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GK Problem - Half Broken

#21
Well a friend recommended a very good tech in my town to fix the head since its used and not under warranty anymore but I decided I want it to be fixed by an authorized GK service centre. So thats where the head is going.

I called GK and they said since I'm in Canada I have to talk to the authorized GK dealer in Canada, which is Yorkville and they're by Toronto. So I e-mailed them yesterday as well. So we'll see I guess what happens.
 
#23
All right so Yorkville got back to me they said that the GK warranty only covers manufacturer defects. My local store said they could fix the cabinets themselves for $70 so I'm going with that. The head is being shipped out to Pickering today and we'll find out the problem with the head hopefully next week.
 
#27
Yes, thats what he said it was, the diaphragms. He said that GK would only send the whole horn, diaphragm, etc package. He said I only needed the diaphragms though. So he checked the store and he had the right kind in stock so he installed those for a lot cheaper.

I got the cabs back, I can't test them because the head was shipped out but they said the cabs are working again.

I'll admit I was pretty discouraged and bummed out about all this but the cabs are fixed so I'm a little happier. Just gotta wait and see about the head.
 
#28
totallybacan said:
Not to hijack or anything, but what exactly is the problem with using a generator? Additionally, is this when an amp is plugged straight in or even if you use a power strip surge protector AKA Furman-esque product?

My guitar player at a show on Friday didn't want to plug his amp into my rack with a Furman unit on it because "it will mess up our stuff just like a generator." I'm curious to see what he meant.
Click to expand...


By the very nature of their operation, generators subject your gear to voltage drops and surges - not to mention occasionally questionable grounds... BTW, a "Furman" doesn't do squat to protect your gear from a generator - Furman or Monster "power conditioners" are only good for separating you from your money - that's it...


- georgestrings
 
#29
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#30
So my GK head was looked at and fixed by the Yorkvillle sound, who is authorized to fix GK stuff. They said it cost over $200 to fix.

I'm not electronics person or anything but what I can remember them telling me is that a few things were gone. Something about a regular, a timer chip, preamp chip, circuit tracers were burned off and the whole high frequency power amp was gone.
 
#31
If you want to save money, you could choose to not fix the high freq power amp and just run the amp full range, without the bi-amp feature (fixing the other stuff for sure). I run my 700RB that way and it sounds great, IMO. I am no so much a fan of the bi-amped sound, I actually prefer it this way.
 
#32
It also would be a good idea to talk with whoever maintains that beach are - probably the city or a parks department - and let them know about the damage. I don't think they will offer to help, but you might possibly help another band avoid the same problem. Sounds like there is something wrong with the power they supply to that area. at the very least, the wiring should be checked.

I think I'd take an outlet checker down there and see if the outlets are wired correctly. If they are not, you could at least ASK the authority managing that area for some help with the repairs.

And to the OP - I suggest you ask for a report with specific written notes about the repairs that were done. Your reports are very vague and the wording is such that I don't think you understand what was done. I suggest that you ask for a written receipt that specifies each part that was replaced. That way, if you have any problems in the near future you will know whether it's a fault in a part which was replaced. It's always a good idea to really understand what was done in repairs.
 
#34
You're right, I do not know one thing about electronics, never claimed to. So I did ask for a written report to come with my head once it arrives back in town.

The cabs were fixed awhile ago for about $70 and the head was just fixed today for about $250. Repairs total cost me about $320. Definitely bringing an outlet checker and surge strip for now on.
 
#36
georgestrings said:
By the very nature of their operation, generators subject your gear to voltage drops and surges - not to mention occasionally questionable grounds... BTW, a "Furman" doesn't do squat to protect your gear from a generator - Furman or Monster "power conditioners" are only good for separating you from your money - that's it...


- georgestrings
Click to expand...

Just because blanket statments bother me a little ;).....We have two bands that gig a lot here, the band I am in and one other. Monsoons put on a nice light show last friday, all our equipment is in surge protectors (poorly named as power "conditioners"?). We continued to play all night and made it back for Saturday night. The other band we helped out with our backup amps so they could make their Sat night gig, they didn't like what they scrouged up for a PA much though. It's only money and lost gigs opposed to $80.00 surge protectors right? :hiding: ;)

The only thing that might help with Gen sets is a Line Regulator, those boys cost a lot more than $80.00 though.:hyper:
 
#37
Everybody: The OP says there was no generator.
That said, I am willing to bet you had a low voltage situation. This is responsible for more amp damage than anything else. Sorry it happened, bummer. Probably the GK got damaged by the low power, then somehow blew your tweeters. Toasted the Crate at the same time.
Good idea to bring a meter of some sort to check voltage, and an outlet checker to verify correct wiring.
This is one of those rare cases where a high-end Furman or similar, with brownout protection, might have actually helped.
 
#39
So its been what, 4 months since I got it fixed. Ever since I had it fixed whenever I dig into my bass the yellow clipping light goes off.. So I use the -14 dB and the clipping stops (but now I have less volume and gotta turn up more.) And after 10 minutes of playing or so the head starts giving off a bad smell. Its like a burning smell, I can't really describe it but my buddy keeps saying it smells like burnt semi conductor or something? The fan works and everything and it still works and sounds good but it just smells bad. Also every once in awhile (about 5 times in the passed month) when I turn on the head it'll power up for a second then shut down and when I turn it back on I get a popping noise and then it works fine.

I asked my local music store about getting it looked at and fixed and they just say "no use fixing something that isn't broken."

Any advice from you guys? I love the GK sound and power but these little problems are starting to bother me. I'd like to have my amp in tip top shape.
 

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