• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Gallien Krueger Club. GK Rules !

Does no load create more heat that needs to be dissipated than an 8 or 4 ohm load?
I'm not an amp designer or electrical engineer, but I would a say that for a class AB amp like the one in question the answer would be no. However, it's important to recognize that even with no output there is an idle current running through the system, waste heat will be generated, and it will need to be dissipated. Class D would present significantly less of a problem in this same condition IMO.

As you push the amplifier progressively harder going from 8 Ohms to 4 Ohms to 2 Ohms (if capable) it can generate more output and based on the level of efficiency will concomitantly generate more waste heat that will have to be dealt with.

So a class AB head sitting without a speaker load, depending on environmental factors and its design, could IMO easily reach a point where it's thermal management circuitry would trigger a fan circuit to engage (perhaps at a minimal speed setting) if so equipped. Class D would be much less likely to require active cooling in that same situation IMO. I stand ready to get a lesson in idle currents and waste heat form one of the resident EE's... :bookworm:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kro
Knowledge is power, but assumptions are... well...
...assumptions properly researched with an open mind can readily lead to knowledge, and frequently embarrassment,...but I try to stay focused on the knowledge part and figure looking like an idiot is simply the price of an education....
 
Last edited:
There's a difference between downsizing, utilizing the latest in technical advancements to make up the difference, and just... downsizing. That sounds like the latter.

Primarily talking about the cab. I don't know what Peavey micro he had, but it very well could have sounded awesome through a cab that was up to the task.
My Mini-Mega crapped out right quick, very low output. No increase in volume after noon on the volume knob. Sounds fine at practice levels but can't keep up live. Peavey says I'm SOL. So that's that. I was therefore skeptical that class d micros were worth it. Since the Fusion 550 isn't a micro, but is class d I have to chalk it up to Peavey dropping the ball. YMMV
 
image.jpeg
Are you talking about the MBF-500 by any chance?
No the Fusion 550. Am I wrong? I just got it so I'm still in the honeymoon phase.
 
So class h. Could you elaborate what makes it class h? Is that for " hybrid"?

Awesome amp, it shares a similar power section as the GK RBs, just with a tube preamp (hence the fusion name).

Amp class letters, I don't believe stand for anything (aka class D does not equate to digital). Here's a good page that outlines some of the differences of the various topologies.
 
My Mini-Mega crapped out right quick, very low output. No increase in volume after noon on the volume knob. Sounds fine at practice levels but can't keep up live. Peavey says I'm SOL. So that's that. I was therefore skeptical that class d micros were worth it. Since the Fusion 550 isn't a micro, but is class d I have to chalk it up to Peavey dropping the ball. YMMV
Where it comes to peavey my results have not varied. Series 200 bass head Mark 3 bass head combo 300 bass and keyboard combos. Always underperforming. Which is why I didn't give the new Trace Elliott's a second thought. I have two 80's British AH350X heads and 2 1048 cabs which I will never sell and an RB 400III 215 short stack for smaller lower volume clubs. GK MB fusion and NEOS on the horizon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StraffordMike
Hope it works out for you. I just ordered a new 700RBii. I was all GK at one point but had issues with 3 different amps at once (GK did take care of everything under warranty) so steered away from GK for awhile. The 700 is the amp for me. Can't find anything else that gets me that sound. So hoping for the best. Had to come back. This is probably my fourth 700. Yep, fourth.

Anyone find a graceful case solution for the RB series? Not planning to rack mount unless I have to. Was not impressed with the build quality of the GK bags I've used in the past. Thinking a mixer bag with foam is probably the way to go.
I really like the Gator 3u case for this with a 1u tuner above it. This was my third case which I like the best. The metal and fiber board one was heavy, the Roto molded one was a little larger on the outside dimensions and tended to slide around too easily on top of the cabs. The Gator was a nice fit. YMMV.
 
  • Like
Reactions: aproud1
Interesting, because the fan on my MB Fusion comes on at what I would consider strange times, particularly when the amp is at idle even before we play (or else that's when I hear it most). Perhaps it's heat from the preamp tubes? ...dunno. However, after 7 years of rugged & reliable service, I guess I can say it's not a problem. Thanks for the quote - always good to hear from Bob.
I'm pretty sure there is some kind of bug in the fan controller on these. mine often comes on full speed immediately on power up in a cool room and stays on. But if I then cycle the power on it a few times it will come on with the fam off. And usually just run slow occasionally over a couple hour period. But occasionally will go full blast again for a short period and then back off. Probably software or a fan controller chip design flaw is my guess.
 
Interesting. I heard some issue about a fan not working years ago with my first 700RBii. So I kept an eye on it. It's super quiet so not really noticeable that way and it's kind of hard to see unless you're really up on it. I watched pretty closely several practices and gigs mainly out of curiosity. Just would randomly come on and then shut off. Thinking it just built up temperature to a certain point, cooled and then shut off. I'm certainly going to pay attention with my new 700. Not that it matters.
Gator GK-2110 Gig Bag
 
  • Like
Reactions: aproud1
Was just looking through some pics of last Saturday's gig. We can file this under "adventures in backlines" - both in terms of what cab it was, and because, well... it was an actual backlined cab.

One of these cones is not like the other!
IMG_0840.JPG


Of course I opted to use my rack gear over the Behringer knockoff... SVT? available to me, but man - just look at that poor GK cab with a black (silver?) eye of a mismatched, probably Hartke 10" driver.

To be fair, the thing got the job done, so I have no legitimate right to complain, but still - they couldn't have found a less conspicuous replacement?
 
Was just looking through some pics of last Saturday's gig. We can file this under "adventures in backlines" - both in terms of what cab it was, and because, well... it was an actual backlined cab.

One of these cones is not like the other!
View attachment 2961832

Of course I opted to use my rack gear over the Behringer knockoff... SVT? available to me, but man - just look at that poor GK cab with a black (silver?) eye of a mismatched, probably Hartke 10" driver.

To be fair, the thing got the job done, so I have no legitimate right to complain, but still - they couldn't have found a less conspicuous replacement?
Just think about all the time we spend worried about optimizing every last detail of our rigs and here you have a speaker replacement where the total analysis for matching the speaker to the cab was probably no more than "how big is the hole?". :rollno:

Glad the gig went well anyway Kro. It was obviously one of those nights when talent carried the day in spite of equipment! :thumbsup:
 

Latest posts