SWR LA15 Buzzes and Hums

[gregx59]

I've had an SWR LA15 for 10 years or so. I'm just a casual player, so it's never been pushed particularly hard. I loaned it out to the bass player in my daughter's band, and this problem developed. I was watching them, and it didn't appear he was abusing it. It seemed to happen right after switching from an upright to an electric. At the time he was playing an old Gibson RD through a pedal, with a fair amount of fuzz. But he wasn't pushing it hard.

It now has a loud hum that's constant through volume changes. It also has a very distorted, obnoxious rattle. Finally, when I turn it on, it no longer powers up with that manly "thump", it has this wheezy higher pitched sound. I assumed the speaker blew, but when I run it through headphones it's the same sound. It's completely un-playable as it is.

It's the same on 3 different basses, 3 different cables, and 2 outlets in different buildings.

Any quick diagnosis, thoughts, advice, or words of wisdom?

[Growly Lytes]

Dont know forsure but it could have burnt something inside. A tech is the way to go.Get it opened up to see if theres anything out of the ordinary.

[DWBass]

Is it the first incarnation of the LA Series amps? I had an LA-12 that developed a crazy sounding pop whenever I powered it on. It also developed a buzz (most likely the cab itself). It was a decent little practice amp but I think they were poorly designed. I know they changed the design a few years later and I don't know if these issues were addressed or not! But if you got 10 years out of it, I think it more than paid for itself!

[gregx59]

Thanks guys.

DW: I think it's the first one, a picture is below:



I'll take it in for an estimate.

[DWBass]

Yeah, mine was first generation too. It last me about 6 years before I sold it.