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Gallien-Krueger Legacy 1200 - 1200-watt Ultra Light Bass Head

1200W Compact Bass Amp Head with Class D Power Amp and Analog Preamp with Overdrive
6 Write review Item ID: Legacy1200
$1,199.00

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Legacy 1200 Head and 2x NEO IV 2x12-inch Cabs Bundle

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Gallien-Krueger Legacy 1200 - 1200-watt Ultra Light Bass Head
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Legacy 1200: the Next Generation of GK Bass Tone

The Gallien-Krueger Legacy 1200 is an 1200W compact, lightweight bass amp head with a Class D switch-mode power amp and analog preamp with overdrive. The Legacy Series represents a half century of industry-leading innovation at Gallien-Krueger. With its signature growl, clarity, power, and features that were ahead of its time, the 800RB, launched in 1980, established Gallien-Krueger as an industry leader in solid-state bass amplification. GK's Legacy Series heads conjures the same no-nonsense aesthetic while delivering cutting-edge sound and features for today's bassists. From clear, biting cleans to fat, punchy overdrive, the Legacy Series can do it all. Packing 1200 watts of Class D power and smart, flexible features, the Legacy 1200 is gig-ready for studio sessions and live venues of any size.

Related Videos: Legacy 1200 - 1200-watt Ultra Light Bass Head

Quickly nail the tone you need for any gig

Legions of bass players at Sweetwater trust Gallien-Krueger to deliver the tone, gig after gig. That's why GK designed its Legacy Series bass heads with a flexible, smart feature set to help you ace any live show or recording session. Sculpt your tone to perfection with Gallien-Krueger's classic 4-band EQ. Quickly audition versatile voicing filters — Bump, Contour, and Presence — to zero in fast on the perfect sound for any music genre. Kick in saturation with onboard Overdrive and dial in Edge tone-shaping to taste. Whether you're playing prog metal or country, the GK Legacy 1200 fits the bill.

All the right connections

On the Legacy 1200's rear-panel Patch Bay, use the effects loop send and return to connect your favorite compressor or other outboard gear. Landed an arena gig? Use the balanced DI output to send a post-EQ signal to the PA. In the studio, switch the DI to pre-EQ and connect directly to the recording console. From coffeehouse gigs to stadiums, the Gallien-Krueger Legacy 1200 has you covered with flexible Load capacity cabinet impedance switching that delivers optimum power into 2.7, 4, and 8-ohm loads. Practicing quietly at home? The GK Legacy 1200 also features Aux input and Headphone jacks.

Gig-ready and tour-tough

To improve performance and reliability, GK's Legacy Series uses an innovative interconnection system that eliminates issues which can develop over time due to the frequent vibration and temperature extremes that gear is subjected to with demanding professional use. Legacy Series circuit boards use gold-plated connections instead of standard cables with tin connectors. This type of robust construction delivers a purer sound in addition to the enhanced reliability to withstand years of heavy touring.

Gallien-Krueger Legacy 1200 Features:

  • 1200-watt compact, lightweight bass amp head
  • Class D switch-mode power amp
  • Analog preamp with overdrive
  • GK's classic 4-band active EQ
  • Foot-switchable Overdrive with Tone control (footswitch included)
  • Bump, Contour, and Presence voicing filters
  • Balanced XLR output with pre and post EQ
  • Unbalanced ¼" FX loop send and return
  • Aux input and Headphones output
  • Twist Lock speaker outputs
  • 2.7, 4, and 8 ohm load capacity
  • Dimensions: 11.5" W x 11" D x 2.375" H

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Bass Guitar Amp Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: Single Channel
  • Total Power: 1200W @ 4 ohms
  • EQ: 4-Band Active EQ, Bump, Contour, and Presence switches
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4", 1/8" (aux)
  • Outputs: 2 x SpeakON (balanced), 1 x XLR (direct out), 1 x 1/4" (tuner)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8"
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (overdrive, tone control)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes
  • Cooling System: 2 x Internal Fans, Side Air Vent
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 2.3"
  • Width: 11.5"
  • Depth: 11"
  • Weight: 6.5 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 302-0980-A

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Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5

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It’s an amazing head

Bought this head as part of the Sweetwater bundle - 1200 Legacy Head and 2 2x12 NeoIV bass cabs.

The rig sounds fantastic.
The 2x12's have more midrange presence and a fuller tone, whereas the 410's are more scooped and tinnier sounding.

The Legacy head is fantastic. I love the simplicity and toggle switches. The trim knob takes a bit if getting used to but becomes very intuitive.

The head with the "bump" and "contour" switches unengaged sounds very organic and transparent. For myself personally I would alway keep them activated, unless I'm in an incredibly boomy venue.
The rig all together is indescribably loud. Both cabs connected to the head are pushing 600 watts each for a total of the full 1200 at 4 ohms. It's INSANELY loud.

Very satisfied with the purchase!
by Aviv Silverman from Denver, CO on
Music background: Professional gigging bassist and musician

Great Product

I love this amp, it's very practical and easy to understand and equalize. It's sound is good for any musical genre that's interpreted. I play the babybass and the electric bass and I play different latin genres, this amp helps me project a clear and heavy sound that is distinctive of a good bass. The service with the Sweetwater Company was excellent and fast, they offer different options to make the necessary purchases. I recommended 100%
by Ethel Miranda from Puerto Rico on
Music background: Profesional Bassist

R.

