GK MB112 II... blew the speaker first night in my bedroom? Replacement options?

unbrokenchain

unbrokenchain

Jun 8, 2011
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Black Mountain, NC
#1
Thought I got a great deal for $150, the MB112 ii sounded great trying it out, sounded great at home, and then I plugged in my upright (fairly low signal level from its pickup) and played with the volume a little over halfway just to see what it'd sound like, and now the speaker does not reproduce low frequencies without terrible distortion. Is this amp seriously designed so that it can blow its own speaker at nowhere near top volume?

Anyway, I obviously don't want to put the same speaker brand back in it (the stock one is unlabeled), so anyone have any advice for a replacement, or know if the factory 12" driver is 4 or 8 ohm?
 
#3
That sounds odd. Have you tried another bass or switched cables to check? Not sure if there is any batteries connected to going from the double-bass to the combo that need to be replaced? I'd do a little testing just to make sure.
If your testing discovers the speaker is damaged, you should likely replace the speaker with GKs Paragon speakers as the cab was designed around that speaker.
 
#4
Pulled the speaker and tried another amp through it, distorts badly, also swapped another 12" into the GK cab and the amp sounds fine (also sounds fine with headphones), though it's a low wattage guitar speaker and not something I'll leave hooked up. So it's definitely the speaker. Pretty disappointed, but I guess for $150 plus the price of a new speaker it's still not a bad deal.
 
#12
Don't let this blown speaker dissuade you from GK gear. This is abnormal and there is no telling how it was abused before your purchase. If you didn't push it much in your trial and it only appeared when being pushed at home, I would question the seller.

First step, contact GK. Their customer service is typically very solid.
 
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#13
Y'all should have seen the person I bought it from, middle aged lady who dabbles on bass guitar a couple times a year... really doubt this thing was pushed! Perhaps it is an anomaly, and maybe I'll try a new OEM speaker out (still can't find anywhere if it's 4 or 8 ohm..), but I'm just concerned because it was literally bedroom volume, I had actually had it cranked up louder with my electric bass. The upright signal wasn't super loud and I had the bass circuit on the EQ up to about 3/4, just wondering if it's too much low end for this speaker design. Sure like the size and weight of the thing though, hope I can make it reliable.
 
#14
Doesn't sound right for GK gear, though I'll never trust a used amp again after I've been burned a few times. You just can never tell what kind of abuse it's gone through. I have no problem playing with my MB112-ii at loud volumes. I would contact their customer service. I've dealt with them a few times (because of an amp I bought used) and they've been absolutely fantastic. I think those amps usually go for about $250 used in good condition, I'd be weary about paying $150.

FWIW the speakers in the MB112 are 4ohm 300w paragon speakers.
 
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#19
unbrokenchain said:
Honestly I'm not sure I trust the GK speakers after this experience... probably just gamble on a Black Widow, never could seem to blow one of those
Click to expand...

Cabs are designed around specific speakers, so that gamble may very well sound awful.|

Bullitt5135 said:
Call GK and explain your issue. They are very good about diagnosing and offering a suitable fix. I blew out the crossover in my MB212, and they just sent me a replacement CO free of charge.
Click to expand...

Bigger companies are frequently excellent about that sort of thing.

I'd once lost a bridge saddle and string through ferrule to a Peavey Cirrus; I called Peavey and they sent out entirely new sets of each, totally free of charge.

Definitely give Gk a call and see what they can do for you. :thumbsup:
 
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