gary mac Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 [quote name='Hazy Bass' timestamp='1482095897' post='3197645'] I just picked up on this for the first time via another thread, and my interest is distinctly piqued! I'm in Sussex (so about as far 'darn sarf' as it's possible to get) ... is there anyone around here (or as far afield as London) who has one of these that I could try? [/quote] I'm hoping to get another one for road testing soon, will give you a shout when it gets here. I'm in Herts so a bit closer for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 [quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1482143858' post='3197905'] That's interesting to hear active basses are pushing the pre a bit hard.... Is there anyone else having this issue? Anyone in the U.K. Using a stingray through the 400??? Their video of the all tube amp and stingray sounded great but it does have a different preamp. [/quote] I know we've just chatted about this on FB, but Warwickhunt of this parish as an active Musicman, and he had no problems with headroom when he gigged it. I can't imagine Leszek would design a pre that doesn't work with actives :-) Also, AFAIK the WB-100 is the same pre.. only the power stage differs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Cheers WoT, that hasn't helped my GAS lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I don't suppose there are any in the south west that could be heard anywhere are there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Also interested to try the R-400 if there is one in Berkshire / Thamesvalley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1482269799' post='3199170'] Also interested to try the R-400 if there is one in Berkshire / Thamesvalley [/quote] Nancy J has one if you want to contact him: [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1478079986' post='3166522'] Crowthorne, Berkshire. A few miles east of Reading. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 Nancy J has the trial Red Fighter, which is a different beast. Big and clean. If anyone wants to try it, give him a shout... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I was specifically more interested in not so big or clean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Not long bought an SWR SM500 from Phsycocandy otherwise would be very interested, but may well get in touch in the new year to AB it against the SWR is anyone able to comment on how the R 400 compares to the three valve preAmp in the GK MB 500fusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirky Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Actually I imagine the R400 won't be a millions miles away from my GK Fusion 550 - 3 valve preamp and class G power. Next time you're in Harrogate Michael we should do a compare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 If only there were a few more GK fusion 550's about. I've been desperately trying to get one used for 3 years, every time they come up for sale, I am not in a position to buy. Whenever I have cash, they are nowhere to be seen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 (edited) Would it be that simple? Isn't teh GK Fusion just a valve preamp and a class D power amp? I thought this wasn't a class D? - oh, seems I was thinking of a different amp. Although that is a lot more expensive than this isn't it? Edited December 21, 2016 by Woodinblack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Easy mistake to make woodinblack, I think GK have a similar marketing department to musicman... MB FUSION 500 is the tube pre/class D power stage MB FUSION 550 is a tube pre/transformer power stage This bad boy here http://www.gallien-krueger.com/fusion-550-head/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1482318648' post='3199465'] Would it be that simple? Isn't teh GK Fusion just a valve preamp and a class D power amp? I thought this wasn't a class D? - oh, seems I was thinking of a different amp. Although that is a lot more expensive than this isn't it? [/quote] Yes, over £1000 now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Forrer Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 The big difference is that GK has a "baked-in" sound, the R-400 is a lot more neutral. I went from a MB800 to an R-400 because of two things. First, I play mostly upright bass and the R-400 gets the sound I want easier, and second, the R-400 is repairable by any decent amp tech, the GK is micro circuitry and would probably need a board replacement in the event of a problem. Oh yeah.... a third! I hate having knobs to twiddle, and the R-400 is minimal in this regard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 Thanks for the observation Marty I like the thought of having an amp with the facility to notch out any undesirables, but in practice I tend to use the same settings and leave them. My basses have all the EQ i could need if i was honest, so providing the R-400 is warm enough it would suit my one cab jazz gigs a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Forrer Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) I live in New Zealand, so my purchase of the R-400 was totally blind. The only review I could find was wateroftyne's, so it's all his fault! J/k! I have no regrets at all, it suits me just fine. Despite the minimal knobs, it has a very powerful eq, although most of the time I don't need it, flat is fine. I opened it up one day (because I'm a tinkerer) and the build quality is absolutely top notch. Componentry matches any top end head I have ever seen. I still keep an MB200 but am using it to power my monitor wedges in my PA system. Edited January 11, 2017 by Marty Forrer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 [quote name='Marty Forrer' timestamp='1484101138' post='3212725'] I live in New Zealand, so my purchase of the R-400 was totally blind. The only review I could find was wateroftyne's, so it's all his fault! J/k! I have no regrets at all, it suits me just fine. Despite the minimal knobs, it has a very powerful eq, although most of the time I don't need it, flat is fine. I opened it up one day (because I'm a tinkerer) and the build quality is absolutely top notch. Componentry matches any top end head I have ever seen. I still keep an MB200 but am using it to power my monitor wedges in my PA system. [/quote] Sorry about that Yep, running it flat does the job for me, too. It sounds just like a bass should (IMO). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magee Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I don't suppose anyone has one of these anywhere near the Glasgow area do they? I haven't seen one mentioned on the thread, but mentioning just in case there's a lurker. They sound ideal - I'm currently using an Ashdown tube pre / SS power amp but it's too powerful (and therefore too heavy) for my needs. The master never gets past eight o'clock, so I'm thinking this might be a better fit for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='magee' timestamp='1484149699' post='3213062'] I don't suppose anyone has one of these anywhere near the Glasgow area do they? I haven't seen one mentioned on the thread, but mentioning just in case there's a lurker. [/quote] There's none that I'm aware of - there's a couple in Newcastle, but I think that's the closest... at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 Here's another little clip I made yesterday - P pup solo'd, mic on the cab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEpKEFyvoPY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbartlett Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 (edited) Hello! Does anyone in London/South East have a trial one of these that I could perhaps test drive at a rehearsal? Thank you Jim Edited January 21, 2017 by jimbartlett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I think with the interest these are generating, it might be worth their while getting them in a few places around teh country where people could try them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleya Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I get to gig my r400 for the first time tonight after a few very agreeable one cab rehearsals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbartlett Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 (edited) Good luck! Which cab are you using with it? Anyone played one through a Barefaced Super Compact or One10? Edited January 21, 2017 by jimbartlett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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