Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Bad Amplifier
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 04:40 PM
Hey GMC!I am a starting rocker and today I bought my very first amp Marshall MG10CD
But I am actually disappointed with its performance as it only has 4 channels.Clean,Blues,Rock and Metal.
But its not only that.The problem is that even as the manual says you adjust it to the appropriate channel (ex. metal)
the sound just continues to be Clean.The same thing applies to the other channels.
What do you think?Should have bought another amp in the first place or should have bought a POD?
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 04:46 PM
For a start four channels is pretty good for a little 10watt amp. When it's on the metal channel for instance, try turning the gain knob up.
Also make sure the volume control on your guitar is up.
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 04:49 PM
Well thats what I do.In order to get a metal sound ofc you need the gain knob up.
Also I try turning but wherever the amp is I cant get any distortion.
I think I should have bought a POD
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 04:52 PM
Is the volume of the overdrive channel and the volume on the guitar up as well yeh?
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 04:56 PM
Well according to the manual the Overdrive Gain must be at maximum.
Tone at zero
And on the guitar volume is maximum
The Overdrive Volume is up but as minimum as can be.I can not afford to turn it any higher.It will be heard in all the neighborhood 
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 05:00 PM
Did you order the amp online or did you buy it in a store?
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 05:06 PM
Well I bought from the nearest store.Well I dont think there would be any difference.May the Marshall isnt good itself.
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 05:09 PM
Did you try it out before you buy, and did it have distortion then?
What I'm thinking is that the Marshall MG's do have distortion, so if your's doesn't then it will be just your amp.
My suggestion is if noone posts a solution here, you go back to the store with your amp. They will either: show you how to get distortion, swap it for one that actually works, or give you your money back so you can buy something else if you don't like the sound of an MG that works.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 24 2009, 05:12 PM
Try this preset, and make sure you are on the overdrive channel
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 05:19 PM
No I cant try this.Its too loud!!!!!!!Really its very loud and the neighbors will get upset!Not kidding.
Also are there any kind of headphones??If there are i might just try it.
I have headphones but it needs a different kind.Like the jack lead
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 05:20 PM
Also are there any kind of headphones??If there are i might just try it.
I have headphones but it needs a different kind.Like the jack lead
Try Ivan's preset but put the volume down to a good level. And make sure you've pressed the button marked overdrive.
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 05:24 PM
Well I have tried it.But the sound is clean wherever the channels are....
Also the guitar volume was at 1 and the the amp preset as Ivan stated and my grandma got upset and started
pissing me off 
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 05:30 PM
Well I can only suggest this then.
What I'm thinking is that the Marshall MG's do have distortion, so if your's doesn't then it will be just your amp.
My suggestion is if noone posts a solution here, you go back to the store with your amp. They will either: show you how to get distortion, swap it for one that actually works, or give you your money back so you can buy something else if you don't like the sound of an MG that works.
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 05:32 PM
What I'm thinking is that the Marshall MG's do have distortion, so if your's doesn't then it will be just your amp.
My suggestion is if noone posts a solution here, you go back to the store with your amp. They will either: show you how to get distortion, swap it for one that actually works, or give you your money back so you can buy something else if you don't like the sound of an MG that works.
Thanks very much.Thats what I am going to do.But I have a feeling that the amp is alright and the fault is the guitar.
2 days on GMC and 5 topics with problems
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 24 2009, 05:35 PM
Show us exactly what amp do you have, find a picture on google and post it here
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 05:35 PM
2 days on GMC and 5 topics with problems
If you think the problem could be your guitar then it'd be worth taking that in as well.
Everyone has a lot of problems when they're starting out. GMC is good though for that because you have a whole community of experienced people to help you 24/7.
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 05:38 PM
Well its the amp you have posted but a little different.
Everyone has a lot of problems when they're starting out. GMC is good though for that because you have a whole community of experienced people to help you 24/7.
Well thanks very much.But you think they could figure it out that theres a problem with one of those two?
Posted by: Marek Rojewski Oct 24 2009, 05:42 PM
Sure they can, connecting another guitar to the amp/Your guitar to another amp;)
Posted by: Matt23 Oct 24 2009, 05:44 PM
Well if the amp works with one of their guitars they'll know its a problem with your guitar, and if it doesn't work with one of their guitars they'll know it's a problem with the amp.
