GK MB112-ii Crackling/Distortion

[Cornelius Ray]

I purchased this amp brand new, along with a Sire V7 MM 4-string, about 5 years ago to learn to play bass. I only tinkered with it for a few months before having a "squirrel!" moment and moving on to other things. I recently took it back out this past December, along with the bass to really get into learning. Strangely enough, it crackles and sounds distorted. It's not the speaker. I plugged in headphones and get the same sounds. However, when I run a cable from the direct out using the "post eq" setting, the sound is crystal clear from the PA speakers and all the eq functions work with no issue. I get the same result regardless if the bass is in active or passive mode. Any thoughts or possible fixes would be appreciated.

 

[Cornelius Ray]

Here's a snippet of what I'm getting...

 

[Jek Porkins]

Change battery? I know that's worn out advice but this has happened to me before. I own that same amp. Good luck!

 

[PotsdamBass8]

What are your eq and gain settings? It seems like you’ve checked everything else. Have you tried playing with the gain and pad settings?

 

[Cornelius Ray]

What are your eq and gain settings? It seems like you’ve checked everything else. Have you tried playing with the gain and pad settings?

I flattened all the eq settings on the amp, as well as the bass. I toggled the gain on both and the issue remained at both high and low gain. I recieved a response via email asking a few more questions about it. Hopefully I hear back with some good info. The price of the recommended local service tech is pretty close to a replacement. May be my only option. Thanks.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Have you tried running sound into the aux in? I imagine that would be fine given what you’ve said. And the di pre eq?

 

[Cornelius Ray]

Have you tried running sound into the aux in? I imagine that would be fine given what you’ve said. And the di pre eq?

Aux In has same issue. There's only a Direct Out for an XLR and it works fine both pre and post eq. going through my PA amp. I just don't have a proper speaker/cabinet that would give the bass it's due using that method.

 

[Fast Freddie]

I have the same amp and this same issue. What should I do?

 

[Highsidebass]

Bump. Did anyone ever get this sorted out. Same amp. Same issue. Sent it into shop once. Supposedly fixed. Tried it in basement. Seemed OK. Took it to a new practice site and lo and behold, issue is back.

Based on the string, this is a real thing with this amp. Not just a "change the battery" fix (especially for my passive PBass).

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[basscooker]

Seems to me it has to have something to do with the power section, since pre and post eq di work fine but it happens with headphone and speaker out. Is there an fx loop you can troubleshoot with? It will sound fine from the send and the problem will exist through the return if I'm right.

 

[bass12]

I just had my MB112 repaired and it was a problem with the power section (supposedly a common issue with these amps). Hopefully it remains functional and I don’t have any nasty surprises on a gig.

 

[Larry Cugini]

I purchased this amp brand new, along with a Sire V7 MM 4-string, about 5 years ago to learn to play bass. I only tinkered with it for a few months before having a "squirrel!" moment and moving on to other things. I recently took it back out this past December, along with the bass to really get into learning. Strangely enough, it crackles and sounds distorted. It's not the speaker. I plugged in headphones and get the same sounds. However, when I run a cable from the direct out using the "post eq" setting, the sound is crystal clear from the PA speakers and all the eq functions work with no issue. I get the same result regardless if the bass is in active or passive mode. Any thoughts or possible fixes would be appreciated.

I have this amp also. Started farting and volume-cycling as of yesterday. My bass is a Hohner B2 with passive electronics (no battery). Tried swapping out the signal chord, no change. I do agree with these other dudes, it's likely something in the power section. Hope yours got fixed. Great amp.