My Gallien- Kruger MB115 just died

[MakoMan]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

If the amp has an FX loop try linking the send and return with an instrument cable.

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a shot.

[jeff7bass]

Originally Posted by KJung

ABSOLUTELY NOT a Class D thing. Where does this stuff come from.

Class D and SMPS has been around forever. I've been gigging class D bass amps since the 80's. There is no documentation or even anecdotal evidence that there is a 'reliability problem' with class D amps that is any different that other topologies.

That being said, there are some companies (and GK seems to be one of them... remember the 7 or 8 'fixes' that had to be done on the MB500 revisions, and the continuing issues on the MB200, and the 1001RB issue, etc., etc., etc.) that seems to have much higher failure rates (class D or Class G in their heavier amps) than other companies, given the massive numbers of problem posts on this thread, compared to other high volume selling brands.

Their service seems good, and they do seem to eventually work out the glitches. My interpretation of all these GK issues is that it seems they use their customers to beta test their products. Since they eventually seem to figure things out, it seems there is an product testing issue in their R&D process to me. Who knows.

Edit: The other thing that kind of throws up a red flag for me with this company is that they miss promised introduction dates time and time again, but even when the product comes out months (sometimes many months) after the targeted intro date, there seems to be 'growing pains' on the production line time and time again. Again, something not quite right it seems to me in the transition between R&D and production. It would be interesting to know what is going on there.

Maybe it's not the technology then per se but since all of these companies rushed towards building micros using class D amps, they've experienced many of the same glitches that comes with rushing to production. Maybe it's something to do with making them smaller and lighter, thereby leaving out components to make them more reliable?

[MakoMan]

In fairness to GK, this is as much my fault as anyone else's for buying used in the first place when I was aware there were some problems reported. Generally in such a case I would always purchase new, knowing the warranty will back me up.
However I took a chance because I got a terrific deal on a lightly used unit in literally perfect condition. It's a risk I took... lesson learned. It is unfortunate mainly because in the little time I used it, I really liked the amp and was hoping it would be a keeper.
I'm praying it will turn out to be something relatively minor so I can get the unit fixed, trade it in on something else and recoup something out of it.
If not, it should at least make a very nice looking end table in my practice room. It's all good... stuff happens

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by KJung

Edit: The other thing that kind of throws up a red flag for me with this company is that they miss promised introduction dates time and time again, but even when the product comes out months (sometimes many months) after the targeted intro date, there seems to be 'growing pains' on the production line time and time again. Again, something not quite right it seems to me in the transition between R&D and production. It would be interesting to know what is going on there.

+1.

[odin70]

Originally Posted by MakoMan

I am certainly not impressed with the quality of GK's products however and would not buy another.

+1

[odin70]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

why not contact them directly and see what they can do.

Good luck with that

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by MakoMan

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a shot.

...and/or run a separate signal source (preamp pedal, whatever) directly into the FX "return". You'll at least know whether the power section is functional.

Riis

[lomo]

Sorry it worked out this way Mako :-( FWIW I had used it about as much as you before flipping it (<10hrs), all at home without a hiccup. I have had 2 other GK micros (MB 500/800) that were fine.

[MakoMan]

Originally Posted by lomo

Sorry it worked out this way Mako :-( FWIW I had used it about as much as you before flipping it (<10hrs), all at home without a hiccup. I have had 2 other GK micros (MB 500/800) that were fine.

It's certainly not your fault Morrie! The unit was in perfect condition when I purchased it from you and worked flawlessly.
I will have more time on the weekend to work on the amp and try out some of the suggestions in this thread. Perhaps I'll get lucky

[brianrost]

Originally Posted by MakoMan

Both were indeed Chinese made, but that is no excuse.

Not saying it is an excuse!

Because I have used so many GKs over the last 25 years I wouldn't hesitate to buy a US GK amp in the future, but I wouldn't recommend an MB to anybody even though mine still works OK...but for me, it's just a beater.

I notice that the new "series II" MB amps are supposed to be USA made. Sounds like GK has at least figured out that outsourcing these amps was a bad idea.

Disclaimer: as an electronics engineer myself, I've been none too happy with Chinese gear in general. It's not that it's Chinese, rather that it's built down to a low price. What really burns me is when the price stays the same but the mfg goes overseas (hello, Ampeg).

[MakoMan]

Originally Posted by brianrost

Not saying it is an excuse!

Because I have used so many GKs over the last 25 years I wouldn't hesitate to buy a US GK amp in the future, but I wouldn't recommend an MB to anybody even though mine still works OK...but for me, it's just a beater.

I notice that the new "series II" MB amps are supposed to be USA made. Sounds like GK has at least figured out that outsourcing these amps was a bad idea.

Disclaimer: as an electronics engineer myself, I've been none too happy with Chinese gear in general. It's not that it's Chinese, rather that it's built down to a low price. What really burns me is when the price stays the same but the mfg goes overseas (hello, Ampeg).

