Reviewed by:
bahizta-fclef, on march 03, 2007
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 540
Purchased from: JB Music
Features: First of all, I'm not sure when my amp was made, but it seems brand new to me when I bought it. This amp would handle anything I play ranging frm alternative rock, funk, some jazz, and sometimes reggae. It has 2 channels, 1 clean and 1 overdrive channel, which I don't really recommed using during high volume playing. There is also an effects loop, XLR direct output and a footswitch jack (footswitch not included). The amp is fine for me, but I wish it had a horn driver to handle the highs better(just like in high-end Gallien-Krueger combos) I also wish it were lighter, it's not easy lugging around a 55 lb. bass amp up a flight of stairs. I use this amp during jam session with my band, I can say it's really powerful because it can really be heard, despite the drums and the guitar. The guitarist even asks me to lower my volume, and his amp is a Marshall, small but loud. You can also couple the internal speaker with an external cabinet pumping out bass at 8 ohms. Something GK would call "biamping". What's also nice about this amp is the Boost setting, which gives an extra "ooomph" to your sound. 120W (175W with optional external cabinet). 15" internal speaker. The Gallien-Krueger Backline 115 guitar amplifier has an active 4-band EQ, footswitchable overdrive, adjustable contour, Boost valve effect, effects loop, tuner out, XLR out with ground and pre/post switch. Tilt-back design. 1-year warranty on audio speakers. 2-year warranty on electronics. // 9
Sound: I mainly use all pickup positions on my RD500, from bridge humbucker to neck J-style. With my GK's wide range of tone controls and my Ibanez's versatility, I can dial in any tone I want from deep bass, to slap, to something that would sound like Flea. Anyways, I play different kinds of music such as alternative rock, funk, jazz, metal(sometimes). I can really dial in any tone to match whatever sound I want to achieve. It's noisy already when you turn both the master and boost near 10, always maintain a balance between the two, do not set both to high levels. The clean does sort of distort when it's already near full volume, but I don't think you'll need that much since it's already loud when turned halfway(just make a good mix between your bass's and amp's volume setting). The distortion is quite ok, you can adjust the gain to suit the level you want. I can copy the distortion used in Around The World (RHCP of course). The only problem is that when the overdrive channel is used, it sort of loses the bass range a bit. // 9
Reliability & Durability: This thing is really dependable, I have Faith in this amp and I'm looking forward to play a gig using this thing. I suggest a cooler place though, since the vent up top kinda heats up when playing for long hours. This amp is also tough, I was climbing up the stairs when I slipped (I blame my shoes), may amp broke my fall, if it were'nt for it, I would have lost some of my teeth, broken a rib and sent to a hospital. After that, I immediately plugged it and surprisingly, no damage was done. It has a tough outer casing, very massive, can be cumbersome in some situations but it's all good! So far, this amp has not broken down, and I'm impressed. This would put to silence those bashers who gave low ratings to this product. Though I heard it's speaker is prone to breaking, if it happens, I'll just replace it with an Eminence speaker. But I don't think I would break down that easily. // 10
Impression: Again, I play various styles of music. As long as it is music to my ears. hahaha. Well, this amp is a good match with my playing styles since it is very versatile and I can dial in any tone I want(thanks to a 4-band EQ, voicing, contour and boost). I have been playing for almost 3 years now, I'm self taught but I appreciate help, advice and tips from experts. My rig includes an Ibanez RD500, Fender California cable(the surf green one) and a Behringer HB01 Hellbabe wah-wah pedal. I don't think I would have to ask anything else about this product (expect for a discount from the retailer). If it were stolen or lost, I would definitely get another one. If I had a bigger budget, I would probably choose from the higher-end Gallien-Krueger models, Fender Bassman amps, Hartke or Behringer. Of course, of similar size and power rating. I love the amp's power, all 175 watts of it! It looks pretty too, with a metal grille. Looks expensive, but not really. I love it's versatility, it gives me the freedom to dial in tones I want. The only thing I dislike about it is it's weight. I appreciate a good workout, but when when I'm tired after jamming, it's just cumbersome to lug it up a flight of stairs. But I like it's size though, some massive and intimidating bass amp. hahaha. My favorite feature would be it's controls, very flexible and you won't run out of tones to use. Well, I compared this with a Hartke Kickback 12(Audiophile never had Kickback 15 in stock) and a Behringer BXL3000. Of course, these amps are the best to fit my budget, I can't afford a Fender or Trace Elliot yet. I chose this product over the 2 others (Hartke And Behringer, though these are worth buying too) because the GK just perfectly fitted my sound preferences. I'm also aware that Flea (my idol of course) uses GK amps now, so that's a plus for me. Lastly, I just wish it had a horn tweeter so that it can handle the highs better. I also wish it had pulsating lights (like the Fender Rumble) and a headphone connector for silent practice. I would also recommend buying a lint brush and a cover. Dust easily clings on the carpeted bodywork and can go through the grille and onto the speaker, but it's easy to clean though. Other than that, we're all good! // 10
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