Gallien-Krueger Legacy 500 - 450-watt Ultra Light Bass Head

Name: Gallien-Krueger Legacy 500 - 450-watt Ultra Light Bass Head
Brand: Gallien-Krueger
Rating: 5 (8 reviews)

450W Compact Bass Amp Head with Class D Power Amp and Analog Preamp with Overdrive

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Item ID: Legacy500

Gallien-Krueger Legacy 500 - 450-watt Ultra Light Bass Head

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Gallien-Krueger Legacy 500 - 450-watt Ultra Light Bass Head

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Legacy 500: The Next Generation of GK Bass Tone

The Gallien-Krueger Legacy 500 is a 450-watt 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 conjure 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 450 watts of Class D power and smart, flexible features, the Legacy 500 is gig-ready for studio sessions and live venues of any size.

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 500 fits the bill.

All the right connections

On the Legacy 500'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 500 has you covered with flexible load capacity cabinet impedance switching that delivers optimum power into 2-, 2.7-, 4-, and 8-ohm loads. Practicing quietly at home? The GK Legacy 500 also features Aux input and Headphone jacks.

A gig-ready, tour-tough head

To improve performance and reliability, GK's Legacy series uses an innovative interconnection system that eliminates issues that 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 500 Features:

450W compact, lightweight bass amp head
Class D switch-mode power amp
Analog preamp with overdrive
GK's classic 4-band active EQ
Footswitchable Overdrive with tone control (footswitch included)
Bump, Contour, and Presence voicing filters
Balanced XLR output with pre and post EQ
Unbalanced 1/4-inch FX loop Send and Return
Aux input and Headphones output
Twist-lock speaker outputs
2-, 2.7-, 4-, and 8-ohm load capacity

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Bass Guitar Amp Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

Type: Solid State
Number of Channels: Single Channel
Output Power: 450W @ 2.7ohms, 300W @ 4ohms
EQ: 4-Band Active EQ, Bump, Contour, Presence switches
Inputs: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 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: 5 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number: 302-0950-A

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Reviews

5.0

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There were a couple of reasons why I bought this Gallien-Krueger Legacy 500 amp head, but one of the main reasons was a for recording purposes. I own an Ampeg Portaflex 500 watt head already, and it is also a great amplifier, but it has a cooling fan that is just irritating when you turn it on and it makes enough noise that any sensitive microphone will pick it up unless you have the head and the cabinet in separate areas. I don't have that problem with this amp head. Totally quiet and powerful. When recording bass, I use 2 tracks and record with a mike on one of the cabinets, as well as a direct line into the board. This was a very good investment, plus, you can't beat how you can control and shape the sound of your bass with the features on this amp. It's a great match for my newest Fender Jazz bass that I just bought from my friends at Sweetwater, but it also brings my Rickenbacker 4001 to life as well. If you are looking for a great bass amp that has the punch and is still lightweight, look into this one. I give it 5 stars all day long.

The GK Legacy 500 seems to have it all. Plenty of power to get the job done, plenty of versatility for the tone you need, quiet when it should be, punchy when it needs to be, and all in a lightweight package you can carry with one hand.

Moved to a lighter weight amp for smaller gigs or with FOH support (95% of the time). This has that great GK punchy, tight tone. Also love the ability to practice with headphones. I am running this amp most of the time through a single 1x12 (4ohm) mesa powerhouse. If needed it runs great with an additional 1x12 (4ohm) - That is still only pushing 300watts and is plenty for everything I do.
Still have my David Eden WT just in case but this GK legacy just gets the job done.

Awesome sound and well balanced. The last time I bought a GK was 1996 and I knew it was great then. I mostly like that it has a tight sound and makes my bass guitar sounds like how the manufacturer made it to sound.

GK hit it out of the park with this amp, it cuts through the stage noise without having to crank mids. So easy to find my sound, true Gallien Krueger.
I used the rb 400 for 20 yrs. Been trying to find something as reliable but more modern sound. This is the rb400 updated, modernized, and improved. More focused. Truly better in every way!
So great to see a company focused on improving user experience and reliability . Good job Mr. Gallien!