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What should I do w/ my Acoustic Amp??

ThisisCraigP

ThisisCraigP

Aug 23, 2009
258
11
33
Davison,Michigan
#1
A few months ago I bought a Acoustic B100 amp (my first "real" bass amp). A few days later the speaker would crackle and go out if I turned the volume past noon (gain set about 10 o'clock).

So I took it back and GC got another one. And now that ones having the same problem, only not as bad, but I think that it will probably get worse.

I don't know what to do with the stupid thing. Should I go back to GC and ask for a third B100? Should I see if they can give me some sorta store credit trade in thing? All I know is I'm not happy with this amp.

What should I do with this dumb thing???

At least I've learned my lesson: NO more cheap ass equipment!
 
#3
How does everyone feel about this?

Invalid Link Removed

Hopefully the GC guys are understanding and give me store credit for the POS amp they sold me. I'm still a kid though (17) so who know what kinda crap they might to pull.

Has anyone else had any trouble with these Acoustic amps? I read nothing but glowing reviews of the B100 and that thing sucks!!

That GK amp better be good or I might have to get an Acoustic bass and forget amps all together!
 
#8
Perhaps you're just asking too much of a 1x15 combo? Where the volume and gain are set really doesn't matter all that much, depending on how the amp's eq is set, and how hard you actually play your bass. Maybe an ext cab is the answer, or maybe you just need a bigger amp, but my feeling is that the problem is not with the amp, but in it's use.
 
#10
im thinking of returning mine too... i like it alot.. owned it for less than 2 weeks... its just not loud enough. there might be a few light scratches on it..i dont know if that will be an issue as far as refunds go... has anyone ever had an issue returning stuff with very light scratches at guitar center?
 
#11
Did you get it in a box or as a floor model? I've bought stuff that was floor model from them that came with light scratches or small bumps from being moved around. I've never tried returning anything, but if you go and say it came that way they can't really say much as they're probably just going to put it out on the floor anyways.
 
#12
The 1st one I got was a floor model which I wasn't happy about but I kept my mouth shut. The 2nd one came new in a box.

I don't have it loud most of the time but what's the point of keeping the thing if I have to keep it quiet all the time? I can't wait until I have enough money for the GK amp.
 
#14
funny to me how EVERYTHING at GC is a "floor model" @ FULL MSRP, you have to specifically ask for new in box, though ive haggled the price on floor models i regretted the purchases alltogether when i got it home and all its flaws really shined..or worse further down the road it just simply turned to shite....

anyhow the B100/B200, most Acoustics are usually really good for the $$ the GK will sound quieter and thinner honestly....Fender Rumbles sound good, priced high, Ampeg combos are chineese junk try not to support them if you can IMHO....other words, bring your wallet

have you tried diferent cables?, a brand new one?

is your bass Active (battery powered) have you tried fresh batteries? if so are you using a padded input?

do you use alot of bass on the EQ on your amp? on your bass?

GC should take ANYTHING but before they do they will play at full volume so if theyre not happy with it they wont take it....+theyll rip you off

good luck
 
#15
HATe410;funny to me how EVERYTHING at GC is a "floor model" @ FULL MSRP, you have to specifically ask for new in box, though ive haggled the price on floor models i regretted the purchases alltogether when i got it home and all its flaws really shined..or worse further down the road it just simply turned to shite....
ME; I've never had them push a floor model off on me - unless I SELECTED it or it is the only one in the store. They WILL sell 'dent-n-dings' though for a markdown.​
HATe410;anyhow the B100/B200, most Acoustics are usually really good for the $$ the GK will sound quieter and thinner honestly....Fender Rumbles sound good, priced high, Ampeg combos are chineese junk try not to support them if you can IMHO....other words, bring your wallet
ME; I'll buy that about the GKs. They have a lot of return rate on the 'it don't work' basis that I was warned about by quite a few people - even GC people. Something about bad soldering on a board - I dunnow personally - I just stayed away from them.​
HATe410; is your bass Active (battery powered) have you tried fresh batteries? if so are you using a padded input?

do you use a lot of bass on the EQ on your amp? on your bass?
ME: Yup! Not using the pad and a lot of bass in the EQ (instrument OR amp) can collectively kill anything if you push it hard enough.
​
HATe410;GC should take ANYTHING but before they do they will play at full volume so if theyre not happy with it they wont take it....+theyll rip you off - good luck[/QUOTE]
ME; Do you blame GC for not wanting a previously wasted and roached amp/bass? I wouldn't either - would you?

