Disable the tweeter in my combo amp?

lowendgenerator · #1 01-01-2012, 05:00 PM

I Have an Ampeg BA115 combo that I use for practice. It serves the purpose, but any time the amp is on, the tweeter hisses like a cat.

Will I be causing an impedance issue if I disable/unwire it?

will33 · #2 01-01-2012, 05:12 PM

Bypass the crossover circuitboard and everything so it's just the woofer wired to a jack. Leave the tweeter mounted just to plug the hole so it doesn't throw off the cabinet tuning.

BTW, tweeters don't hiss, amps do. It's not the tweeters fault, it's just better able to reproduce the frequency of the noise the AMP is making. Although, bypassing it will quiet things down.

oerk · #3 01-01-2012, 05:14 PM

If you like the sound without the tweeter, no problem.

lowendgenerator · #4 01-01-2012, 05:24 PM

I was thinking about just reaching in there and pullin the plug on the lil bastard. I know it's not really his fault, but the squeaky wheel gonna get greased.

**Primakurtz** · #5 01-01-2012, 05:29 PM

Tweeters make nice, solid ashtrays...

bobcruz · #6 01-01-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I was thinking about just reaching in there and pullin the plug on the lil bastard. I know it's not really his fault, but the squeaky wheel gonna get greased.

If it's like the one I owned briefly, there was no crossover that I recall, just a pair of resistors in line with the piezo tweeter. The resistors are heavy and will rattle around when you disconnect a wire, so make sure you tie the wire or tape it up so it doesn't bang around and you're good to go!

will33 · #7 01-01-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcruz

If it's like the one I owned briefly, there was no crossover that I recall, just a pair of resistors in line with the piezo tweeter. The resistors are heavy and will rattle around when you disconnect a wire, so make sure you tie the wire or tape it up so it doesn't bang around and you're good to go!

Then it's a piezo, in which case you simply can disconnect it. Cap, tape up, or unsolder and remove the wires so they don't short out the amp someday. Still leave the tweeter mounted in there or plug the hole if you remove it.

lowendgenerator · #8 01-01-2012, 06:58 PM

I'll cap off the wires nice and neat. Second question, what's the easiest way to access the tweeter? I am having a hell of a time getting the grill off.

bobcruz · #9 01-01-2012, 10:46 PM

Working from distant memory, the grill is held on with industrial-strength velcro, and the only access to the tweeter is from the front, so you need to pry it off. I've used a pair of broad, flat screwdrivers inserted between the grill and cabinet wall near a corner, and you just have to jimmy it and pry upwards until you finally hear a loud pop when the velcro gives--then it becomes easy. Take care that the screwdriver blades only mark the inner side of the grill and there should be no visible damage to the tolex when you're done.

will33 · #10 01-02-2012, 09:24 AM

If the screwdriver seems like it'll tear things up, take a thin allen wrench and a vicegrip or pliers. Stick the allen wrench in, turn it to hook the back of the grill frame, pull. Not familiar with that exact amp but on some, you have to remove some corner hardware for the frame to clear and come out.

Bassquest · #11 01-02-2012, 09:31 AM

If you can't get thru the tweeter access take off the speaker grill and speaker, go thru the speaker hole access, disconnect the tweeter wires and secure it in such a way that you can hook it up again in case you want to sell the amp someday.

lowendgenerator · #12 01-15-2012, 11:49 AM

RESOLUTION:

I got the grill off, after a fierce battle with flathead screwdrivers. I noticed that when I put my hand over the tweeter, I essentially muted it. Instead of further molesting my amp, I decided to cover the tweeter in gaff tape. It works! Too good in fact. The tell-tale hiss that used to remind me to turn off my amp is gone, and I left it on all night last night.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

bobcruz · #13 01-15-2012, 01:20 PM

Good result; thanks for sharing. I've partially muted a piezo tweeter that was too hot and hissy with a piece of black neoprene mouse pad fitted over it and screwed down with the tweeter mounting screws, something you might try if you decide you want "some" of the tweeter's sound back. I used a black mouse pad because the tweeter is visible through a metal grill and it just blends in with the carpet on the baffle now. It took some experimentation to find the right thickness of neoprene to let only the volume I wanted to come through.

DJ Bebop · #14 01-15-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

RESOLUTION:

I got the grill off, after a fierce battle with flathead screwdrivers. I noticed that when I put my hand over the tweeter, I essentially muted it. Instead of further molesting my amp, I decided to cover the tweeter in gaff tape. It works! Too good in fact. The tell-tale hiss that used to remind me to turn off my amp is gone, and I left it on all night last night.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

When you get to that point I would just unscrew the tweet
and disconnect one wire of the tweet and wrap it around the other and put the tweet back in. That's what I did to mine a few years ago.