Before buying the G-K 110 I looked at a used Ampeg BA112 and an SWR LA12. I chose the G-K because in comparison the Ampeg sounded muddy, and I thought the SWR too pricey and lacking volume.
After longer use I still like the tone of the G-K but think it is lacking volume also. The light weight and small size are great as I can toss it in my car and lug it around with ease. It has nice tone but is fairly easily drowned out by 50w guitar amplifiers. Overall it does what I need it to do. If stolen I would probably save a few more pennies and look at a similar amp with more power and speaker area.
This is a great practice amp that gives access to a nice variety of sounds at a reasonable price.
Model Year: 2004
Price: $295.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Local independent music merchant
70 WRMS solid state amplifier with simple controls - 2 channels with pre and post volume, distortion circuit, 3 band active eq and a mid-scoop voicing switch. Cabinet is a kick-back type which is nice. I live on the 4th floor of an old building with no elevator so from my point of view the best feature is the small overall size and light weight.
I use it with an active Carvin LB70 with 2 band eq to play blues and R&B. It sounds great at 50% or lower volume and has a lot a variation in tone. I generally use the -10 db pad and find uses for both the clean and a very little distortion channel gain with. The eq is simple but effective - can get a nice dry boom as well as a crisp trebly sound for funk. It is surprisingly deep sounding considering the little 10" speaker. I do find it noisy at higher volumes, especially with the bridge pickup of my bass - could be the bass preamp though.
Only complaint is that the nice tone disapears at higher volume to be replaced by a buzzing clipped sound. I suspect the amplifier is putting out a nice signal that the speaker is not capable of reproducing. To some extent I can reduce this by cutting the bass response, but then am compromising the sound I like at lower volume to accomodate the amplifier's limits.
Controls are dead simple, very easy to understand and the manual is well written too.
Cabinet seems well constructed, hasn't refused to work for me yet, and doesn't seem to get hot with continuous playing I use this as a practice amp and to jam in small settings so am not too concerned about it being able to hit the road.
At higher levels the speaker sounds as if it would be very easy to blow with an aggresive playing style but in general I think it is well built.
This amp is a great little amp and has been sufficient for when I practice with my band. I love the EQ, with the tone shaping to get rid of those ringy mids. The line out is helpful when you are recording, and the speaker out is helpful when you have a larger cab availiable.
The Distortion circuit is a great help when you need that extra edge for a solo or a just for backing up screaming lyrics.
I've used it to play many jazz gigs at small venues, because is has the right amount of volume and tone quality.
I would reccommend this amp to anyone who is looking for a good practice amp, for a reasonable price.
Model Year: 2000
Price: $150.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Sound Of Music
Tone Shaping EQ
3 Band EQ
70 Watts
Distortion Channel
Footswitch Control
Mix Input (CD, Monitor, ect.)
Integrated Circuitry to protect the speaker as well as amplifier.
This amp sounds amazing. The tone shaping EQ is the best one available for this size of amp.
This amp sounds good no matter what sort of rig you have. I use it for both jazz and my hardcore/punk music. This is a great little amp.
I've had this amp for almost two years and it has yet to malfunction of give out on me. I have yet to replace the speaker. It's a great amp.
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