Gallien-Krueger MB2-500

[zac2944]

It's not an additional change; there was a change made to the pre-amp and I/O board grounding. Both changes fell under the same ECO (Engineering Change Order). The person who makes the labels assumed a Revision up-rev. without actually looking at the ECO; but now it's corrected.

Does this mean all A00 and A01 amps are susceptible to RFI?

I'm pretty happy with my amp, but if this is something that could develop into an issue down the road I'd like to have it fixed. I don't usually bring a backup amp to gigs and need to depend on consistent performance. My 1001RB-II never let me down. All this talk about "Engineering Change Orders" is making me very nervous.

What say you GK reps? Should anyone with an early rev MB2-500 send their amps in to GK for a fix?

 

[deekay911]

Does this mean all A00 and A01 amps are susceptible to RFI?

I'm pretty happy with my amp, but if this is something that could develop into an issue down the road I'd like to have it fixed. I don't usually bring a backup amp to gigs and need to depend on consistent performance. My 1001RB-II never let me down. All this talk about "Engineering Change Orders" is making me very nervous.

What say you GK reps? Should anyone with an early rev MB2-500 send their amps in to GK for a fix?

Yes - I believe A00 and A01 are RFI-prone. I had both and the RFI was horrific. With the FIRST A02 I received from Bob at GK the RFI was better, but not completely gone. I am receiving another A02 any day where an additional mod was made (but under the same Engineering Change it seems) which Bob is confident has completely cured the RFI.

 

[Kro]

While we have a GK tech actively checking out this thread, would it be possible to receive any info about the chassis mod discussed a few posts back? I'm really very curious as to what all this would entail.

 

[gktechgk]

I don't plan on being here to answer questions all the time. I only posted because I saw a lot of confusion being created with the Revision issue.

I don't have all the details about the new chassis and see no point in comenting about it until the change is actually implemented; which is going to take a few months at least.

If Bob wants to give more details, then that's up to him.

Secondly, ECO's are nothing to worry about, they are simply improvments made on products, they are quite common actually.

 

[zac2944]

Secondly, ECO's are nothing to worry about, they are simply improvments made on products, they are quite common actually.

Sure, nothing to worry about. Unless you have the un-improved version.

 

[lwdemons]

Looks like I got one of the 7... certifiably A03.

I'm an A03 too!!

 

[rok51]

I don't plan on being here to answer questions all the time. I only posted because I saw a lot of confusion being created with the Revision issue.

I don't have all the details about the new chassis and see no point in comenting about it until the change is actually implemented; which is going to take a few months at least.

If Bob wants to give more details, then that's up to him.

Secondly, ECO's are nothing to worry about, they are simply improvments made on products, they are quite common actually.

Ouch!

 

[Vic]

Ouch!

I don't think he meant to be rude. I manage a group of engineers, and this is just the way they normally talk to people. That's why it's usually best not to let them talk directly to the customers. They don't sugar coat anything... they simply speak very directly. I read his comment and thought nothing of it.

 

[Vic]

Sure, nothing to worry about. Unless you have the un-improved version.

I think he was just trying to avoid raising concern or alarm... that an ECO would be equated to a recall kinda' thing, indicating a critical flaw. ECOs can be completely benign... even something as small as the change of a vendor for a resistor. IMHO anyway.

 

[jokerjkny]

I don't think he meant to be rude. I manage a group of engineers, and this is just the way they normally talk to people. That's why it's usually best not to let them talk directly to the customers. They don't sugar coat anything... they simply speak very directly. I read his comment and thought nothing of it.

+1

my friend works at rockefeller u, and he's as blunt as a claymore.

 

[rag]

I've been keeping in touch with the rep over there concerning the timing on the ears, though this is the first time I've heard of a chassis redesign. I just assumed that to have the feet removed without voiding the warranty GK would just recommend taking it to a certified shop to get them taken off for rack mounting.

Not that I've got the patience for that... I just unscrewed the front feet and opened the lid enough to let the two screws drop out - back feet hang down still attached behind my tuner.

Unless they really make it something incredible (like my idea in my post above), I'll probably just end up keeping my current one as it works 'good enough' what with the RFI fixed and EQ defaults all nice now. Maybe there will be a chance that the GK rack ears will still work with my version.

The rack ears will work with all units, the new units will allow the feet to be removed form outside the unit. When designing this amplifier it did not occur to us that any one would want to rack mount it. The issue did not show up in our artist test program either. Next product introduction I want to beta test with the guys on Talk Bass.
You are all the greatest!

 

[ModulusFan]

The rack ears will work with all units, the new units will allow the feet to be removed form outside the unit. When designing this amplifier it did not occur to us that any one would want to rack mount it. The issue did not show up in our artist test program either. Next product introduction I want to beta test with the guys on Talk Bass.
You are all the greatest!

Now we're cooking with fire!

 

[rag]

Serial number is found on the side of the unit. The A0x referred to above is the middle part of the serial number ie: xxxxA03xxxxxx

By the way, GK is the only company that includes this information in the serial number. This helps us determine exactly what the customer has over the phone and greatly improves customer service.

 

[rag]

bummer part will be all the existing owners who really want that capability, but will have to sell theirs to get a new one - and more people will want a newer one, so the resale value of the originals will take a hit. Oh well, such is life.

On a side note, I gigged with my A00 version last night for the 3rd time, and had no problems. Only at low volume and low gain levels do I have issues. At gig volumes, that sucker has been rock solid and capable of way more volume than I could ever use, even with the -10db activated. nice!

We will upgrade your unit to Rev A2, no problem.

 

[rag]

Does this mean all A00 and A01 amps are susceptible to RFI?

I'm pretty happy with my amp, but if this is something that could develop into an issue down the road I'd like to have it fixed. I don't usually bring a backup amp to gigs and need to depend on consistent performance. My 1001RB-II never let me down. All this talk about "Engineering Change Orders" is making me very nervous.

What say you GK reps? Should anyone with an early rev MB2-500 send their amps in to GK for a fix?

Out of the first 500 units we had a handful of RFI issues (5 or 6), so the incidence is small. On the other hand we will gladly update your unit to rev A02, no charge. Takes about a week.

 

[dean owens]

can i just say DANG! again? i never stop being impressed with gk and rag's interaction with this board. i wish all companies took their name this seriously, had this much pride in their products and worked so hard to make sure their customers were completely satisfied. DANG!

 

[synterx]

Thanks RAG! Brian already emailed about swapping out my unit. It would be cool if the new rev could include access to the handle screw heads too. I really want to remove mine so I can use a right angle cable on the input jack. But that's minor, and I feel silly mentioning it really.

This has been my first GK product and I've been playing bass for 15 years. Worth the wait!

 

[lindseyp]

+1

my friend works at rockefeller u, and he's as blunt as a claymore.

Claymore? Do you mean the 5-1/2 feet long Scottish broad sword, or the ball bearing-filled mine? Either way, he must be one tough brute!

 

[Freddels]

Claymore? Do you mean the 5-1/2 feet long Scottish broad sword, or the ball bearing-filled mine? Either way, he must be one tough brute!

The ball bearing filled mine is really not blunt at all. Quite gruesome if you've ever seen one in action.

 

[lindseyp]

That was my point. The sword isn't blunt, either.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on my amp's return.
tick, tock, tick, tock, etc.