Am I running my GK correctly?

powellmacaque · #1 04-06-2010, 03:48 PM

Just to make sure I'm not doing anything damaging to my amp, I'm running a 700RB into a 410 SBX+ and a 115 SBX. I'm enabling the biamp setting and using GK speakons. Is anything overpowered or underpowered?

I've also noticed that my 410 is very trebly to my ears, but I've also played with just the 115 for most of my playing career. Is the 410sbx+ a naturally bright enclosure?

spalka621 · #2 04-06-2010, 04:18 PM

You might want to try running it in normal mode. By using the bi-amp feature aren't you just sending all the treble to the 4x10?

Rebmo · #3 04-06-2010, 04:30 PM

I run a 115 and 410 on the bottom end of my GK800rb with a 210+Horn on top for the brights. I would run your 2 bottoms non-biamp in normal. It's a waste of your 410 to just run the highs through it IMHO. Try both bottoms in non-biamp, you should get a fuller sound.

silky smoove · #4 04-06-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spalka621

You might want to try running it in normal mode. By using the bi-amp feature aren't you just sending all the treble to the 4x10?

I agree that running in full range rather than biamp is the better way to run GK's (completely IME and IMO on this one).

He is not sending all the treble to the 4x10 though. GK's biamp system isn't really a biamp system, but more of a way to put the control for the tweeter on the front of the amp rather than on the L-Pad.

The biamp on the 700/1001/2001 is NOT the same as the biamp on the 400/800.

powellmacaque · #5 04-06-2010, 04:40 PM

But biamping with these two cabs isn't doing anything necessarily bad is it?

I've done it in both modes, but for the gig I'm in right now, I seem to get more definition across the spectrum in the band that I'm in, and I need all the definition I can get as I am competing with a noisy drummer, keyboards, harmonica, fiddle, 3 guitars, vocals, and harmonies.

But maybe I just haven't really toyed with the full range enough to get the full potential.

faulkner1953 · #6 04-06-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

But biamping with these two cabs isn't doing anything necessarily bad is it?

I've done it in both modes, but for the gig I'm in right now, I seem to get more definition across the spectrum in the band that I'm in, and I need all the definition I can get as I am competing with a noisy drummer, keyboards, harmonica, fiddle, 3 guitars, vocals, and harmonies.

But maybe I just haven't really toyed with the full range enough to get the full potential.

You aren't hurting a thing.

powellmacaque · #7 04-06-2010, 05:45 PM

Ok, thanks a lot.

I also find myself turning myself up often, often times to about 1:00 - 2:00 (thats about where I get the best tone:volume ratio). I love my 700RB and have no problems with it, but it's about 10 years old now and I don't wanna blow up my only amp. Would it be wise to maybe upgrade to the 1001RB sometime soon? I remember reading something like for the first 100W of guitar there needs to be 200W of bass, and then add 50W for every additional instrument, but I know all of these formulas normally have flaws.

lbwdog · #8 04-06-2010, 08:02 PM

While being an avid, 22 year, fan of G-K, I'm not crazy about the "HMS", but I don't feel an absolute need for tweeters anyway.

That said, let me pose two thoughts.
[1] Do the cabs each have a tweeter level control (I can't remember)? If so, try turning it down on the 4x10, if it is the only cab that is excessively trebly. Also try attenuating tweeter level on the amp itself. Just adjust it downward until the combined tone is pleasing to you.

[2] Have you tried putting the 1x15 on top? This would put the 4x10 down around your pants legs, and make the trebly tone less apparent. You might even find other sonic benefits as some others have.

powellmacaque · #9 04-06-2010, 08:29 PM

My cabs only have the biamp to full range switch, and then a normal, -2dB, high range, and +2dB on the back of it (with, obviously, one speakon and one 1/4" jack).

Oh and to correct my original post (not sure if it matters) my 115SBX is actually a 115SBX-II (rated at 400w @ 8ohms). Also, since my 700RB is the original, not the 2nd version, on the back of the head it says I'm running a 380W to the woofer with 50W to the tweeter, instead of the 700RB-II's 480W woofer and 50W tweeter. Side question: is there a way to date my head? I bought it used in 2005, so I have no idea how old it is.

