Do I have a problem with my new GK amp and cabs

[BH12neil]

Hi,

Hope everybody out there in bassland is having a good Christmas and looking forward to the new year.

Here's my question:-

I have just taken delivery of a GK 1001RB-II amp and two GK cabs; a Neo 212II and a Neo 115III. I've wired them up for the first time using the speakon cables provided to find that there is a gentle hissing/hum coming out of both the cabinets, its not loud but it is irritating. I have changed all the leads over in all the various conatations and have tried setting up in the full range mode, none of these actions has illiminated the noise.

Now I am new to this sort of kit and I don't know whether this low level noise is normal or whether somewhere along the line there is a problem with either the cabs or the amp. Common sense tells me that the cabs should be silent but perhaps this is not the case.

I have to say I am really frustrated by it because it has taken months for the amp and cabs to be delivered to me and the last thing I want to do is get involved in returning items if there isn't a problem but if there is, obviously I want to sort it out now. Any advice on what might be the problem, if indeed there is a problem, would be really appreciated.

BH12neil

[Fleas Old Bass]

I bought an GK MBE115 and use an MB500 head and I have the same problem as you...might be wiring between pedals cause I have cheapo $2 cables but I have no idea either

[lbwdog]

Is it hiss or hum?
All my G-Ks have been a little hissy. You won't hear it at playing volume. If you're using the biamp feature, try turning down the tweeter level on the amp.

Hum is a different thing. That would be something in the front end signal path.

[Growly Lytes]

No problem i think its normal BUT if its huming with no bass plugged in then there maybe something wrong but i doubt it.Alot of rigs hum like crazy but its usually with a bass plugged in.It also depends on the wiring in the house or place where your jamming.
Your probably just getting some interference.

[GigJones]

I’ve owned a 1001RB-II for about two years and it does the same thing.
The head generates a low hiss regardless what cable is used or what cabinet is connected.

Depending on the gig; I use either a GK 2x12 Neo-II, in bi-amp mode (with a 4-conductor cable),
or an Epifani 4x10 UL2, in full range mode (with a 2-conductor cable).

[Hopkins]

If you have the four conductor speak on cables just back off the tweeter knob. I always run my 700rb and 410 neo with the tweeter backed all the way off.

[lowendgenerator]

A small amount of operational hiss is normal from a 1001RBII. It's a 700w beast of an amp, it's not gonna be stealthy. Even my smallish Ampeg combo lets off a little steam just by being on.

What are your settings? If you're running the BOOST and WOOFER volumes full tilt and using the input volume as your master, you're gonna get hiss.

EDIT: Running the tweeter will accentuate any high end buzz/hiss, turn it off unless you absolutely need it.

[ksandvik]

Sometimes placing an RF filter between the power outlet and the power cable will do wonders concerning badly wired power systems -- like it seems most bars are notorious for.

[BH12neil]

Thanks for all the comments, its much appreciated. I will take heed of what has been said and think what I'll do is test again running the amp direct from a wall socket rather than an extension lead as is the case at the moment.

At least you folks have put my mind to rest that there is unlikely to be any faulty equipment in this scenario, the prospect of returning items that have taken the best part of four months to arrive has been haunting me over the last couple of days.

I'll report back with any findings.

Any other comments, especially from GK club members, would be great.

BH12neil

[Bengals]

Have you tried the hi-cut buttons? They might take some of the hiss out of the signal.

[topcat2069]

I have found that single coil pickups will cause hum (depending on how the Bass is oriented to the amp) with any amp I've owned.

I have a RB 1001 II with a pair of NEO 1X15s and I love the rig.... I've had it for 6 years and only just this month had it cleaned for the 1st time (I'm to lazy to do the cleaning myself... ) and this rig has served me proudly and loudly.

There are a lot of controls on the RB heads... experiment (but not on stage :-) and you will find your "this sounds like I think Bass should sound when I'm playing" settings..... have fun. (I know you will)

[jeff7bass]

My drummer put those new eco-friendly light bulbs in our rehearsal room and it caused a lot of hiss + buzz through our amps. Swapped out the new bulbs for old-style bulbs and the problem was gone.

[husky123]

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

My drummer put those new eco-friendly light bulbs in our rehearsal room and it caused a lot of hiss + buzz through our amps. Swapped out the new bulbs for old-style bulbs and the problem was gone.

Yep, that caused havoc with me too.

[wave rider]

My 1001RB II has a slight his with the Boost turned up, usually around noon. When I turned the Boost down, the hiss disappeared.

Anyone else have this experience?

=wr=