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gallien krueger amp problem

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by 90210, Jun 30, 2008.

  1. Jun 30, 2008 #1
    90210

    90210

    Nov 16, 2007
    earth
    i have a gallein krueger amp, backline 250 head, and 115 bmx cab
    whenever i jam out with my band, i can never hear myself, if i turn up the amp, it starts to distort heavily. With the boost knob half way and the master half way it still distorts. I hooked up my freinds hartke 4 x10 and there was no distortion. Do i have a defective speaker, or is it normal for it not to be played at hi volumes?
    im thinking of buying a new speaker, since i cant afford a new cab

    thanjks for any help
     
  2. Jun 30, 2008 #2
    AfroMan Skeeter

    AfroMan Skeeter

    Dec 12, 2007
    My guess is that the Hartke is a 4 ohm cabinet, allowing your amp to run at 4 ohms will give you more power compared to the 125 watts you'll be getting with the 8 ohm 1x15.

    It's late at night so I could be wrong.

    With a solid state amp, you shouldn't expect to go more than halfway on the master volume because it starts to clip, this in turn can damage your amp and speakers (your distortion is probably the amp clipping). So, IMO, I would get an amp that you don't need to crank past halfway for any situation.
     
  3. Jul 1, 2008 #3
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Your rig isn't defective, I don't think, but it will be if you keep pushing it like that. It just isn't meant to be played at ear splitting volumes. The Hartke cab is built to take more wattage, so it won't distort as easily.
     
  4. Jul 1, 2008 #4
    sceloporus

    sceloporus

    Jan 3, 2008
    Is your bass active or passive?
     
  5. Jul 1, 2008 #5
    90210

    90210

    Nov 16, 2007
    earth
    passive, even with active pickups i get the same problem

    im really considering throwing a new speaker in the cab that will handle more watts. any reccomandations?

    thanks
     
  6. Jul 1, 2008 #6
    dj150888

    dj150888

    Feb 25, 2008
    Belfast, Ireland
    I'd reccommend getting a more powerful rig (if you can afford it) or telling the rest of your band to turn down. The amp you're using is obviously struggling to keep up with the rest, try looking in the second hand market for a good bargain.
     
  7. Jul 1, 2008 #7
    shoot-r

    shoot-r

    May 26, 2007
    Illinois
    90210, I think your BMX 115 cab is 8 ohms, and your GK is full power at 4 ohms, so, your probably only getting a little over a hundred watts out of your rig. Playing "loud" with around only a hundred watts will equal distortion. The other day there was a GK 800 head for sale in the Talk Bass classifieds for a couple hundred. If you could swing it that would be a great head. That would give you the power you need. Match it to your cab, (and add another cab down the road....or borrow the Hartke 410 to run along with your 15"), and you'd be set.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2008 #8
    62bass

    62bass

    Apr 3, 2005
    You just need more power and better speakers. The Backline stuff is okay for the money, but it's GK's entry level gear for new guys who can't afford pro level gear. Don't waste your money on putting in a better quality speaker. It won't do any good. The pro level GK gear is excellent. Look for a used 700 RB and maybe pair it with an Avatar cabinet or two.
     
  9. Jul 2, 2008 #9
    shoot-r

    shoot-r

    May 26, 2007
    Illinois
    90210, I just checked the GK web site. If I read it right, your GK 250 head is only rated at 125 watts into a 8 ohm load....that's "full power". No wonder it was distorting at loud volumes.
    My recommendation, get a head with no less than 300 watts at 4 ohms, match that with as many speakers of the correct impedance that you can afford. Use your GK 250 as your bedroom practice amp.