The Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S is a Gallien Krueger amplifier, currently around $1199. Close alternatives include the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800s and the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 1200s. It pairs well with the Warm Audios Throne of Tone and the ProCo RAT 2.
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S
Gallien Krueger · amplifier
The Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S is a 500-watt hybrid bass amplifier head from Gallien-Krueger, combining a 12AX7 tube preamp section with a lightweight Class D solid-state power amp section. The Fusion series blends GK clarity and punch with tube warmth in the preamp stage, offering bass players a versatile tonal option between fully solid-state and fully tube amplification. At 500W the Fusion 500 handles stage volumes for medium venues.
- preamp
- hybrid
- fusion
- tube
- organic
- harmonic
- clarity
- reliable
Good for
- Live
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S is commonly used in
- Jazz Fusion
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Jazz
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S
Warm Audios Throne of Tone
Warm Audio
42% matchGallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Warm Audios Throne of Tone delivers it
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
33% matchA RAT 2 out front gives the Fusion 500's organic, harmonic-rich preamp the low-gain grind it doesn't produce on its own.
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
31% matchThe Fusion 500's organic, hybrid tube preamp gives the Geezer Butler's doom-voiced distortion a warmer amp voice to push into.
Beetronics Swarm
Beetronics
31% matchOn a bright hybrid-tube stage rig like the Fusion 500, the Swarm's fuzz harmonics stay clear instead of turning to mush.
MXR Phase 90
MXR
16% matchAdd the Phase 90's organic sweep on top of the Fusion 500's own hybrid tube-preamp warmth for classic-rock movement.
Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor
Wampler
12% matchRun the Mini Ego 76 before the Fusion 500 for studio-grade FET compression before the amp's own hybrid preamp reacts.
Dunlop MXR M299 Carbon Copy Mini
Dunlop
12% matchRun the Carbon Copy Mini in the Fusion 500's loop — dark analog slapback on top of its hybrid tube-preamp warmth. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Source Audio AfterShock
Source Audio
11% matchGallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S's own harmonically rich character is the real reason this is worth trying
See all 10 pedals that pair with the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S →
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800s
Gallien Krueger
70% similarity“More wattage than the Fusion 500 provides headroom for outdoor stages and large venues where the 500W version might clip at high output.”
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 1200s
Gallien Krueger
64% similarityShared character: fusion, punch, solid_state
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 212
Gallien Krueger
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 115 Combo
Gallien Krueger
97% similaritysimilar tone character
Gallien-Krueger GK Fusion 112 Bass Combo
Gallien Krueger
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Mesa Boogie Subway WD-800 Bass Head
Mesa Boogie
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S?+
The closest matches in character are the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800s, the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 1200s, the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 212. Budget picks: Hartke LH500 Bass, Ampeg BA300. Boutique upgrades: Gallien-Krueger Fusion 210, Gallien-Krueger GK Fusion 2x12 Bass Combo Amp.
What pairs well with the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Warm Audios Throne of Tone, ProCo RAT 2, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature — Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Warm Audios Throne of Tone delivers it.
How much does the Gallien-Krueger Fusion 500 S cost?+
Around $1199 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).