GK MB115 noise?

abarson · #1 03-18-2010, 11:09 AM

Found one of these in a local shop, and was quite impressed!
Now, when I first plugged in and turned on the amp, the volume was set at about 2 out of 10. Holy! You should have seen the sales guy jump! (Okay, I did too.) I really was not expecting it to be that loud!

I started off with a Telecaster Squire to check out its passive vibe. In general, the tone was good, but I was also very aware of all sorts of spurious background sonic garbage. Killing anything that had a button associated with it helped only slightly.

I quickly replaced it with a MM Sterling, and was rewarded with a much cleaner, usable sound, but there remained some rattling and buzz that I just couldn't locate. It only appeared when I played, but I couldn't tell if it was the combo itself, or whether it was causing all sorts of other stuff in the room to vibrate and rattle erratically. I also have this notion that neo speakers create sound in a way that just doesn't jive with my ears, based on a few cabinets I've tried, but that's my own subjective baggage.

Is anyone who owns one of these combos experiencing any problems with weird noise from it?

sociablejimmy · #2 03-30-2010, 06:47 PM

I got one a little over a month ago and for some reason now all low notes (B&E strings 1-12) are accompanied by an almost fart-like rattle. All the higher stuff sounds fine... I keep thinking maybe I partially blew the sub, but I can't recall turning it up that ridiculously loud. Also, turning on the tweeter seems to cause some ambient noise.

I removed the grating in the front to see if it was causing the rattle, but no change. I'm wondering if I should just get the speaker reconed? I hear that's rather expensive these days.

Gearhead43 · #3 03-30-2010, 09:23 PM

The MB115 does not have a neo speaker, it's ceramic.

The only "noise" I head from the ones I test drove was nice fat articulate punchy GK bass tone.

CapnSev · #4 03-30-2010, 09:28 PM

There have been several people complaining about the grill rattling, you may want to try that first. (If that's the type of rattle you're getting)

rag · #5 03-31-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sociablejimmy

I got one a little over a month ago and for some reason now all low notes (B&E strings 1-12) are accompanied by an almost fart-like rattle. All the higher stuff sounds fine... I keep thinking maybe I partially blew the sub, but I can't recall turning it up that ridiculously loud. Also, turning on the tweeter seems to cause some ambient noise.

I removed the grating in the front to see if it was causing the rattle, but no change. I'm wondering if I should just get the speaker reconed? I hear that's rather expensive these days.

contact brian@gallien.com. He will take cre of you.

H_Wordsmythe · #6 03-31-2010, 08:11 PM

I had the exact same problem with my first one. Even posted a thread here asking for opinions. It definitely wasn't loose-grill rattle - more of a background buzz on the low notes. Had GC order me a replacement, and it's better, but I still notice it sometimes. Seems to happen more when plugged into certain outlets in my house. When I take it into the basement to jam, it's especially noticeable. Or when I plug it in upstairs in the kitchen wall outlet. But when I take it into the living room and plug it in there, it's almost imperceptible. Very odd... But it just sounds so good that I can't bear to replace it with something less touchy! Hopefully we'll get some input from Brian or Bob on this!

**BigDaddyO** · #7 07-04-2010, 07:48 AM

If you are into modding and want to make it better and eliminate all the noise.....remove the grill......remove the speaker.....install t nuts and bolts to secure the speaker........seal all the inside seams of the cabinet with PL Premium construction adhesive. I also lined my cabinet with polyester filling for dampening.

Loel · #8 07-04-2010, 08:44 AM

You may like to try running it through a power bar
with RF cancelation,sounds like maybe power issue--hmm!

Quote:

Originally Posted by H_Wordsmythe

I had the exact same problem with my first one. Even posted a thread here asking for opinions. It definitely wasn't loose-grill rattle - more of a background buzz on the low notes. Had GC order me a replacement, and it's better, but I still notice it sometimes. Seems to happen more when plugged into certain outlets in my house. When I take it into the basement to jam, it's especially noticeable. Or when I plug it in upstairs in the kitchen wall outlet. But when I take it into the living room and plug it in there, it's almost imperceptible. Very odd... But it just sounds so good that I can't bear to replace it with something less touchy! Hopefully we'll get some input from Brian or Bob on this!

sociablejimmy · #9 07-22-2010, 11:20 PM

I sent mine in for warranty repair and they eliminated the rattle. Apparently the cabinet just needed reinforcing.

Unfortunately the tweeter still produces the same ambient noise as before. Not really a big deal though, I usually keep it turned off and the noise isn't that terrible. Overall still very happy with the amp.

dukeisdog · #10 07-23-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyO

If you are into modding and want to make it better and eliminate all the noise.....remove the grill......remove the speaker.....install t nuts and bolts to secure the speaker........seal all the inside seams of the cabinet with PL Premium construction adhesive. I also lined my cabinet with polyester filling for dampening.

Wouldn't making a modification to the combo void the warranty? Just something to think about before anyone decides to do this.