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Little Mark II problems. advice?

M

mandobear

Dec 16, 2008
25
0
#1
I've noticed after playing for about 20 to 30 minutes on my LMII that it gets so hot that I'm sure I can fry an egg on it. I'm also using a Sansamp bass driver DI with my setup. Before I bought my LMII I remember reading reviews where they would say that this amp would always be cool to the touch so this is a huge concern to me.
Am I at risk of damaging my little mark II? does the LMII have a safety shut off for when it gets too hot?
i have the gain at about 8oclock on the amp and the level on the sansamp at 12.
any info on this would be really helpful. thanks.
if it matters i'm using an avatar b212neo cab with a standard jazz bass. Thank you.
 
#3
dmusic148 said:
Does the fan work?
Have you perhaps mounted the amp in a restrictive box?
Click to expand...

The fan does work and its completely out in the open sitting on top of my cab. I'm thinking its the sansamp bass driver that is making the amp hot. My concern is if this is normal or if its damaging. I thought LMII's have some safety shut off trigger once it gets too hot. So should I even be worried?
 
#8
FL Knifemaker said:
The first thing I would do is open it up and blow out any dust bunnies with an airhose. I void the warantee with everything I own :D Mine is set up in my office just off my workshop so it sucked up a lot of dust, I noticed it getting hot. Once the dust was blown out, it ran nice and cool again.
Click to expand...

This could very well be it. My computer was overheating. I took it apart and cleaned it and all is well. There was so much stuff in there it looked like I had insulation blown in. :D

It should not even get warm.
 
#9
If its still under warranty I will try and get it exchanged and if not then I guess I'll take a look inside to see if theres any dust. Although I have to say that I would be very surprised if that was the problem because I store it away in a duffle bag whenever its not in use.
Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know what happens.
 
#10
I also have the same problem, but mine doesnt get that hot. but it is very noticeable and only happens when i have it cranked and its peaking alot. Honestly i've just sort of ignored it and havent had any problems otherwise and its been months and months.

But be sure and let TB know what the final diagnosis is just in case lol
 
#11
mandobear said:
If its still under warranty I will try and get it exchanged and if not then I guess I'll take a look inside to see if theres any dust. Although I have to say that I would be very surprised if that was the problem because I store it away in a duffle bag whenever its not in use.
Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know what happens.
Click to expand...

The dust gets in when in use from the fan. Not saying that is the problem but it's worth popping the top off to check.

If it's still under warranty your covered, take it to a GC and they will give you another.
 
#12
mandobear said:
The fan does work and its completely out in the open sitting on top of my cab. I'm thinking its the sansamp bass driver that is making the amp hot. My concern is if this is normal or if its damaging. I thought LMII's have some safety shut off trigger once it gets too hot. So should I even be worried?
Click to expand...

I use a Sansamp with my LMII all the time without this problem. Take it to a technician for diagnosis.
 
#13
1st time I used a SABDDI w/ mine it just shut off (right before my big slap solo :bawl:) I didnt realize how hard the pedal was hitting it. I still think it was just coincidence as it was an outdoor show and power was coming from inside a store.

I guess it just made me constantly check to see if I was clipping - which I was. Lowered it and had no more problems w/ it . . . I'll have my 2nd gig w/ the sans amp/lmii Sat, same band too - i'll see if it happens again...
 
#15
BassmanPaul said:
My first thought when reading threads such as this is what impedance are your speakers?

Dust could be a factor but I doubt if the amp has been out long enough to collect that much.

Paul
Click to expand...

I have a 212 4ohm cab

I just talked to one of the guys at GC and they told me I have a 5 year warranty with Mark Bass and if this is a defect on their part then I can get it exchanged but the guy at GC wants to take a look at it first.
One thing I haven't tried yet is playing it without the Sansamp Bass driver. Maybe that is the problem but then again GtenderG says he has no problem using it and I do love the tones that Sansamp can produce. I would hate to have to stop using it.
 
#16
mandobear said:
I have a 212 4ohm cab

I just talked to one of the guys at GC and they told me I have a 5 year warranty with Mark Bass and if this is a defect on their part then I can get it exchanged but the guy at GC wants to take a look at it first.
One thing I haven't tried yet is playing it without the Sansamp Bass driver. Maybe that is the problem but then again GtenderG says he has no problem using it and I do love the tones that Sansamp can produce. I would hate to have to stop using it.
Click to expand...

Cool. The worst that will happen is you get a new one:hyper:

I can't believe the bass driver was causing the issue. The only thing that I can think of is that if you are REALLY pushing the input into clip (or cranking a ton of low end into your signal with that other pre), and then REALLY cranking the master, then you could really be driving the amp to its limits. The 'safety shutoff' should kick in LONG before the amp gets hot. That might be where the problem is... that the safety shut-off, or even the safety limiting, is not working correctly.
 
#17
KJung said:
Cool. The worst that will happen is you get a new one:hyper:

I can't believe the bass driver was causing the issue. The only thing that I can think of is that if you are REALLY pushing the input into clip (or cranking a ton of low end into your signal with that other pre), and then REALLY cranking the master, then you could really be driving the amp to its limits. The 'safety shutoff' should kick in LONG before the amp gets hot. That might be where the problem is... that the safety shut-off, or even the safety limiting, is not working correctly.
Click to expand...

I'm still not quite sure if it is the bass driver causing it. I'm gonna run a test later today without it to see if the LMII still gets hot.
Maybe I am pushing it to it's limits but I do have the gain on the amp very very low and on the bass driver I have it at 12oclock. You actually might be right about the safety limiting not working properly. I'll suggest that as a possible problem to the GC guy.
 
#19
I tested out my equipment again without the cab being plugged in and it seemed to work fine, no overheating. Now I'm no expert but would it make a difference if the cab isn't plugged in to the amp? Or does this seem like a sign that my cab is the culprit?
I'm using an Avatar b212 neo 4ohm cab. They should be compatible with each other especially seeing that the main reason I bought these is because they were so highly regarded together in these forums.
haha this is so frustrating. Now I want to test it on another cab and I have to wait till sometime this weekend.
 

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