Mesa 410 Speaker Issue?

[LoC]

I am trying to diagnose whether or not there is a problem with a speaker on my Mesa 410. I bought it used from a Guitar Center a few states away so I couldn't test it. I have a M-Pulse 600 and when I crank the volume higher or add more bass input to the signal I start to here abnormal distortion as if one of the speakers is fluttering. So I removed the grill to watch for any obvious physical issues. One of the speakers seems to move physically different from the other two original speakers. It has much more motion and is not always moving in tandem with the other speakers. I don't know exactly what that means but since I just bought it is this something that Guitar Center should be responsible for fixing?

[LoC]

Also, I am trying to remove the speaker so I can look at the info on it/replace it if necessary. On my Ampeg gear simply unscrewing the speaker allowed me to remove it but it seems the Mesas are glued in?

[walterw]

yeah, that sounds like a mis-wired speaker (moving opposite the others) or a dead speaker (getting pushed in the opposite direction by the air pressure from the others).

with the cab unplugged, gently tap on all 4 and listen to the "thump"; it should be a clear, beefy sound from each speaker; if one sounds different (quieter, with a weird overtone, or not wanting to move) it's likely blown.

they aren't glued in, but are likely stuck to the wood; you'll have to carefully pry it up on one edge after unbolting it.

[LoC]

The cones sound fine when tapped. The speaker quite literally just reacts too much and so when a lot of bass is applied in the signal or the volume is high it moves too much and cannot compensate for the over-extension and therefore falls out of time with the other speakers. If I remove the speaker to look at it are there any tell-tale signs of a wiring issue?

[walterw]

disconnect it and measure resistance across the terminals. you should get something a little below 8Ω.

is this not an original boogie speaker?

[LoC]

It is I am pretty sure. There is one replacement speaker but it seems to work just fine.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by walterw

yeah, that sounds like a mis-wired speaker (moving opposite the others) or a dead speaker (getting pushed in the opposite direction by the air pressure from the others).

with the cab unplugged, gently tap on all 4 and listen to the "thump"; it should be a clear, beefy sound from each speaker; if one sounds different (quieter, with a weird overtone, or not wanting to move) it's likely blown.

they aren't glued in, but are likely stuck to the wood; you'll have to carefully pry it up on one edge after unbolting it.

Mesa speakers typically have gaskets with adhesive on both sides, so in effect they are sorta "glued in"... They can be removed, although it isn't easy - and some step for resealing them should be taken upon re-installation...

What *I* would do is remove the grill, check all 4 speakers for voice coil rubbing, and if none showed that, do a battery test with a 9v and a speaker cable - to make sure all 4 were moving in the same direction... Those two steps will tell alot - and should always be taken before pulling any speakers...


- georgestrings

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by LoC

It is I am pretty sure. There is one replacement speaker but it seems to work just fine.

I would guess that maybe it isn't the right speaker, something is improperly wired, or another speaker is also damaged...

I wouldn't have bought the cab if it had a mis-matched replacement speaker, to be honest...


- georgestrings

[LoC]

I couldn't see it. I took Guitar Center's word for "fully functioning" and in "good operational condition". The one replacement doesn't seem to work improperly but maybe that is causing an issue? It seems to be stiffer and doesn't move as much. Maybe I will just buy a replacement speaker and compare or remove both speakers and look at the serial #s. Probably just best to take it to a repair shop? Then again if I can figure out how to release the gaskets and get new ones for replacement/installation I have no problems fixing this.

[nervous]

Originally Posted by LoC

I couldn't see it. I took Guitar Center's word for "fully functioning" and in "good operational condition". The one replacement doesn't seem to work improperly but maybe that is causing an issue? It seems to be stiffer and doesn't move as much. Maybe I will just buy a replacement speaker and compare or remove both speakers and look at the serial #s. Probably just best to take it to a repair shop? Then again if I can figure out how to release the gaskets and get new ones for replacement/installation I have no problems fixing this.

The 'gasket' is just a double sided adhesive ring. Just get something (like a small tack puller for instance) between the baffle and the speaker frame and gently begin working it up by working around the frame little by little. You'll see it release. It won't be all that clean or easy but it's not that bad either. Do not let the tool slip!

[LoC]

For a 9v battery test: does speaker cable mean the little wires that actually connect the speaker itself? I have never done this I am just checking the obvious.

Also, is it possible that a non-original speaker which stiffer and heavier could cause the speaker above it to operate abnormally? I.e. the stiffer speaker doesn't move as much and so messes with the air movement for the speaker above it.

[walterw]

that's right about the 9V test, do that first!

plug any old 1/4" cable into the cab, then hold the other end against a 9V battery; if you touch the tip to the + and the sleeve to the - of the battery, all 4 speakers should jump, and they should jump forward.

[christw]

You can probably return that regardless of speaker status and find something better...

[LoC]

I replaced the non-original speaker (not the same as the poor performing speaker) and the overall performance is better, yet it is quite obvious and clear after some playing that the remaining three original speakers are not in good order at all. Should I replace the remaining three or can I recone? What exactly is reconing? I noticed that the remainign three speakers have soft interior cones. Is this reparable?

[LoC]

Any answers?

[Substandard]

too late to return it to gc?

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by LoC

Any answers?

Yeah - return it...


- georgestrings