Ampeg B50R blown woofer repair?

gregmon79 · #1 03-10-2013, 07:07 PM

Hey all, I was wondering what this may cost and thought maybe someone on here has had one repaired. I have an ampeg B 50 R and I do believe the woofer is blown and would like to get it repaired. I think the woofer is blown anyway. It sounds great at low volumes like around 1 or 2 but when I turn it up past 6 or 7 it gets pretty distorted. I used to use this amp as my primary amp when I first joined a band because it was all I had. I was always fighting to be heard cause the other guys were using these huge Crate amps all cranked up. So I was wondering what you guys think it would cost to repair/replace the woofer in the cab. Or is it called the driver??

Downunderwonder · #2 03-11-2013, 12:42 AM

Close to what a working used one is worth I expect.

JimmyM · #3 03-11-2013, 04:15 AM

Are you sure the speaker is damaged? Tube and old school heavy solid state amps have at least twice their rated RMS wattage available, and when it starts distorting, that means you're getting into the area past what's available clean. That's one of their more high end combos of the day, and it's pretty likely that the speaker can take what that combo can put out and then some. So I think it's possible you're just getting the distortion from the amp...I have a couple newer Ampeg combos that do that as well. That's just the way amps work. Not much you can do except turn down.

Disregard this message if you were actually able to turn up to 6 or 7 on the dial before and it just suddenly started distorting at that point...but it sounds to me you're just cranking past what it's capable of giving you.

Downunderwonder · #4 03-11-2013, 05:19 AM

50 w practice amp being used in a 2 guitar band situation? Between those lines I'm reading bad things for that speaker.

**mjac28** · #5 03-11-2013, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

50 w practice amp being used in a 2 guitar band situation? Between those lines I'm reading bad things for that speaker.

+1 I think it's time to get the check book out and get something with more power.

Downunderwonder · #6 03-11-2013, 05:39 AM

The GK in his sig says he already did that.

gregmon79 · #7 03-11-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

The GK in his sig says he already did that.

+1

This is just my practice amp from long ago. I still play through it sometimes and would like to get it fixed because I do love the tone it has. But if it is going to be more expensive to fix rather than getting a new one/different one, I'd rather go the route of that cheaper. If possible.

AstroSonic · #8 03-11-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregmon79

+1

This is just my practice amp from long ago. I still play through it sometimes and would like to get it fixed because I do love the tone it has. But if it is going to be more expensive to fix rather than getting a new one/different one, I'd rather go the route of that cheaper. If possible.

A good replacement speaker is the Eminence Beta 12A ($80). Within the power range of the amp, this driver will not reach its power (thermal) or Xmax limits. The original drivers had more high frequency extension than is available from most of todays drivers, but the Beta does pretty well (usable HF to about 4kHz) and is likely a few db more efficient. Sealed cabs are relatively tolerant of TS parameter variations, so the bass tone with the Beta 12A should be pretty similar to the original. Cheaper drivers are available, but IME they frequently do not meet their TS parameters and their stamped frames have very thin metal. Given the amps relatively low power and heavy build (weight) there is little to be gained by going with a Deltalite 2512, a Faital 12PR300 or the ever popular Kappalite 3012HO.

gregmon79 · #9 03-11-2013, 11:15 AM

Do you think the repair is relatively easy? As in, do I just pop the old woofer out and replace it with the one you're suggesting? If that's what is decided in the end, replacement?

AstroSonic · #10 03-11-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregmon79

Do you think the repair is relatively easy? As in, do I just pop the old woofer out and replace it with the one you're suggesting? If that's what is decided in the end, replacement?

Yes, its that easy. Just take the blown driver out and connect and mount the new one. Turn on amp and play.

