Ampeg BA115 Tweeter Removal Risk?

[BoochieBass]

Hey Guys,

I bought an Ampeg BA115 about 2 years ago, and like pretty much everyone else who's owned one, I've encountered problems with it hissing. I've heard that removing/disabling the tweeter is the best way to solve this, but as I'm not extremely experienced in the ways of electronics, I'm unsure of whether disabling or removing the tweeter could be harmful to myself either during the process or after it while playing, like if I could receive an electric shock or anything (like I said, I'm not learned in the ways of electronics )

So basically, is there any danger to me while disabling the tweeter or using this amp afterwards?

Thanks.

 

[Batmensch]

No, no risk. The only way you might get a shock (and that is highly doubtful) is if you did it while the amp is plugged in, so, just to be sure, unplug it first. But really, there is no real risk to it.

 

[BoochieBass]

Thanks a lot! And there's no risk afterwards?

 

[anderbass]

Nope, no risk to you or the amp.

I'd simply disconnect one (either) of the wires at the tweeter, then use electrical tape to insulate its end, and to secure that wire to the other tweeter wire, (thats still connected) so it cant ever short-out or rattle up against anything.

 

[julell93]

A couple of years ago I had the Ampeg BA 115 and yes there was the hissing.

Yes you can disconnect the wires to the tweeter, which will eliminate the hissing.

I had to use a long thin piece of wood to disconnect them, although it was was pretty simple. The porthole was too small for my hands to get in there.

When I traded it for a cab, wanted to hook it back up to original condition and had to enlist the services of my 9-year old to hook it back up......and she did it. On the first try.

 

[jvandergrift78]

You guys just saved me several hundred dollars with my BA115! I've had one of the 100W versions for the past two years really just for a practice amp at home, and have been terribly frustrated with the hissing--enough so that several months ago I went back to the shop where I'd bought it to talk about trading it back in. They discouraged me, and said to just put a piece of cardboard over the tweeter. When I got back home I discovered the grille is glued in place, not screwed, so I couldn't really take their advice--and I've just put up with it.

Seeing this thread this morning, I took a screwdriver to the back of the cabinet, removed the inserts in the ports, and was just barely able to squeeze my forearm far enough through the port to grab a tweeter wire and pull it off. (I unplugged it first, for safety!) Then I plugged in one of my basses, turned on the amp, and voila--no more hiss!

I was ready to go to my local store to trade it in this morning and get another combo amp, but this has saved me that trip as well as the big buck$ of buying a new amp! (It was especially good, because I like the sound of the amp other than the hiss--that it no longer has.)

Thanks bunches for the help!

 

[JimmyM]

The grill shouldn't be glued in place, but man, sometimes they can feel like it! They use little velcro tabs that are super strong.

 

[Straydogg]

I found the answer to removing the front panel on this site. Remove the Ampeg name plate on the front...screw a small dry wall screw part way in the hole nearest the upper left corner ....use plyers to pull on the screw and the front panel comes right off. Yes, those little velcro holders are very good.