Gallien Krueger 250ml Guitar Amps

20/12/2023

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cEv8vYPiLr4&si=kr_M_cbxQFOPu8TL

Gallien Krueger 250ML cranked through external Jim Root 2x12 cab, Squier John 5 gold frost tele, Boss SD1 for boost😉👍

20/12/2023

Makman Makmanovic sent these vids in. Thanks. 🤘

Gallien Krueger 250ML cranked, internal speakers only, Squier John 5 gold frost tele, Boss SD1 for boost😉👍

04/12/2023

The 2nd message from Makman..

To all searching for that elusive Iron Maiden 1988 live stage sound. Here is an interesting input from the guy who witnessed them during 1988 Germany Monsters of rock tour, then as a member of press backstage:

04/12/2023

I recieved a couple of messages from Makman Makmanovic..
#1
To all the GK 250ML / RK users. Try a short patch cable from SEND OUT to AUX IN. The sound will become more clearer, punchier, louder with more presence. Overall sound is much more alive. Chorus and Echo will be now more subtle, not that dominant as in original condition, but I Like it much more. Try this and you'll hear & see😉👍

04/12/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1214311602840239&id=100027842336595&mibextid=Nif5oz

Eminence AlphaLite-6B 16 ohm

24/11/2023

I recieved a message from Bengt Lantz..

My GK 206 turns off after 20 min. Lights ok but no sound, turn off and start ok again, any idea.

24/11/2023

I recieved a message from Paul Haggett,

I finally got my speakers fixed and added a 2/12 extension cabinet for more fullness. Amazing combo!! Totally worth the wait! I'm the original owner of the amp too!

04/09/2023

I recieved a message from Øyvind Estensen,

Hi. I don't know if it's of interest, but I'm selling 2 GK 206 MLE's. One comes with new speakers for changing. Comes with one footswitch and one vintage cab sim. 1000 Euro for everything.

31/08/2023

Floyd Lo sent this pic in.

29/07/2023

Remate Ultimas Piezas sent in this Photo.
Thanks 🤘

07/07/2023

Not GK related but I found this today...
Wow, crazy price.

06/07/2023

2 for sale on Ebay..

28/06/2023

I recieved a message from Rob. Thank you.

Not mine, but for sale in Rochester NY.

I bought this Gallien-Krueger Model 250ML Guitar Amplifier new in 1985 from Northfield Music in Pittsford. Used it successfully for several years. Created a pair of custom made 12”, 16 ohm extension...

27/06/2023

Glen Baggott messaged, he is looking for a GK 250 ML footswitch if anyone is selling.

27/06/2023

I recieved a message from Nik Hawkins, he is selling his GK 250 ML.

Full working original condition. Cosmetically showing signs of age and plenty of use. Based in UK £495.

If anyone is interested, Thanks 👍

05/06/2023

I recieved a message from Eric VonArab.
If anyone is interested.
Cheers

I have a Gallien Krueger 250ML Series II for sale, Has New Speakers, K***s replaced, Sounds Phenomenal, No Scratchy Pots etc, There was scratches in the case that looks like the Previous Owner covered up with a Sharpie or Paint Pen, I guess it looks better then aluminum scratches all over it....
$600 Shipped in Continental U.S. only.
More Pictures upon request.
Thanx Eric

02/06/2023

I recieved a message from Sorriso Andras Pirkner if anyone can help.
Cheers and Thanks.

Hi, its so cool that this amp actually has its own fb page 😂
Anyway I'm very much into that late 80s iron maiden tone, also I want to buy a solid state amp, so I figured that this combo is just perfect for this. My problem is that as I see its no longer available, I couldn't even find any used ones. Do you know a place where I can get one (a new would be ideal, but ofcourse a used one in good condition is fine as well)?

29/05/2023

I recieved a message from Ramon Mazon

I have a 250rl and was wondering if I can run it through my evh 50w so i can that sweet chorus running through the power section of my EVH. If thats possible how would i go about that.
Thanks!

25/05/2023

I recieved a message from DB Cooper,

Hi everyone. One of the original stock speakers on my 250ML has started to have its foam rot out over the last couple of weeks and now looking into repair options. I was initially looking at ordering a reforming kit and restoring both of the original speakers to last another 20-30 years but recall reading years ago that the majority of folks seemed to prefer replacing the stock speakers completely with Pyle 6.5” speakers or whatever option Gallien Krueger was now offering on their end (I think they had custom proprietary replacements made by eminence but could be wrong. I’m not sure if GK still offer their replacements these days).

Could those out there who have either refoamed their original speakers or replaced theirs completely with Pyle’s or anything else care to chime in with their experiences and opinions or suggestions? Could anyone point me in the right direction of the exact Pyle speakers folks are using as replacements? Take it easy everybody.

