Cab lights up

Reckless · #1 11-08-2010, 03:35 PM

I've got this question of why my cabinet lights up like there is a fluorescent bulb in it?

I've seen a post a few months ago that one guy had this issue with an ampeg 810. I recently bought the Gallien Krueger 700RB-II. I switch between two different cabs, one is an ampeg 410hlf and the other is an ampeg 810. When I use the 410hlf, the speakers light up every time I play. It's just a fluorescent white all inside the cab. How ever I don't have that problem with the 810. Am I pushing the cabinet too hard or am I driving something on the amp too hard. Oh, and to mention that I use a speakon cable to the 410hlf and a 1/4 cable to the 810.

Jaco who? · #2 11-08-2010, 03:41 PM

A lot of bass cab crossovers use actual automotive dome lights to act as kind of a slow blow fuse. That's probably what you are seeing. It's probably not a big deal, but you might want to open it up and find out the bulb's part number so you can have a spare around just in case.

billfitzmaurice · #3 11-08-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reckless

I've got this question of why my cabinet lights up like there is a... bulb in it?

.

Because there is, though it's incandescent. It's in the tweeter high-pass filter.

shoot-r · #4 11-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

you might want to open it up and find out the bulb's part number so you can have a spare around just in case.

+1...
It comes from over driving.
My experience with the hlf is after you've went through two or three bulbs the horn's diaphragm will probably blow soon.

BassMonstrum · #5 11-09-2010, 03:14 AM

Same thing happened to me yesterday. My GK NEO212 lit up like some space-ship!

Reckless · #6 11-09-2010, 04:44 AM

I was thinking that this cab could handle this head. Is there something I could do to not over drive it while achieving a high enough volume. I haven't had a chance to play with it since my gear has been at the practice area.

billfitzmaurice · #7 11-09-2010, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot-r

+1...
It comes from over driving.
.

It's normal. The lamp should blink or glow at a low level at usual volumes. If it glows brightly all the time you're probably pushing it too hard.

Jerrold Tiers · #8 11-09-2010, 07:36 PM

Specifically, if the lights get bright, then either you have a LOT of highs cranked on, OR possibly the amp might actually have a problem.

If you like a *lot* of highs, then most any cab with a basic tweeter isn't going to cut it for you, even though the cabinet "will handle the amp" fine. You may want to look around for something to handle the extra high end, if that;s what you like.

Reckless · #9 11-10-2010, 04:48 AM

Thanks guys. I'll try messing with the highs and hope that would fix it.

robd · #10 01-14-2011, 05:32 PM

If these bulbs blow can they be replaced by a regular slow blow fuse?

Jerrold Tiers · #11 01-14-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robd

If these bulbs blow can they be replaced by a regular slow blow fuse?

Not the same..... the bulbs actually change resistance and when they are lit up, they have a much higher resistance, so they limit power without blowing, which a fuse will do.

I mean, if you must, you must, but the idea is that you don't have to replace fuses every time you get a little loud........

johnk_10 · #12 01-14-2011, 10:40 PM

BTW and ampeg 810 doesn't have a bulb, an XO or a high pass filter in it. and even if it did, you'd never see it since it's a sealed cab.

Jerrold Tiers · #13 01-15-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

BTW and ampeg 810 doesn't have a bulb, an XO or a high pass filter in it. and even if it did, you'd never see it since it's a sealed cab.

There are a bunch of models of 810, and some DO have HF drivers, crossovers, and IIRC bulb protectors......

You typically see the light through the speaker cone suspension.... a ring of light around the speaker cone...Looks weird if you are not expecting it.