I bought too much amp. :(

[beaglesandbass]

I too have this problem with a 4ohm 410 cab. I'll play with my settings and turn down the gain.

It's actually one reason I'm considering selling this rig and getting the MB212.

 

[MDBass]

Bass volume full. Active bass.

If I set amp gain to noon, then the slightest turn of the master volume gets a decent bedroom volume. Jusssst barely turn that master volume and wham! Blasting volume. If I back the gain way off and back the master to about 9 o'clock, it's about right. Maybe I'm just old.

Your input gain is just way too high for bedroom practice; I've played with some really loud bands, but even with just a single SL112 my TH500 is much too loud for solo studio practice if the gain is at noon.

I usually run mine around 9 'oclock (with the pad on, regardless of whether my bass has a battery or not) and the master around the same or a touch lower.

Gig volume is usually both at noon.

 

[B-LOW]

If none of the above suggestions work for you it may be possible there's something wrong with your volume knob. I once bought a brand new Markbass amp and had this problem. Turned out that when I turned the volume up just a little it would jump to max volume on it's own. Again this was on a new unit

 

[Zooberwerx]

I attached the manual below. Given the complaint, I think you've botched your gain structure. As already mentioned repeatedly, you'd be better off dropping the gain to the point where you get a realistic (...and usable!) volume response while sweeping the master volume knob. You don't need a new or different amp so abandon that notion.

Riis

 

[brianrost]

If I set amp gain to noon, then the slightest turn of the master volume gets a decent bedroom volume.

A 400 watt amp in the bedroom

 

[obimark]

After careful consideration- You bought too much amp.

(BTW The GK MB200 is plenty for bedroom and most gigs as well.)

 

[rmayer]

Most of my recent amp experience, Aguilar and Epifani, have manuals that say to start with the master turned off. Turn up your gain until the clip light starts to go into red, then back off a bit. Now adjust the master for the volume you need. If you want a "cleaner" sound back off the gain more. Also with an active bass you might have to hit the active/passive switch.
Even with an Aggie DB750 and a Bergantinp HD112 at low volume the gain is at 11-12 o'clock and the master usually can't get past 8-9 o'clock. And yes, I use the volume pot on my bass.

 

[rayzak]

my 1200 watt Mesa Titan goes as quiet as I want it to, so I'm confused as to why you're having this problem

 

[JR Roxx]

Better to have too much than not enough when it's needed and wanting a new rig. One plus of SS amps is that the basic tone remains the same when you turn it down.

 

[DwaynieAD]

my 1200 watt Mesa Titan goes as quiet as I want it to, so I'm confused as to why you're having this problem

Two stage volume with one of the stages cranked to concert level is the problem

 

[dbase]

If, after all this conversation, you really can find a solution to your problem, I'll take your amp off your hands. Give it to me. I already have one but just trying to help

 

[BassIsFun17]

i have the same head and i'm running through a neo410 8 ohm. so im only using 500 watts, not the full 800.

however i run the head, like the manual instructs. i run the eq flat, with the master volume set to 12 o'clock and then use the gain control for my over all level. if you're still unable to get a quiet enough volume with the gain control barely turned up, then back off the master volume some.

 

[Ric5]

Yeah and the GK manual says the cleanest tone is master volume at 3 o'clock. I can barely tap the gain with the volume that high. I'll stick with both volume and gain at about 7 o'clock, and feel good that I'm using like 2% of my amp power

I play through a 150 watt Ampeg B3 head and I put the gain about 9 o'clock and the master volume at about 10 or 11 o'clock

 

[tombowlus]

Yeah and the GK manual says the cleanest tone is master volume at 3 o'clock. I can barely tap the gain with the volume that high. I'll stick with both volume and gain at about 7 o'clock, and feel good that I'm using like 2% of my amp power

That sounds like a plan.

 

[Blankandson]

GK makes two MB800 models. The BLACK one (Fusion) needs a LOW gain input for a clean sound - once it gets to about noonish it begins to overdrive the tubes. The CHROME one can have the gain set anywhere and you will still get a clean sound. The Boost knob on the Chrome one adds the grind sound at any gain level. The BLACK one (the fusion) has three tubes and it is only clean when the gain is set very low - on mine around 7-9. Set both master knobs off, then move your gain up to the place where you want it and THEN slowly move your master up. You shouldn't need to move it up very far at all, maybe just two or three hairs movement. That is a very sensitive beast. Once you get the hang of it you should LOVE it. I keep my gain A around 10 and my gain B around 1, but both masters in my office are about 7ish. I use the -10db pad. When I gig I don't touch the GAIN knobs - I just crank the MASTER knobs and turn the -10db pad OFF. Try this today. FWIW this also works on the GK500 and GK500 Fusion models.

 

[Slevage]

Don't really want to change my tone with the eq. Smallest cab I have is a Glasstone lil'g. Would the buffer pedal be in the chain just before the amp to drop the overall volume going into the amp?

Back off all frequencies equally---- that will reduce dB input--tone change would be no more than playing in different rooms

 

[strictlybass_ic]

I've got an MB800 and can keep it plenty quiet through a variety of cabs (even very efficient ones). Either you have another knob up way too high (on the amp or somewhere else in the chain) or there is an issue with your amp.

 

[Floridabwoy]

GK rule of Thumb.

Master 100%
Use gain as Volume knob.

 

[Atshen]

You could just join a metal band with two guitarists playing through full stacks and a drummer who likes to mic his drums even for rehearsing.

There. Problem solved.

 

[Corey Y]

I have an MB800 and I use it at home frequently. I just switch it to channel B, turn the channel volume way down and then the master down. I plugged it in right now, no -10db switch, master at 9 o'clock and channel volume way low, just rolled it up until I got a solid signal. Loud enough to practice, but my wife and our toddler are asleep across the house and it's not bothering them. I can't account for how sensitive to volume you may be or how quiet you need to be where you're playing, just offering this as a suggestion.