| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4254 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have some Mesa boogie cabs and I have noticed that the 2x10 has a distorted sound when I play my bass through it with the amp set at a low volume for home practice. It's a bit like if I'd been using a mild distortion pedal but not extreme. If I set the amp on a high volume setting and turn the bass down, i don't get any distortion or if I have the rig up loud there is no distortion either. ( although it might be masked by the volume). Why would that be the case? Could it be my speaker is on the way out, if so how can I tell which one it is? Should I care? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3669 Registered: 5-2009 |
HI Jazzy , We can sort this out with a practice of the process of elimination before we go to a technical process for an answer. Connect the speaker in question to another amplifier and play through it in increments from low to higher volume levels and observe the results . This will show you if it is the amplifier signal or the speaker that is the offender making distortion . | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2014 |
Jazzy, I am dealing with a similar problem right now with a Mesa Walkabout/Scout 12 (x2) combo. A little while ago, I started getting a midrange-y distortion, particularly around pitch of the open G down to the C# below it. Initially I thought maybe it was just weird cab harmonics or even a bad case of rabbit ears, but it's definitely there, and especially noticeable using my Persuader at lower volumes. After a lot of A/B'ing, I determined that switching to a different head eliminated the distortion. Most of the logic pointed toward a preamp tube flaking out, but after switching out both the Walkabout's preamp tubes with Mesa 12AX7's didn't help, I sent it back to Petaluma to be checked out. Will post here how it turns out. Good Luck meantime... I know what you mean though. Fuzz is okay if you're into it, cool if you need it, but it is a major nuisance when you want clean. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1779 Registered: 10-2006 |
Turn the bass back up at gig volume; you may well hear your distortion. The later in the signal chain you get your gain, the cleaner the sound, while the vice is versa. You may be overdriving the amp with it turned low & the bass high. Peter | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3670 Registered: 5-2009 |
Jazzy , If you have a final Master volume on your amplifier, that should be turned up higher then any other gain/volumes controls or you may get distortion as well . | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4255 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have only noticed this because I've been using my proper bass rig at home for practice so needed low volumes. I use a QSC power amp usually with the volumes on full and pre-amp levels to suit and its been fine but a bit too punchy for the house. So I have been trying it with the QSC set low on the first or second notch and the pre-amp and bass set accordingly to give me a low volume in the room. | ||
| growlypants
Intermediate Member Username: growlypants Post Number: 105 Registered: 3-2011 |
Quite coincidentally, I recently had to change all the batteries in my MK Sig. 5-er due to low end distortion. I hate it when that happens!! (DOH!!) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4256 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm using a series bass via ds-5 so low power isn't in the equation. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4257 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hmm I'm using a series bass via ds-5 so low power isn't in the equation. Gonna try some of the ideas mentioned today and see what transpires. | ||
| wfmandmusic
Intermediate Member Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 117 Registered: 1-2012 |
I just replaced my speakers in my 1987 mesa 210 cab. The one on the left was not sounding right. After changing heads, tightening everything up there was still a slight distortion. I put some eminence delta A's in. Rated at 350 watts instead of the 200 watt rated ones that were in there. I don't really like those speakers for that cab. I love EV but you can't get them anymore. Jazzy, also make sure you don't have any scratchy pots on the amp or your guitar. I ordered some bergantinos and they came today. I'm in sonic heaven. |
