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Ampeg B-15R issues, need HELP

henryjurstin13

henryjurstin13

Supporting Member
Jun 5, 2005
1,470
897
NWAR - 72764
#1
I have a practically brand-new B-15R, never even left the house in the last 2 months I've had it.

Certain notes (frequencies?) cause this bad boy to rattle like it's about to fall apart. Nothing odd like weird minor chords, just normal notes like the G & B on my low E string. Playing a 4 string Hwy 1 Jazz.

Seems like the speaker is what is making the rattling noise. I took the head off & set it to the side, trying to determine if the noise was coming from the head or not -- thought the head might be rattling. It's the speaker. Sounds like the cone is flapping against something too much.

While searching for the culprit (before realizing the above mentioned theory) I was pushing down on the head & would stop the rattling. Like I was pushing down enough to change the air flow in the cab. I know this sounds odd... but, the bottom of the head board has a foam strip (weatherstripping) that contacts from the head to the cabinet. Seems that if I pushed down hard enough it would stop the rattling. Could that possibly alter the speakers movement?

I have the volume pegged out at 10 and the Gain around 2-3 o'clock. Bass & Mid are around 2-3 o'clock. Mid notch is on the 2nd position & treble is noon or less. Amp is set to 8 ohms.

Anyone familiar with this? Someone please chime in & tell me something about this amp.... such a nice amp with such great tone, but this rattle is driving me crazy.

thanks in advance...
-- henry
 
#3
For the most part, all other notes are ok... its almost like the speaker is being over-powered. But, with everyone complaining about how quiet these amps are... I would think that the stock 15 would handle it just fine. It really happens the most when I dig into a note. If I play moderately without much finger power, the notes don't cause the noises... but, it definately lacks in volume.
 
#7
Yeah - I was going to write back that this was a low volume issue for me - I was running it a lot lower than your settings. I took the B15R on a trio gig with a blues band and it was making all sorts of wild distorted sounds. Back home, at lower volumes this fix worked. But it was a bit of a disaster on the gig at higher volumes. I spoke to Jess Oliver, who consulted on the amp, and he said its really a lower volume studio combo, despite the size and cost. I ended up selling mine. But if I had it as a studio only rig with room monitor support, it might be just the ticket.

As an aside, I'm very happy with the closeout Hughes & Kettner Quantum 1x15 combo (and the 1x10). I agree with Tom Bowlus - its sound and style, IMHO, is what the B15R could have been.
 
#8
henryjurstin13 said:
nope... I was hoping macmrkt had the answer... still just as bad, if not worse. almost like the head is pushing the cabinet WAY too hard. it is on 8 ohms, not 4.

And just for reference... it sounds GREAT thru my Ampeg 8x10.
Click to expand...

If the joint between the top and cab isn't perfectly airtight it will alter the tuning of the cabinet, with not only audible results but potentially driver-blowing results.
 
#10
I just tried this & seemed to remedy my problem. I put a towel down over the cab -- and then put the head on top. The towel made for a much tighter fit. Played my extremely hot, Epi Explorer through the amp... NICE!! No odd sounds that shouldn't be there...

So, either I need to re-do the foam strips... or, just get used to seeing a towel on my amp.

Problem solved. Thanks everyone.
 

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