GK head constantly clipping

[drewfunk]

So last night at practice my GK Backline 600 head started missbehaving. It was constantly clipping and farting out. Even with the eq totally flat and the level and master only half way, if you laid into the strings at all it would fart and the little yellow clip light would just stay on like a nightlight. The only way to keep it from clipping was to turn on the 10 db pad. What gives? I'm playing a passive p-bass, so its not too hot of a signal.

 

[Greevus]

had the same problem and am a longtime GK user. you gotta use the pad. i even talked to GK and they said a passive P could be too hot of an input signal. i found it was a mental hurdle, like i was gonna be weak or something. pad it, then get your master up louder than your gain. bring the gain up to where it will let you without clipping. you can do it without padding, but you will lose some tone and richness. i feel you though, the older GKs didn't even have a clip circuit. you just cranked 'em until they sounded too distorted.

 

[drewfunk]

So i'm screwed? Darn. I deffinately feel you on the mental hurdle thing, it feels like i'm not getting everything from my amp that i should be. Oh and i dont have a gain control on the clean channel, just a level control. Guess i can just use the pad and then use a pedal to boost my signal to get more volume.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Guess i can just use the pad and then use a pedal to boost my signal to get more volume.

That will just get you back where you are now!

Paul

 

[DavePlaysBass]

One way to look at it is the preamp section is intended for a particular level. It sounds as though your setup is exceeding this expected preamp level. Assuming this to be the case its not that your not getting all that's possible, there is just a mis match in expected signal levels. Push in the pad and stop the preamp clipping. Then you should have plenty of room to increase the master gain and EQ. IME the GK preamp volume should be set below 10 oclock to avoid clipping.

 

[jg919]

Hi Drewfunk,

This reccomendation may come off as useless, but I personally think you should try to use some compression. Here, volume 'spikes'/peaks can be filtered out, the overall signal level evened, and the volume level can be altered before entering the input of your amp.
This will completely fix all of your playing/electronic problems!
I might add though - that your bass WILL feel a little different in your hands - but it may even improve your playing (NOT suggesting you need this AT ALL), as it has definitely done for me, and many others I know.

All the best mate,
JOHN

 

[Crazyeelboy]

DrewFunk:

Try pulling back on the Gain and let the Woofer do more of the work.

 

[ljazz]

Are you running you Pbass through anything ahead of the amp?

The clip light means you're clipping at the input. And remember, the input volume knob is preamp gain....... it's not a variable adjust for the input. The only way to adjust input gain is to back off of the volume on your bass, back off on the gain of any effects you're running through ahead of the amp, or to engage the input pad.

Under normal circumstances, a stock passive P running straight in should not clip the input on that head. If that's the case (no effects between the bass and the amp), then I would take it in and get it looked at.

 

[Crazyeelboy]

DrewFunk:
Try pulling back on the Gain and let the Woofer do more of the work.

DrewFunk:

I just took a look at the Backline 600 picture and it seems that you should try to back off on the Level and Gain and let the Master do more of the work.

 

[drewfunk]

I ran my pbass straight into the head with no pedals at all, and it was causing clipping. And on a backline 600 head there is no gain control on the clean channel, just a level control. So i'm not sure what people mean when they say to back off the gain...

 

[BrentSimons]

Back off on the "level" knob. On GK's level=gain.
Hope this helps.
B

 

[Crazyeelboy]

DrewFunk: Try this - keep your Level knob to 10:00 or less and bring your Master up as needed. See if that helps.

Go to this link to get the Product Manual which should provide some good info: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Vic Winters]

The clip light means you're clipping at the input. And remember, the input volume knob is preamp gain....... it's not a variable adjust for the input. The only way to adjust input gain is to back off of the volume on your bass, back off on the gain of any effects you're running through ahead of the amp, or to engage the input pad.

Quoted for relevance.

 

[drewfunk]

Thanks for the info guys, i'll play around with the level settings at practice tomorrow

 

[Greevus]

GKs of late have had some serious issues with clipping. It's possible you could have one of those units. They repaired one of mine. Brian Clark was the guy that said a passive P could be too hot for the input. I wouldn't have thought so either, hence the reason I questioned. He said he pads when using a P.

 

[Crazyeelboy]

Thanks for the info guys, i'll play around with the level settings at practice tomorrow

Good luck. Also remember to try to back off on the volume coming from your bass and use the pad.

 

[ljazz]

Everyone keeps telling him to back off the knobs on the head, when there isn't a single knob on the head that will keep the clip light from staying lit (although activating the pad will help) ....... a stock passive P shouldn't do it...... and if it hasn't had this issue before, then it's probably time to take it in and get it looked at.

Good luck!

 

[Crazyeelboy]

LJazz makes a good point - have it checked out. I would be concerned that you may have some problems other than the clipping. I fried a GK rig because I was sending a loud clipped signal - the peaks scorched the speakers and I learned a great lesson with the help of the tech guys at GK.