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Chirp chirp.

An odd problem ... at least to me ... I hope someone can help.

Recently, my amp went into protect mode a few times while making very odd chirping noises, and turning on the clip light. I had attributed to my pedals (which I've since sold and simplified with an ME-50B which I'm eagerly expecting today). Anyway, the problem was solved, or so I thought, until last night in rehearsal. Here is why this is on the "electronics" forum:

I was running my Bunny Brunel 5 into my Carvin B500 (I'm a Carvin fan, can you tell?) with nothing but a patch cord between the bass and the amp. When I had the bass in "active" mode, and messed with the EQ on the bass, the amp chirped again, and set off the clip light. Odd, as I had the head in "active" mode. The EQ on my head was totally flat. I'm one of those that has a vague idea as to what the knobs on my bass actually do, beyond the basics (give me 5 knobs and a switch and I'm lost, as on this bass). Is there any particular setting on my bass that would overdrive the preamp to that extent. Just seemed very peculiar to me ...
 
I'm at a bit of a loss here myself.

I too am a Carvin affectionado and this problem sounds to be completely amp related. Carvin amps will go into protect mode for a number of reasons (I'm not sure if the clip light coming on and staying on is an indicator of this on the B-500). It could be thermal shut down, a short at the speakers, or DCV at the speakers.

Over driving the preamp should have nothing to do with it.

I'd try a different speaker cable, and a different cab off hand.

If that doesn't take care of it, call Carvin. Their support people have always been a pleasure to work with.