GK Fusion 800S and GK Legacy 800 Comparison

The Fusion S Series Heads are GK’s brand new Class D Model heads with a tube preamp. The rich warmth of tubes combined with the quick, punchy power section that GK bass amps are known for is an experience like no other. These high powered heads incorporate three 12ax7 tubes in the preamp, including one dedicated to the overdrive channel, making it GK’s first ever tube driven overdrive channel. Illuminated knobs add an extra level of sophistication and design by not only making it easier to dial in your tone on stage and but adding a beautiful stage presence as well. Each illuminated knob is also push activated, with additional voicing filters and tonal characteristics built in.

The Legacy Series represents fifty years of design, innovation and industry experience at Gallien-Krueger. Bob Gallien remains at the helm of the company, still working in the lab daily, as he did in the beginning, to create the best sounding, most versatile, and reliable professional bass gear available.Because the Legacy Series shares the same designer as the 800RB, it shares the same DNA and the same level of innovation, with a more evolved feature set and construction concept.

The introduction of the 800RB in 1980 cemented Gallien-Krueger as a leader in Solid State bass amplification, with its signature growl, clarity, power, and features that were ahead of its time. The new Legacy Series of heads captures that same aesthetic while adding something all its own. From clean, clear, biting tones, to saturated overdrive, the Legacy series has it all. Coming in 500, 800, and 1200 watt class D models, The Legacy Heads are ready for the biggest stages, the smallest living rooms, and everything in between.

To improve performance and reliability, the Legacy Series uses a unique interconnection system that eliminates problems that can develop over time from constant vibration and temperature extremes that gear is subjected to with heavy use. Using circuitboards with gold plated connectors, rather than cables with standard tin connectors, this type of construction delivers a more pure, reliable sound. Features include GK's classic 4 band EQ, Overdrive complete with tone shaping, additional voicing filters such as "Bump", "Contour", and "Presence", Balanced DI with Pre and Post EQ, an Effects Loop, Aux and Headphone connections, and Load capacity selection, to deliver optimum power into 2, 2.7, 4 and 8ohm cabinet configurations.
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[Therealchuckbailey]

Wanted to say thanks everyone for checking out the Demo! I appreciate your patience and your kindness! If there is other GK gear you are interested in let me know in the comments and we will see if GK wants to work together again!

Take care my friends and stay Low!

[caseypayne]

When you play with a pick through a GK, you get that really cool Justin Chancellor cricket-chirp growl (idk how else to describe it) You can hear a little bit of it with fingerstyle attack, but it's a lot stronger when you pick.

[d.n.]

I just got my GK Fusion 2 x 12 combo (800 watt) two days ago and I am loving it!! I did not read the manual, first. Guilty!! 🤣

[milocabral]

They’re super similar but I here a more punchy controlled and sculpted bottom end on the fusion with a more defined high end on the legacy

[mitchfindergeneral]

WOAH, wasn't expecting to hear an ultra dank cover of Satan's Fall by Mercyful Fate in the intro.

[GrayMatter]

I'll take the Legacy for the tone on that low B. Outside of that, the MTD is beautiful and the X- Men tee was the icing on the cake. Well done!

[matthewperkins]

Absolutely love GK. Had the 700rb and wish I still had it. Played it through 410 CX cab and had an amazing sound. Just ordered their GK Neo 4x12 cab and can't wait to jam on it!!! Should be here any day now. Have Mesa Boogie Subway d800+ going on top. Am so excited. Also will be getting another GK head just have not decided whether I want Legacy or Fusion. Keep up the great videos. You guys are awesome🤘🤓 Wow after watching 3 times I do believe I'll get the GK Fusion head. IMHO I think it has a fuller warmer sound than the Legacy. They both sound awesome. Thank you guys.🤘😁

[johndaniel]

Thanks for the review.
To my ears the Fusion 800s had a warmer, fuller sound, almost SVT like, probably because of the tube circuitry.

[ryanwarsh]

This is the tone I’ve been chasing for years! I never messed with GK amps much but I need something a little bigger than my Peavey Max 208 for gigs, now I’m convinced I need a GK.

[rcjd]

I love the sound of the overdrive on the Legacy. I will probably look into getting the 500 watt version sometime.

[jamescoderre]

The Trim knob set correctly makes a huge difference, I love my GK amps,
I have a Fusion 550 with 4x12 GK Neo's & an MB800 with GK CX 210 cab, I have checked out both the Fusion S & Legacy heads at my local music store they're killer !
Thanks for the informative video.

[tonycarel]

You guy's rock!! Thanks for being honest !! One hell of a review!!

[mattrudybass]

Excellent video. Been thinking about picking one of these up. My first real bass amp was a 800RB from around 92. Lasted forever.

[SuperVanillacoke]

I am very much looking at GK for next rig. Great to see/hear this!

[Lonewerewolf]

I received my legacy 800 on the 3rd of February and I did the same thing. Turned the trim up to 11 and adjusted volume control. I thought, “I’m not impressed. The sound isn’t thick and I’m pushing the volume more than I would’ve ever imagined for an 800.” Only when I then opened the manual did I realize I was doing it wrong. After adjusting the trim and lowering the volume, it was a complete turnaround. Thick, punchy, all the nuances I wanted and the low mid is at the perfect frequency whereas my Markbass has a low mid that sounds honky. Also, I think the overdrive is phenomenal. I A/B’d it with an SVT and the overdrive when digging in sounded very very close (edge barely on, overdrive at 10, level adjusted so it doesn’t have a noticeable volume jump when switching on). This is my first GK amp and I absolutely love it.

[jonsidell]

I’m getting lost in the top on that MTD. Stunning!

[brentheathersimons]

Nicely done! I hope you guys didn't get slammed too bad. Loved the "Spoonman"-Best wishes-Brent

[johncarter]

I'm giving serious consideration to replacing my dead Fender Bassman 1200 Pro with with the Fusion 1200 or the Legacy 1200. The main question I'm asking myself is if I want to really deal with the tubes in the Fusion. It sounds great but I'm kind of over tubes. Plus I've been using a GK Backline 600 and really dig it. It just doesn't have enough power.
I really appreciate the time you took to do a direct comparison between the amps.

[LeeGallatin]

"DON"T TOUCH THE TRIM! "
-Earl from Squidbillys

[peterduncan]

Have the 800s - will try the lower trim setting! Thanks for the great video!