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Description
Unlock the perfect blend of power and tone with the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head. Designed for bassists who crave versatility, this amplifier head marries the warmth of a 6-stage tube preamp with the punch and clarity of a solid-state power section. Whether you're rocking the stage or laying down tracks in the studio, the Fusion 550 delivers a robust 500 watts for the low end and 50 watts dedicated to your horn, ensuring your sound is both rich and dynamic.
The Fusion 550 doesn't just stop at delivering pristine sound; it offers extensive tone-shaping capabilities with its 4-band active EQ, contour, and presence controls. Add a dash of growl with the GK gain control to tailor your sound to perfection. The motorized controls allow seamless transitions between settings, thanks to the included footswitch, making it adaptable for any performance scenario.
Gigging musicians will appreciate the professional features like the XLR direct out, which can be set pre- or post-EQ with a ground lift switch, ready to interface with any live or studio setup. The effects loop lets you integrate your favorite pedals post-EQ, expanding your tonal possibilities. Built with GK's renowned durability, the Fusion 550 is as reliable as it is versatile, making it an essential piece of gear for bassists of all levels.
Key Features:
- 6-stage tube preamp combined with solid-state power amp
- 500 watts for low end, 50 watts for horn
- 4-band active EQ with contour and presence controls
- Motorized controls with footswitch for easy channel switching
- Effects loop and XLR direct out with ground lift switch
- Built for durability and professional use
Product specs
| Brand | Gallien-Krueger |
| Model | Fusion 550 500-Watt Hybrid Valve Bass Amp Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Bass Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Hybrid |
| Impedance | 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 500 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
FAQs
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What type of preamp does the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head use?
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The Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 features a six-stage tube preamp, which provides rich, warm tones characteristic of tube amplification.
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How much power does the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head deliver?
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The Fusion 550 delivers 500 watts of power, making it suitable for both practice and live performance settings.
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What are the impedance options for the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head?
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This bass head supports both 4-ohm and 8-ohm impedance options, allowing for flexible speaker cabinet configurations.
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Is the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head suitable for live performances?
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Yes, with its 500-watt output and robust construction, the Fusion 550 is well-suited for live performances, providing ample power and reliability.
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Does the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head have multiple channels?
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The Fusion 550 features a single channel design, focusing on delivering a consistent and powerful tone.
Videos
Bass Gear Magazine
Compare Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 and MB Fusion at Smmer NAMM
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head.
Features and functionality
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The Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head offers impressive clarity and punch, especially noted in slap tones and high-end sparkle, regardless of fretboard material.
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The Fusion 550 handles pedals well and is praised for its portability, fitting comfortably in a guitar gig bag pocket despite its 500W power.
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The Fusion series includes a variable load feature for extension cabs, enhancing its versatility for different gig scenarios.
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User experience
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Owners consistently praise the powerful output of GK heads, with one noting it can shake a room when paired with a Hartke 4.5 XL cab.
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Some users report long-term reliability with GK heads, such as the 1001RB, which only had an input jack issue after 15 years of gig use.
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Some users find GK amps to have a unique and aggressive tone, with plenty of volume and headroom, but without distortion.
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Comparisons
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Users highlight the GK 700RB-II paired with a SansAmp RBI for a distinctive punch and clarity, differing from the Mesa 400+ used for rock/stoner projects.
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High wattage single 12" rigs can sound compressed and 'boxy' when pushed, unlike the more balanced sound of a 210 setup.
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Some players find the Fender Rumble 500 produces better sound quality than GK combos when tested side by side.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings
282
Anything you want
Seriously. If you can find the tone you are looking for on bass with this amp, you're doing it all wrong. The tube front-end gives you warmth and the solid state back-end provides punch! This amp is extremely versatile; 2 channels, effects loop, incredibly clean and quite DI out. These amps are not very well known in the GK line but are their top of the line amps.
The only negative thing I have to say about this amp is, it's 3 rack spaces large and not light.
If you can find one, buy it. You'll love it.
184
A great-sounding, LOUD amp with the signature GK sound!
Had one several years ago, and regretted selling it. I've been a big GK fan since I started playing- my first real amp was a 400RB-III.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the video "A Tour of Tom Morello's Guitars & Home Studio" by Musician's Friend, Tom Morello is seen using the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head at the 0:20 mark.
The newest bassist of Slipknot, Alessandro "Alex" "V-Man" Venturella posted this photo on his official instagram of his rig. The bottom 3 racks are all Gallien Krueger heads and the top head is a GK Fusion 550's. He goes on to make a joke about recruiting one of Mastodon's guitar techs. Alex himself teched for many bands including Mastodon.
"Specifically, my new full-stage rig is a GK Fusion 550, a GK 2001RB (power amp only), and two GK Neo 4×12 cabinets" - Bryan Beller from his blog archives.
As seen in this interview with Tom Hamilton's bass tech at 3:40, Tom uses Gallien Krueger Fusion 550 bass amps in his live rig.
At the 36 minute mark you can see Rick's rack mount. He uses 2 of these (another one for backup). Still uses them.
In this picture, Robbie can be seen posing with a Gallien Krueger Fusion 550, which is his current main amp after leaving SWR.
Album Usage
The Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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