Speaker Rattle in small GK bass amp.

[Mitchel_McCullough]

Hello!

Just got a new Gallien-Krueger MB108 25 Watt solid-state bass amp combo in the mail.

At lower volumes it sounds great. At higher volumes the speaker rattles when I play F# through A# notes on the E string of my four string bass.

Is this a common noise that bass amps make? Smaller bass amps? Is it a faulty speaker? Should I return the amp? Should I just ignore the rattle?

Ps, Is there supposed to be loud wind noise from the vent/port?

I am obviously an amateur when it comes to bass amps

-Mitch

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hello!

Just got a new Gallien-Krueger MB108 25 Watt solid-state bass amp combo in the mail.

At lower volumes it sounds great. At higher volumes the speaker rattles when I play F# through A# notes on the E string of my four string bass.

Is this a common noise that bass amps make? Smaller bass amps? Is it a faulty speaker? Should I return the amp? Should I just ignore the rattle?

Ps, Is there supposed to be loud wind noise from the vent/port?

I am obviously an amateur when it comes to bass amps

-Mitch

Hey Mitch,

Sorry to hear about that. I also picked one up on lines couple of weeks ago through Musician's Friend. While I haven't cranked past 9 o'clock, I haven't heard any buzzing from the speaker or noise from the port. How high do you have the gain cranked? Also, where are your tone controls set when you're hearing the noise?

If you purchased it through an authorized dealer you'll have probably 30 days to return it if not satisfied. I wouldn't hesitate asking for either a swap or a credit if you can't figure out the problem.

Even though it sounds great as is, don't forget the combo is running through an 8" speaker; not a house shaker to say the least. And at 25 watts if you're diming the bass control you'll have less room for higher volume.

Try dropping the tone controls and bring up the volume to see if you still hear noise. If not, then bring up the tone controls to flat and go from there. There are lots of smart people on TB who may offer other suggestions. Good luck!

 

[Mitchel_McCullough]

Hey Mitch,

Sorry to hear about that. I also picked one up on lines couple of weeks ago through Musician's Friend. While I haven't cranked past 9 o'clock, I haven't heard any buzzing from the speaker or noise from the port. How high do you have the gain cranked? Also, where are your tone controls set when you're hearing the noise?

If you purchased it through an authorized dealer you'll have probably 30 days to return it if not satisfied. I wouldn't hesitate asking for either a swap or a credit if you can't figure out the problem.

Even though it sounds great as is, don't forget the combo is running through an 8" speaker; not a house shaker to say the least. And at 25 watts if you're diming the bass control you'll have less room for higher volume.

Try dropping the tone controls and bring up the volume to see if you still hear noise. If not, then bring up the tone controls to flat and go from there. There are lots of smart people on TB who may offer other suggestions. Good luck!

Gain(which is the volume knob on this amp) when cranked to about 60%+ initiates the rattling. I usually have my tone controls like this : treble 8 oclock, mid 12 oclock, bass 3 oclock.

Thats a good idea. I will contact the seller tomorrow about store credit or something.

Hey Mitch,

Sorry to hear about that. I also picked one up on lines couple of weeks ago through Musician's Friend. While I haven't cranked past 9 o'clock, I haven't heard any buzzing from the speaker or noise from the port. How high do you have the gain cranked? Also, where are your tone controls set when you're hearing the noise?

If you purchased it through an authorized dealer you'll have probably 30 days to return it if not satisfied. I wouldn't hesitate asking for either a swap or a credit if you can't figure out the problem.

Even though it sounds great as is, don't forget the combo is running through an 8" speaker; not a house shaker to say the least. And at 25 watts if you're diming the bass control you'll have less room for higher volume.

Try dropping the tone controls and bring up the volume to see if you still hear noise. If not, then bring up the tone controls to flat and go from there. There are lots of smart people on TB who may offer other suggestions. Good luck!

Gain(volume) cranked above 60% initiates rattling. With tone I go bassy and have treble and mids lower.

That sounds about right. I will call them tomorrow about a return.

I talked to guys at guitar center tonight and they said that I'm overworking the amp. They said that I should get something with a lot more wattage. About 250+ with bigger speaker.

Been looking into Carvin MB 15, Ampeg BA210V2, Gallien-Krueger MB112-II, and Ampeg BA115V2.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[AstroSonic]

You purchased GK's smallest, least powerful practice amp. It is meant for low to moderate volume practice in a small room (bedroom, den or living room). Amps are not designed to be at full power at 100% volume control rotation. The control has that much range of adjustment to allow use of instruments with different output levels - you have to turn it up higher for lower output pickups. The amp will reach max power with an instrument with average output at around 50%. Your bass control setting (3 o'clock) corresponds to a large amount of bass boost. That will both use up a lot of power (in just deep bass frequencies), and cause large cone excursions (and vent noise). If you like a lot of bass in your tone, you should check out the Fender Rumble combos, and consider at least the 112 model (Rumble 100).

