Having Distortion Issues when Speakers Placed in Cabinet

[Wisebass]

Hi rojo

Thats a very good trick that I have used too in the past. *

You can stick your head in and inspect, if you do hear something.

But for everybody in the US:

When you hear something that rattles in a cab without speakers.

Better make sure it's not a rattle snake before you stick your head inside!


Wise(b)ass


* we don't have rattle snakes in Europe

 

[dbsfgyd1]

New purchase. The cab was empty and the seller included the 2 sets of speakers. He said both sets were just reconed. The cones look new. I did the 9v test on the speakers before paying. Just a tap so as not to damage the voice coils.

Interesting. If it’s indeed the cab is at fault, he spent a boatload of cash on recones that weren’t necessary. BTW, did you check those casters to see if they are the culprit?

i

 

[smoothbrain]

...

* we don't have rattle snakes in Europe

Do you want some?

I'm sure one of us yanks could round up a batch or two for ya.

 

[Stealth57]

Interesting. If it’s indeed the cab is at fault, he spent a boatload of cash on recones that weren’t necessary. BTW, did you check those casters to see if they are the culprit?

i

Yes, turned cab on side and held a couple casters at a time.

 

[smoothbrain]

I guess the next test is to wire in the Eminence and see what happens.

I think the next test IMHO is to try different cable and connectors as per the elder houyhnhnm.

 

[agedhorse]

At some point, you may want to consult with an experienced tech to avoid continuing misdiagnosis.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Yes, turned cab on side and held a couple casters at a time.

‘I had one of those cabs back in the late 70’s and early 80’s that lent new definition to “Shake Rattle and Roll”.

 

[Stealth57]

At some point, you may want to consult with an experienced tech to avoid continuing misdiagnosis.

I’m an engineer and refuse to be beaten by 75 pounds of plywood, tolex, wire, and magnets

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Stealthi

Unfortunately, my amps with external speaker out are Sunn Concert Bass, Sunn 200S, Music MannSixty-five, and Ampeg B-15NC.

Unfortunately? i call that a nice collection!

Do you also have a Hifi stereo? The old fashioned stuff we used back in the days?

Just hook your cab to it! Check the Ohms before you do (4 or 8)

Use the speaker cable of your Hifi!

That way you can eliminate problems coming from the jack, the bass amp and the speaker cable you have used so far.

No need to be nerdy about soldering the hifi cable!

Just fiddle it through the input jack and twist it to the wires coming from your speakers.

Maybe use some tape around these "twisted sisters".

If your Hifi does 8 Ohms I would test each speaker seperately and use the Emminence (non conected) to close

the second hole in your cab!


does that make sense?

Wise


Wise

 

[BassNugget]

Did you try the cab outside? I know it has been stated elsewhere in the thread, but something else in the room vibrating could be the culprit. After I had just built a cab and was testing it in my normal practice room, I was getting some cone fart-out sounds. Never had an issue with my combos, but this cab moves way more air and it was exciting the horizontal blinds behind the cab. BTW, it took me a LONG time to understand that it was the blinds. I SWORE it was coming from the just-built and well-braced cab.

 

[Stealth57]

Hi Stealthi



Unfortunately? i call that a nice collection!

Do you also have a Hifi stereo? The old fashioned stuff we used back in the days?

Just hook your cab to it! Check the Ohms before you do (4 or 8)

Use the speaker cable of your Hifi!

That way you can eliminate problems coming from the jack, the bass amp and the speaker cable you have used so far.

No need to be nerdy about soldering the hifi cable!

Just fiddle it through the input jack and twist it to the wires coming from your speakers.

Maybe use some tape around these "twisted sisters".

If your Hifi does 8 Ohms I would test each speaker seperately and use the Emminence (non conected) to close

the second hole in your cab!


does that make sense?

Wise


Wise

Interesting idea. Everything is vintage except the receiver. Wanted 7.2 surround and my Pioneer SX737 wasn’t going to work.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

This is a scenario that costs only time if you are moderately careful, not like messing about inside an amp head.

I'm stubborn too! You need to rule out the speakers. Did you run your known good speaker in the cab? Even as a single it should say something (as opposed to what happens with the recones in the same configuration)

 

[Wisebass]

Everything is vintage except the receiver. Wanted 7.2 surround

So? Active cabs? If not, measure the woofer! and use only the basses

 

[Stealth57]

This is a scenario that costs only time if you are moderately careful, not like messing about inside an amp head.

I'm stubborn too! You need to rule out the speakers. Did you run your known good speaker in the cab? Even as a single it should say something (as opposed to what happens with the recones in the same configuration)

Known good speaker goes in this afternoon.

 

[ashtray]

Just want to rule out one other factor - the bass. Is it active? I have an active bass with an old battery that sounded fine - at first. But after a few minutes and boosting the eq a bit, would start to fuzz. I was sure it was my 33 year old amp I had picked up on the cheap until I tried to remember when I last checked my battery, and discovered that I hadn’t ever changed it in 15 years.

Probably not your issue but just one thing to eliminate.

Have you tried putting one speaker in the cab? Won’t be efficient but shouldn’t buzz either. You said you tested the speakers outside the cab - were they laying flat on their back? Perhaps the buzz is coming from the speakers only when they are upright?

I also had a case once where the speaker wires were barely touching the cone.

In your case, I’d be suspect of the recone job, and if the speakers needed more repair than just a recone. If you had one good speaker you could put in the cab from another cab, that would help. Maybe buy more cabs so you have duplicate drivers you can swap around?

 

[bolophonic]

I had a similar problem once. I put a brand new 15” Black Widow speaker into a blown Hartke cab and it sounded like a massive fart-out at pretty much any volume. I assumed that the internal dimensions of the cab and the porting were causing the speaker to struggle somehow. I sold the speaker and put the cab out at the curb. Problem solved.

 

[Stealth57]

Ok, known good speaker installed in the bottom slot. Top and bottom speakers are distorted. I’ve tested with multiple amps and a couple passive basses. I think it’s time for new wiring and jack.

Any suggestions on a wire brand? Swithcraft will be the jack.

 

[agedhorse]

Ok, known good speaker installed in the bottom slot. Top and bottom speakers are distorted. I’ve tested with multiple amps and a couple passive basses. I think it’s time for new wiring and jack.

Any suggestions on a wire brand? Swithcraft will be the jack.

Anything Beldon. 18 gauge is plenty fine.

 

[Wesley R]

Anything Beldon. 18 gauge is plenty fine.

Belden for the win.

 

[-Stingray]

I suspect the wiring, but I'd pull the casters completely off the cab as well......just to make sure.