This is a beast. Short version: buy it. If you want to make your bass sing like never before with massive power and versatility with no weight, buy it. GK is a real find, priced better than many others for what it offers and will make you happy.

Long version: This is the classic, amazing sound I have always wanted, and you want it too, you just don't know it yet.

I have wanted/needed this amp for 30 years. My dream started in 1993, when I ordered a GK 400RB head that never arrived, because it was out of stock. I DID receive the matching GK 410 RB cab that I ordered at the same time. I worshipped Flea, so I had to have GK, because he used GK then. After 3 months of painfully waiting for the GK amp, I canceled the GK and in exchange settled for a much lesser 150W head of a lesser make--and I've always regretted it. So, I had the old 410RB GK cab for 24 years, basically underutilized. I never had a GK head for it, and the cab eventually became obsolete. I never got that GK sound out of it. I gave the cab to a friend who needed it a while back. Sad, right?

Yada yada yada, I decided to try again recently. I decided to get a high-watt GK head and a 212 to go with it. I got the 1200 Legacy head. I paired it with the Neo IV 212 cab and it is a dream.

I have 2 basses: a Fender Roscoe Beck V I've had since 2004, and my dream Warwick Thumb fretless bass I got last year. I have played each through various amps over the years and the GK is IT. Now they are both my dream basses. They have finally come to life.

I play to a live audience very rarely and likely will never do so with this amp (don't ask), but I don't care. I enjoy playing through this amp-cab configuration so much! Even at low volumes at home the clarity and presence of this amp are marvelous. But I've cranked it, and I can assure you, you'll never sound better, whether it's for your own enjoyment or live.

I've played many basses loud for 30 years through many amps. I have ne-ver fully enjoyed playing loud with any bass through any amp. I have always expected boomy and muddy, and I just accept it. Nope, not with this. It's amazing. It's definition, clarity and fun-factor are inspiring.

Is it the wood? The strings? The pickups? BUZZ. BUZZZ. BUUUZZZZ. Come on, it's gotta be the wood, right? BUUZZZZ. Nope. It's the amp. I finally see it. Trust me, it's the amp. This GK 1200 proves it.

You'll read and hear that bass live sound is all DI through a PA these days. Not so fast! First off, not all venues or opportunities where one might play have a PA, or at least one good enough to allow good bass sound with a DI alone. Also, practice settings with a drummer require VOLUME, and there may not be a full PA there. And this amp provides volume and great sound at low volumes as well. So if you need an amp, get this.

From the tech standpoint, please watch the Sweetwater videos from GK where The Galliens demo the goods--Bob is a living legend and the videos are very instructive. You'll see what I mean. Try them out in-person if you can. Great amp.
by Sweetwater Customer on
Music background: Electric bass 32 years, self taught, some lessons.

GK Legacy 1200...FINALLY, the tone I have been chasing!

I already own a GK combo, and I've been using GK cabs for a while, and I love their sound. I had been using an Ampeg SVT7 Pro head with the GKs, but it was starting to have issues, and frankly it never quite got me the tone I was after. After much deliberating between the Legacy and Fusion heads by GK, I decided the Legacy solid state head was the way for me. After all, the original highly sought after GKs were all solid state, and I had been having issues with my Ampeg, especially the tube front end. So, I figured I would eliminate that from happening again.
I received the amp on the day of a gig, so I took it straight to the show without ever testing it or doing any setup. Literally played my first notes through the thing at soundcheck. And, with the controls centered, this amp absolutely blew me away!!! Musical, powerful, and a punch that I had never achieved with any of my amps before, and I've played through most of the top name amps on the market. I soundchecked with my Marleaux Votan Deluxe custom bass which has a plethora of tone options, and every one of the tones I selected rang true and precise. The amp really let the character of a very high end bass shine through without overpowering it. It was a thing of beauty. Since that gig, I've had the chance to play other basses through the rig, namely my Stingray, Precision, BTB, Jazz and Spectrum basses, and each one retains its voice/voices naturally.
Talk about the complete package...6 pounds, 1200 watts, bulletproof construction and THAT tone...The SVT7 will find its way to a new owner (after I get it fixed), and I will ride or die with GK from this point forward.
by Eric Kiefer from Maryland on
Music background: 35+ years...Bass, Guitar, Vocals, FOH Sound, Recording Engineer

Jaw dropping power and sound of the Legacy 1200

I've never heard anything like this Legacy 1200 by Gallien-Krueger. In 45 years of playing this is the first Bass amp to surprise me. It's quiet. No noise. Quiet as a mouse. Sounds great FLAT too! Super easy, and fast to set up. I can set it in a few seconds and done. The sound of the controls is sweet and not disappointing like so many other amps. The power is shocking and the weight is 6.5 pounds. Incredible. Top notch construction right down to the GOLD Solder joints. No cheap hardware either. They spent the time and money on this thing. It's the best amp I've ever had and I've owned Peavey, Fender, Hartke, Ampeg, Kustom, and some pre-amps by SansAmp and PreSonus. They don't even come close to this thing. I have the volume barely on. It's LOUD as all get out. HUGE BONUS-designed and BUILT in the U.S.A. The price was reasonable and the quality is out of this world. You can't go wrong with this Gallien Krueger Legacy 1200. It's my new stage amp.
by Carl L. Negley III from Schertz, TX on
See also: Bass Amp Heads, Gallien-Krueger, Gallien-Krueger Bass Guitar Amp Heads
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