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Ampeg BA115 mod

coolrunner989

coolrunner989

Feb 9, 2006
2,783
9
Minneapolis, MN
#1
Hey guys

I am currently using an Ampeg BA115 combo amp and while at higher volumes the hiss from the tweeter isnt noticable, at lower volumes it is noticable (even with the treble turned off). Im not in a band anymore and I'll be living with 3 roommates come september so low volume is all I need, and I dont have money to get another amp.

I'm wanting to go in and disconnect the tweeter, but leaving the option that I could reconnect it if I ever wanted to again - what is the best way to do this?

Open up the cab and look around or take to GC or Sam ash and have them do it? Id like to do it myself, just wondering if there is anything I should know or do/not do. If anybody else has done this your experience would be welcome.

Thanks
 
#2
I'd imagine you'll find two (plug-in) wire connectors at the horn. I'd unplug one of these and insulate the unplugged end with a few wraps of electrical tape, then secure this wire so it cant cause any rattles or other problems.

(I believe your speaker grill is attached with velcro at all 4 corners and the horn should pop out by removing the screws)

I cant think of any reason you couldn't extend (either) one of these horn wires and run it through a toggle switch to have a switchable (on-off) horn option.
 
#5
just to let you know - I took of the mesh, un screwed the tweeter from the front and sniped one of the wires, used some elctrical tape to cover the ends and tape the wire to the other one I didnt cut. Once I put it back together it sounded alot better. I'd reccommend anybody else who is annoyed with the hiss to do this.
 
#9
coolrunner989 said:
just to let you know - I took of the mesh, un screwed the tweeter from the front and sniped one of the wires, used some elctrical tape to cover the ends and tape the wire to the other one I didnt cut. Once I put it back together it sounded alot better. I'd reccommend anybody else who is annoyed with the hiss to do this.
Click to expand...

I just got one of these today am having the same hissing problem. I'm new to this and dont want to tear up the front of the amp. Would you mind explaining exactly how you took the mesh off?
 
#10
unscrew the ampeg nameplate - I dont remember if you have to do this but I did. I'm pretty sure it just screws into the wooden frame of the mesh but I cant recall and I'm at work so have no way to check till midnight or so.

Take a flathead screwdriver and gently tug out the corners or the mesh, outside the white binding. I did each corner a little bit at a time so as not to cause any damage, then once I got them all loose just popped it off.

Once this comes off you'll see that all that is holding the mesh on is 4-circular things of velcro that attatch to the wooden frame of the mesh.

anyways, take the screws holding the tweeter out and pull the tweeter assembly out a little bit - there should be a bit of extra wire in there so you ca see what you're doing. Take one of the wires and snip it about an inch or two away from where it runs into the tweeter. Then I used electrical tape to cover up the loose ends of wire, then taped the portion of the cut wire that runs in to the back of the amp and taped it to the uncut wire still connected to the tweeter so you dont loose the wire in the amp :(

After that, just put everything back together :)
 
#15
Thanks again. I realized what I was doing wrong right after I posted last, and I hoped to edit my dumb mistake before you saw it, but your too quick! One last thing though. Whenever I turn off the amp, the woofer pops. Is this cause for alarm?
 
#18
When modding the tweeter don't even bother going through the front of the amp. Just remove one of the hole cups in the back and have someone with small hands (like my wife, I love her to death!) reach in and pull the two cables connecting to the tweeter. They are covered with a small piece of plastic so no need for electrical tape. Easy as that. NO MORE HISS! Who needs tweeters on a bass amp anyway?
 
#20
Hi people, I have just been reading the thread because I bought one of the amps yesterday and mine also hisses; It's beginning to really annoy be already.

Can anyone recommend a replacement tweeter and where I can pick one up from in the UK? If not has anyone heard of acoustic dampening that will minimize the tweeter hiss? I've been told that cover the tweeter with a piece of carpet works. Up to now disconnecting the tweeter sounds best or maybe even returning the whole thing.

I thought this amp was made in the USA until I got home and read the back panel, it turns out they are made in China. That will explain the hiss and the cheaper parts.

I previously owned an Ampeg Portabass rig and that always, always broke down so I ended up selling it after having it repaired.

I only purchased this BA-115 because it was cheap and loud but the name on the front was putting me off slighlty because of my previous negative experience with the brand.

Ampeg, I'd recommed you sort out your quality control, listen to your customers and also state that the BA-115 is made in China not the USA.
 

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