Double Bass contra distortion

[Dave Irwin]

My 1st generation AI Contra is distorting on low notes. I tried adjusting the input level to make sure it wasn't too hot but nothing makes a difference.
Even at very moderate volumes the low notes are distorting.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Adam Booker]

Check the bottom grill (if it's the combo version). Mine got bent during a load out and the rattle sounded just like distortion.

 

[Dave Irwin]

Good idea but the grill is OK.

 

[Francois Blais]

Slack grill or driver screw?

The built-in "screw" that's used to tilt the cabinet is slack?

 

[Roger Davis]

Might be a stupid suggestion but might you have a 'rattle' in the bass itself? That one has fooled me before.

 

[mattfong]

shot speaker? worn out connections?

 

[Mark Perna]

I had the same problem with my 1st gen Contra. Blew the speaker (probably dropping an E bomb). Called AI and they sent me another one free of charge; said it was under lifetime warranty or something. It took about 10 minutes to swap the speakers out and it worked fine after that. My recommendation: call AI. They're nice guys and really support their products.

mark

 

[velvetphil]

My problem with the Contra was always not enough headroom. The amp just isn't powerful for the low E's at medium volume. I want to try the Focus with a nice Markbass cab or something. YMMV, etc.

 

[Francois Blais]

I have very good results with a Genz-Benz LS112T cab, after a short hiatus with a Contra EX.

 

[bolo]

My problem with the Contra was always not enough headroom. The amp just isn't powerful for the low E's at medium volume. I want to try the Focus with a nice Markbass cab or something. YMMV, etc.

Another thought is that IME a high pass filter can sometimes help you attain much more overall volume and clarity out of a given speaker, downfiring or not. It wasn't headroom that was the problem in my case, because my volume dials weren't maxed out. But there was too much low end mud. It wasn't the Contra's fault. It was because the piezo p/u's I was using were just sensing too much low end, including infrasonics, and they overwhelmed all the "good" frequencies.

If fdeck's HPF-Pre had been available before I sold my Contra Series I, I might still have it.