Problems with Gallien-Krueger 1001RB; could use some suggestions

bherman · #1 02-07-2011, 09:42 AM

I just picked up a used GK 1001 head and am having a few problems. Before I take it to a service center, I thought I'd check in here and see if there are easy fixes or if it is operator error.

1) Speakon connections - when I use speakon cables (standard 2-conductor), I get a very distorted sound (sounds like 70's fuzz bass!). Doesn't happen with standard 1/4" connectors.

2) Slightly distorted sound - at low end frequencies (b string and open e), there is a very low level of distortion; almost sounds like the beginnings of a blown speaker. I know that the cab is good (Ear Candy Bassbomb) as it sounds fine with my other amp (Genz 6.0).

Any suggestions from other GK users or anyone? I may call GK later today but thought that I'd start with the fabulous resources of this forum first.

Ben

Bassdirty · #2 02-07-2011, 09:47 AM

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG (I'm sure you will

)

I was under the impression that GK required a "special" Speakon cable..For "Bi amp Mode"....?...

Maybe that is the problem?

I used to have the 1001..great head , never had issues..but I always used 1/4 inchers for that head.(Because of those "special cable rumors")

Is the "distorted low B" there when you use the 1/4 inch too?

You mentioned it was used. Did you try it before you bought it?
Maybe its just blowed up...?..

Good luck.
.

bherman · #3 02-07-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG (I'm sure you will

)

I was under the impression that GK required a "special" Speakon cable..For "Bi amp Mode"....?...

Maybe that is the problem?

I used to have the 1001..great head , never had issues..but I always used 1/4 inchers for that head.(Because of those "special cable rumors")

You mentioned it was used. Did you try it before you bought it?
Maybe its just blowed up...?..

Good luck.
.

The manual says that you can use standard speakon cables with other cabs, but only 4-conductor for the biamp function. I didn't try it, was a TB purchase.

bherman · #4 02-07-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG (I'm sure you will

)

I was under the impression that GK required a "special" Speakon cable..For "Bi amp Mode"....?...

Maybe that is the problem?

I used to have the 1001..great head , never had issues..but I always used 1/4 inchers for that head.(Because of those "special cable rumors")

Is the "distorted low B" there when you use the 1/4 inch too?

You mentioned it was used. Did you try it before you bought it?
Maybe its just blowed up...?..

Good luck.
.

Yes, the distorted sound is there with 1/4" connectors also.

bassdoubler · #5 02-07-2011, 09:52 AM

I've owned 3 different GK heads as well as several of their cabs and still swear to this day I will never buy another GK product as long as I live. They all sound great at first, but within a year or two all the pots are crackling and 2 of the 3 heads I owned had problems similar to yours. And I treated them like royalty. Couldn't hurt to take it to the shop but I'd stick with the Genz if I were you....just my .02

bherman · #6 02-07-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassdoubler

I've owned 3 different GK heads as well as several of their cabs and still swear to this day I will never buy another GK product as long as I live. They all sound great at first, but within a year or two all the pots are crackling and 2 of the 3 heads I owned had problems similar to yours. And I treated them like royalty. Couldn't hurt to take it to the shop but I'd stick with the Genz if I were you....just my .02

Mitch - thanks for the feedback, which that I'd checked before purchasing. I'll probably take it to the shop so that I can at least get it functional before selling it. I have no intention of getting rid of the Genz, its a great little amp but was hoping that the GK would serve me well with more headroom. Live and learn....

Nordskov · #7 02-07-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassdoubler

I've owned 3 different GK heads as well as several of their cabs and still swear to this day I will never buy another GK product as long as I live. They all sound great at first, but within a year or two all the pots are crackling and 2 of the 3 heads I owned had problems similar to yours. And I treated them like royalty. Couldn't hurt to take it to the shop but I'd stick with the Genz if I were you....just my .02

Thats the exact same experience I have with my 1001RBII. After a year the volume, the contour, the presence and the woofer pot began crackling like hell regardless if I turn them or not. It goes away if I execize them, but only a few minutes.
I even tried to clean the volume pot by opening it and wipe the wiper and the arc with a piece of coffee filter, but that too only helped for a short period.
The amp sounds awesome, but the pots are crap

woodsideh · #8 02-07-2011, 01:07 PM

I have had a similar problem with a 400RBIII. I have noticed the problem will go away within 20mins or so after turning the amp on. Its almost like it has to warm up which makes no sense at all but it just seems that way. The 400RBIII does not have speakon outs or a bi-amp feature. I am interested to see what responses you get.

bherman · #9 02-07-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsideh

I have had a similar problem with a 400RBIII. I have noticed the problem will go away within 20mins or so after turning the amp on. Its almost like it has to warm up which makes no sense at all but it just seems that way. The 400RBIII does not have speakon outs or a bi-amp feature. I am interested to see what responses you get.

