Will this harm my tweeter?

[Govier966]

I have a gk 400 rb and I like to use the boost to make my tone extra juicy. I usually leave the boost around half way, i like my tweeter activated. I know distortion harms tweeters but will the boost knob on a gk harm a tweeter?

[anonymous02282011]

no, if you're not exceeding the thermal rating of the cab you should be fine.

[Mr. Foxen]

Fairly sure the thermal rating has nothing to do with it.

A tweeter will be making some pretty distressing noises before it breaks.

[Govier966]

Originally Posted by adbass

no, if you're not exceeding the thermal rating of the cab you should be fine.

the cabs thermal rating is like 1200 watts and the 400rb is only 200 watts so it should be fine

[Govier966]

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Fairly sure the thermal rating has nothing to do with it.

A tweeter will be making some pretty distressing noises before it breaks.

ill keep an eye out for that, its not really distortion but i thought the grind might still harm the tweeter.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Govier966

the cabs thermal rating is like 1200 watts and the 400rb is only 200 watts so it should be fine

Mr. Foxen is correct. The cab thermal rating has no bearing. The ability for clipping of low power amps to toast tweeters is the source of the underpowering myth. It's also the reasoning behind the G-K biamp rig that separately powers the woofer and tweeter, with the tweeter feed kept clean. Be careful.

[Laurent]

How about fuzz and distortion pedals, can they hurt tweaters as well?
Is it the distortion itself that may hurts the tweaters or is it the excess of power that do them in?

Thanks in advance for the insight.

[gary mitchell]

A putty cat can hurt it.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Laurent

How about fuzz and distortion pedals, can they hurt tweaters as well?

Yes

Is it the distortion itself that may hurts the tweaters or is it the excess of power that do them in?
.

It's the excess power. Distortion/clipping can more than quadruple the power density in the highs compared to clean tones. Moderate grit shouldn't be a problem, but if you're using full on fuzz you should be running a cab that doesn't have tweeters. That's why guitar cabs don't have them.

[Laurent]

Likewise, I suspect neo speakers cannot take as much distortion as heavier ceramic drivers because of the heat. Correct or myth?

Thanks again.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Likewise, I suspect neo speakers cannot take as much distortion as heavier ceramic drivers because of the heat. Correct or myth?

myth. i've blasted the hell out of neos with fuzz and distortion and they took it just fine. depending on the cab, you may or may not like the sound, but they'll take it easily as long as you operate within their limits, which are equal to or better than most ceramic speakers.

[sleepytime]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Likewise, I suspect neo speakers cannot take as much distortion as heavier ceramic drivers because of the heat. Correct or myth?

Thanks again.

I'm not sure that the magnet has much bearing upon heat dissipation. The heat is generated in the voice coil.

[lbwdog]

sigh ;"So many myths, so little time"

[johnboy65]

"Will this harm my tweeter?"
most obscene thread title ever...

[Tampabass]

that's what she said.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Likewise, I suspect neo speakers cannot take as much distortion as heavier ceramic drivers because of the heat. Correct or myth?

Myth. Large ceramic magnets hold heat, and get hotter and hotter with time. Often it's heat buildup in the magnet that eventually causes driver failure.

[Laurent]

Many thanks Mr. Fitzmaurice. I am always impressed by your knowledge and your willingness to share what you know. It's so nice to have a resident expert on the forum.
I just hope that you get as much out of this as you put in.