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Gallien-Krueger 400B

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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Designed for bass players who demand reliability and performance, the Gallien-Krueger 400B is a powerful bass amplifier head that combines cutting-edge technology with classic tone. This solid-state amp head is renowned for its bi-amp capability, allowing you to connect separate power amps to drive different frequency ranges, ensuring a clear and articulate sound. With its intuitive control layout, you can easily shape your tone using the four-band active EQ, making it adaptable to any musical style.

The 400B is fitted with robust components that promise durability during rigorous gigging schedules. Its compact design makes it an ideal choice for musicians who need portability without compromising on sound quality. The unique architecture of the Gallien-Krueger 400B ensures a seamless integration with various cabinets, offering versatility for both studio and live performance environments.

Key Features:

200 watts of power for optimal sound output
Four-band active EQ for precise tonal control
Bi-amp capability for enhanced frequency management
Compatible with a wide range of speaker cabinets
Built with high-quality, durable components
Compact size for easy transport and setup

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gallien-Krueger 400B.

User experience

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Owners describe the 400RB as "classic workhorse heads" that are "punchy, powerful, and bulletproof," performing reliably over decades without servicing.
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Users highlight that despite its lower wattage, the 400RB can seem louder than its 130-watt spec at 8 ohms, making it suitable for various settings.
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Owners have used the 400RB-III with a 115 cab for rehearsal and gigs over several years, finding it reliable for moderately loud settings.
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Features and functionality

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The 400RB is noted for its DI output, which is useful for running through PA systems, especially in larger venues or when additional volume support is needed.
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The 400RB-III combo amp includes a line out feature that can be used to connect to a PA system, enhancing gig performance with PA support.
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The combo amp's internal speakers receive 185 watts, but the output can increase to 200 watts when an additional 8-ohm cab is connected.
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Comparisons

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The 400RB's tone is preferred over Ampeg heads by some users, with specific mention of its boost feature enhancing sound quality.
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The 800RB, while louder and with more headroom, is noted to have a different voicing, being more mid-focused compared to the 400RBII.
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The 400RB-III is significantly heavier and less powerful compared to modern 300-500 watt amps, yet it remains a viable option for those seeking its specific tonal qualities.
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Use cases and applications

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For metal bands, the 400RB may require a 4-ohm cab or full stack to achieve sufficient volume, as it's less powerful at 8 ohms.
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The 400RB-III combo amp is louder than a Fender Rumble 30 but may struggle in a loud metal band setting without additional speaker support.
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Mike Dirnt

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

Verified via Photo

As can be seen in the picture, Mike Dirnt's main amp in 1991, used as spare for Yamaha G-100 II in 1989 and 1990 but never used in studio.

Tina Weymouth

Singer, Bassist

Talking Heads

Verified via reverb.com

Used live with Tom Tom Club in 1988, as stated in this 1988 interview with Tony Bacon posted to Reverb.com on November 21, 2018.

What amplification are you using on this Tom Tom Club tour [in 1988]?

A reliable old Gallien-Krueger 400B amplifier and a Trace Elliot 2x15 cabinet. Some people can't stand that amp, but I like it because it's very clean. It cuts better.

I bought myself a book on guitars and it had a picture of me from way back in 1978. I got it because they had a picture of an old Martin acoustic, just like this hundred-year-old Martin that I bought for next to nothing. I got it from some convent somewhere, and it looks exactly like one they have in the Metropolitan in New York, which they say is from somewhere between 1870 and 1880. So I bought the book for that reason, and then I found this picture of myself with this severe criticism, "What she uses is not what a bass player should use."

See, I wasn't using folded horns in the amp setup, and they seemed to think that what a bass player should be using was a little PA. But if I used that on stage, the other players would kill me [laughs]! I just need something that tells me where I am, and then I have to rely totally on the soundman. I can get the finest sound, and then in the hall it's going to be entirely different anyway. It's just a constant losing battle, stage sound.

Tim Chandler

Bassist

Daniel Amos

Verified via Tripod

"An increasingly temperamental 1981 Gallien-Krueger 400B bass head (that recently took six months to get fixed after the last time it fried) and an Ampeg SVT "half-stack" (four ten-inch speakers.) My old refrigerator sized SVT cabinet (eight ten-inch speakers) was blown up sometime around 1990-91 due to a mysterious series of odd circumstances, which I believe started at the Cornerstone fesival."