Does the aging process of an amp affect its tone?

[PRIMARCHFROGMAN]

Had to re-learn the difference between effect and affect for this one.

I’m asking this in the context a BA210 I own to gauge whether or not I should entertain a different amp in the near future. After reading through a handful of threads on “breaking in” both speakers and amplifiers, I’ve gathered that the greatest changes in tone (may) occur within the first hour or so of playing through the equipment. Other than that, the rest is inconclusive. Seeing that I’m playing through a combo, I’m wondering whether or not I should expect some differences as I continue to use it.

My expectations aren’t great and neither is my frame of reference. My only comparison is to the BA108 I started with, which I thought peaked after 4ish years of dust, dog hair, dead strings, and circuitry abuse due an octave pedal I was very fond of. I assume the 8” was close to death, but with my standard high school level of brain development, I thought it sounded pretty good. If I continue to play my current 210, would it be reasonable to expect the output tone to soften/loosen as it handles bass frequencies over time, or should I start researching 12” or 15” options if I’m looking for something with a less stiff bass register?

 

[ole Jason]

Nope the tone won't change over time unless something is going wrong... speaker malfunction, bad cable, etc.

 

[Kaa]

The amp shouldn't change, but the speaker may break in a bit, and change tone. (A lot or a little change is an ongoing debate with people.)

 

[Doctor Morbius]

As the capacitors and resistors drift away from spec, an amp's sound can change. That doesn't mean it will.

Also, a well broken in driver will probably sound different from a brand new stiff cone.

 

[agedhorse]

As the capacitors and resistors drift away from spec, an amp's sound can change. That doesn't mean it will.

In a reasonable quality product, using components from the last 30-40 years, there won't be enough drift in these components to make any difference.

Also, a well broken in driver will probably sound different from a brand new stiff cone.

The difference due to "break-in" is generally very small in modern (say the last 30 years) pro audio and bass guitar speakers. If there is a lot of difference, it means that whatever you are doing has damaged the speaker. Aging tests with real measurements has shown this again and again. There is a difference between breaking in and just breaking a speaker.

 

[ThisBass]

Also, a well broken in driver will probably sound different from a brand new stiff cone.

If any, then a "brake in process" does have an effect to the low bandwidth content up to ~150..250 Hz (at most).
Neither mids or any treble response was effected once a driver was "broken in".

There may be a few drivers out there that may benefit at the low response from a brake in procedure. To the most part of available modern drivers a "brake in" procedure does not apply.

 

[BassyBill]

Your hearing will probably change more than the amp will.

 

[Killing Floor]

It’s not like a bass guitar. It won’t get punchier and deeper when the Tolex gets scuffed off.

 

[shoot-r]

Your hearing will probably change more than the amp will.

+1 with Bill!

O.P., (barring any componet problems), mabe your ears are just "tired, fatigued" of the sound/tone of your combo that their accustomed to.

(I'd suggest trying), park your Ampeg BA210 in the closet, garage, back bedroom wherever, but keep it.
Go get the other amp your thinking your ears will be happier with.
Play it till you become tired of it's sound/tone.
Park the new amp in the closet, garage, back bedroom and pull out the ole BA210.

With your ears now rested from the sound of the Ampeg it'll feel and sound like you've a new amp!

Play it till your ears tire of it again, park it, pull out the other amp, rinse and repeat!