New gk mb115 tweeter problem

guardian1233 · #1 06-02-2011, 07:13 PM

I just got this gk mb115 amp from gc brand new. I love this thing, but I noticed that the tweeter has this sorta fizzy sound and when I turn the volume to say 50% it gets unbearably loud. I can just turn the tweeter off and the noise goes away. What is the problem? Is the tweeter blown? It still produces the high sounds and I can hear a tone difference when it's on but there's just this fizz sound and the treble knob is only at 50% (Turing up treble escalates the noise). What should I do I really dont want to take it back. Can it be fixed by some other means?

gjbassist · #2 06-02-2011, 07:34 PM

I've been checking out the possibility of getting one of these amps. Many of the reviews I have read talked about excess tweeter noise. It sounds like a continual issue with this amp. Other than turn it off I'm not sure there is a lot you can do about it. Try contacting GK directly and see if they have any way to resolve the problem.

guardian1233 · #3 06-02-2011, 07:50 PM

Hmmm that's interesting that you say many of them have this problem. I really like how it sound with the tweeter engaged minus the noise. I was wondering if maybe I could just get a new tweeter and install it myself. As for gk they gave me a local repair shop to go to but I have a feeling their gonna charge me an arm and a leg to fix it.

JB696 · #4 06-02-2011, 09:33 PM

Bought a Neo 112-II from MF about a month ago. Right out of the box the tweeter made a sound like frying bacon. It went away when the tweeter knob was turned down. I don't use a tweeter anyway (I play bass) so I pulled out the tweeter and the crossover/jack plate and threw them in the garbage. I made a new jack plate out of 1/8 aluminum and another cover plate to go over the empty tweeter hole. Not only did the cab sound much better, but it got lighter by throwing away two or three pounds of useless garbage. Maybe there is some kind of problem with these tweeters. If you have to have one, there is probably a suitable (or better) replacement available from Parts Express.

will33 · #5 06-02-2011, 10:25 PM

There's nothing wrong with the tweeters. They're doing exactly what they're supposed to do, reproduce signal they are given. The tweeters do not make the noise, they reproduce the noise created further up the chain. Could be something in the xover board, the amp, the bass or something else but it's not the tweeter. The guy who threw away his tweeter did not fix anything, he just removed the speaker that could reproduce the frequency of the noise the amp is still making....even though he no longer hears it.

If these amps are that noisy there certainly is a problem but the tweeter itself is not it.

joe vegas · #6 06-02-2011, 10:35 PM

this amp is awesome.. and i've found the tweeter to be useless. for all the gigs i've done with it, i keep it off and i do not miss it. it's like having a "hiss knob" that adds almost nothing of value to my sound. but the amp is great.

audiomitch · #7 06-02-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB696

Bought a Neo 112-II from MF about a month ago. Right out of the box the tweeter made a sound like frying bacon. It went away when the tweeter knob was turned down. I don't use a tweeter anyway (I play bass) so I pulled out the tweeter and the crossover/jack plate and threw them in the garbage. I made a new jack plate out of 1/8 aluminum and another cover plate to go over the empty tweeter hole. Not only did the cab sound much better, but it got lighter by throwing away two or three pounds of useless garbage. Maybe there is some kind of problem with these tweeters. If you have to have one, there is probably a suitable (or better) replacement available from Parts Express.

Aren't the horns are different between these two models? AFAIK, the MB series has a tiny Piezo, the Neo series have the full GK horn. I have a couple of original Neos and they have the full horn. Not sure about the Neo IIs.

4-string · #8 06-03-2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

There's nothing wrong with the tweeters. They're doing exactly what they're supposed to do, reproduce signal they are given.

+1. The MB combos would really benefit from an attenuator though, as the tweeter level is way off, and overpowers the woofer(s) IMO. That said, nothing a treble roll off can't fix.

However, I returned my second MB115 now because of a tweeter issue (first one had shipping damage). The tweeter went on and off by itself, and sometimes it was somewhere in between (which actually sounded great, until it went on 100%again). Too bad, as I loved the sound of it, not to mention the weight.