Gallien-Krueger 1001rb SERVICE WARNING!
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Bob Weigel of www.sounddoctor... shows a nasty flaw in production that caused a lot of grief. The 1001RB has a large toroidal transformer that is mounted too close to a shield that has screws coming up from the bottom and can damage the transformer if it is dropped on it's face. Or is in a rack that is set down hard etc. NOT a good design. The shield should have been reversed and sheet metal screws used even with adhesive. much better. Anyway if you have this amp do yourself a favor and MINIMALLY get in..check tension on the bolt and make sure transformer is spaced off from the screw. I put a rubber spacer inside and also more gasket underneath to make it so it's not possible for the transformer to hit the screw again but the quick fix would be a hard rubber spacer between the transformer and the shield itself I suppose. Many good solutions. Use one of them so this problem doesn't haunt you down the road. Tell GK not to just say 'we've never seen this' then do nothing. I did a quick search on google and found what appeared to be the same issue probably. But it's a no brainer that this is going to happen if that bolt gets loose. Bad design.
The thing that really irked me...initially the tech got me the diagram. that's great! But when i checked over the board and found no issue he didn't think of the possibility that maybe it was just shorted between the two coils but then neither did I. But if you know your OWN PRODUCT it's one of the things that should come to mind..especially if it was left with a glaring issue like this where it's bound to happen. So it's really a thing that makes me suspect of their service department's competence.
INITIALLY though he'd said 'sure send just the board in'. But then the lady wanted me to ship the whole thing and wouldn't give me an RA. That's where I said 'ok now I don't even trust you people. HE SAID he had a chassis to test it in. All I want is to know if I'm missing something on this board or if the problem is in the transformer"
Well I finally just pulled the transformer and located the issue...where it had shorted right between the two windings so that no current was drawn when you power up just the primary and leave the secondary unhook. A transformer with a layer to layer winding short would draw current on the secondary of course.
So anyway that's my thought on the matter. Don't try to make money off a customer who winds up victim of your design flaw. don't EVER do that. If you're some fly by night company you don't care. But if you want a reputation of having solid gear that you stand behind...don't make other people pay for your mistakes. IF this is the first time this has happened really? Well THEN YOU ARE THE LUCKIEST COMPANY ON THE PLANET If I'd released a product with something like that and sold 5000 units, I'm sure 40 of them at least would have done that by now. Count yourself blessed, give the customer a new transformer in celebration and everyone goes away happy.
But now... I don't trust you. And if I don't trust you...a lot of other people..also don't trust you.
Thanks for the warning. I'm just about to reassemble my GK 700 RB ii. It had a loose transformer as well, when I opened it up. But now I will put some sort of protection next to the screw.
Thank you for this very helpful video. I was offered one of these in a trade and my research brought me to your video plus lots of information elsewhere about the reasons not to own one. I'll be better off without it.
I have one 1001RB ... I’m going to check it out, going to lubricate the potentiometers.. its a hustle
Great video. A real craftsman as you were able to reapair the transformer. Do you know if the preamp section is modular (unbolt and plug in)? I have a 400 RB III that has an occasional crackle. I thought it possible dirty pots but it make the crackling sound intermittently.
On the topic of American companies: I also own an Acoustic Image Focus 1 bass amp. It's my understanding Acoustic Image will more than likely warranty any of their amps regardless of age. These amps are expensive but they are built using quality parts AND you can actually speak with the owner as he's a hands-on guy and works in his shop!
yup it's great the companies that still give personal service. I don't recall much on that amp from memory on pre, but sure dirty jacks (including switches inside jacks...hit w/ deoxit spray and work them a bunch if they're send/RETURN jack or pa in etc.), pots and switches as well as chip sockets or stressed solder are always likely
I have the same problem!!
And i will say this: this is a great amp - it has the hammer and brings it like none of the class d can.....
Try an 800 dollar amp.
Hi Sounddoctorin,
I have this exact amp. The issue I have is the amp goes into protection mode every time I move it or pick it up. Can this be a broken soldering? If I don’t move the amp, the light will remain blue and the amp works. Any advise will help, I’m planing on fixing it myself, I just need to know what to look for.
Thank you
Hey, so I have a 2001rb that o recently ordered and it was stated fully functional and thinking of sending it back but then what if it’s something simple? It does not power on at all
stress in shipping would likely cause this issue, is fuse blown?
@@sounddoctorin so I got it checked out and I was told it is most likely the relays because the fuses work
I have got one and just checked inside. Everything feels and looks rock solid. Can i also just protect the bolt with some cushioning or rubber on it or underneath the transformer?
doesn't hurt obviously. if it doesn't side drop sufficient to smash through it you should be good
@@sounddoctorin tnx for the respond. Still going to do something about it just for prevention. Is a nut with a rubber top an option?
