Double Bass Gallien-Krueger 200MB Buzz, Rattle, Etc.

[appler]

I think I cranked my 200MB up loud one too many times, culminating in a loud rock gig last week; whenever I turn it up now, the enclosure buzzes, rattles, and makes a lot of unwanted noise. I don't think it's the speaker because it sounds fine at low volume or without too much low end. How can I fix this problem? Please bear in mind I am not a technical expert.

Thanks very much for your time!

Robert Tarantino

 

[B String]

If you can't do it, you need to take it to a tech and have
them reseal the box and tighten up the screws. No big deal.

 

[Basicbassist]

Dave's Sound on Rt. 10 in Whippany, NJ, has provided me expert service in repairing my 20+ year old GK MB150. I went to him rather than deal with the GK service department.

 

[Buzz Grim]

I lost the seal on my cab once and had to open it up and reseal it. Here's what I would suggest
In order:
1) Just to make certain that what you are hearing is the amp rattling and and not some room noise, try it in a different room sitting on a pillow or something soft.
2) If the noise is always there mess with the handle to see if it is rattling.Pull up on it while doing what it takes to make the rattling noise.
3) Mess with the grill. Make the rattle and push the grill around in different places to see if you can kill it. Don't forget the logo.
4) Lightly snug up all the screws you can see.There are a lot of them and some of them are small and hard to see like the ones on the front grill. If you torque them too much you can strip them out since they thread into the aluminum sheet.The screw in the middle of the back goes into a big rubber plug that braces the speaker to the cabinet back. This one may just go around without tightening.
5) If you have lost the seal on your speaker compartment you can get all kinds of weird effects at different volumes including what sounds like a blown speaker but isn't.
6) If you're sure it's a lost seal and can do the work yourself contact GK. They used to (I haven't talked to them recently) sell a gasket kit for resealing the cabinet and also had instructions available.
7) If all else fails find a good repairman or GK service center.
Good luck.
Buzz

 

[appler]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Marc Piane]

Not to rain on things but I fought this battle with an MB150 and just gave up and bought a new one. I brought it someplace. No dice. I caulked the !@#$ out of it with bathroom caulk. Nope. I sold it to someone else willing to mess with it and just bought a new one. I hope things go better for you.

 

[B String]

Not to rain on things but I fought this battle with an MB150 and just gave up and bought a new one. I brought it someplace. No dice. I caulked the !@#$ out of it with bathroom caulk. Nope. I sold it to someone else willing to mess with it and just bought a new one. I hope things go better for you.

You used bathroom caulk? That just seems like hitting it with
a sledge hammer and being bummed because it didn't fix it.
This is not brain surgery. Perhaps a competent repairman
could have fixed it for you without resorting to the use of
inappropriate materials. Just my opinion.

 

[Marc Piane]

Huh?

I carefully took it apart and used silicone caulk to insulate the speaker, grill, and screws from vibration. I was told this method by a repairman and it was also suggested here on TB.

Hardly seems like a sledgehammer or inappropriate materials.