09/04/2023

I recieved a message from Brian Lakin Sr,

Morning I have a 250 ml I would like to sell . Has Pyle replaced speakers. Also have original speakers in boxes. Has been repaired and working properly. No foot switch. $575 plus shipping if someone is interested.
Thanks.

06/04/2023

I recieved another message from Joseph Leskovar 🤘

"250ML Stack"

26/03/2023

Video 2 from Laurent Andre,

Trim pot: 50%,30%,30%.
No boost. No pedal. 1x12 elecro voice black shadow.

26/03/2023

Laurent Andre sent this in.
GK250ml FX return into a Mesa Boogie Mk111

21/03/2023

I recieved a message from D.B.Cooper, if anyone can help.
Cheers

Hello folks, recently grabbed a 250ml for a song after years of searching for a MK2 model. I came across this interesting comment on a youtube video and wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience doing this and if its safe for the amp? thanks a bunch for any help folks.

"one other trick with this amp was to take your effects out and plug it in into the auxiliary input. makes it way beefier and less nasally. Also provided more separation of the effects (I ran a dod bass chorus and ibanez 10 series delay)..."-comment by darthhalitosis

16/03/2023

I received a message from Philipe, if anyone can help

Hello, have any of you ever replaced the LF353N integrated ciruits with the more efficient and silent Burr Brown OPA2134PA? Do you confirm that they are interchangeable without modifying the circuit? Is it worth it? What improvement have you seen?
Thank you very much for sharing your experience.

15/03/2023

I received a message from Jacob, if anyone can help, cheers

Can you ask a question for me on your page? I just bought one and want to know how I should set the amp for the type of tone mick mars got on Girls, Girls, Girls using his 250?

13/03/2023

I received message from Shwan.
Does anyone have any ideas
Cheers.

Edit: My amp symptoms are high frequency feedback ringing that swells into noise. Also, I have it adjusted now to where when powered on the amp is low, i hit a note hard, it snaps into regular volume. That's what made me think it was caps. The echo switch may need some attention as well. I purchased the caps set Joe Leskovar recently used 3.3uF 25V x22 ECE-A1HKA3R3
220uF 25V x7 EEU-FC1E221
220uF 50V x2 ECA-1HM221
2200uF 50V x2 228TTA050M I'm looking for tips on replacing the caps. I've done some soldering and electronics repair before. Looking for any amp specific details, in-depth, what to look out for, etc. I'm planning on measuring the components as I go. Am I missing any major parts for this, or anything else?

09/03/2023

Tibor sent in a question,..

Hello....just bought a nice 250 ml...was wondering if it is common to just use the power amp section via the effects loop return jack ? or if it is possible....thanks, wonderful amp...

03/03/2023

I received a message from Philippe Mayran.
Thank you..

Hi, here is the position of the different trimpots, if it can help someone (caution: do not touch the bias without knowing what you are doing!). Cheers.

27/02/2023

I Received a message from
MikeandPauline Scott
He is selling his mint condition, lightly used
GK 250 ML, for $375, he is the original owner and located in Toronto Canada
If anyone is interested please DM Mike.

15/02/2023

I had a message from Jeffrey Weber...
If anyone can help. Cheers.

I dusted my GK 250ML recently. I'm missing two of the rectangular push buttons. Any ideas on replacement parts? The switches work. Just need the button pushers.

13/02/2023

I received this message from Jaimie Carey
If anyone can help, cheers.

I have a US 250ML, that I want to mod by putting in a 240V tr**ny, instead of running the external step down tr**ny I currently use. Anyone have one I can buy (the 240V tr**ny) I can get a non genuine but would prefer to use a GK original.

10/02/2023

Laurent Andre sent in pic of his GK 250ML.
Thanks 👍🤘

03/02/2023

I had a message from Everett Kemp, he is looking for a GK 250ml in Australia if anyone is thinking of selling.

25/01/2023

I received a message from Tony Hinterlong,

He is selling his GK MLE.
In Perfect working order
Minimal scratches.

Located West Virginia USA
$750.

21/01/2023

Joe Leskovar sent in the following article about the restoration of his GK250ml,
Thank you (pics to be added)

