GK MB115 potential problems...

[powellmacaque]

I purchased an MB115 in early November. I got the 2-year GC warranty and all with it.

I haven't abused it and it seems to be fading fast. I recently got a EHX bass blogger and I've noticed that if I use it with the horn engaged I get a harsh trebly buzz whenever I use it.

I have never been able to crank the amp past 1 o'clock and if I play it loud enough to work in a band setting, it shakes and moves across the floor

The amp also has a rattling problem with the grill.

Is this amp defective, or am I just expecting too much out of a little 200W amp?

[craig.p]

Well, there are fifteens, and then there are FIFTEENS. I think your last line nails it -- you may be expecting too much from a single fifteen, or from a combo in general. If your combo were an MB200 head shoved (somehow) into a four-ohm Avatar TB153 box, then it'd be a different story, but that's not what your amp is. If you must run a combo, consider an upgrade to the MB212: more power, more cone area, AND you can run a second cab with it when you need to start pushing wind.

[Jaco who?]

Originally Posted by craig.p

If you must run a combo, consider an upgrade to the MB212: more power, more cone area, AND you can run a second cab with it when you need to start pushing wind.

Excellent suggestion, but the MB212 is already running 4Ωs, so, no, you can't run a second cab. I can't imagine a situation where you would need to though. Now if GK would make one with a decent compression driver..........................................

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

Excellent suggestion, but the MB212 is already running 4Ωs, so, no, you can't run a second cab. I can't imagine a situation where you would need to though. Now if GK would make one with a decent compression driver..........................................

I wonder if you can upgrade the horn?

I never use them but that seems doable.

[Wes Whitmore]

You need to determine if the combo is working like it was designed. maybe it's defective. Take it into GK and compare it to their MB115 floor model. Does it sound the same to you? Does it get as loud, does it get noisy or distorted when it shouldn't? If it doesn't sound the same, find out why. If it does sound the same, then it's probably not the amp for your needs and you need to think about that some.
Wes

[father of fires]

The GK MB115 worked great in a two piece project but, I wanted a harsh distorted sound which this amp gave me. I don't think it would cut it in a full rock band without PA support or a drummer that understands dynamics.

I thought it was plenty loud for jams but not as much clean volume as I think you were looking for.

[craig.p]

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

Excellent suggestion, but the MB212 is already running 4Ωs, so, no, you can't run a second cab. I can't imagine a situation where you would need to though. Now if GK would make one with a decent compression driver..........................................

Yikes. Bad error on my part. Sorry, guys.

[jsanchey]

Originally Posted by father of fires

The GK MB115 worked great in a two piece project but, I wanted a harsh distorted sound which this amp gave me. I don't think it would cut it in a full rock band without PA support or a drummer that understands dynamics.

I thought it was plenty loud for jams but not as much clean volume as I think you were looking for.

I have to agree. I was in a duo and it was fine. In a six piece band, with horns and keyboards, it rattles the grate and the volume just aint there.

[will33]

The mb series will suffer from some vibrations and rattles but I think you're just expecting too much from a little 115 combo. Can try adding a 115 ext. cab to it if you can.

[RickenBoogie]

The only GK combo that's capable of adding an ext cab is the 210 version. None others. And, +1 to expecting too much from a single 15:" combo. Sounds like its time to step up to a real bass rig. Always remember, it's all about the speakers.

[father of fires]

This was from January. He may have upgraded by now.

[chaseman]

I've got the MB115 as well, and I've never really cranked it past 12:00 on gain and volume. I've tried cranking the gain further, and it just rattles and puts up a fuss. I think this amp is designed to go half way, which is plenty loud enough for me, but in a bigger band situation I can see it being inadequate.

There is, however, the GK MBP115 being released in January 2012 (so I've heard), which means you can add another 15" cab onto the combo, which should avoid the need to crank the amp to its limits. The combo will need a modification to be able to power the extension cab, but GK have said they will do this for free when you purchase the ext. cab from them.

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

I purchased an MB115 in early November. I got the 2-year GC warranty and all with it.

I haven't abused it and it seems to be fading fast. I recently got a EHX bass blogger and I've noticed that if I use it with the horn engaged I get a harsh trebly buzz whenever I use it.

I have never been able to crank the amp past 1 o'clock and if I play it loud enough to work in a band setting, it shakes and moves across the floor

The amp also has a rattling problem with the grill.

Is this amp defective, or am I just expecting too much out of a little 200W amp?

The older GK MB115 grills mount differently than the newer MB115s plus the newer MB115s have a fan and the older ones don’t and the silkscreen is lighter on the newer MB115s. I’ve read old review complaints about the DI, grill rattle, vibration, and etc. I have two MB115s (an older, and newer one) and I have no problems with the two MB115s I own. I think you might have a bad MB115. And I don’t think the MB115 is powerful enough for your needs. I think you may need to move more air -you might want to checkout something like the new GK MB800 along with a pair of GK Neo 115-III cabinets stacked.

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by father of fires

This was from January. He may have upgraded by now.

good eye

[RickenBoogie]

Fell for another zombie. I usually laugh to myself when someone else does it. Funny.