Thank you for thevideo... Gk sadly has lots of these poor engineering mistakes-- i have heard of lots of problems w 1001rband i have one that has a problem--im wondering:
-what symptoms did this cause? /why was amp brought in?
Mine gets alot of static and large volune changes /scratchy soundingoutput.. And popping-i thought it mightve been in the pots as it seemed turning volume it would go haywire-i took all the pots out sprayed em, cleaned em and let em dry... Problem didnt change at. All.. Also you mentioned amp fell.. Mine took a spill once real good- could be same issue?
Thanks!
Damn shame they don't stand behind their products. American quality and pride are sadly a thing of the past.
Can I send you an amp for repair?
i should be home soon/ call me off my com site
A $300 amp? Sign me up I will buy them all day long for $300.
Good video here doc, I have a 2001RB that may have the same issue, constantly falling into protection mode whether or not it has any sort of load on it. Took it to two different amp repair shops in the area and neither were able to pinpoint/resolve the issue. Ate the $200 of round trip shipping costs to have the official GK techs fix it, and it came back in the exact same state. At this point I'm almost $400 deep in repair costs and nowhere closer to a functional amp, and all GK can do is shrug their shoulders at me. I don't feel right pawning this problem off onto anyone else by selling the amp as-is, do you have any last ditch suggestions on how to breathe some life into it? It looks like that whole transformer unit is modular, no soldering involved? (I'm a butcher with the iron). Maybe buy a replacement part for the whole power unit? Thanks.
if it's related to problem i show, then these people are failing to re-insulate winding that got dinged and isolate it from future trouble...disconnect and pull it out and look....i think interconnects are used on it but it's a long time
Still kick arse amps ! Just get someone like you to fix it keeps.you in work
Thanks, for this will check mine out now
Hello Soundoctorin.I have a GK MB210 1st Gen. Lately, I have noticed that the sound isn't the same.The loudness was gone. It doesn't distort whatsoever but it wasn't as loud as before.Please advice on how to properly fix the amp if ever you have encountered the same issue.Many thanks and more power
Many possibilities I suppose. Do all the potentiometers seem to respond correctly? (I mean like given the sound level you are experiencing. Eg. does gain control go smoothly from zero to the max level you get?) If not maybe a potentiometer is broken. Otherwise possibly a leaky muting transistor if it has those..I'd have to pull a diagram and take level readings along the path to really troubleshoot it
Great Video! So I have a 1001RB for less than a year now and it started to pop even with volume or instrument plugged in. Shoul I look for this issue?
your sentence is confusing.. even with volume..turned low did you mean?
Hello i was wondering why my gallien krueger 1001rb has a statick sound. Hopefully you can help
Mine does this too, when you adjust certain knobs. Mine is the Contour knob. You gotta spray some electrical board cleaner on it after you take the thing apart.
My GK1001rbii has this same issue. I don't know much about electrical engineering. Would the best course of action be to find someone more knowledgeable who can fix this? or should I try to deal with GK customer service?
what's your location? any competent tech should be able
@@sounddoctorin Tallahassee Florida
@@YoSteslowoY couldn't be much further from me but lots of smart people moving to fl so try mitatech directory
Great video and explanation. I found this cause I'm trying to solve a grounding issue with my new GK1001rb, it constantly buzzes (even without bass plugged in) unless I touch the metal casing of the amp head itself. I noticed it stops when I loosened some of the casing screws and now I'm wondering if this might be the cause of it. I'm really disappointed to be having any issues with an amp that I thought was built to last.
If this issue was happening you'd have a serious short I think...probably something else going on.
I have the same problem ! I bought 1001RB month ago. New one. It was quiet and no buzz, hum or whatever (I must turn treble all the way up to hear buzz from twitter). After 4 days it starts working like a "popcorn machine" ! Just after turn this amp on ! I handed this amp back and I must waiting about a month (it came yesterday) for it becaues there's no support/service center in my country. Finally I have time to turn amp on... and there's a hiss ! A lot of hiss and even my small Ampeg combo is quieter with treble all the way up than this piece of sh... with just "stand by" mode ! No "popcorn shootings" but this hiss make me sick. What a piece of crap ! I don't know If I try products of this company again. Month of waiting and still this amp is usless. I'll just demand a refund and lookin sth different. Sound is really great but so what if there's tons of buzz and hiss. It's not a normal thing I guess...
Hello SoundDocterin, Thanks for the video. I am having difficulty getting a straight answer from GK regarding my 1001rb ii head. I need to convert it from 110 volts to 240 volts so I can use it in Germany. I have read that this is a simple connection change in these heads and I was hoping you could point me in the right direction.
I have some experience with electronics and have disassembled/reassembled a few amp heads to replace pots, caps and so on.
