced by input gain levels etc.

Just added this amp to my gigging collection. Never played or owned GK gear but I’m very impressed The amp tone is very good and easy to get the sounds out suitable for rock that I play but would work with any genre. The onboard drive is also very nice and adds the grit when required. Its a very loud 800w head and I like the fact it will run down to 2ohms Costing a little over £500 these are very nice amps and come with 2yrs warranty as new I’ve certainly been around the houses these last two years trying Ampeg, Ashdown, etc and I like what I hear. It will be my “ other” amp and will alternate between my ABM600 depending on gig etc Recommended 👍

I’ve ordered the GK Legacy 800 Seems to fit the requirements for now !!

I’m looking at GK Legacy 800 at the moment Any users ?