My GK 250ML Story (2023-01-18)
I recently came across a 250ML on FB Marketplace and jumped on it. I knew that these are rare as hen’s teeth and made sure that I contacted the seller and arranged to pick it up as soon as possible. (I made a slightly lower offer and he accepted… I offered him a dollar per ML). From my previous research over the years, I guessed that I would have to replace the speakers and maybe repair the amp due to overheating problems from mismatched loads.
When I got there, the seller didn’t have a guitar to test, so I just blindly paid for it and took off. As expected, I noticed through the speaker grille that the foam surround on both speakers was toast. When I got home, I fired it up with the volumes on minimum to see if the amp worked. Although it sounded pretty thin, all of the amp functions and effects worked, so I powered down and knew that I was going to have a working amp after some work!
I ordered two Pyle 6.5” PDMW6 from Amazon and then the waiting began… (It would be 12 days before I received them.)
While I was waiting for the speakers, I decided to take the amp apart.
1. removed all of the top machine screws
2. removed the top plate (there was heat sink grease on underside of the top panel)
3. removed the 4 silver #6 machine screws on the rear of the amplifier.
4. removed all of the side screws and detach the sides
5. disconnected the power and speaker harness from the amplifier module
6. lifted the amplifier module out (there was heatsink grease on the rear lip)
7. removed all of the remaining [6] screws holding the speaker panel to the back panel
8. removed the speaker grille screws and speaker grille
9. disconnected the speaker baffle from the amp bottom
10. unsoldered the speaker wires from the speakers
11. removed the screws holding the speakers
12. Cleaned the old heatsink grease from the chassis using 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
13. While the amp was apart, I washed the dust from all of the panels.
The [11] black top screws are #6-32 countersink machine screws, the [4] silver rear heatsink screws are #6-32 pan-head machine screws. All of the other “pointy” black countersink screws are black chassis screws for the back, sides, bottom and speaker grille except for [1] “pointy” silver screw... (it goes on the bottom-front)

Once I had the Amp chassis out, I guessed from some of the I.C. date codes that the amp was assembled no earlier than the 46th week of 1986. That meant that the capacitors were at least 36 years old and needed to be replaced so that the small GK could go for another 50 years.
I ordered the following caps from Digikey
to re-cap the entire PCB…

3.3uF 25V x22 ECE-A1HKA3R3
220uF 25V x7 EEU-FC1E221
220uF 50V x2 ECA-1HM221
2200uF 50V x2 228TTA050M

One afternoon I removed and replaced all of the caps one-by-one. I used a solder-sucker and solder-braid to clear the PCB. The circuit-board is a quality single-sided tin-plated-copper-clad board.

After receiving the PYLE speakers, I mounted them to the baffle, re-soldered the speaker wires and started to reassemble the amp chassis. I applied fresh Wakefield Heatsink Thermal Compound on the amp chassis in the two locations where required.

Since the first amp test was good, I had high confidence that the amp would be okay. So, I just powered it up, plugged in and turned up the volume… Everything worked as it should but with much better bottom end due to the new speakers.

I was cranking that little beast for over an hour and although the back panel was hot, it wasn’t hot enough to worry about anything. I decided not to adjust the internal trim-pots as I wanted the amp to reflect a snapshot in time just as anyone would when they bought it in the 80’s.

I thought that it would be cool to replicate the mic stand mount, so, I ordered some M5 x 0.8 Screw K***s for the sides and I purchased a piece of steel bar-stock (36” x 1-1/4” x 7/64”) that I would bend into the “U” shape that the original had. I drilled two holes for the Screw K***s and bought some Rubber Washers from the Home Depot Plumbing aisle.

I was always thinking of how the mic stand would attach to the “U” bracket. I stole the mic-stand plate from the bottom of a Roland CM-30 monitor that I mounted to the new “U” with two countersunk machine screws into two “tapped” holes. I painted the bracket with oil-based Rust paint.

I didn’t want to risk that the amp might come crashing down from a standard mic stand, so, I purchased a heavy-duty Neewer NW002-1 Wind Screen Bracket Stand that I cut down in height so that the amp could sit about 30 inches from the ground and could be tilted up like a monitor.

I had an old 2 button footswitch and stereo cable that switched the channels and FX properly. (Properly means that the Channel and FX LED’s on the amp would indicate which channel was on and which FX were on.) I found a local Gallien-Krueger RF2-C footswitch that has LED indications for Channel and FX. The only drawback with this footswitch is that although the Footswitch indicates properly, the LED’s on the amp do not indicate properly… This is not a big deal for me.

The amp is so much fun. Channel B with the Gain Switch OUT has a nice crunch… Pushing the Gain Switch IN is more than enough gain for me (Glad that I decided not to mess with the gain pots.)
Channel A with the Compressor, Chorus and Echo On was heaven with a Strat. I placed a delay pedal in the FX loop to finish the sound.

If you set a sound with the EQ, the Chorus and Compressor do affect the tone, but not so bad that you need to re-EQ.

My next test is to connect two Mesa 12” cabinets to the 250ML speaker outputs and try some drive pedals up front. Then I will connect my Helix Stomp outputs to the stereo AUX IN jack and use the 250ML as a power amp. Stay Tuned.

Rock On!

Joe Leskovar

19/01/2023

I had a message from Ramon, can anyone help ?

Hi just wondering if you have any experience using the 250rl through an interface? I have a scarlett 2i2 and was wondering how I would go about hooking it up properly to play in my DAW. Any info would be appreciated!

08/01/2023

I found an Ebay store that has a few GK-250ML Spare parts. 🤘

21/12/2022

Dan Hawk messaged me he is looking for a GK 250ml footswitch if anyone has 1 for sale.