Marshall MB4210 is cutting out!!!

[Ralphoid]

Can anyone offer any clues as to why my marshall mb4210 is cutting out?
It seems to happen when I have been playing it on, or very near to full volume. It is becoming more of an issue now as our guitarist has just upgraded to a Blackstar HT STAGE 60...I don't seem to be able to compete now and struggle to hear myself....
When it cuts out I just have to wait a couple of seconds and it comes back to life but the only way to cure it is to turn it down.

-Do I need a better louder amp?
-Should my Marshall be gutting out?
-Is my amp a piece of shite?

If you think I should replace my amp then please help me steer my GAS in a useful direction!!!

[MIJ-VI]

Oxidized effects loop jacks? Try a patch cable in the effects loop.

If doing so remedies the issue then spray electrical contact cleaner onto one end of a Q tip and probe the jacks until their contacts are clean.

[MIJ-VI]

Oh, and remind your guitarist that all volume knobs feature bi-directional rotation...

[EighthNotes]

You may be overdriving the power section of the amp, causing it to shut itself off momentarily to avoid damage. I overheated a 200w Eden Nemesis last night also trying to compete with two Guitards. It wasn't even that we were playing super loud, the amp just isn't big enough.

The rule of thumb is that the bass amplifier should have about 4 times as much wattage as the guitar amp to have the same perceived volume (to "keep up"). Right now I have 200w versus a combined 150w of guitar amps. Tomorrow I will have 600w.

Advice for now would be for both of you to turn down.

[MIJ-VI]

IMO a band's amplified instruments should never be louder than its drummer's ability to play with dynamic finesse if a sense of musical & emotional drama is to be achieved.

If more overall volume is required to project that drama to one's audience then that's what sound reinforcement is for.

.02

[Ralphoid]

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Oh, and remind your guitarist that all volume knobs feature bi-directional rotation...

Ha ha...I did say that to him be told me he was only running at a third vol...this just made me feel that my amp was ****.

I do agree that we should turn down a bit but it always seem to be me saying it. I have to stand right next to the drummer to hear him sometimes...our guitarist will turn his amp down by about one notch and will then turn it up again later...

So you think my amp issue might be a safety thing? That would be a relief...I love the 'classic' channel on that model as it gives a very 'dirty' sound. Just out of interest what other amps are out there that can give that kind of grungy OD sound?

Thanks for the comments BTW

[I Forget]

Many moons ago I had a marshall combo that would lose volume or cut out when it got warm. I accidentally blocked the fan one day and it had problems ever after. The culprit was apparently the onboard compressor, a chip from THAT Corporation if I recall. THAT is the name of the company, a really bad idea in the google age! Anyway, maybe it's a clue.

[EighthNotes]

Originally Posted by Ralphoid

I do agree that we should turn down a bit but it always seem to be me saying it. I have to stand right next to the drummer to hear him sometimes...our guitarist will turn his amp down by about one notch and will then turn it up again later...

Tell him if he ever wants to be a respectable musician, he needs to learn about sound AND band dynamics. But, you're not alone. I've been playing with the same guys for almost 10 years. They teach guitar lessons and still do not understand how to use an eq or volume balance.