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Gallien-Krueger MB2-500: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
- Start date
Well....I was patient and trusting and I got screwed. The A05 had major power issues...random shutdowns. And I trusted what Brian @ GK told me...that these have been very reliable amps and that only 1% of the amps have had the problem I've been having. SO...I ordered a new one and returned the A05 for a new in box A06. 1st gig....1st set...amp shuts down. Does so several times in every set of the night. No clipping of the input. Amp wasn't even warm to the touch. Using a GK NEO 4x10 8ohm 800w cab and used the A05 with several cabs and had same prob. I really feel like I've been lied to by GK. And I feel like they're not being straightforward and honest about these amps and what they know. Whatever the case.....I'm done. The A06 is going back today and I'm going with another brand. My recommendation? Stay faaaar away from the MB2.
What bothers me the most about this post is not that a new design can have issues, but really, that it seemed to have issues with what I would assume would be one of the manufacturer's most highly recommended product pairings... their own NEO 410, and especially one above the minimum impedance rating. I just can't imagine what rockguitarist could have done incorrectly to cause this to happen. Even if he was being "abusive" with EQ, cranking on the low end EQ or something like that (which I don't believe he did), the amp just shouldn't do this... especially into an 8 ohm load.
I'm assuming all the usual things have been done... try a few different high quality speaker cables, and verify the wall power was good.
I've had a similar experience with another vendor, and it had to do with an "overcurrent limiter" circuit, which was designed to protect the output section... but when driving an 8 ohm load, that just shouldn't be an issue. I have no idea if this GK has one of those circuits, or if this is even related to whatever is really going on (which I assume is still an unknown), but just as a FWIW, an overcurrent limiter behaves exactly like this... no sign of clipping on the front end, no distortion, just the output section senses it's being overtaxed somehow and protects itself by shutting off to recover.
I remain a BIG fan of Bob and GK in general, but this is just not good.
Vic- you guessed correctly. I'm using a GK provided, heavy gauge, Speakon cable...and have used a heavy duty, brand new 1/4" speaker cable as well. Happened using both. With the A05....I used a GK GLX 8x10 on a gig and it happened! That's a 4ohm 800w cab! I have an E. Ball Sterling bass...subtle boost on the eq... a touch of low and mid. Amp- gain @ 10 o'clock, high @ 1, high mid @ 2, low mid @ 3, lows @ 2, master @ 3. I've had the problem using the boost channel and not using it. Nothing is extreme. I have a high end....TC Electronic G-System...multi-effects unit. I use it for compression, octave, and occasionally filter. I also have a Keeley modded TS-9 for overdrive. BUT....the problems have occurred when using nothing but compression. AND...my input and output levels are all reduced as well. So there's no way I am...or should be...sending too much signal to the amp. And if I was...why is the clip light not acitvated? I know it worked on the A05 bc I pushed it the very 1st gig at soundcheck just to see where it's peak was. In terms of power....every club/venue has had good AC. Enough to power BIG P.A.'s as well as a 5 piece band. The only thing w/ a problem has been the MB2. It's going back and I'm giving the Markbass Little Mark III a shot. It's a shame. I wanted to like this head. And I wanted to believe and believe in GK.
My experience with GK CS is not so good..
Brian wants me to send the amp back, and be without until he finds the problem
Who knows how long it could take (it happens randomly)
Not cool, my back-up is being used at another locale and i don't have funds to
purchase another amp, while I wait
Plus if I'm going to purchase another amp, why keep the MB2 ??
To late to send it back, looks like I'm stuck with a "paper weight"
and it's even a little to light for that
GK CS? not so much
Brian wants me to send the amp back, and be without until he finds the problem
Who knows how long it could take (it happens randomly)
Not cool, my back-up is being used at another locale and i don't have funds to
purchase another amp, while I wait
Plus if I'm going to purchase another amp, why keep the MB2 ??
