Repairing cab puncture in Ampeg Classic 15

agomes · #1 05-12-2011, 04:03 PM

So i picked up a new rig yesterday, Japanese fender jaguar with ampeg b2-re with bse410hlf and a classic 15 for crazy cheap.

The only problem is a gash in the bottom of the 15 cab... i can't really tell what it does to the sound as i havent had it out of the apt yet, and never heard it when it was new.

Does this play a big role sonicly? maybe less punch?

So I started wondering if i was going to go about repairing this, how do i even open it up?

will33 · #2 05-12-2011, 04:24 PM

Is the gash all the way through the wood or just in the covering?

agomes · #3 05-12-2011, 04:30 PM

the gash is all the way thru, i took one of the handles off and reached inside, and there is about a 4"x4" area where the wood is pushing the insulation up about two inches... let me see if i can get a photo up

agomes · #4 05-12-2011, 04:39 PM

will33 · #5 05-12-2011, 04:43 PM

Cut a piece of plywood a little bigger than the puncture is, glue and screw it down over the hole on the inside. Remove the grill, speaker and handles to work on the inside unless it has a removable back, you can go in that way. If it took a hard enough hit to do that, check out the speaker as well for coil rub, loose magnet and give it a battery test. While your in there, staple up any loose lining or add some if needed and check all wiring connections, jacks, etc.

will33 · #6 05-12-2011, 05:03 PM

That hole will act as a port that isn't tuned right. At a minimum it will perform poorly, it can allow the speaker to move farther than it's made to and blow it. That thing looks like it took a high fall onto a sharp rock or got assaulted with a hammer or something. Force like that can shear the magnet away from the frame or knock the frame out of alignment causing the voicecoil to rub and eventually short out. Thoroughly check out the speaker while you have it apart.

will33 · #7 05-12-2011, 05:22 PM

While you're in there, take internal measurements of the cabinet and the ports so people can start figuring out a good replacement if needed. If it's a sealed cab, that's gonna matter as well.

agomes · #8 05-12-2011, 05:53 PM

popped the grill off and removed the speaker, there is no coil rub, but the magnet is off center... is that bad?

internal dimensions: 12" x 22-1/4" x 21", two 4"x6" ports.

agomes · #9 05-12-2011, 05:54 PM

thanks for all the tips btw!

will33 · #10 05-12-2011, 06:17 PM

If the magnet is off enter, it likely broke the coil and is just sticking to the frame. Coil wouldn't rub 'cause it's not in one piece anymore. Maybe another pic? Or check it with a battery to see if anything happens. Also the cab looks like mdf on this little phone. If it is, it might be trash too after taking a hit like that close to the edge. That stuff isn't very strong in the corners/seams.

agomes · #11 05-12-2011, 06:21 PM

will33 · #12 05-12-2011, 06:22 PM

If it's that "glued together sawdust" stuff and the speaker's no good I'd call it trash.

JimmyM · #13 05-12-2011, 06:32 PM

i don't know that i'd junk it yet. it could still work if the magnet's off center. i have one with an off center magnet and it works fine. If so, maybe you could patch that hole. i'd avoid putting any real money into it, but i might spend $5-10 on it. but if the speaker doesn't work, then yeah, i'd write it off as a loss. you don't really need it with the bse410hlf anyway.

will33 · #14 05-12-2011, 06:33 PM

Can't tell much from the pics on this end. If the speaker tests good and that particler board hasn't gotten wet at any time, it's worth fixing, otherwise no.

This phone is going to be the early death of me I swear.

Fiery crash rock-n-roll style.

Smartphone my ass, it's only slightly less dumb.

agomes · #15 05-12-2011, 06:48 PM

I think the speaker might be fine with the off-center magnet. i had both cabs going earlier today and it sounded fine, i just wasn't experimenting with any real volume as im in an apt.

agomes · #16 05-12-2011, 06:52 PM

did the magnet test and i get some popping/static

coreyfyfe · #17 05-12-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agomes

Almost looks like a bird's nest. Or a bowl of coleslaw without any carrots.

Id's say just get a piece of plywood and cover the hole. Seal it with some glue to make sure no air leaks and screw it down, should be good to go as long as the speaker is still ok.

coreyfyfe · #18 05-12-2011, 07:08 PM

Something to watch out for - the BSE410HLF is a 4 ohm can and the Classic 15 is 8 ohms. The B2RE is not 2 ohm stable. Using both cabs would present a 2.6 ohm load on the head - as well as sending twice the wattage to the 4x10 as to the 1x15. Are you certain it's an HLF? The BSE series 410s the H and HS are 8 ohm while the HLF is 4 ohm. Just want to be sure you don't damage the head.

agomes · #19 05-12-2011, 07:26 PM

hmm, the guy i picked this up off of has been gigging with both cabs. He gave me a pamphlet detailing the three BSE410H series cab, and it def looks like the HLF version as there is large port at the bottom; making it 4ohm as you said.
The jack plate sticker was removed, i guess i should open it up...

Would the guy that had it before really be able to gig the b2re @ 2.6 ohms?

coreyfyfe · #20 05-12-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agomes

Would the guy that had it before really be able to gig the b2re @ 2.6 ohms?

The B2RE manual says not to go below 4. You can, but it's not good for the amp and could eventually cause failure.