MB210 Horn Hiss

[AuxOne]

I got a GK MB210 since it's highly regarded on this forum. When I press in the "Horn" button, I get a very audible hiss. Even when all the EQ and Gain and everything is dialed all the way down, I can still hear the hiss. This is with nothing plugged in.

Is this normal?

Presuming I got a bad unit, should I really even bother fixing it or is that one of the buttons I'll never use? Frankly, I've had this thing for quite some time and I donno if I have the patience to send it back, but I would like to know if it's broken.

Thanks

[The1bassist06]

I dont have this problem with mine. Just try disconnecting the horn.

I myself don't use the horn at all. Its your call if you use it and want to get it fixed.

[AuxOne]

Thanks. I guess I'll tough it out, and it's likely a simple fix like an ungrounded wire anyway.

[BassmanPaul]

The horn reproduces hiss it does not make it. The hiss is produced by the amp.

[nutdog]

Just picked up a used MB210. The hiss with the tweeter on is ridiculous. Hiss isn't the right word. More like the sound of an angry alien cat.

Still sounds OK with the tweeter off. Fine for the money and portability. And it may be OK in a band setting but at home it's unbearable.

IMO GK should be embarrassed for letting this go out the door.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

The horn reproduces hiss it does not make it. The hiss is produced by the amp.

Let's focus for a minute on Paul's response.



...


...Ok, now that that's sunk in, lets reinforce it. Hiss doesn't come from a tweeter. It comes from an amp. A tweeter can only reproduce what you feed it (otherwise it would sit and hiss at you when you've got nothing plugged in). In this case, the cab in question has a tweeter that's more sensitive in a range that your old cab never reproduced.

[nutdog]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Let's focus for a minute on Paul's response.



...


...Ok, now that that's sunk in, lets reinforce it. Hiss doesn't come from a tweeter. It comes from an amp. A tweeter can only reproduce what you feed it (otherwise it would sit and hiss at you when you've got nothing plugged in). In this case, the cab in question has a tweeter that's more sensitive in a range that your old cab never reproduced.

You realize we're talking about a combo here? And I've got it side by side with a crazy 88/streamliner that's pretty sensitive. But if it makes you feel better talk down to me. I can take it.

I don't see anyone blaming the tweeter. Just saying it produces a terrible hiss when the tweeter is engaged. Having had several amp/cab combinations with and without tweeters I can say it doesn't have to be this way and most of the time isn't.

But you are probably correct that it comes from the amp. I've seen various reports of the GM MB amps producing hiss. The MB500 amp I had didn't come anywhere close to this level when plugged into an Avatar cab with a tweeter. Given the numerous reports of this hiss I wonder what the GK people were thinking when they pressed the button.

Cell phone clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kmNKzFeyiE

Some may find this acceptable. I won't debate it.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by nutdog

You realize we're talking about a combo here? And I've got it side by side with a crazy 88/streamliner that's pretty sensitive. But if it makes you feel better talk down to me. I can take it.

I don't see anyone blaming the tweeter. Just saying it produces a terrible hiss when the tweeter is engaged. Having had several amp/cab combinations with and without tweeters I can say it doesn't have to be this way and most of the time isn't.

But you are probably correct that it comes from the amp. I've seen various reports of the GM MB amps producing hiss. The MB500 amp I had didn't come anywhere close to this level when plugged into an Avatar cab with a tweeter. Given the numerous reports of this hiss I wonder what the GK people were thinking when they pressed the button.

Cell phone clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kmNKzFeyiE

Some may find this acceptable. I won't debate it.

Still not the horn's fault. Take a look at the first several posts in the thread all discussing the 'horn' rather than the amp.

[tdub0199]

I have a MB115 and the horn is dead silent....

[nutdog]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Still not the horn's fault. Take a look at the first several posts in the thread all discussing the 'horn' rather than the amp.

Maybe you should take a look. No one blames the horn. Only that there is a loud hiss when it's engaged.

[Doug Parent]

This has been beat to death four thousand times over in other posts.

GK heads are a little hissy.

Those ultra small tweeters in those MB combos cover the 4-8khz range pretty well.

Thats all there is to it.

Don't shoot the messenger, he's just a tweeter.

[AstroSonic]

Originally Posted by AuxOne

I got a GK MB210 since it's highly regarded on this forum. When I press in the "Horn" button, I get a very audible hiss. Even when all the EQ and Gain and everything is dialed all the way down, I can still hear the hiss. This is with nothing plugged in.

Is this normal?

Presuming I got a bad unit, should I really even bother fixing it or is that one of the buttons I'll never use? Frankly, I've had this thing for quite some time and I donno if I have the patience to send it back, but I would like to know if it's broken.

Thanks

If you are getting objectionable hiss/static with the gain AND master turned all the way down then the noise is being amplified circuitry after the master (in the power amp section). It may be due to noisy electrical components and/or to rf pickup.

My MB115 exhibited quite a bit of noise when I first got it. It would react when I touched the strings or even brought my hand close to them. It also picked up noise/static from flourescent lights and the TV remote. However, it was pretty quiet when the bass was not plugged in (the bass acts as an antenna due to less than perfect shielding). The preamp evidently has a very broad bandwidth. I was convinced that I would have to return it, but the noise gradually decreased (amplifier breakin?) and I became better acquainted with the gain structure and EQ of the amp. It is still sensitive to flourescent lights and reacts to the remote, but the static and hiss are all but gone. This is fortunate because I really like the clear tone of the amp with the tweeter.

Bob