• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

HELP: GK Backline 600 Distortion problem

Bilzo

Bilzo

Noobix Cube
Jan 2, 2007
43
0
#1
I went to play some tunes tonight and I discovered that my head's distortion feature will not turn off. Anyone have any idea what could be the issue?

The button doesn't seem to be sticking, and I haven't abused the head in the least. Not exactly a life threatening problem, but a tad irritating nonetheless.
 
#2
Do you mean it is always running the distortion channel? Here is just a guess: Try jiggling a plug in and out of the footswitch jack a few times. A similar thing happened to me on my MB150E combo, where a dodgy footswitch jack caused the chorus feature to activate itself spontaneously.
 
#5
Thanks for the bump. I don't do forums at work, so it can take me a while to respond.

I was thinking that although you are not using a footswitch, the footswitch jack overrides the channel switch button. Thus if the jack is dodgy, it might cause the button to fail.
 
#7
I wouldn't go that far. F-deck is suggesting that there could be a short or some other issue in the jack itself. If this is the case just plugging in a footswitch might not help.

From the reviews I've read this is a recurring problem with the Backline 600 and ultimately put me off of buying one (went for an older 400RB instead).
 
#9
Well, that helps and all, but I am not using a foot switch in the first place, I am going by the controls on the head itself. Am I going to be forced to send it in/crack it open myself?
 
#10
Your options may be limited to inserting a shorting plug into the footswitch jack, and leaving it there, or cracking it open. Safety warnings apply. OTOH if you do get it open, you can check for a third possibility which is a bad solder joint. The way the BL600 is constructed, with the cover off, you see the solder side of the preamp circuit board. I have had the best luck inspecting board for bad joints by using a bright flashlight and magnifying glass.

Best of luck! Sorry to hear that you are having problems.
 
#11
Well, thanks very much for the tips. I opened up the head and looked for a bad soldering joint, but couldn't see anything. I guess I will have to go through and get a flashlight to do a real check.

If that doesn't work, I guess I will be cashing in on my warranty sooner rather than later.
 
#15
Thats funny i was going to say the same thing just turn the gain and output down and it will be off but its still on? I would take it in. I have had my 600 for 4 years and never had this problem. Do you use the distortion channel much?
 
#18
Well, I opened it up and pushed on the circuits (or what have you) and now the channel is off, but the LED is on just ever so dimly. I am going to try fiddling around some more to see what I can do, but the main thing is that it is off, only the LED is on.
 
#19
Don't get killed. But with an inspection mirror, you can look at the parts side of the preamp board and see the way the jacks work. Maybe a bit of contact cleaner in the footswitch jack, and exercising it a few times by plugging in and out, might bring the circuit back to life. Also, maybe a squirt of contact cleaner in the switch itself, and then exercise it a few times.

But like Dan Elliott says. We sidewalk engineers are compelled to give our advice, but there is something to be said for at least contacting GK.
 
#20
:help: I am having a problem with my distortion as well. In the clean channel A, the distortion LED stays lit very dim, and is jumps in and out of distortion. When I use the the push button on the front panel to change to Channel B, the distortion LED comes on bright and the distortion is strong. I tried using the footswitch and get the same results. Can anyone help me with this? This amp has been awesome for me over the last bunch of years and I'd really like to keep it going. It's in perfect condition (considering). Never abused. :bawl:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back