Is this normal for an Ampeg?

insomniabass · #1 07-27-2011, 07:29 PM

I just purchased a Ampeg SVT-CL-Heritage amp with an Ampeg 410 HLF cabinet. I am generally happy, except that at moderate volumes in the lower register (i.e., low E), the cloth grill over the speakers makes a noticeable vibrating-fluttering sound. Is this normal?

Also, how do i remove the grill cloth to see the speakers??

JimmyM · #2 07-27-2011, 07:37 PM

‪Ampeg Speaker Grill Removal‬&rlm; - YouTube

I don't remember ever hearing a grill on a 410HLF flutter but it's definitely possible it could happen. How tight is the cloth? Are all corners making contact with the velcro tabs? Try taking the grill off and reseating it first, then see if you can find what it's hitting to cause the flutter if reseating it doesn't work.

hover · #3 07-27-2011, 07:39 PM

a) the grille cloth is too loose. You should be able to bounce a quarter off it

b) to remove the grille, you have to take a wide, flat blade like a butter knife and pop the bristle-block attachments under it to pop it out. Do not use a flat screwdriver, you will divot the plywood.

I took a thin tab of leather and heavy stapled it as a grab if I needed to remove the grille on my 410hlf. Did it on my 610 and other Ampeg cabs as well.

254 stringer · #4 07-27-2011, 07:44 PM

When I got my 2x10 av cab it had a loose string from the grill cloth that was vibrating on the speakers. Thought I got a bad cab till I pulled the grill off.

insomniabass · #5 07-31-2011, 08:06 AM

I appreciate the ideas provided. I got a sturdy cake knife (no sharp edges), and gingerly inserted it between the grill cloth and the cabinet and applied pressure to try to lift the grill from the cabinet. I bent the cake knife, but the grill did not come off! I need some re-assurance that the grill is actually attached with Velcro! And, i presume the attachments are in the corners?

Buster Brown · #6 07-31-2011, 08:13 AM

Unscrew a screw on the "Ampeg" logo about 1/2 way. Take a pair of pliers, put a towel or small cloth on the teeth - grab the screw and take the grill off. Easiest way I have found to remove the grill. And yes, they are attached by velcro.

Cheers!!

JimmyM · #7 07-31-2011, 08:19 AM

That velcro is pretty frighteningly tight on there, but it is velcro. The good thing is your grill won't pop off during a gig like old vintage cabs, but it's a real bear to get loose.

insomniabass · #8 08-28-2011, 01:03 PM

Hey Jimmy M and Buster Brown - Thanks

Took your advice and here is what I learned in the process...The fluttering of the grill had only been a problem when I used a floor processor and turned on a split-dropped octave effect.
In the meantime, I unscrewed half-way one screw on the logo and with a lot of effort removed the grill from the 8 (yes 8) Velcro tabs on the back side. The fluttering vibration I had been hearing went away when the grill was off.
Because I do not like the idea of frequently unscrewing the screws to get to the speakers, I got some high-tech, black, 50-pound-test fishing line (called PowerPro) and ran loops of line around the frame of the grill to create little handles. Now anytime I want the grill off I can just grab the fishing-line-handles. I have to pull so hard I put my hands inside athletic socks to pull the fishing-line-handles. The PowerPro fishing line is mostly invisible against the black grill cloth. Still, it is frighteningly difficult to pull the grill off, even with line-handles at both upper corners of the grill, and it makes a loud 'pop' sound when it breaks free of the Velcro..... I guess Ampeg really does not want anyone taking the grill off!