Just bought new amp...

[danloc78]

first post...just bought a Peavey Max 112 II a few nights ago. I'm kind of a newbie so I can't tell if everything with the amp is ok. It sounds buzzy and vibrates a bit and I'm wondering if this is normal.

It has a gain knob and that seems to contribute to buzziness. But there is no volume with the gain down at 0.

Anyone else have this amp? I have 30 days to return so I want to get this figured out.

Thanks!

[boristhespider9]

Buzzy? In what way?

What kind of bass are you playing? How are you setting the tone/volume control on the bass?

Vibration, generally not good.

[CL400Peavey]

If you are cranking the piss out of the amp, you may just be meeting the limits of the combo.

[VanillaThundah]

Could be some loose screws. I had a few that shook loose on my peavey combo and a few cranks with the ol screwdriver cleared up all the buzzing. Check the ones on top, those came loose on my amp.

[danloc78]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

If you are cranking the piss out of the amp, you may just be meeting the limits of the combo.

certainly not cranking the piss out of it. i achieved a nice tone with the gain at 1 and the volume low. The kids were in bed so I couldn't really test it at higher volumes.

I'm playing with a group of guys on 2/3 and i'll have them check it out as well as they're more experienced.

Just figured I'd post to see if someone else has this amp.

Regarding the bass, it is an Ibanez and i typically play with the tone and volume maxed on the bass. Adjusting the volume on the bass does not affect buzziness of the amp.

The guys at Guitar Center were not very helpful. I figured I'd just give it a try anyway since I have 30 days...and since when i rehearse with the Fender Rumble 15 I can't hear anything I am playing :P

[danloc78]

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

Could be some loose screws. I had a few that shook loose on my peavey combo and a few cranks with the ol screwdriver cleared up all the buzzing. Check the ones on top, those came loose on my amp.

I will do this and see if it helps. Thanks.

[boristhespider9]

Personally would rather save-up for something somewhat better than a Peavey or a Rumble. You purchased a low-end amp to try sound better than another low-end amp.

Oh, and having the tone control on "10" on the bass can indeed cause a form of buzzing in your amp. Sometimes the pre-amp in the bass is too hot when turned that high.

[danloc78]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Personally would rather save-up for something somewhat better than a Peavey or a Rumble. You purchased a low-end amp to try sound better than another low-end amp.

purchasing within my budgetary constraints...and the wattage (200 vs 15) was a major upgrade. So I wasn't really trying to sound better...just trying to be heard at all and not lost in the mix

[danloc78]

i'll try turning down the tone knob as well thanks. also, my bass does have the preamp so i should be plugging the cord into the 'active' input....correct?

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by danloc78

i'll try turning down the tone knob as well thanks. also, my bass does have the preamp so i should be plugging the cord into the 'active' input....correct?

Many people (including myself) still plug active basses into the passive input because it sounds better and they don't like the "pad" input reduction -- the increased output and tonal control is much of the reason they went active to begin with. As long as you're careful, you should be able to do that without blowing the amp. If you're clipping, buzzing, distorting in the passive input, then you may have to go into the active input. But none of that is likely your issue here.

[5 Wire]

Hey danloc -
I just ordered the same amp for practice and expect it will be perfect for my needs.
That's what it's about. Not status or snobbery - needs, performance and budget.
I certainly wouldn't call it "low end" given the specs so ignore that hogwash.

If it is buzzing at low volume stick your head down there and figure out where it's coming from. If it's coming from the speaker and you can't make it stop, send it back.

[danloc78]

Originally Posted by 5 Wire

Hey danloc -
I just ordered the same amp for practice and expect it will be perfect for my needs.
That's what it's about. Not status or snobbery - needs, performance and budget.
I certainly wouldn't call it "low end" given the specs so ignore that hogwash.

If it is buzzing at low volume stick your head down there and figure out where it's coming from. If it's coming from the speaker and you can't make it stop, send it back.

Yeah I still don't know if something is wrong with this amp, my bass, me, or all three.

It seems like right when i start out there is a distortion that eventually clears up. Do amps need time to warm up?!

I'm currently playing my active bass through the passive input. If I set the gain knob above 1 there is a lot of distortion. Should that be the case?

Let me know how yours sounds when you get it. I still have a week to decide about mine.

[tdub0199]

Have you checked your battery in your bass since it has an active pre-amp?

[danloc78]

Originally Posted by tdub0199

Have you checked your battery in your bass since it has an active pre-amp?

I have not. I guess I should do this huh?

[jlepre]

Danloc - Where are you located? I would return that little box, and look for something used. Are you looking to just bang around in a basement, or are you eventually going to be gigging?

USED will get you alot more AMP for your dollar.

[5 Wire]

Originally Posted by danloc78

Yeah I still don't know if something is wrong with this amp, my bass, me, or all three.

It seems like right when i start out there is a distortion that eventually clears up. Do amps need time to warm up?!

I'm currently playing my active bass through the passive input. If I set the gain knob above 1 there is a lot of distortion. Should that be the case?

Let me know how yours sounds when you get it. I still have a week to decide about mine.

SS amps don't warm up. You might have a bad cable.

I played my sons active through mine and noticed that the input gain is very sensitive to an active bass. Keep your boosts at neutral and switch to "passive" input.
I didn't like mine at first - almost put it back in the box and shipped it back but, after playing with it for awhile I really like it. The key is not to expect too much.

I got a buzz immediately but, it went away when I turned off the Psychoacoustic button. I also ignore the Trans tube button.

The rest of the amp is very straight forward and sounds really warm with the low punch engaged and the mid shift done correctly. I am able to get nice round tones with acoustic and electrics but, yes, it struggles with high volume. It isn't made for it and, that's not what I bought it for.

Keep experimenting and kill the "psyhcoacoustic" button and I bet the buzz disappears.

[danloc78]

Originally Posted by jlepre

Danloc - Where are you located? I would return that little box, and look for something used. Are you looking to just bang around in a basement, or are you eventually going to be gigging?

USED will get you alot more AMP for your dollar.

I'm near Philly. I bought the Peavey because it was pretty good bang for the buck. And I used it at a rehearsal and it held up pretty well.

My only fear is that something is wrong with it and I'm going to get hosed. I like a clean, warm sound when I play...so maybe I'm just expecting too much from this amp.

[danloc78]

figured i'd update this even though it's kinda embarassing...I replaced the battery in the bass and everything sounds great now!