Ampeg may have replacement drivers available, but they will likely have power handling limitations similar to the original, potentially (likely?) resulting in another blown driver. A recone is also possible (and relatively costly), but original cones kits are no longer available (although a few are likely collecting dust in a corner somewhere). Suitable drivers come up on eBay occasionally, but they go for about the same or more than the Beta 12A. However, they will likely have power handling limitations similar to the original.

gregmon79 · #11 03-11-2013, 12:44 PM

Well thanks a bunch sonic, I will definitely be looking into a replacement. I already looked online and found some pretty reasonably priced. I'm going to take the driver out of the cab tonight and have a look at it to get a closer look. I'm not %100 sure that's what I need to do but I'm pretty sure that's what I need to do is replace the woofer. I know I cranked it a whole lot back in the day and I'm sure it was pushed way to hard.

Bass_Pounder · #12 03-11-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregmon79

Well thanks a bunch sonic, I will definitely be looking into a replacement. I already looked online and found some pretty reasonably priced. I'm going to take the driver out of the cab tonight and have a look at it to get a closer look. I'm not %100 sure that's what I need to do but I'm pretty sure that's what I need to do is replace the woofer. I know I cranked it a whole lot back in the day and I'm sure it was pushed way to hard.

When you take the speaker out, look at the face of the cone near the outer edge for creasing.

Sounds like you damaged the speaker physically by driving it too hard (overexcursion).

They still sound good at low volume, but when worked a little they distort.

gregmon79 · #13 03-11-2013, 01:23 PM

Yes Pounder, that is exactly it, it still sounds wonderful around volume level 2 or 3, actually quite loud, maybe a small crackle here and there if I get aggressive with my stringage. But if I were to go up past 5 or 6, its ugly. Distorted and not a good kind. Loud crackling.

**mjac28** · #14 03-11-2013, 01:25 PM

But if he's still trying to keep up with two guitars? with a 50 watt amp what is a new speaker going to do? find a cheap 100-200 watt used combo

AstroSonic · #15 03-11-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjac28

But if he's still trying to keep up with two guitars? with a 50 watt amp what is a new speaker going to do? find a cheap 100-200 watt used combo

From his description, it sounds like he had barely adequate volume (and wanted a bit more). That this 50w amp was almost able to meet his practice/rehersal needs suggests that the band was playing at semi-reasonable levels. The Beta 12A will likely provide about 3-4db more output and will not be at risk of blowing (thermal or Xmax). Also, if the combo is not adequate for his needs, it can be sold with a fully functional driver. It would make a great amp for home practice.

lowend1 · #16 03-11-2013, 01:39 PM

AFAIK, the 12" in a B50R is a proprietary design made by Eminence for Ampeg. The speaker is voiced to mimic the old Ampeg Portaflex amps. Eminence will not sell you one - if you want an exact replacement you will have to go through Ampeg. If the amp's signature tone is a big deal to you, you may want to consider this. A different driver will likely change the sound of the amp in some way. If you DO wind up going for a non-OE design, make sure it will work in a sealed box.

**mjac28** · #17 03-11-2013, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregmon79

+1

This is just my practice amp from long ago. I still play through it sometimes and would like to get it fixed because I do love the tone it has. But if it is going to be more expensive to fix rather than getting a new one/different one, I'd rather go the route of that cheaper. If possible.

I thought you were still trying to use it for band practice?

gregmon79 · #18 03-11-2013, 02:05 PM

As stated in my first post, I USED to use this as my primary amp in the very first band I joined some years ago. The reason I said that was to give a background of how/why it is blown out. I only use it for a practice amp at home now. My whole reasoning behind asking the question rather or not to replace it was so I didn't have to spend 3 to $400 on a new practice amp. Bottom line, I just want my ampeg B50R to practice at home with. And I'd like to keep as close to the original tone as I can due to the fact that I love the tone it puts out. I apologize for the confusion fellow TB'ers.

gregmon79 · #19 03-11-2013, 02:05 PM

Now I use the GK 1001 RB as my primary.

stiles72 · #20 03-11-2013, 03:56 PM

Does the B50R have rear ports like the B100R? If so - you may want to double check them and make sure the cardboard port tubes havent come off and are blocking the ports, or vibrating & rattling causing distortion sounds. I've had that happen with my B100R and my SVT215E cabs. Just something to double check.