 

[Mitchel_McCullough]

You purchased GK's smallest, least powerful practice amp. It is meant for low to moderate volume practice in a small room (bedroom, den or living room). Amps are not designed to be at full power at 100% volume control rotation. The control has that much range of adjustment to allow use of instruments with different output levels - you have to turn it up higher for lower output pickups. The amp will reach max power with an instrument with average output at around 50%. Your bass control setting (3 o'clock) corresponds to a large amount of bass boost. That will both use up a lot of power (in just deep bass frequencies), and cause large cone excursions (and vent noise). If you like a lot of bass in your tone, you should check out the Fender Rumble combos, and consider at least the 112 model (Rumble 100).

This was very insightful! I get it now. They include that extra space in the volume for lower output instruments. I will check out a rumble. Thanks!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Gain(which is the volume knob on this amp) when cranked to about 60%+ initiates the rattling. I usually have my tone controls like this : treble 8 oclock, mid 12 oclock, bass 3 oclock.

Thats a good idea. I will contact the seller tomorrow about store credit or something.


Gain(volume) cranked above 60% initiates rattling. With tone I go bassy and have treble and mids lower.

That sounds about right. I will call them tomorrow about a return.

I talked to guys at guitar center tonight and they said that I'm overworking the amp. They said that I should get something with a lot more wattage. About 250+ with bigger speaker.

Been looking into Carvin MB 15, Ampeg BA210V2, Gallien-Krueger MB112-II, and Ampeg BA115V2.

Thanks for your reply!

Have to agree with AstroSonic. If you wanted to run the volume at 60% then you'd have to back off the bass to probably below the flat setting. I have my amp in a small bedroom with typically flat settings and she plays fine. Take the amp out to a larger room where I have to bring up the volume or add a lot of bass to it and that amp will be doing cartwheels. Plus I noticed you have it one the floor and that'll overboost the bottom end as well with reflections. Man, you like your bass! The GK, to me, isn't quite what you're looking for in that it'll offer a nice bass tone, but you want bass sledgehammer. I have a Fender Rumble rig as well and that may be more what you're looking for. Once again, I'd agree with AstroSonic and suggest at least the 40-watt 10" model if it's for a bedroom, but anything larger than that I'd also with the 100-watt 12" combo at the minimum. I also owned the Ampeg BA210 v2 this past spring and if you want loud and bassy that's a great model, but if you can afford that one then I'd say shop around and listen to as many as you can before deciding. Just promise to stay away from bedroom practice amps!

 

[David Jayne]

What they said. You can't do big low end at volume with a tiny amp like that. If you want loud, back off the bass and increase mids instead. Or get a bigger amp.

 

[B-string]

Volume at 60% and bass at 3:00, you bought the wrong tool for the job. No combo from anyone will perform cleanly with those demands. You need a larger speaker and a bump in output power G-K, Fender, Carvin, Ampeg is not the problem. Buying too small a combo for your needs is the problem.

 

[Ricardo basso]

I just bought a GK mb115. It arrived with a screw missing that fixes the amp to the cabinet and it rattles/buzzes at low volumes. Sending it back and may get a markbass. Disappointed, have wanted a GK for years

 

[AstroSonic]

I just bought a GK mb115. It arrived with a screw missing that fixes the amp to the cabinet and it rattles/buzzes at low volumes. Sending it back and may get a markbass. Disappointed, have wanted a GK for years

It's a nice amp, and it won't rattle if you put the missing screw in. Why not just do that - call GK service: you'll have it within a couple of days.

 

[Ricardo basso]

It's a nice amp, and it won't rattle if you put the missing screw in. Why not just do that - call GK service: you'll have it within a couple of days.

Thanks. I did do this, but have since seen so many complaints about GK I have lost faith in the product. I'll think about it over the weekend. Cheers

 

[B-string]

Thanks. I did do this, but have since seen so many complaints about GK I have lost faith in the product. I'll think about it over the weekend. Cheers

Really. I got into G-K and have remained with thier products after a couple decades working repair benches and they were the least seen for repair. If you visit a VST repair center (the ONLY people that can repair MarkBass in the USA) the shelves of units in for repair and waiting parts from Italy is quite disturbing.

 

[Ricardo basso]

That's an interesting point. I do like the sound Gk makes. Is it do you think combos that can create more potential for faults?
Why are they cheaper than seperates?
This is the route I may take now.
Not least to avoid the weight issue.
Thanks for the insight

 

[B-string]

That's an interesting point. I do like the sound Gk makes. Is it do you think combos that can create more potential for faults?
Why are they cheaper than seperates?
This is the route I may take now.
Not least to avoid the weight issue.
Thanks for the insight

Pure speculation on my part in the reduced cost in materials and handling costs are passed on to the customer. The prototypes had a removable amp head, but that feature has not realized due to higher cost. Gallien's business model has always been pro-grade without the pro budget. I have not seen any "higher" reports of G-K combo troubles over other brands. Combos do present higher vibration stresses on the builtin amp heads and head mounting hardware.