HELP! I think i damaged my rig

[Goteky45]

So, I run a Warwick ProFet 5.2, rated 500W @ 4 ohms through a Warwick WCA 211 Pro, which is a 2x10 rated 300W (max 400W) at 8 ohms.

The problems started at my band's last practice. I had the cab in a vertical position and the head was clipping at very low volumes. When I took it home, I tested if the amp would clip in the normal cab position and everything was fine.

Today, when I turned the amp on, It started making a weird distortion noise, like when the jack isn't fully in in the bass. I started to play and the sound persisted. I checked all the cables and the bass and everything was properly plugged in.
The weird thing was that even with the bass volume at 0, the cab distorted if I played any note and the amp clipped even with both the bass at 0 volume and the amp muted.

The place where I was playing is a new division here in my house that is completely empty. No furniture or anything, so I thought that the reflected waves were being amplified by the room and causing the cab to distort, but I just don't know.

Is my cab or amp head broken or anything? help me plz.

[Goteky45]

anyone?

[Stingray5]

I'm not sure I understand about the cab position, but that shouldn't have anything to do with it, unless the cab is the problem. Also what do you mean that the amp was clipping when the volume was at 0 and the amp muted?

From a troubleshooting perspective I would start by trying different cables, different cab, and even a different bass if possible (or use the existing cables/bass thru a different amp). In other words make sure the amp is really the problem and not something else.

If that's not the problem, does this amp have an effects send/return in the back? try putting a patch cable from the send to the return and see if there is any change. Also if you have an external preamp plug directly into the effects return, bypassing the amp's internal preamp in case the problem is there.

[BuffaloBass]

Something inside the cab , or the jack itself, is grounding out. solder, wiring, etc.

[Goteky45]

The amp has a clip indicator and with the amp muted the indicator was on.

It's hard to explain what I mean by cab position. Let's say that usually the amp has both speakers parallel to the ground. In the position it was during the band practice one speaker stayed on the top of the other. I hope i was clearer this way.

I tried different cables and the problem persisted. When I plugged the bass into a combo amp, I had the same problem but if i moved the cable near the bass input, the problem ended. But this doesn't happen with the warwick, as the sound is constant.

I think it's very odd that the problem comes from the bass. I checked everything and all the connections seemed fine. I don't own any other cabs, so I can't swicht cabs

[Goteky45]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Something inside the cab , or the jack itself, is grounding out. solder, wiring, etc.

I don't think it's the jack as i tried many and the problem persisted.

If it's the cab, is there any way I can verify it and fix it at home?

[Goteky45]

Originally Posted by Stingray5

If that's not the problem, does this amp have an effects send/return in the back? try putting a patch cable from the send to the return and see if there is any change.

I did this and there was no changes.

I think that it's only the right speaker that's making the said noise. both the tweeter and the left speaker sounded fine. So, idon't know what to do

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Goteky45

When I plugged the bass into a combo amp, I had the same problem but if i moved the cable near the bass input, the problem ended.

I think it's very odd that the problem comes from the bass.

This makes it sound like the problem is with the bass. Why do you find that odd? If you get the same problem when using two separate amps, what is common between them? The bass and the cable. Since you tried different cables, that is eliminated.

What kind of bass are we talking about here? Active or passive? If active, have you tried replacing the battery?

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Goteky45

I did this and there was no changes.

I think that it's only the right speaker that's making the said noise. both the tweeter and the left speaker sounded fine. So, idon't know what to do

If you are comfortable with it, you need to open up the cab/remove the "offending" speaker, and examine the rear of it.

It is possible that the wires, or something else inside the cab shifted and it causing the problem.

[chokeslam512]

The question of position of the cab makes me think there is a wire rubbing on the inside of the speaker.

[Goteky45]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

What kind of bass are we talking about here? Active or passive? If active, have you tried replacing the battery?

It's a schecter stilleto studio 6 with active electronics. I use rechargeable batteries so it will take a while to see if that's the problem as i don't have more batteries. But i haven't recharged them in while so that's a pretty good guess.

[Goteky45]

Originally Posted by chokeslam512

The question of position of the cab makes me think there is a wire rubbing on the inside of the speaker.

This also seem like a possibility. If i come to the conclusion that the batteries aren't the problem, i will open the cab and examine it.

[Goteky45]

I won't be able to give any more updates today, so i'll post my conclusions tomorrow. Thanks for all the help

[bassgod0dmw]

I wouldn't use rechargeable batteries. Regular alkaline are going to give you more voltage for a longer period of time. They should last you a good 3-6 months easily.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I wouldn't use rechargeable batteries. Regular alkaline are going to give you more voltage for a longer period of time. They should last you a good 3-6 months easily.

This seems like the most likely culprit - especially knowing now that the OP uses rechargeables.

Once the battery starts dipping in voltage, you get a nasty distorted sound from your bass (same goes for batteries starting to go bad in a wireless).

[Goteky45]

It was the batteries. xD thread closed

[JimmyM]

Good deal!