To late to send it back, looks like I'm stuck with a "paper weight"
and it's even a little to light for that
GK CS? not so much
I'm telling you man...GK is NOT being forthcoming and honest IMO. Only 1% of these MB2's are having power problems according to Brian. Hmm...I guess all 1% just happen to know about Talkbass and use it. Oh..AND...I guess I just happened to get 2 heads in that 1%. Yeah...the odds of that are likely. I found it odd they asked me to send a brand new head back too. Why? Why would I? All I asked was for them to be honest with me and tell me what they know so I wouldn't have the same problem with a new MB2. Apparently that's too much to ask from them. Well, lesson learned the hard way I guess. My new Markbass Little Mark III sounds pretty damn nice. Sorry to hear you are stuck w/ a bum amp man.
Yea, If my company was selling a known faulty amp (Brian was able to re-produce the problem)
I would have some "loaner" amps to send out while the faulty ones got checked...
I make my living playing Bass and I don't need this back and forth game...
Hey GK, Just take my word on it and send me a new amp!!
I would have some "loaner" amps to send out while the faulty ones got checked...
I make my living playing Bass and I don't need this back and forth game...
Hey GK, Just take my word on it and send me a new amp!!
I have given up. When the third one died in the middle of the second song two weekends ago I thought about the other amps I have and decided to put them to good use. The MB2 will make a nice visual piece with my home sound system, sitting on top of the subwoofer. No one will notice it's not connected
Can no longer recommend it, though.
Can no longer recommend it, though.
Notice how lately there have been no replies or posts from any GK people on here? As a former retailer for many years..I can tell you that good, trustworthy manufacturers have proactive employees that constantly monitor boards like this one and are on top of CS and making sure people don't lose faith in their products and the brand in general. I've seen inside sales reps and technicians go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the players who...as fellow musicians...have spent their hard earned dollars (in a recession no less!) on their company's product are taken care of and are not left hanging with broken gear or have to go without a working amp. I'm talking advance replacement's through local dealers, etc. I find it peculiar to say the least that GK reps have been noticeably absent from this board amidst all the bashing of their faulty product. Just further proves my point that...IMO...they're not being direct, honest, and forthcoming with what they do or don't know about the problems with the MB2. And they're not doing nearly enough to take care of the people with these bad apples. Shame on you GK. Shame on you.
I originally posted this on 1/14/09.......And it was like a bomb dropped in my PM box at that time...
4 months since the original part 1 of this thread started. There are still problems with new heads being delivered. Not sure when the amp was released.
I mean no disrespect to the guys at GK who seem to work very hard, but I'm out on this one. I know this has turned into somewhat of a lovefest/owners group for this head so I may get some backlash for this but......
I wouldn't dare spend my money on one of these never mind take one of these out on a gig without a backup. It will take a long time for me to feel any different....
Sorry
Well...I'm doubtful that public opinion of these is nearly as strong almost 8 months later and still all these unresolved and unaddressed problems. Plus...I am merely stating the facts, my experience, and my opinion which I am entitled to. Esp considering what I went through. I damn near lost my gig w/ my current band due to amp problems...MB2 amp problems. I'm the new guy in the band and I've only had the MB2's on gigs and had problems EVERY gig but one. So...backlash or none...whatever. I'm calling a spade a spade.
And after 30 pages I desparately want to hear that the hidden gremlin is found.
As I remember Carvin had a big problem with their smallish amp a while back and assume that that issue has been resolved.
I'm no EE, but it sure seems like these micro amps are more prone to issues due to tiny connectors, boards, outsourced unconvetional assemblies, and technology that has not had years of debugging.
Is it fair to assume that all these tiny amps will be much more expensive to fix due to size years down the road?
Man I want to see GK throw a ton of R&D troubleshooting on this and get it resolved NOW. Not good when the same problem re-occurs in the revisions.
As I remember Carvin had a big problem with their smallish amp a while back and assume that that issue has been resolved.
I'm no EE, but it sure seems like these micro amps are more prone to issues due to tiny connectors, boards, outsourced unconvetional assemblies, and technology that has not had years of debugging.
