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Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 810, distorted/ cutting out

CptnOblivious

CptnOblivious

Jul 24, 2022
36
27
New Orleans
#1
I have a Powerhouse 810 that I purchased new about 10 years ago. It has not had a lot of abuse. Recently, it started cutting in and out and not projecting, really acting strange. It's definitely the cab. I tested the head (WD800+) into another cab and it was fine. The bass also works with other setups. So it's definitely the cab. I pulled the back input panel to take a look and had no idea it was so complex. I honestly don't need all that so I'm open to a mod. Any idea what could be wrong or what the remediation would be? I'm assuming I need to buy a new panel, but would like to avoid that. Sounds expensive, if they even still sell them. Thanks for any help.
 
#2
First, have you tried a new speaker cable? Specifically one with genuine Neutrik ends.

Chances are 50-50 that it’s a defective cable. Even if it’s the cabinet, once troubleshooting is properly done, it’s going to be a simple and inexpensive repair for a qualified service tech.

Once you modify it, the cost to properly repair will be much more expensive.
 
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#3
If it's the cable I'll eat my hat. I hope it is the cable though. I was using the D800+ and used both (amp to cab) speakon to speakon and speakon to 1/4. So used both the speakon and 1/4" on the cab. Then used the same cable on another cab and it was fine. They are proco cables and the speakons say neutrix
 
#4
Double-check that it’s not the cable.

If it’s the speaker, a qualified tech should be able to easily troubleshoot and repair the cabinet. It’s not difficult.
 
#6
CptnOblivious said:
Luckily there is a listed authorized repair guy near me! I had no idea. Have you ever heard of something like that before (and it's the cab itself and not the cable)?
Click to expand...
I’ve heard of things you can’t imagine…
 
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#10
chadds said:
Please where is that quote from…I’ve heard it before?
Click to expand...
Blade Runner! I screened the 2007 director's cut for the California Film Commission (hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger) prior to the national release before I finished up that part of my professional life in 2014.

Schwarzenegger was our governor and used our venue as his home base for large secure political meetings and gatherings, fund raisers, ceremonies and such. I had to have security clearances from the departments of Dignitary Protection, CA State Police and US Marshall's/State Department due to the number of high level dignitaries that would be invited to these events. Pre-event security involved being sniffed by bomb dogs, opening every road case, every nook and cranny, unreal scrutiny but we were never in the least bit perturbed because even though it added a couple of hours to an already grueling day, it was protecting us working the event as well as the dignitaries themselves. It was not uncommon for us to have armed security (including snipers with long guns) in the production area at the back of the house (or sometimes in an unused balcony or production area) usually sitting between me and our lighting director. We would also provide whichever authority having jurisdiction for the event with a set of master keys to the venue and I was the one designated to go with them in the event of an incident since I was also the building engineer. In reality, they were all good guys and I never had any issues with them ever.

The detail oriented approach I take with designing and supporting amps and cabinets is the same approach I used with these events, it also fit well with the client's approach.
 
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#12
agedhorse said:
Double-check that it’s not the cable.

.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what to think of this. I took everything home to concentrate on it and troubleshoot. I was right about to comment that I thought it was the D800+, but then checked it again and now everything works fine. I've tried all these heads with all these cabinets and 5 different cables with different combinations of speakon and 1/4". The only time it does it intermittent using the D800+ with any of the cabinets and multiple cables. No clue what to think. I'll keep trying different combinations amé see if I can replicate it.
 

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#13
CptnOblivious said:
I have no idea what to think of this. I took everything home to concentrate on it and troubleshoot. I was right about to comment that I thought it was the D800+, but then checked it again and now everything works fine. I've tried all these heads with all these cabinets and 5 different cables with different combinations of speakon and 1/4". The only time it does it intermittent using the D800+ with any of the cabinets and multiple cables. No clue what to think. I'll keep trying different combinations amé see if I can replicate it.
Click to expand...

It's also possible that the connector was not firmly rotated to latch when you had the problem. Something else I have seen is SpeakOn jacks damaged from the use (or past use) of knock-off plugs. This is the damage that I see when this happens, and the result will be no or intermittent audio.

SpeakOn Damage.JPG
 
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#14
agedhorse said:
It's also possible that the connector was not firmly rotated to latch when you had the problem. Something else I have seen is SpeakOn jacks damaged from the use (or past use) of knock-off plugs. This is the damage that I see when this happens, and the result will be no or intermittent audio.

View attachment 5188798
Click to expand...
Is opening the amp up to inspect for this type of damage something I could do myself or is it more hairy than that?
 
#15
No, it's not visible on the inside. You MIGHT be able to see it looking in from the outside but you have to know what you are looking for (I have an optical tool for this).
 
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#18
agedhorse said:
It's also possible that the connector was not firmly rotated to latch when you had the problem. Something else I have seen is SpeakOn jacks damaged from the use (or past use) of knock-off plugs. This is the damage that I see when this happens, and the result will be no or intermittent audio.

View attachment 5188798
Click to expand...

After a ton of troubleshooting it was definitely the amp. I got just got a RMA from Mesa. They said it's a common problem and has something to do with a damaged master pot.
 
#19
I thought you were using a WD-800 and it worked fine with another cabinet (your post #1)?

If it's a D-800 or D-800+, it's not uncommon for there to be damage from the amp falling and impacts with the ground or other gear.
 

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