I'll see if time is any factor, I usually notice it as soon as I start practicing - I'm about to call GK tech support and see if they have any suggestions, thanks.

bassdoubler · #10 02-07-2011, 10:54 PM

I used to have a 400RB that I had to hit with a hammer to make the sound come on....I can't even believe that was me at one time....

WingKL · #11 02-08-2011, 01:46 AM

@Nordskov and bassdoubler - Crackling pots are common to a lot of electronics especially if they are regular carbon pots and not the sealed conductive plastic types. You maintain them with contact cleaner, preferably something with a lubricant like this.

@op - Try jumping your effects loop and/or cleaning them and see if that helps.

Hopkins · #12 02-08-2011, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bherman

Mitch - thanks for the feedback, which that I'd checked before purchasing. I'll probably take it to the shop so that I can at least get it functional before selling it. I have no intention of getting rid of the Genz, its a great little amp but was hoping that the GK would serve me well with more headroom. Live and learn....

I wouldn't give up on it because of a minor malfunction on a used amp. Get it fixed and use it. That amp will blow your hair back

bherman · #13 02-08-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopkins

I wouldn't give up on it because of a minor malfunction on a used amp. Get it fixed and use it. That amp will blow your hair back

Good advice - I called GK and left a message yesterday; a service tech called me back later in the day and was very helpful. He suggested taking it in to a service center and have them run a diagnosis; alternatively they have a program where they will replace all of the boards and power supply for $250, and make sure everything is running per specs. While it is alot of $$, seems like it might be a good investment for the long term. Most of the feedback on this amp that I can find (reviews and such) have been positive, as well as on GK generally as a company.

Any thoughts on the rebuilding option?

Hopkins · #14 02-08-2011, 05:07 PM

Is it a mk II? If not I would spend the $250 if it is just just take it in for diagnostic and fix whats wrong/

bherman · #15 02-08-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopkins

Is it a mk II? If not I would spend the $250 if it is just just take it in for diagnostic and fix whats wrong/

It is not a mkII - that is what I am leaning towards at this point, the full rebuild. Seems like I'd be starting off with a more reliable rig.

ErnieD · #16 02-08-2011, 05:25 PM

You maintain them with contact cleaner, preferably something with a lubricant like this.

@op - Try jumping your effects loop and/or cleaning them and see if that helps.

I had that amp for 10+ years. Way before I knew of certain fixes I learned here, I had it serviced for noisy pots, staticky noise, etc. They serviced it for like 60 bucks a few years ago, I sold it last year cause I did not use it anymore. Still was working fine when I sold it to a cop, so I sure wouldn't try to pawn off a bricked amp to him.

If possible to nail down that subject do a search here of how many have fixed those "speaker noises" by running just a 1/4" patch cord or similar into the effects loop connections, cleared that issue right up.

In a nutshell, they get gunked up from non-use and you can clear em out again. Spray the knobs for that scratchy-ness and heck spray the 1/4" ends before you hook em to the effects send/return, couldn't hoit, should help.

Then send to shop for costly repairs if need be. Just saying.

Powerful mid-weight/sized amp, be nice to get it up n running. If seller knew this, woulda been cool for him to mention it just needs a little maintenance or just done it himself before selling. Oh well, it happens, good luck.

bherman · #17 02-08-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieD

You maintain them with contact cleaner, preferably something with a lubricant like this.

@op - Try jumping your effects loop and/or cleaning them and see if that helps.

I had that amp for 10+ years. Way before I knew of certain fixes I learned here, I had it serviced for noisy pots, staticky noise, etc. They serviced it for like 60 bucks a few years ago, I sold it last year cause I did not use it anymore. Still was working fine when I sold it to a cop, so I sure wouldn't try to pawn off a bricked amp to him.

