Found something in my Ampeg manual I don't understand.

TUEP · #1 06-23-2010, 10:31 PM

It says and quote " All amplifiers may begin to clip their output signals as they approach maximum output levels, resulting in potentially damaging distortion."

Potentially damaging to what?!? The amp or the speakers? Kind of vague. I normally run it with the limiter off, but I do notice it sound better when its on. It just stays lit like a Christmas tree. LOL

Joey3313 · #2 06-23-2010, 10:39 PM

I'd imagine the speakers would be the ones receiving the worst damage...

JimmyM · #3 06-23-2010, 10:39 PM

past the rms wattage, an amp has peak wattage, which is where your clipping comes into play. that can be up to double the rms wattage. so if you go past what your cab can handle on a clip, you can blow the speakers.

CultofJay · #4 06-23-2010, 10:40 PM

Pretty sure it's the speakers that get damaged. They're the moving parts and if you push too much they break. Happened to my guitar amp waaay back when I first started playing bass. I was too cheap (and foolish) to buy a proper bass amp and it ruined the speakers.

MIJ-VI · #5 06-23-2010, 10:55 PM

An SVT driven into clipping can also damage ears...

TUEP · #6 06-24-2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

An SVT driven into clipping can also damage ears...

Its the solid state version. LOL I still love it though!

Thanks for the help guys.

Mr. Foxen · #7 06-24-2010, 01:45 AM

Crossovers/tweeters, cause clipping can send loads more power to them, since the clipped wave is comprised of high harmonics, the crossover shunts loads of power to the tweeter side, and they don't have great power handling.

Munjibunga · #8 06-24-2010, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUEP

Its the solid state version. LOL I still love it though!

Thanks for the help guys.

SS amps can clip, and usually sound pretty rotten when they do.

JimmyM · #9 06-24-2010, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

SS amps can clip, and usually sound pretty rotten when they do.

not ampeg hybrids. they actually sound pretty great when they clip.

billfitzmaurice · #10 06-24-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUEP

Potentially damaging to what?

Tweeters. Clipped signals have higher than normal high frequency power density.

TUEP · #11 06-24-2010, 11:37 AM

Tweeters as in like the horns that are in some cabs. Sorry for all the questions, the world of half stacks are new to me.

TUEP · #12 06-24-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

not ampeg hybrids. they actually sound pretty great when they clip.

This ain't even a hybrid. Its the old SS SVT-350, from back in the 90's. Though when clipped it does get a nice dirt to it. LOL

SO basically I don't need to worry about my amp as much as I do the speakers is what you guys are saying.

Jerrold Tiers · #13 06-24-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUEP

SO basically I don't need to worry about my amp as much as I do the speakers is what you guys are saying.

That would be correct.

While you CAN also damage an amp that way, I don't think you could stand to listen to what you were playing long enough to do the damage....... Think max overdrive of guitar amp..... not typically so good with bass.......