• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Clipping

#22
Assuming the cabinet is unmodified and was not damaged by a previous owner (my original assumption), it is virtually impossible to overdrive the cabinet itself. The mechanical power handling is almost 600 watts RMS both amps in question deliver less than 150 watts RMS at 8 ohms.

Another possibility is something mechanical with the bass, the setup or battery (active bass)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Das Jugghead, TakeABreak, Jim Carr and 1 other person
#23
If it has master volume, turn that to 10. Now you can turn down your pre input. If that doesn’t do it, you could tailor your eq but realistically, that’s not a lot pwr for some cabinets.
 
#24
bbh said:
If it has master volume, turn that to 10. Now you can turn down your pre input. If that doesn’t do it, you could tailor your eq but realistically, that’s not a lot pwr for some cabinets.
Click to expand...
It's not that it's not a lot of power, it's not enough power for the volume that it's being played at.
 
  • Like
Reactions: andykeating
#25
BassManDan123 said:
Quick question,

i recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Subway 2x10 cab and I tried running it with a Trace Eliot Elf and a Peavey Deltabass Head.

I noticed that when the volume went past 12 O’Clock (halfway) it started to clip but only on the low E String between open E and 3rd fret G.

why is this? Is it because the head isn’t powerful enough or is there an issue with the cabinet?

thanks,

Dan
Click to expand...

What started to clip? What are you calling "clipping"? Are you describing the amp heads both had a flashing LED when the volume was set above 12 o'clock, OR are you describing something the speaker is doing?

This is what makes me ask;
I noticed that when the volume went past 12 O’Clock (halfway) it started to clip but only on the low E String between open E and 3rd fret G.
 
Last edited:
#27
BassManDan123 said:
It’s a short pop at the beginning of the note.
Click to expand...

This might be the first best example I've seen here of actually needing more headroom. :thumbsup:

The note attack takes a lot more power (for a short time) to reproduce cleanly, so it makes sense that's where the OP's amps clip. The low sustained notes require more sustained power from the amp, so there's not enough headroom left for the note attack.
 
Last edited:
#29
people describe things so you do you best to decipher.

either amp could clip a poping or quick crackle at the note attack sounds more like speaker crakle.
then again op amp crackle is similar in non intentional distortion design. like a low dead battery

all subjective its description in words.

curious if there is driver damage
 
#31
okcrum said:
This might be the first best example I've seen here of actually needing more headroom. :thumbsup:

The note attack takes a lot more power (for a short time) to reproduce cleanly, so it makes sense that's where the OP's amps clip. The low sustained notes require more sustained power from the amp, so there's not enough headroom left for the note attack.
Click to expand...

Then again, "pop" is not a word I normally hear to describe amp clipping. Perhaps it's time to get a sound clip, since a bad connection can "pop". That's not clipping, though.
 
#34
BassManDan123 said:
Quick question,

i recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Subway 2x10 cab and I tried running it with a Trace Eliot Elf and a Peavey Deltabass Head.

I noticed that when the volume went past 12 O’Clock (halfway) it started to clip but only on the low E String between open E and 3rd fret G.

why is this? Is it because the head isn’t powerful enough or is there an issue with the cabinet?

thanks,

Dan
Click to expand...
most definitely with the cab
heads should have no hassles down on mere "fret frequency"

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#36
agedhorse said:
Assuming the cabinet is unmodified and was not damaged by a previous owner (my original assumption), it is virtually impossible to overdrive the cabinet itself. The mechanical power handling is almost 600 watts RMS both amps in question deliver less than 150 watts RMS at 8 ohms.

Another possibility is something mechanical with the bass, the setup or battery (active bass)
Click to expand...


Two more things about 'clipping' when hitting certain notes:

1: The room.
I've had a cab crap out on me. Especially the low G and the F# caused a terrible distortion. I tried different basses and different amps, with the gain set super low. So I was absolutely certain it was the cab. From that point, I thought I was even able to hear the cone straining. When I placed the cab on a rubber mat and moved it a few inches plus angled it about 15° to the right, this problem vanished.

2: Something mechanical inside the cab.
I've had a combo where the tolex inside the vent came loose.
Certain notes caused distortion that sounded like a blown speaker.
I took it apart and found everything as it should be, so I inspected everything and eventually found the loose flap inside the shaft. I cut it off and everything was all right again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wave rider and Stumbo
#37
BassManDan123 said:
Quick question,

i recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Subway 2x10 cab and I tried running it with a Trace Eliot Elf and a Peavey Deltabass Head.

I noticed that when the volume went past 12 O’Clock (halfway) it started to clip but only on the low E String between open E and 3rd fret G.

why is this? Is it because the head isn’t powerful enough or is there an issue with the cabinet?

thanks,

Dan
Click to expand...
Same thing happens to me. Only on the E string, and only when I hit it hard. It's a gain thing for sure. Signals too hot, and it does a wonky pop crackle thing on a couple E string notes. Only when I play hard though. Just turn the gain knob back slightly. It will stop.
 
#38
Wallace320 said:
most definitely with the cab
heads should have no hassles down on mere "fret frequency"

Cheers,
Wallace
Click to expand...
How can you possibly say this as fact? You and nobody else here knows what the cause is because the OP has not followed up with any additional troubleshooting information.

It's POSSIBLE that there is a problem with the cabinet, but it's MUCH more likely that the problem is with the bass, or with an amp that's grossly underpowered for what the OP is expecting and what he is hearing is gross clipping into a reactive load. It's also possible that he is clipping the preamp on his amps if the bass is really hot and the amp's gain is set too high for the bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Das Jugghead, byacey and Stumbo
#39
My $0.019 guess is that neither of those heads likes driving an 8 ohm load at higher output. In particular, the SMPS amps often have a protect mode, which may be what you are observing. You should either consider a second 8 ohm cab for higher volumes or a beefier head that is happier driving 8 ohms.

Never one to run on the hairy edge, I’d be inclined towards both.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wallace320
#40
I have a subwoofer hooked to my pc that I was 100% sure the speaker was shot.Sounded like it had a popping slapping or over excursion of the cone.. After some detective work I found the problem, it was a piece of drywall on the knee wall for the stairway.It was resonating/vibrating at certain frequencies similar to you and slapping the 2x6. Tightened it down slapping popping over excursion sound went away.. Something in your room may be creating the same effect.
My guess is it prolly isn't the cab, unless purchased used and was severely abused by waay more powerful amps than you have. Or you are asking for more volume out of the amps than they can provide wise.
Where are all of your controls set at on both amps EQ and whatnot ,same for the basses?
A sound clip if possible would help some of the more learned ppl here pinpoint the problem a bit better .
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back