Well said. And in fairness my ONLY experiences with GK have been with the MB series. Unfortunately a company only gets one chance to make a first impression.
One of the reasons I went with GK despite being aware of some reliability issues with the MB series was the great loyalty many customers had with older GK units. Obviously I probably should have purchased a 15-year-old 400RB with a cab or something similar rather than a current product. Then I'd probably be one of the folks defending GK.

[lefty007]

"There is no documentation or even anecdotal evidence that there is a 'reliability problem' with class D amps that is any different that other topologies."

I thought that D class amps were more prone to failure in the presence of power fluctuations. I had two Shuttles 6.0 and found this to be the case, two times, although they were quickly taken care of by the company. So I guess this was not a problem of D class amps, but of that particular batch of Shuttles. Also, I've been using two G-K MB200 bought just when they came out, and haven't had a problem whatsoever.

[MakoMan]

I was able to mess around with the GK a bit tonight. I tried some of the suggestions above and plugged into different outlets without success before plugging it back into the regular power bar I use for my other amps. It's the first time I've plugged the GK into the power bar with the other amps, as it is usually plugged directly into the wall.
At one point I turned on my Ibanez SWR20, which was plugged into the same powerbar, with the intent of unplugging from the GK and ensure my guitar itself was actually working. When I turned on the other amp, the GK magically started working. At first I thought I had plugged into the Ibanez before realizing I was still hooked up to the GK.
It lasted about 30 seconds and then stopped, although I did not turn off the other amp. I didn't touch anything other than playing the guitar during this period and was about 15 feet away from the amp. Before anyone asks... it's not the cable LOL!
Despite trying for over an hour, I was unable to replicate the condition and not another sound came out of the GK.

[MakoMan]

Well a local shop which deals in GK had their tech look at the combo and he just was not comfortable working on it. They offered to pull the head from the unit and send it to GK but the costs were just too prohibitive. And let's face it... I've lost faith in the product.
Instead I picked myself up a nice Traynor combo and have put the GK up for sale as is. Some techie can get himself a deal and try to fix it, or convert it into a cab because I don't want to ever see another GK again. I look forward to many happy years of dealing with Traynor.

[ChuckTrucks]

Originally Posted by MakoMan

Well a local shop which deals in GK had their tech look at the combo and he has officially declared it dead.

I'm not an amp tech but neither is the guy at the GK dealer who looked at your amp.

Id pull the head and replace the capicators. It would cost about $1.50 and might fix it.

Actually sounds like blown caps by reading what you have described in your post here.

[MakoMan]

Originally Posted by ChuckTrucks

I'm not an amp tech but neither is the guy at the GK dealer who looked at your amp.

Id pull the head and replace the capicators. It would cost about $1.50 and might fix it.

Actually sounds like blown caps by reading what you have described in your post here.

Interesting. I appreciate the tip! I'm not an amp tech so I am just going to sell it as is. If someone buys it and changes the caps and it works so be it. I personally have a feeling it is the power supply, which would also be a fairly cheap and easy fix, but again I just don't have the patience or skill to play around with it myself and don't really know anyone who does.

[JeffplaysBass]

So whats the story with this amp now???

[Steve Dallman]

I used a GK1001RB for many years (original 540 watt one). One night, when I first turned it on, no sound. I ran direct into the PA and used a monitor (with the head) for the rest of the night. Upon inspection at home, I found the 15" neo I was using absolutely fried. Carvin replaced that speaker under warranty, and I could not find anything wrong with the amp, but it appears to have thrown DC to the speaker. I used the amp for 4 years after with no problems (until a glass of ice water fell into the cooling fan and vent.)

You should talk to GK, and they should take care of you. If it were me, I'd take the unit apart to see if it's the amp or speaker, and if it is the amp, I'd send the chassis back to GK (much cheaper shipping.) Follow GK's instructions. I would not just start replacing parts willy-nilly. That is not the way to diagnose an amp problem. Amp diagnosis follows a prescribed order of testing that assures proper diagnosis and repair. An authorized tech will have access to service histories and technical bulletins that an owner or the "guy at the music store" will not have. I have the service manual for my GK and the diagnosis pages are detailed and necessary for proper analysis of all functions and diagnosis of specific problems.

We have been using a 115 at church and it is used by many bass players and it's been a good amp. Some players really push it, especially for youth group events.

[8liter]

I'm not surprised to see another one of these threads. If you search my username you will see the thread I started some time back about my MB115 and how one morning it was just straight dead.

When I contacted GK I got something along the lines of, "take it to a certified GK shop, we don't care." kind of thing. I absolutely floored that they didn't try to make things right considering I was the original owner and this thing was just days past the electronics warranty. I'm talking less than a week.

It's still collecting dust in my room because no one locally wanted it. I've had ideas of gutting it and making it into a cabinet and buying a GenzBenz 6.0...

[bassist4dalord]

Disheartening as an MB115 owner.. Mine is running in true form, but I don't have any change to buy a new amp.