Is it fair to assume that all these tiny amps will be much more expensive to fix due to size years down the road?
Man I want to see GK throw a ton of R&D troubleshooting on this and get it resolved NOW. Not good when the same problem re-occurs in the revisions.
I'm sure you'll see Bob or Brian around here soon. They've maintained a constant and helpful presence here on TB and in this forum particularly.
I think your feelings are understandable and I hate to hear that this has been your experience because IME GK customer service has been excellent.
I just recently began having problems with my A00 series MB2 and everyone at GK was immediately helpfull even though NAMM was also in full swing. Bob even took the trouble to e-mail me from China to help resolve my problem.
I can't really comment on the reliability issue as my new A06 has been solid as a rock, but I'd like to hope that whatever happened with CS in your case is an anomally and that they get it worked out soon.
I think your feelings are understandable and I hate to hear that this has been your experience because IME GK customer service has been excellent.
I just recently began having problems with my A00 series MB2 and everyone at GK was immediately helpfull even though NAMM was also in full swing. Bob even took the trouble to e-mail me from China to help resolve my problem.
I can't really comment on the reliability issue as my new A06 has been solid as a rock, but I'd like to hope that whatever happened with CS in your case is an anomally and that they get it worked out soon.
You're making a lot of bad assumptions. Nothing in these small amps is that bleeding edge, weird, or otherwise unconventional regarding the technology used to implement the design, and there are other micro amps out there based on similar core designs that are not having any such problems.
No. The technology used inside these things is conventional from a serviceability standpoint by today's standards.
Bottom line is, let's not make this a general witch hunt for these newer micro/light amp designs. There's nothing inherently wrong with the core design or technology used to build one. We're dealing specifically with individual vendor implementation issues, and at some point, those will all be worked out as well.
The heart of the MB2 is the same power amp as used in the GB Shuttle, which whilst I am sure has had its share of issues (although I have had 2 and they have been perfect), is way more reliable than this little bugger. I can only assume the Bang & Olufsen module is 99.9999% reliable and it's the rest of the stuff around it that's at fault. That's where the individual company comes in, their design and build quality...
Fair enough; thanks for the explanation.
While I don't currently own any GK gear, I've had great experiences in the past.
Was hoping that the problem could be pinned to someone other than them.
The issue that factory repaired units still have issues point to design and not offshore assembly in my mind.
I enjoy reading Bob's comments but 6 revisions is a bit much to not have nailed down a problem if the technology and componenets are standard, don't you think?
Edit: Looks like the first problem unit that was reported in TB occured in November of 2007.
If it's not a size thing, how comes the big brother is reliable?
Hate to see a good company have problems like this.
While I don't currently own any GK gear, I've had great experiences in the past.
Was hoping that the problem could be pinned to someone other than them.
The issue that factory repaired units still have issues point to design and not offshore assembly in my mind.
I enjoy reading Bob's comments but 6 revisions is a bit much to not have nailed down a problem if the technology and componenets are standard, don't you think?
Edit: Looks like the first problem unit that was reported in TB occured in November of 2007.
If it's not a size thing, how comes the big brother is reliable?
Hate to see a good company have problems like this.
I received one of the first units, if not THE first, and it was DOA - you don't get any earlier issues than that (mid September 2008 - it wasn't available in 2007..). Immediately I and others had issues with boomy bass, and then RFI, then distortion, then headphone issues, then cutting out. I mean this thing is just riddled with issues, and each new Rev is a reactive quick fix for each of the issues uncovered. It should have been taken out of the market, and all the issues fixed holistically, rather than patched one by one. I don't mind being a tester for GK, but I object paying full price to do it.
i appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. I just sent back my new and unused mb2 for a refund. i decided not to even try it due to the number of issues these have. bummer-i was stoked about it but this is way too risky.
Just for the record, the majority of manufacturers out there do NOT participate on this forum.