Would you have any advice for me?
Thanks!!!!
David
Sorry Sounddocterin, I see that I have already sent you this message a few months ago. The amp was in Canada all this time i a just brought it over to Germany a few days ago. I am just looking for as many answers as I can before I crack it open.
I would still appreciate your advice/opinion.
Thanks!
not sure why I never saw notification for this. sorry. I don't recall conversion process on it.
Hi Sounddoctorin! I have a GK 1001 RB MKii and I need to swap the transformer from 110 to 230 because I have moved to Germany. Do you know where I can get the transformer and the type I need? I have a little experience, but I know this job can be a dangerous one. What do you recommend?
A lot of transformers are set up so you can just switch a few leads on quick disconnects or the like for 240V operation. I have no idea on that one. Sounds like a research project on my end. Call them and see if a tech there knows.
Thanks for the reply, I just found out they are universal. All it takes is a quick change of a few leads that are clearly marked.
I bought a used 1001RB at pawn shop and had the cover off to see how to access the scratchy pots (the knobs, nuts, heat shield, etc have to be removed so that the preamp board can be taken out to get to the pots). That's when I noticed that the transformer was set up for 230V. I live in the USA where the voltage is 120V. I emailed GK and they responded the same day that all I had to do was swap the transformer wires as marked on the power board. Also, make sure you have the correct 5mm x 20mm, time-delay fuse as marked on your board.
How can I as a new wonder of a 1001rb make sure this doesn't happen to me?
+Matthew Gully You have to open it up with it unplugged. If you pull the whole transformer it's best and then you'll see the screw underneath the front edge there that is the offending issue. Options are 1) remove the screw and put some rv goop adhesive or the like through the hole to make a non-conductive fastener basically there. Or use an actual nylon screw/nut 2) use a grinder to flatten the screw; being sure to suck all the metal flakes out and protect the boards from getting hit by any of them or you might wind up with OTHER issues like shorts caused by metal flakes Best is to use s dremel grinder and put some kind of 'mote' of cardboard around the work area. or 3) Lay down something that will distribute the sharp impact of the screw head off of the transformer if it ever is to get dropped. Eg a 16 guage steel spacer an inch or so wide ladying between the screw and the rubber gasket that should be under the transformer.
good night. is there a channel that shows how problems are solved in the Gallien krueger?
I was having fan problems. Do you think that could affect the fan ?
+Ted Toussant ... fans fail. This would have nothing to do with it though :-). Here we're talking about a shorted transformer due to a screw that hits the windings underneath. Blows your mains fuse
Thanks !
+Ted Toussant Fan fixed ! The tech said to use a little loctite on the nut holding the x-former which would provide a good temporary fix till a good solution is found. Along with protecting the screw/bolt you mentioned. Thanks !
My 1001rb makes the same static noise where do i start
The same applies to 1001rbii?
I don't know. Open the top with it unplugged and see if there is a screw that one is in danger of crashing into
Do you know the year on that unit?
These weren't real old when I did this. Ask GK what years they made them. I'm sure it's probably in the 2008 to 2014 window of production on that one probably.
Thanks for the info, & thanks for the video!!!
On the other hand, toroidal X-formers are awesome!
well until they get mounted by a tool of abrasion. lol
"can damage the transformer if it is dropped on it's face" Maybe be more careful with your gear and don't drop it ?
I am careful with *my* gear. This was someone else's but beyond that working musicians sometimes have 'help' or... well I think of an idiot drunk in Eugene, OR years ago when we were playing a homeless benefit knocking over one of my home made medite main speakers. hehe. Anyway stuff happens and I WOULD NOT GUARANTEE that driving down the road with some bumps wouldn't suffice to gradually wear through and short the things.
Well yeah, if you rattle almost any amp around your gonna start to have things hittin each other eventually. Love how these guys see a problem with an amp and start spreading the word that ever one of them has problems and are factory flawed.
It's a one of a kind so far in my 1000's of repairs. NOT TRUE that a still fairly tight screw would have allowed enough lateral movement to short a nearby screw through windings. THAT IS a design flaw and many have thanked me for saving them trouble. IF YOU are gigging w/ THIS amp... puts some protection so the xformer can't slide over into that screw should it get set down hard.
Too bad the owner is giving away amp's to companies like talk bass to give them good reviews. Just go to talkbass and start new threads complaining about the amps. You'll get the best response. Sad but true.
@@kobashis what owner? lost me
@@sounddoctorin Sorry Sounddoctorin not you. Your helping your customer's. GK is using talkbass as a service center and not supporting local repair shops. It's very obvious. I guess talkbass is loaded with EE's... RIGHT !
@@kobashis I don't know anything re: talk bass. thanks for heads up
I own several amps with those big ass toroids and they don't move at all. GK sucks