Too much gain.

Ginjew · #1 04-27-2011, 06:44 PM

I just bought an old, used Ampeg SVT 3 Pro and I'm running it through a TC RS210. No matter what setting the amp is on I get too much gain and its very noticeable and annoying me. I was wondering if anybody can diagnose this problem or if it is just do to faulty/old tubes.

Thanks,
Sam

lbwdog · #2 04-27-2011, 07:02 PM

What do you mean by "too much gain"?
You mean volume?

Ginjew · #3 04-27-2011, 07:06 PM

No its like a distorting buzzing noise kind of. Its like a small amount of distortion but it's still very noticeable if that makes sense.

dmusic148 · #4 04-27-2011, 07:11 PM

Hmm...frankly that sounds like a blown speaker. Does the sound still happen when running a different amp into the TC cab?

Ginjew · #5 04-27-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Hmm...frankly that sounds like a blown speaker. Does the sound still happen when running a different amp into the TC cab?

Well thats not good, I just got the cab 2 days ago... and bought it from somebody on this site. And I don't have another amp to play through so I have no idea.

Calaverasgrande · #6 04-27-2011, 07:16 PM

Or you could have the bass EQ up too high. Most bssists I know run their Ampegs with the bass set very conservatively.

lbwdog · #7 04-27-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Does the sound still happen when running a different amp into the TC cab?

+1
Process of elimination. Check it with another amp. If it's still there, it could be a number of things, and can be extremely frustrating trying to pinpoint the source in the cab. Could be a loose screw, loose grill, crossover, and yes, a defective speaker.

If it is actually in the amplifier, you just may need to take it to a tech.

dmusic148 · #8 04-27-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginjew

Well thats not good, I just got the cab 2 days ago... and bought it from somebody on this site. And I don't have another amp to play through so I have no idea.

Ok- do you have another cab to try with the Ampeg?

Ginjew · #9 04-27-2011, 07:27 PM

I have nothing...this is my first rig. I tried putting my bass down all the way and no help. The sound is very apparent when playing low notes. It gets worse the higher I play and is the worst when i play chords. Hope that helps a little, I know it could still be a ton of different problems.

blendermassacre · #10 04-27-2011, 07:29 PM

I would switch speaker cables maybe... but it sounds like a blown speaker to me.

Ginjew · #11 04-27-2011, 07:31 PM

Just got a brand new speaker cable today.

okcrum · #12 04-27-2011, 08:02 PM

Well, it could be a ton of different problems, but the first thing you have to do is figure out whether it's the amp or the cab before you can do anything else. If you have no possible way to do that, then it's time for a trip to a tech.

Ginjew · #13 04-27-2011, 08:15 PM

I'd just hate to take it to a tech the day I plugged it in. But I guess I have no other choice.

lbwdog · #14 04-27-2011, 08:19 PM

Don't you have any friends (even a guitarist) who might have an amp to hook up to the speaker? At least you can determine the actual source.
I'm gonna bet it's cab related, though.

Ginjew · #15 04-28-2011, 05:54 AM

Yeah I have a friend, but I'm not too sure he wants me plugging my bass into his beloved Dr Z guitar amp. But I'll try.

dmrogers · #16 04-28-2011, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginjew

Yeah I have a friend, but I'm not too sure he wants me plugging my bass into his beloved Dr Z guitar amp. But I'll try.

Actually, I think lbwdog meant that you could possibly have your friend connect his head to your cabinet and test the cab. He could even play his guitar through his head and your cab.

Think about it, you have a problem. You also have many variables. You have to separate each variable by testing them separately. The best way to troubleshoot a problem like this is to test each item with known good components. If you remove the bass guitar, the speaker cable, and the guitar cable, the only two components left are the head and the cab. These need to be tested separately.

Good luck.

tom once dead · #17 04-28-2011, 06:24 AM

Could be the Mosfet bias in the 3 pro as well, or possibly it needs some new tubes."

I found my 3 pro starting to get pre amp distortion earlier than it was when I first got the head, so I put a brand new full set of tubes in there and the problem went away.

lbwdog · #18 04-28-2011, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom once dead

Could be the Mosfet bias in the 3 pro as well, or possibly it needs some new tubes."

I found my 3 pro starting to get pre amp distortion earlier than it was when I first got the head, so I put a brand new full set of tubes in there and the problem went away.

Is the 3 Pro solid state with pre-amp tubes?
Yep, it could be tubes, or something else in the head, but what you're describing sounds like a cab issue to me.

As "dmrogers" posted, you really need to isolate the problem to either the head or the cab.

lbwdog · #19 04-28-2011, 07:32 AM

BTW, It will not harm a guitar head by playing bass through it. It's just not usually a good idea to play through the guitar speakers since they're usually open back, and not designed for bass frequencies.

Foz · #20 04-28-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Could be the Mosfet bias in the 3 pro

Common for this amp... very nice bit of kit if this is set properly. Check your cables and cab - if these seem right then, check bias adjustment before toob rolling - should not cost much to check and re-set as required [no parts, just a bit of trimmer pot adjusting].