GK MB200 Go Boom. Pants go Brown.

[lowfreqgeek]

Correct, there could be other issues which is why we don't just replace modules without verifying that the rest of the circuitry works correctly and there are no additional issues. I have test fixtures for my products to do this... there's nothing worse than buying a new module, popping it in with "high confidence" and it fails again because there was indeed something else wrong. That's when a simple repair gets expensive in a hurry.

Just keep trying! Eventually you'll find one that works!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Just keep trying! Eventually you'll find one that works!

I'm joking, of course. I would hope that was obvious, but maybe some things should be off-limits to jokes.

Nah. Not a chance.

 

[SBassman]

I know there are lots of GK fans here. And I used to be an enthusiastic one. I Love the tone of GK amps - especially their Contour.
But I had 2 identical combos that both fried. After one, they still had a strike left, but after two, that was it. Never again.

There lots of ring of death threads here.

 

[crentest]

corduroy

4-6 week back order. Thinking about having my slacks PLEK'd...

corduroy, eh?

 

[Bass Man Dan]

Hey all...
Here's a new one...I plugged in a BRAND NEW, straight from the factory, out of the carton GK MB200, and POW! Literally almost turtled myself....familiar smell. Not me; the amp! Power Amp go boom. Anyone ever replace one before, and was it difficult? I did some snooping, and found the power amp here:

View attachment 7569282
This ever happen to anyone before? And, YES, before y'all comment to " Send it back", as I already did... I explained the situation to Sweetwater, and they took care of me, 100%. Replaced, free of charge!
I would have a qualified tech do this.

I get the Phil Hemdrie reference.

 

[bherman]

I'm still confused - if Sweetwater is replacing it, how/why would you be selling the old one at a loss?? If there is an authorized center near you, I suppose it might be worth the diagnosis fee to see if its fixable at a low enough price to warrant paying to repair it, but if it were me I'd just let it go.

 

[birminghambass]

I know there are lots of GK fans here. And I used to be an enthusiastic one. I Love the tone of GK amps - especially their Contour.
But I had 2 identical combos that both fried. After one, they still had a strike left, but after two, that was it. Never again.

There lots of ring of death threads here.

I've also had terrible luck with the MB stuff. I have a 700rb2 I've played 1000 gigs with but I'll never own another GK MB series amp.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I know there are lots of GK fans here. And I used to be an enthusiastic one. I Love the tone of GK amps - especially their Contour.
But I had 2 identical combos that both fried. After one, they still had a strike left, but after two, that was it. Never again.

There lots of ring of death threads here.

What series did you have?

 

[scuzzy]

This thread came around full circle and got me smiling after a terrible Monday. Bravo. This is the greatness of TB.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I've also had terrible luck with the MB stuff. I have a 700rb2 I've played 1000 gigs with but I'll never own another GK MB series amp.

Could you go into detail about your MB experiences? How many MB amps?

 

[wompwomp]

I get the Phil Hemdrie reference.

the best is RC Collins . the commandant's ball! lmao

 

[birminghambass]

Could you go into detail about your MB experiences? How many MB amps?

3 total. Terribly loud intermittent noise for 2. A third just died. All had scratchy pots, apparently a known issue. I love GK, rocking a full GK rig since 2008.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

3 total. Terribly loud intermittent noise for 2. A third just died. All had scratchy pots, apparently a known issue. I love GK, rocking a full GK rig since 2008.

Thanks for the quick reply. I have an MB210-II and LOVE the sound. I may also be getting an MB115-II sometime this week if the deal goes through. So I'm naturally concerned about the reliability of this series.

EDIT: I play at home and never crank any of my gear to "live" levels. But I do buy most of my stuff used so someone else may have cranked it to the hilt.

 

[pbass2]

Man, I've only had one issue in near 20+ years of various GK amps. I had an MB112II combo that I got used, used pretty hard for about 4 years, that crapped out on me. Otherwise I've had several others over the years and now an MB200 and Legacy head that haven't let me down yet, both about 3 years in, and they get worked.

 

[abarson]

If someone takes it off your hands and buys you a beer, you've come out ahead.

 

[bass player 53]

3 total. Terribly loud intermittent noise for 2. A third just died. All had scratchy pots, apparently a known issue. I love GK, rocking a full GK rig since 2008.

+1111111111111111111 scratchy; failing pots.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

the best is RC Collins . the commandant's ball! lmao

You'll kiss the gunner's daughter! Take him below for the makings!

 

[SBassman]

What series did you have?

MB combos.

 

[bass12]

I've also had terrible luck with the MB stuff. I have a 700rb2 I've played 1000 gigs with but I'll never own another GK MB series amp.

I bought my MB112ii new and it died with barely any hours on it. I had it fixed (this was post-warranty) but I don't trust it anymore for gigging.

 

[darwin-bass]

Decades ago I worked with an young EE. He designed a board that used a rather expensive custom hybrid chip. We ordered 6 of the chips for engineering prototypes.

He put the first chip into his new board and POP went the chip. Hmm, must be a bad one. He put in the 2nd one. POP. It was only after trying and destroying all 6 that he finally checked the board only to find a layout error and power was going to some non-power pins.

Expensive lesson that I'm sure he never forgot. I didn't even do it and I've never forgotten it.