Ampeg cabs grill cloth is distorting the sound

[Harrison Wagner]

I'm using various Ampeg tube heads and and aguilar db751, which gives a lot of clean head room, through a couple of ampeg 212av cabs. When I push the volume the grill cloth seems to distort the sound but when I take the grill cloth off they sound great. I've never experienced this with the ampeg 810 or 410hlf. Does anyone else experience this distortion when playing through the 212av? it also happens with my 112av. Maybe it has something to do with the ports pushing air?

 

[lz4005]

Grill cloth can flap around causing an audible sound if it isn't tight. If the frame isn't fully secured it can vibrate as well. Does the distortion stop when you press on the cloth or frame while playing?

 

[BogeyBass]

Unless the grill is vibrating
Or blocking the ports

 

[grimjim]

Sounds more like the Velcro tabs aren't holding properly.

 

[agedhorse]

Are the grilles original?

This is something that needs to be considered whenever designing a grille with grille cloth. It's much tougher to make a grille quiet than most folks might imagine.

 

[beans-on-toast]

As was mentioned, the grille frame attachment points or the cloth could be vibrating. Chances are, it’s an issue at an attachment point.

Check that the edges of the cloth do not wrap around the frame into the back opening, that bit of cloth can vibrate like a reed.

If the cloth is loose enough for it to flap, it can be shrunk with a blow dryer. Move slowly and continuously, apply even heat. With a smaller frame, this can also be done by heating an oven to 400F, opening the door all the way, and holding the frame in front. I don’t recommend using a paint stripping heat gun.

If there are hard bits lying in the speaker cutout, they can vibrate. Inspect the cutout for voids. In rare instances, voids in the plywood baffle itself can have loose wood pieces that vibrate. Injecting a wood stabilizer product or cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive can lock it down. This is seen most often with older cabs.

 

[Paulabass]

If the grills are held on with velcro, you may want to put in some screws with cup washers. I used to own some cabs that the grills fell off during the show. It was kinda cool.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Ampeg cabs grill cloth is distorting the sound

I always thought the key to the Ampeg sound was the grill cloth. Perhaps, you really want some other brand cabinet? Say, a Mesa, for example.

 

[Paulabass]

What's the best grill cloth for metal?

 

[lz4005]

What's the best grill cloth for metal?

Invalid Link Removed

 

[dalkowski]

I always thought the key to the Ampeg sound was the grill cloth.

Paging @JimmyM!

 

[johnson79]

Do check that they are in tight. Should be velcro in each corner and a couple of screws for the logos.

 

[chadds]

All this time I thought it was the design, the tubes, the watts, and the cab design. It was the grill cloth!

I should have known. You all kept hinting at it when talking about P-Basses. Tort.

 

[JimmyM]

Paging @JimmyM!

I don't know anything anyone else hasn't already said.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

What's the best grill cloth for metal?

Chain mail.

 

[Lowbrow]

Must be one of those 'sizzle' grilles that were popular for awhile in the late '60s.

 

[frankie5string]

I've played on a few cabinets where the grill cloth had shrunken or slipped and was haphazardly re-stapled. If it's not done right it can bend the frame and rattle around. There is at least one SVT cabinet in Toronto with one of the backline providers that would drive anyone with that kind of OCD crazy, as the grill cloth seems to be on at a 30 degree angle, so the stitching isn't level.

 

[Paulabass]

I've played on a few cabinets where the grill cloth had shrunken or slipped and was haphazardly re-stapled. If it's not done right it can bend the frame and rattle around. There is at least one SVT cabinet in Toronto with one of the backline providers that would drive anyone with that kind of OCD crazy, as the grill cloth seems to be on at a 30 degree angle, so the stitching isn't level.

I would rather have straight grill cloth, and just stick some 2x4 under one side of the cabinet.

 

[freedomryder]

I had an issue like that on a svt210av cab. I put a small strip of hook-side velcro along the edge of the cab (under the grill frame). That little bit of pressure seemed to solve the issue I was having with some buzzing/vibration.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

GRILL FLAP! YOU GET A LOT OF THAT ON TALK TELEVISION!