GK 1001RB-II vs. Ibanez 5-string, active

Mrandrenv · #1 04-21-2011, 06:23 AM

I'm having bit of a problem with my low B-string when playing through the GK 1001RB-II.. I've only had it for 2 weeks and simply can't get a clean low B.. no matter how much twist and turn the knobs I get a bit of fuzz/distortion... VERY little, but it's there and annoys the hell out of me. I've learned that I should turn up Woofer on the bi-amp instead of Volyme to reduce it, but still not quite there yet. The other strings (E, A, D, G) sounds awesome, but I've yet to figure out how to get the low B to sound good.

My bass is a Ibanez Soundgear SRX 755 with active electronics, and my cabinets are GK 410 RBH & 115 RBH.. Any tips, or should I get a passive bass? -_-

drewdunkin · #2 04-21-2011, 06:40 AM

I had a the same problem not to long ago w/ my gk1001rb ii.

What I ended up doing was, to cut out some of the low/sub bass in the 30-50 hz range. Doing this before the preamp cleaned up my signal, enabling me to increase the gain before clipping. Give this a try, might be all you need

muzik316 · #3 04-21-2011, 07:06 AM

I have not had a problem with mine. I play through the same head into the Neo 410 cab with the Music Man Stingray 5HH. Do you have the -14db Pad button pressed in? If not... that is a huge help since your bass, like mine has active electronics. The 1001rb has some serious output when it comes to volume, even with the pad button pressed in I don't turn up much past about 9 o'clock unless we are playing a large venue. Also the boost knob adds the signature GK sound (growl) and if you have that cranked (mine is about 10 o'clock) your going to naturally have more edge to your tone. I also play with the tweeter and woofer knobs around 12 o'clock since a lot of low end can really make your tone muddy as well as exaggerate the lower frequencies especially is smaller venues etc... My next question is do you have the 4/5 String button pressed? I use it and love it, as it extends the frequency range for us non-purist 5 string guys.

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/manua...I_700RB-II.pdf pages 6 & 9 a huge help.

4Mal · #4 04-21-2011, 07:14 AM

1. Input pad/Input Volume - the clip light is a little optomistic - If you see the yellow light - you're over driving the pre
2. 5/4 switch drops the frequency center of the bass control
3. EQ - all 4 at non is a mild scoop, don't boost the lows
4. Contour - low or off
5. Boost - keep it low until you get your distortion thing figured out and then add in to taste.
You may also be experiencing a 'tired' driver issue in one or both of your cab's assuming they aren't also 2 weeks old ...

Mrandrenv · #5 04-21-2011, 07:35 AM

Muzik316: Yes, -14 dB Pad is on, as well as the 5+ string button.

4man: Thanks, I'm gonna try this when I'm rehearsing next time. Altough I didn't quite get what you mean with "5/4 switch, etc" (still new to all this, and english isn't my primary language.)

How about the other buttons? Anything else that would change the output? If I for example run my VT bass driver pedal through the amp, should I enable the Ground/Lift? (Closest from left)

Pre/Post EQ Button?

Level knob?

Everything helps!! I'm really fumbling in the dark here haha

drewdunkin · #6 04-21-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

If I for example run my VT bass driver pedal through the amp

Is your vt bass an always on effect, as a tone shaper? If so, that could lead to some low end growl/distortion

Mrandrenv · #7 04-21-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewdunkin

Is your vt bass an always on effect, as a tone shaper? If so, that could lead to some low end growl/distortion

I've not used the pedal recently but I inted to later on when I've sorted this out first

Mrandrenv · #8 04-25-2011, 10:32 AM

Does it matter what input I choose on the backside of the 1001rb when I plug in the cables from the cabinet? There are 2, and I just randomly plugged em both in.

muzik316 · #9 04-25-2011, 10:50 AM

Yeah it does matter. You should only be using either the 1/4" or the speakon cable to connect the head to the cab. With the speakon you can run it biamped which is what I do (separates the tweeter from the woofer), you need to make sure the biamp switch on the cab is set too, if not you will just be running it not biamped which is fine. The speakon cable is not your normal type either, there is something that makes it different I just can't remember at the moment and I'm not near a computer. Only run it one way... that's the most important thing.

wcriley · #10 04-25-2011, 11:06 AM

I have a 1001RB (through a fEarful 12/6 cab) and don't have any problems with the low B on any of my active 5 or 6 string basses or my passive BEAD 4 string.

I agree with 4Mal that your problem might be your cabs and that cutting the lows would help.

Mrandrenv · #11 04-25-2011, 11:13 AM

I'm using the GK-cables that came along with the cabinets (I assume, bought the whole rig used)..

But I guess one input is for woofer and the other for tweeter? Is the 115 cab woofer-cab? Which input is for the woofer? Right or left?

And yes, I'm a complete ****** when it comes to amps. This is my first rig, and I've only had it for like 3 weeks, so I'm still learning the basics here ;P

Oreomeister365 · #12 04-25-2011, 11:18 AM

Was getting a lot of break up on my low E when I dug in with my GK...turns out my active basses battery was dying.

Worth checking.

tdub0199 · #13 04-25-2011, 11:21 AM

I think it's the pickups... I had an SRX and could not for the life of me get a good sound out of my low B.....

Mrandrenv · #14 04-25-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdub0199

I think it's the pickups... I had an SRX and could not for the life of me get a good sound out of my low B.....

Intresting.. This is not the first amp I've had problems with, and I thought the GK would handle this without any problem. Would you recommend other pickups?

Oreomeister365: Now that you mention it, was a couple of months since I replace the battery. Gonna try that aswell!

Every tip is welcome!

wave rider · #15 04-25-2011, 01:15 PM

Does your bass have a passive mode and does it distort too?

fdeck put out a review of the BackLine 600 in PDF format (thank you!) with settings to get to "flat" on the preamp; I've tried them on my 1001 recently with good results as judged by my tin ears. Flat seems a good starting point for further EQing.

Quote:

From fdecks' PDF
Counting the little notches on the faceplate behind the knobs, the "flat" settings are:
Treble = -2
Hi Mid = +1
Lo Mid = -1
Bass = -3
Contour = Minimum

Also, after hearing about misaligned tone knobs in a MB500 thread, noticed that one of mine was off from the others and made compensations for it.

=wr=