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Noisy GK MB800 did I get a lemon?

gmarcus

gmarcus

Apr 4, 2003
1,980
1,550
soundcloud.com
#1
I just received this amp from RMC audio. As soon as I turn it on there is a faint but very noticeable background noise. Its like a grainy white noise, not a hum. It is constant no matter what the gain, eq or master knobs are set to. Its still there with the mute on. I tried changing cables, but same thing. I used to have an 1001RBII and it was dead quiet.

Also when I change channels it makes a popping sound if I am playing a note while changing the channel, but not if I'm not playing at the time. Also if I turn up the gain I get the familiar boost sound for a while, but then all of a sudden it goes into a really anoiying fuzz sound that goes away rather abruptly as the note decays.

It seems like something is wrong. Has anyone else had these problems?
 
#6
IME, I wouldn't say "dead quiet". The high-gain Channel B can generate a bit of buzz in the high frequencies. And once the amp gets warm, the fans will kick in. The fans are not loud. But they are discernible.

MM
 
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#9
I just got off the phone with GK. They are sending out a new one and a return label so I can ship the old one back to them for free. Can't beat that! He said the fuzz was due to the fact that I was over driving the front. its good for a while but then it just clips and sounds terrible. the cure...
 
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#10
gmarcus said:
I just received this amp from RMC audio. As soon as I turn it on there is a faint but very noticeable background noise. Its like a grainy white noise, not a hum. It is constant no matter what the gain, eq or master knobs are set to. Its still there with the mute on. I tried changing cables, but same thing. I used to have an 1001RBII and it was dead quiet.

Also when I change channels it makes a popping sound if I am playing a note while changing the channel, but not if I'm not playing at the time. Also if I turn up the gain I get the familiar boost sound for a while, but then all of a sudden it goes into a really anoiying fuzz sound that goes away rather abruptly as the note decays.

It seems like something is wrong. Has anyone else had these problems?
Click to expand...
Did you fix the problem ? I have similar problems for the second time in 4 months when I turn on the amp it has a noise like 'interference ' dirty noise volume picks up and down etc today I used the electronic cleaner and its working (I'm afraid any moment those horribles noises come back again) I'm thinking to sell this crap as soon as possible.
 
#11
gmarcus said:
Are these dead quiet when they work right. The tone is killer.
Click to expand...

I've had at least TWO MB800's. Both had issues. Luckily GK took care of me (under warranty) and then I promptly sold the brand new replacement unit still in the box and moved on. I have a buddy who still uses his happily though. Not my cup of tea with those percentages.
 
#12
filibertin said:
Did you fix the problem ? I have similar problems for the second time in 4 months when I turn on the amp it has a noise like 'interference ' dirty noise volume picks up and down etc today I used the electronic cleaner and its working (I'm afraid any moment those horribles noises come back again) I'm thinking to sell this crap as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

I was listening to the amp in the bedroom and there was a little white noise in the background in addition to those two little fans being really noisy. I ended up selling the amp. This would not be a problem at a gig, but I also wanted to use the amp for recording. I replaced it with a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 which has a very quiet fan and no background noise. my old GK1001 RBII is also dead quiet. It sounds like you have a different problem.
 
#14
Doug Parent said:
I've had at least TWO MB800's. Both had issues. Luckily GK took care of me (under warranty) and then I promptly sold the brand new replacement unit still in the box and moved on. I have a buddy who still uses his happily though. Not my cup of tea with those percentages.[/QUi
gmarcus said:
I was listening to the amp in the bedroom and there was a little white noise in the background in addition to those two little fans being really noisy. I ended up selling the amp. This would not be a problem at a gig, but I also wanted to use the amp for recording. I replaced it with a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 which has a very quiet fan and no background noise. my old GK1001 RBII is also dead quiet. It sounds like you have a different problem.
Click to expand...
I think I'll sell mine soon and buy an Ampeg or something else the problem is that all of them are made in China and I don't trust them anymore
Click to expand...
 

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