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 05:46 PM
HAHA...Havent thought of that.Well then they sure will figure out whats the problem.There may be no problem with guitar but the amp really cant provide any other sound than Clean.If it couldnt provide Clean as well then i would
Posted by: jafomatic Oct 24 2009, 06:17 PM
There's two problems here:
1. language again is not making it clear that there's ...
2. a misunderstanding of volume knobs!
Volume on guitar: max
Pre-amp volume (also called gain): max
Master volume: NOT MAX
This will allow your distortion to NOT bother the neighbors. When your volume was too loud you lowered the wrong knob. The order in which the signal flows is important and it is being overlooked
Here's the direction in which the signal "flows" through your setup:
1. volume pot (knob) on your guitar
2. gain knob on OD channel
3. channel volume
The way to permit or cause distortion is to keep the knobs that occur earlier in the chain (lower numbers in my list) higher than that last-most item in the list (3). The way to control how much actual output comes through the speaker or headphones, you control the last knob in my list (3) channel volume.
So. When it's not distorted you turn up knobs 1 and 2. When it's too loud you turn down knob 3. If it's still clean, then look at the channel selector. Marshall amp channel indicator will be lit when the overdrive (distortion) channel is selected.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 24 2009, 06:21 PM
Ok, try this:
1. Plug in the guitar in the amp (put all knobs and pots on 0)
2. Put the guitar volume on 10
3. Push the OD small black button
4. Turn the gain knob on 10, and tone knob to 5
5. Increase the volume from 0 to comfortable level
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 06:25 PM
1. language again is not making it clear that there's ...
2. a misunderstanding of volume knobs!
Volume on guitar: max
Pre-amp volume (also called gain): max
Master volume: NOT MAX
This will allow your distortion to NOT bother the neighbors. When your volume was too loud you lowered the wrong knob. The order in which the signal flows is important and it is being overlooked
Here's the direction in which the signal "flows" through your setup:
1. volume pot (knob) on your guitar
2. gain knob on OD channel
3. channel volume
The way to permit or cause distortion is to keep the knobs that occur earlier in the chain (lower numbers in my list) higher than that last-most item in the list (3). The way to control how much actual output comes through the speaker or headphones, you control the last knob in my list (3) channel volume.
So. When it's not distorted you turn up knobs 1 and 2. When it's too loud you turn down knob 3. If it's still clean, then look at the channel selector. Marshall amp channel indicator will be lit when the overdrive (distortion) channel is selected.
THANKS!!!It actually caused some distortion.Great Jafomatic.
1. Plug in the guitar in the amp (put all knobs and pots on 0)
2. Put the guitar volume on 10
3. Push the OD small black button
4. Turn the gain knob on 10, and tone knob to 5
5. Increase the volume from 0 to comfortable level
Ivan is that adjustment for a comfortable sound or for a certain sound or distortion?
Posted by: Staffy Oct 24 2009, 06:37 PM
I read somewhere here that You had Your guitars volume on 2, You must have it on 10 - otherwise the amp doesn't get enough input to produce some distorsion. And then just adjust the Volume on the amp as Ivan said....
//Staffay
Posted by: Darknodar123 Oct 24 2009, 07:03 PM
//Staffay
Well I manage to get some distortion but is it okay to do Smoke On The Water?Please see for yourself
REC005.WAV ( 76K )
: 105Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Oct 24 2009, 07:12 PM
REC005.WAV ( 76K )
: 105Ok it sounds pretty good for start. I think you understood how to set a distorted tone. Gain and volume on guitar has to be on 10 (gain can be 7-8 too for softer distortion) and you actually control the general volume of the amp on the volume pot on the amp.It can be as low as 1 or whatever is comfortable to you.
Posted by: MickeM Oct 24 2009, 09:59 PM
Also the guitar volume was at 1 and the the amp preset as Ivan stated and my grandma got upset and started
pissing me off
If you have your guitar volume tuned down you'll have a clean sound even if you're on a dist channel.
That's by the way a great way of controlling the amount of gain, turn the guitar volume up for maximun gain and down for clean.
Turn the guitar volume up closer to 10 or you're stuck with cleans sounds.
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)