View Full Version : Amp troubles n' such
sixner
02-23-2006, 09:37 AM
I've been absent from here latly due to my workings with my band... we're about ready to start doing show's and im super excited...
*cough* myspace.com/withuswebringtheend *cough*
Anyways, at practice the past 2 day's, my sound has randomly been getting cut. It's really pissing me off, i checked my bass input and everything, it's fine... it does it with or with out pedal's... im hoping it's just a cable, but im worried it's not because it seems to do it while im playing on my B string..
I have an Ampeg B2 head running through an SWR GoliathIII 4x10 - 4 ohm... Im hardly pushing my ampeg, volume will be at 1/3 usually, and gain at 1/4... I have my limiter on, and it does light up sometimes, but it did on my peavey as well, and did no damage... but, there's no Clip light? so im not sure if my amp is clipping... there IS a Peak light though, so... does Peak = Clip? it's lighted up a few time's...
So, problem? solution? Cost (USD)?
I'm going out to buy a Monster bass cable soon.
-Sixner
trumpeter
02-23-2006, 09:42 AM
bizzare that its that low but still hitting the limiter no?
sixner
02-23-2006, 11:45 AM
bizzare that its that low but still hitting the limiter no?
That's what i was thinkin!
hm..
-sixner
Son of Magni
02-23-2006, 11:50 AM
Yeah, peak should be about the same thing as clip, but may come on just before clipping. Do you still have the Peavey? You could swap that in and play for a while to see if it still cuts out. Do you have an active bass and are you using the active (-20db) input?
It sounds like you're putting an active bass into a passive input.
Roll off the EQ on your bass's preamp. Also, make sure you're running into the correct gain input. Does the B2 even have two seperate inputs?
It could be an internal problem, which I wouldn't doubt considering it's Ampeg B-series.
Just to clarify, I'm pretty sure your "peak" and "clip" lights are the same thing. Your limiter, however, is just the interneral compressor. It comes on when the frequencies come in at too high of levels.
From what I remember, that's what the limiter is on most amps. It could signal clipping, I'm not too sure, as alot of companies use different names for their "signal lights."
EDIT: Just did a little research. Apparently, on Ampeg amps, the limiter light signals when the power amp compressor comes on. It prevents power amp distortion.
sixner
02-23-2006, 12:29 PM
It's a passive bass... Peavey Millenium BXP 5... and the ampeg only has 1 input (it's from the 80's, unsure of exact year)... It's got a -15db button on it.. which shouldn't really matter if it's a passive bass though.
No, i dont have the peavey any more, i sold it to buy the SWR.
It shouldn't be clipping at that volume though, should it?... anyone know what could be the problem inside the amp?... I might take the casing off and let my brother take a look, he's real good with electronic's.. im still learning.
-sixner
trumpeter
02-23-2006, 12:30 PM
call ampeg
sixner
02-23-2006, 12:32 PM
call ampeg
and say?... i bought it used... This amp was orgionally AP's, then he sold it to SmoovGroove, who then sold it to me... so, it's been passed around the forum's a bit :lol:...
im not sure if AP bought it new or used from someone?.... because of the age, i'll assume used.
-Sixner
It's a passive bass... Peavey Millenium BXP 5... and the ampeg only has 1 input (it's from the 80's, unsure of exact year)... It's got a -15db button on it.. which shouldn't really matter if it's a passive bass though.
No, i dont have the peavey any more, i sold it to buy the SWR.
It shouldn't be clipping at that volume though, should it?... anyone know what could be the problem inside the amp?... I might take the casing off and let my brother take a look, he's real good with electronic's.. im still learning.
-sixner
Could easily be a blown fuse, or other internal power amp problem. Do you remember if your "limiter" light came on more often that usual before the amp started to screw up?
trumpeter
02-23-2006, 12:34 PM
and say?... i bought it used... This amp was orgionally AP's, then he sold it to SmoovGroove, who then sold it to me... so, it's been passed around the forum's a bit :lol:...
im not sure if AP bought it new or used from someone?.... because of the age, i'll assume used.
-Sixner
Just tell them your problem...maybe they can help you?
Just because it is used doesn't mean its not ampeg and they won't try to help you, calling isn't goign to HURT.
pitchfork
02-23-2006, 01:28 PM
By the way don't waste your money on a monster cable, save a bit more and go pete cornish. Or even this fellas cables are really good http://www.bassic.co.uk
kilian
02-23-2006, 01:36 PM
^^Cables of 10 bucks work also pretty good, there is no way that you can really really hear the difference in a band mix. Ofcourse there are 'bad cables' but after bad comes good and there is no excellent cable I think.
Do you've changed your strings?
Do you've altered the hight of your pickups?
Do you've done something else that is not mentioned here?
It can be a little thing you've changed, even a different pick, a new technique, adjusted the action 'a little bit' etc :thumb:
PainKiller8191
02-23-2006, 01:42 PM
Do you've proper english?
:lol:kidding
sixner
02-23-2006, 02:42 PM
Trumpter - i know it obviously cant hurt, but what could they actually do about it?
Sade - i havent paid a whole lot of attention to my amp during practice, obviously im more focused on the music than staring at my amp... but i have noticed the limter to come on a bit, but i have also turned my volume up from the usual that i use around the house, so it's to be expected...
Pitch - im in US, so unless they distribute here in the US (not that i've ever seen) or ship free that's no dice....
I hear great things about Monster cables, so i've been kinda swayed towards them i suppose. I just want something with a life time garuntee :thumb:
Kilian - I havent done any of that... i keep my bass pretty normal... i havent had a need to adjust it since i bought it, or to rise/lower PUP's....
If it's a fuse, how could i check? and what's the price on a new one? sorry for my lack of electonic knowledge
-sixner
Thonk
02-23-2006, 02:45 PM
Fuses shouldn't be that much.
On my SWR, there is a little black dome shaped thing with a groove that fits a flat head screw driver. Screw that off and the fuse should be inside.
kilian
02-23-2006, 05:25 PM
Do you've proper english?
:lol:kidding
I'm not the smartest person whem I'm in a hurry :amaze:
sixner
02-23-2006, 07:23 PM
I took notice of my amp today at practice..... before practice, i lowered the bass side of my bridge PUP, cause it was louder than my D/G string's... this helped, but i noticed that when i have my volume at even 1/8th, when i play on my B string, the Peak light on my amp still comes on? :confused:
-sixner
sixner
02-24-2006, 08:52 AM
*cough*....
so, peak light.......
How will i know if my fuse is bad? i see where it is on the back of the amp, but what are signs of it going bad n' such?
-sixner
bbbbass
02-24-2006, 09:27 AM
I'm so glad I didn't get an Ampeg...
You'll know if you need to replace the fuse; if the filament is broken, replace it. However, I doubt the fuse is the problem; in most cases, the amp won't power up if the fuse needs to be replaced.
doodooking
02-24-2006, 02:25 PM
If you dont have one, search the web for a manual and see if they have all the functions of the lights and stuff. It would also help you locate the fuse and tell you what the specs on the fuse is.
Instead of monster cable, try
http://bayoucables.com/
sixner
02-24-2006, 03:36 PM
i looked up the bayou cables...
This warranty excludes defects due to normal wear, abuse, or shipping damage.
from their website.....
Is that the policy for every 'lifetime warranty' thing?... i thought monster's and planet waves you could just exchange the cable once yours goes dead, right?..
Anyways, i know where the fuse it, i just need a flathead screw driver to unscrew it.....
-sixner
vBulletin® v3.8.1, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.