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Can't tell if my horn is working

G

Ghost Signal

Apr 19, 2010
71
14
44
Owosso, Michigan
www.facebook.com
#1
I just bought a used Mesa/Boogie 4x10 and I honestly can't tell if the horn is working or not. This is the first time I've had a cabinet with an adjustable horn, so I'm not really sure how apparent it should be when it's working. But when I crank it all the way up and stick my head right in front of it, I don't think I can hear it. It's hard to tell though because the speakers are so bright anyway.

Is there an easy way to test it? If it's not working, what could be some potential causes, aside from the obvious one that it's not plugged in?
 
#4
I just looked at a picture of the cabinet on the Mesa website. There is a high frequency level control on the back. Take a look to see where it is set now. It may be all the way to the left which rolls off the horn. Turn the control to the "+2db" setting and then listen. It should be much brighter sounding. If it's not, then there's a problem.
 
#6
With your ear up near it you should certainly hear a big difference between off and fully up. Pull off the jack panel and check to see if there is a "light bulb" fuse to protect the horn from damage, it may be burned out.
 
#8
Roll up a newspaper, or use the cardboard center tube from a roll of paper towels, and use it as a stethoscope, by holding it directly in front of the tweeter, and putting your ear on the other end. Fiddle with the tweeter level control while listening, and you should be able to detect a change in the output of the tweeter, as you adjust the control.
 
#9
P Town said:
Roll up a newspaper, or use the cardboard center tube from a roll of paper towels, and use it as a stethoscope, by holding it directly in front of the tweeter, and putting your ear on the other end. Fiddle with the tweeter level control while listening, and you should be able to detect a change in the output of the tweeter, as you adjust the control.
Click to expand...
Woah! Be careful if you do this! That's a good way to blow your eardrum.

Make sure the volume is way way down, and bring your ear close to it slowly. You may not even need your ear - the tube will probably pick up enough vibrations for your to feel (assuming it's working).
 
#10
callofcthulhu said:
Woah! Be careful if you do this! That's a good way to blow your eardrum.

Make sure the volume is way way down, and bring your ear close to it slowly. You may not even need your ear - the tube will probably pick up enough vibrations for your to feel (assuming it's working).
Click to expand...

I forgot to add: if you bow your ear drum, you know its working.
 
#12
With your ear up close to it, you should definitely be able to hear a difference between off and all the way up... If you're not playing with a pick, use one for this test, and make sure your treble is turned up all the way on your bass... If you can't tell any difference, verify that it's hooked up - some people disconnect them...


- georgestrings
 

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