Lack of power from amp

jkolosky · #1 03-16-2011, 04:03 PM

I've been looking all over the internet to try to find some help with my problem, but nothing comes close to what I'm looking for so I figured I'd ask here.

I bought a used Acoustic B200H head a couple months ago. I didn't have a cab to use it with so I just let it sit around for a month. Then, I bought an Acoustic B115 cab and a Stagemaster 16 ga. speaker cable for it. When I hooked it all up and turned it on, the amp wasn't loud at all. I had the volume and the gain maxed and it was nowhere near as loud as it should have been. I tried my bass and bass cable on my friend's bass amp, which is 100w, and it was twice as loud at 1/4 volume! I opened up the head and didn't see anything burnt or missing, but there is what appears to be some kind of juice or soda on the circuitry. There are glossy bits and some orange junk around the screws.

Is it possible that someone spilled something inside the amp which caused it to produce less power?

Why didn't it short out the circuitry?

Is there any fix that can be attempted before I scrap the thing?

I'm going to talk to the people that sold me the amp to see what they can do for me. I know I should have tested it in the store, but they assured me it was in like new condition and that it worked fine. I didn't test it because I had tried a new amp previously and I liked the sound. Hence, why I bought the used amp. Same sound, less money.

I hope you guys have enough information to work with. If you need anything else, just ask.

Bass_Pounder · #2 03-16-2011, 04:08 PM

It does not sound like you tried your cab with your friends 100 watt (or did you).

Not all speaker cabs are equal, and if you have an innefficient cab, it will sound weak and like there is no power.

jkolosky · #3 03-16-2011, 04:10 PM

I didn't try the amp with his speakers. I figured since Acoustic usually pairs the head with the cab, that it would be a proper fit.

Bass_Pounder · #4 03-16-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkolosky

I didn't try the amp with his speakers. I figured since Acoustic usually pairs the head with the cab, that it would be a proper fit.

You need to eliminate ALL posibilities..................

Try your head with your friends cab
Try your cab with your friends head.

It could be a problem with the cab, and not the head, but you won't know until you narrow down the problems.

Stumbo · #5 03-16-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkolosky

I'm going to talk to the people that sold me the amp to see what they can do for me.

+100

If they said it was good and it's not, even if it was used, they should make it right.

Quote:

I didn't test it because I had tried a new amp previously and I liked the sound.

-100

jkolosky · #6 03-16-2011, 04:42 PM

Hooked it up to a 150w speaker. Same problem. Volume maxed, but it's still not loud.

Calaverasgrande · #7 03-16-2011, 04:44 PM

Also, as much as I like 15" cabs, the single 15 is not going to be as loud as a 4x10 or 2x12 in most cases.
What is your friends 100w amp? What is his cab?

5port · #8 03-16-2011, 04:47 PM

I dont know why you are hesitating:

1) You bought it from a business.

2) They represented it as working.

They are responsible.

jkolosky · #9 03-16-2011, 04:54 PM

"What is your friends 100w amp? What is his cab?"

Some old Yamaha PA head from the 80s. And two old 12" Woodson speaker cabs.

RickenBoogie · #10 03-16-2011, 05:33 PM

Volume is a product of multiple speakers moreso than wattage. Your friends 212 is obviously louder than your 1x15. I think you just need more speakers, and also, your amp probably puts out around 100 watts @ 8 ohms, and "maxing the gain and volume" will never get you anywhere. What about the eq settings?