If possible to nail down that subject do a search here of how many have fixed those "speaker noises" by running just a 1/4" patch cord or similar into the effects loop connections, cleared that issue right up.

In a nutshell, they get gunked up from non-use and you can clear em out again. Spray the knobs for that scratchy-ness and heck spray the 1/4" ends before you hook em to the effects send/return, couldn't hoit, should help.

Then send to shop for costly repairs if need be. Just saying.

Powerful mid-weight/sized amp, be nice to get it up n running. If seller knew this, woulda been cool for him to mention it just needs a little maintenance or just done it himself before selling. Oh well, it happens, good luck.

Ernie - I agree, worth the investment. Not sure I fully follow your sugestion on running a 1/4" patch into effects loop - tried searching and didn't find anything. Would you mind elaborating a bit (this coming from an old-school guy who doesn't use effects!)

Thanks!

ErnieD · #18 02-08-2011, 05:55 PM

not sure how others conduct this process but I've just sprayed contact cleaner or sometimes not (best one I've tried is DeOxit, just got a can couple weeks ago) onto a 1/4" cable. What first off I did this with the amp turned off, just because seemed like a safe step, not sure it matters. Then I just stick the 1/4' end of any cable into all the 1/4" connectors of a preamp in my case. I just slid in the cable, gave a few turns-left n right, then slid it in-out a few times sorta like cleaning a key/lock to move any gunk out.

This worked on a preamp I bought recently and the DeOxit is great on effects pedal knobs as well. I just cleaned 4-5 older, noisy effects pedal I've not used in years. Even on the volume/tone knobs on a bass as well. I've read where some write here "connect a 1/4" cable to effects send/return" not sure if they're meaning to leave the cable hooked up or what. My issue cleared up with just the maitenance steps I mentioned above, may take a few trys for noisier gear.

I'm not sure why you have noise with the speakon and not with the 1/4", if I read that right. That might be another issue but you could spray into the amps' speakon connector too, in case it needs it. If I've misspoken here hope others interject. Again, this worked for my 1001RBI issue when I did it recently.

Even after having it tech serviced a few years ago the issue arose again, guess it just needed more service but this time I did it for about 10 bucks ( contact cleaner) instead of a tech fee. Other more experienced techies may make other/better suggestions. Your amp may have other issues but I feel this is a good place to start if you care to attempt this. Good luck buddy, let us know how it turns out, might be a keeper still. Peace, ernie.

ErnieD · #19 02-08-2011, 06:07 PM

to add, I bought my GK1001RBI brand new. After a few years or so, the amp did start shutting down on me at some gigs. IIRC, it seemed to happen when I'd stand very close to the amp at rather loud volumes, it would go into protect mode then back on after a second or so.

Not sure if I was causing this by my standing too near as it did it a couple times while I was not as near. That's why it stayed parked when I too bought my first of 3 Genz Benz amps; I'm down to just a NeoPak now on GB gear.

I decided to take the GK into a shop to have them look at it since it was just sitting unused. The reciept showed they "serviced it", general inspection- cleaning and a resolder. The amp ran fine after that but by then I had a few micro-amps and decided to sell it off rather than just have it sit around again. There might have been a bad run of these amps back then (1990's) or something was going on with them as I read some threads here on some GK issues a few years back. Hope it works out for you.

doktorfeelgood · #20 02-08-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bherman

Good advice - I called GK and left a message yesterday; a service tech called me back later in the day and was very helpful. He suggested taking it in to a service center and have them run a diagnosis; alternatively they have a program where they will replace all of the boards and power supply for $250, and make sure everything is running per specs. While it is alot of $$, seems like it might be a good investment for the long term. Most of the feedback on this amp that I can find (reviews and such) have been positive, as well as on GK generally as a company.

Any thoughts on the rebuilding option?

I had two 1001's for about 8 years and got very good usage out of them with zero problems. But about 2 years ago I did a very stupid thing and wound up blowing both of them up, back to back. The tech that repaired them had to put new boards in both of them and it cost me $300 bucks each. So $250 for what yer gonna get is well worth it. If nothing else you'll make it so it can be sold and then you can get a Genz or Markbass amp. )-(