Gallien Krueger Fusion S VS Ampeg Pf-T50

Sound comparison test:
Ampeg Pf-T50 all Tube VS Gallien Krueger Fusion S Class D with Tube Preamp.

I've been wanting to get myself a tube amp for a long time, but I've always been limited by their weight.
Now I have finally decided to buy an Ampeg Pf-T50 and hope it will be loud enough for my rock band, but I am sure that I will use it very often for studio work.
Since I am a Gallien Krueger user for years ago, I currently have a GK Fusion S800 amp that has tube preamp.

I've always been curious about how much influence tubes in preamps actually have on the sound, so I recorded this sound test-comparison as soon as the new Ampeg arrived.
I only used the DI outputs from both amplifiers, straight to the audio interface (without any DAW plugins), from the GK post EQ, and from the Ampeg Transformer DI after power tubes.

First I recorded the sound on the Ampeg using different bass guitars and playing styles, and then I tried to replicate it on the Gallien Krueger.

Basses used in this test:
Fender Custom Shop Postmodern Precision / Elixir 45-100 Round strings
Sandberg California TM4 / Passive S+S mod / Elixir 40-95 Round strings
Fender 1968 Precision / Thomastik Infeld Flat strings
Music Man Stingray Special 4H / Elixir 45-100 Round strings

What do You think about the results?

This video is NOT sponsored by any of the brands mentioned!

[francescoatzori]

Wow as an Ampeg lover i must say the fusion does sound superb!

[rollcats]

Fusion cleaner tones sounded really good, but the Ampeg full tube sounds more natural and full.

Distorted tone at the end for fusion was ok, but basically like a pedal. Not as complex as the Ampeg.

Ampeg all the way, but this GK isn’t bad at all.

[VeitLehmann]

Man, you always keep coming up with comparisons that really catch my interest! I have a GK MB210 combo amp (first generation) and I love its compactness, power, simplicity, its clean sounds and especially GK's versatile and musical EQ. I'm just missing that tube warmth every now and then. So I was wondering if a Fusion could deliver those epic Ampeg-like sounds. This video shows exactly what I wanted to know for a long time! Your examples sound really awesome and very tasteful!

I have to say that for this type of sounds I often prefer the Ampeg – it's just bigger, hotter and has that sweet all-tube looseness. But pretty often the GK comes dangerously close. And it'll be so much more versatile because it also can deliver ultra clean sounds at a high volume and it has just more sound shaping options. The Ampeg is a dream if you're not looking for super clean sounds and want something really iconic for the studio or small gigs! However, I'd still choose the GK.

[TR]

Thanks for the great comparison! I am a long time GK user, and lover, but I have to say the Ampeg definitely has a more natural breakup and sound to it. I agree with one of the other responses that the breakup of the GK sounds more like an overdrive pedal.

[jonathanchevallier]

Very nice comparison. Thank you for this video.

[JohnWhite-xcmd]

I like both amps, but I like the mid range fatness of the Ampeg a little more. I've heard they've had reliability issues on some models. I don't know about this one, but it does have a great tone.

[mgmadian]

Helpful video, thanks! I generally preferred the Ampeg clips... esp for fingerstyle w rounds, it sounded bigger/warmer to my ears while the Fusion was thinner w more high-mids. The Stingray slap especially sounded better thru the Ampeg, which was surprising. Flats sounded kinda similar, and the picked sounds both sounded very good if slightly different. Net: both good amps, my preference is Ampeg based on the fingerstyle and slapped sounds

[hallanvaara]

A classy video! Thanks! Do you find the Ampeg loud enough on gigs? What cabs do you use?

[dirkidentification]

ampeg for your studio and the GK for the differences it sure made sense to put them aside each other, Gracias !!!

[rawhead]

Had both amps and replaced them with an old US Eden WT 550, an Ashdown Little Bastard and an Eich TR 500 .And I am very happy with my decision ...Unbeatable naturality and tons of tone shaping possibilities..The gallien and the ampeg got one trademark sound, which is fine, when it fits your personal taste..if not, hard to change...

[marg]

The Ampeg has a nicer solo tone IMO, but another question is which one sounds better in a band mix. My experiences are that sonic characteristics that sound harsh solo are often desirable in a live mix. A guitar overdriven through a cranked tube amp is pretty harsh, as is a drum set hit at rock intensity. If I owned both, I'd use the GK live and the Ampeg for solo practice and possibly recording. I think video is actually a good illustration of translating Ampeg-like tones to an amp that is perhaps better than Ampeg (even an SVT, for me at least) in a live setting.

[TheBassfresh]

love GK and it comes close, but only ampeg gets the ampeg low mid grunt IMO, especially when paired w/ a quality 15" cab. It's the power section and transformers vs class D or Class A/B ss. Preamp tubes only replicate tube sound w/ full plate voltage., and AFAIK the GK does not have that, nor does any class d amp other than the milkman 700.

[martineadg]

different EQ settings, cutting treble when slapping, using build-in overdrive etc. is question for me... its more presentation of sounds than comparison, flat setting would be more talking and...I understand, less interesting, ...but thank you very much anyway... nice video

[Elephantitusofthenuts]

Gk sounded way more clearer and punchy.