The REAL rip-off artist here is the guy bringing a wasted piece of gear into them and trying to pull a fast one.

I've seen many SVTs that pop fuses, and they are a big problem at GC as I have seen quite a few times. I think pushing the amp to see if it has a problem at 80% is always a good idea - even if it's for YOU to see if it can handle 'those times' when you need that extra volume.

I've even seen MANY SVT trade-ins that had aluminum foil wrapped around a blown fuse, since it can't hold a fuse long enough to get a good 'deal' on it from the crooked rip-off guy trading it in.

My GC looks for this all the time!​
 
#16
HATe410 said:
funny to me how EVERYTHING at GC is a "floor model" @ FULL MSRP, you have to specifically ask for new in box, though ive haggled the price on floor models i regretted the purchases alltogether when i got it home and all its flaws really shined..or worse further down the road it just simply turned to shite....

anyhow the B100/B200, most Acoustics are usually really good for the $$ the GK will sound quieter and thinner honestly....Fender Rumbles sound good, priced high, Ampeg combos are chineese junk try not to support them if you can IMHO....other words, bring your wallet

have you tried diferent cables?, a brand new one?

is your bass Active (battery powered) have you tried fresh batteries? if so are you using a padded input?

do you use alot of bass on the EQ on your amp? on your bass?

GC should take ANYTHING but before they do they will play at full volume so if theyre not happy with it they wont take it....+theyll rip you off

good luck
Click to expand...

I've tried three cables and had the same problem with all of them. The cables work just fine with my guitar amp.

I have a passive P bass.

I've reset the EQ to what the manuel says is "normal" and the problem is still there.

I might go down to GC today to talk to the guys about trading it in/getting the GK amp.
 
#18
You may not want to go into the cab and look, but I had a loose tab connector on one of the speaker lugs that made serious crackling at anything higher volume than bedroom play level.

CAREFULLY remove the speaker and check out those connectors and if they are loose.... and on a certain one driver that a buddy had, had the wrong sized female spade connectors on it.

On that one I just soldered short pigtail wires on the lugs and used common automotive spades (male and female) to connect them to the amplifier OUT wired. Problem solved forever and no more crackling!

Typically, most transistor amps can take open or partially open circuits. Tubes, OTOH, cannot take that abuse for long.
 
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#19
SurferJoe46 said:
You may not want to go into the cab and look, but I had a loose tab connector on one of the speaker lugs that made serious crackling at anything higher volume than bedroom play level.

CAREFULLY remove the speaker and check out those connectors and if they are loose.... and on a certain one driver that a buddy had, had the wrong sized female spade connectors on it.

On that one I just soldered short pigtail wires on the lugs and used common automotive spades (male and female) to connect them to the amplifier OUT wired. Problem solved forever and no more crackling!

Typically, most transistor amps can take open or partially open circuits. Tubes, OTOH, cannot take that abuse for long.
Click to expand...
So last night I unscrewed the screws holding the head in place and pulled it to stick out the back without knowing that I was stretching the white cable. When I noticed, I made sure I didn't try pulling the whole thing out. Didn't notice anything bad sticking out on the board. I put it back in place, put in the screws, and so far no issue. I also moved the amp away from the wall. Maybe AC power was interfering with it? Can't remember if I had this issue when it was far away from any walls. If it persists, my next step will be to definitely check out the speaker connection. Selling this amp with a flaw wouldn't get me very far I don't think.
 
#20
ThisisCraigP said:
A few months ago I bought a Acoustic B100 amp (my first "real" bass amp). A few days later the speaker would crackle and go out if I turned the volume past noon (gain set about 10 o'clock).

So I took it back and GC got another one. And now that ones having the same problem, only not as bad, but I think that it will probably get worse.

I don't know what to do with the stupid thing. Should I go back to GC and ask for a third B100? Should I see if they can give me some sorta store credit trade in thing? All I know is I'm not happy with this amp.

What should I do with this dumb thing???

At least I've learned my lesson: NO more cheap ass equipment!
Click to expand...

GC has excellent return policy

Return it and buy Bergantino forte’ and Berg neo cab of your choice

Pricey but you won’t be disappointed
 

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