The cab is trebly no matter where I put it, I've tried it by itself, but it could be my ears just getting used to it. It's not harsh or brittle sounding, just very heavy on the high-end. I've used the 115 by itself for 4 years and I've only had the 410 for a few weeks now

I also hear a slight bit of white noise coming from the 410. I just replaced one speaker that was blown in the enclosure (luckily GC sent it out to me for free) and the noise can be best described as a very low volume hiss that stays the same no matter what bass I use, whether it's in biamp or full range, whether I'm using speakon or 1/4", nor does its volume increase with my amp's. What could cause this?

sleepytime · #10 04-06-2010, 09:15 PM

If you are stacking cabs now and only had one previously, that could account for an apparently brighter sound because the tweeter is up closer to ear level. There were good suggestions, give them a try...115 on top, turn tweeter amp level down, run them full range--experiment.

**B-string** · #11 04-06-2010, 10:35 PM

Are you sure all the 10's are in phase (wired correctly)? Use a weak 9 volt battery and a 1/4" speaker cable, make sure all 4 cones move the same way together.

powellmacaque · #12 04-06-2010, 11:10 PM

Just touch the cable to the battery?

faulkner1953 · #13 04-07-2010, 04:05 PM

The cable has two wires or conductors. Touch 1 wire to plus on the battery, and the other wire to minus. All the cones should move in the same direction, either out or in. If not, then you have a speaker out of phase, ie it's wired backwards.

**ExaltBass** · #14 04-07-2010, 04:15 PM

Are you using GK Speakon speaker cables (or other properly made 1+1-/2+2-)?

powellmacaque · #15 04-07-2010, 05:38 PM

Yea I'm using a GK cable. I'll test with a battery...

megadan · #16 04-07-2010, 05:48 PM

I think the hiss is the tweeter. Maybe you're just not used to a tweeter? That's the way they've always sounded to me (I keep 'em turned off).

lbwdog · #17 04-07-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faulkner1953

The cable has two wires or conductors. Touch 1 wire to plus on the battery, and the other wire to minus. All the cones should move in the same direction, either out or in. If not, then you have a speaker out of phase, ie it's wired backwards.

Wrong... G-k Speakon cables are four conductor wired 1+ 1-, 2+ 2-, and can't be easily checked for polarity. you'd have to use a 1/4" cable, and all that would tell you is if the woofers are all in phase. I doubt that's the problem though.

The 4x10 series II may have a more sensitive tweeter. Try the -2 db switch on that cab, and you can still control overall tweeter level from the amp's front panel.

About the hiss (not white noise). Most G-K's I've owned and used are a little hissier than some other brands, and coupled with the enhanced highs you're hearing, is probably more apparent. I've never had an issue with it though, on gigs or in studio.

(edit) I just noticed the 115 is the series II, but the 410 might still have a more sensitive tweeter.

lbwdog · #18 04-07-2010, 06:06 PM

Powell M....I see your from P'cola. My first home after leaving home in '69!! Great town with some super musicians (at least back then)!!

Ya know Cecil Clark? I think he's head of the string program for Escambia County school system, and teaches at UWF. A good old friend, and a great bassist.

powellmacaque · #19 04-07-2010, 06:18 PM

I don't know him, but I am attending UWF. I'm actually studying jazz here... well until the end of this semester, I need to go back to my hometown and do some school at community college to save some money.

To be honest, I really like the musicians here, but I can't seem to find any I mesh with too well. I think I'm just stubborn and used to playing with my friends from back home. But UWF is a great school and I wish it was more practical for me to study here, otherwise I'd stay. I'm also having trouble finding stuff to do for being my age around here (I'm only 20, so I can't really go to too many places besides Sluggos).

Go fighting seashells! haha. Another TBer, wdinc01, also attends UWF.

lbwdog · #20 04-07-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

I don't know him, but I am attending UWF. I'm actually studying jazz here... well until the end of this semester, I need to go back to my hometown and do some school at community college to save some money.

To be honest, I really like the musicians here, but I can't seem to find any I mesh with too well. I think I'm just stubborn and used to playing with my friends from back home. But UWF is a great school and I wish it was more practical for me to study here, otherwise I'd stay. I'm also having trouble finding stuff to do for being my age around here (I'm only 20, so I can't really go to too many places besides Sluggos).

Go fighting seashells! haha. Another TBer, wdinc01, also attends UWF.

LOL!! I was only seventeen when I moved there and found plenty to do! But then again, it was 1969 and I was in one of the best rock bands in the area, had a house on the beach where all the little girls liked to come out and play!
Ahhh....sweet memories.