newb question, amp sparks ??

superbmario · #1 03-18-2011, 09:27 PM

hey sorry for the complete nooby question, im not generally a bassist but i dabble. ive got a bassguitar/ bass amp problem.

ive got a Eden Nemesis NC410, and an old vintage bass.
been having problems lately with the loose jack in the bass making the sound cut-out/ make sudden noise. then suddenly yesterday when i was playing it, the amp lit up like a flash. scared the hell out of me. still worked fine afterwards.

if i just get the bass jack repaired, will it fix the problem? Is the amp likely safe to use? is it a bigger problem with the amp?

thanks alot guys

**SamanthaCay** · #2 03-18-2011, 09:37 PM

Take the amp to a professional!
Many amps will have large enough currents running through them, that if fooled around with or malfunctioning can KILL you!
There are also caps in side there that store enough current to do the same.
If a good tech says it’s ok after giving it a going over then it is safe to use.
But there is no way for anyone to give you a solid answer without seeing and properly testing it in person.

superbmario · #3 03-18-2011, 09:54 PM

thanks very much for the info,
but i forgot to mention, i actually got it serviced a month ago, and the problem has persisted. so i guess that means the problem lies with the bass, could it have damaged the amp again?
thanks

**SamanthaCay** · #4 03-18-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbmario

thanks very much for the info,
but i forgot to mention, i actually got it serviced a month ago, and the problem has persisted. so i guess that means the problem lies with the bass, could it have damaged the amp again?
thanks

A bass will not cause an amp to spark, also if there is a loose jack after being serviced it sounds like it’s time to try another tech.

BurningSkies · #5 03-18-2011, 10:04 PM

Was the flash from the cab or from the head unit with it?

If its from the cab, I'm guessing it has a 'light bulb' fuse on the tweeter and you found its limit...and it did what it is supposed to do.

superbmario · #6 03-18-2011, 10:05 PM

yeh it was the cab
it was the amp i had serviced but i think its the bass guitar that has the loose jack.

BurningSkies · #7 03-18-2011, 10:08 PM

No need to worry then. That bulb lights up to protect your tweeter from seeing too much power. The bulb lights as a way to dissipate the power that might fry your tweeter had it gotten there.

superbmario · #8 03-18-2011, 10:13 PM

ah very interesting. can anyone else confirm this? or is there somewhere i can find information about that?

it happened when i was playing at quite low volumes, is there something i can do to stop it happening?

dukeisdog · #9 03-18-2011, 10:25 PM

I've never personally seen it, but I've seen other members asking about the same thing, and apparently tweeters do light up when they're at the limit.

You should still fix the jack on your bass, though.

Plays_For_Dog · #10 03-18-2011, 10:53 PM

Your bass grounded out causing a signal spike through the amp and into the cab. The light lit up to protect the circutry. Yes, many cabs will have a light inside to absorb signal spikes. I would take your bass in for a check up. Since it's "vintage" it's likely the connections have worn loose over time. You amp should protect itself from the bass, but why deal with an intermitent bass? Have a tech give it a once over.

It may also be your cord. They ground out too. Try a new one as well.