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Peavey Combo 300 High Volume Crackle

B

bdtesq

Apr 26, 2009
22
1
#1
I've been getting intermittent crackle from my rig (Peavey Combo 300 w/15" Black Widow + 2x10 Seismic Audio 400W cab). It is happening at high volume only (pretty much when I have everything dimed, although I never push the Peavey pre- dial past about 10:00). It isn't constant, nor does it correlate to particular notes/frequencies. I have a heavy duty speaker cable running between the amp and the cabinet; I do place the cab on top of the amp, but there is 1/2" clearance provided by the cab feet) between the amp top and the cab.
My Fender bass has SD quarter pounders (no preamp, but pretty high output). The problem seems to be worst when the whole band is playing at high volume and (I suspect) drawing a lot of power to PA, guitar amps, etc. I am cranked up because I need the volume to get over the drums and such; backing off the volume on the bass helps a bit, but is not much of an option. Is my issue heat? Power draw? Any suggested fixes?
 
#4
Sorry it has taken me so long to thank you both for taking the time to give me some input. I will try the other input next time the problem arises. When I say that everything is dimed I mean that the post volume is at 10 and the pre volume around 5. I generally keep the EQ settings between 10 and 2 oclock. I do seem to generate the yellow light clip signal a lot -- is that a function of the volume only? If so, I am surprised that I'm not getting more volume output from such a large amp. Thank you again!
 
#5
You've got your Pre and Post gains backwards. Turn down the Post to almost nothing, then, with your bass's volume dimed, increase Pre until you get a bit of input distortion, then back it down till it's clean again. Now increase Post for your desired volume.

This may or may not help- I think your amp is simply running out of steam and breaking up.
 
#7
Running into the active p/u jack has helped. I think that the amp probably is "running out of steam;" the problem seems to be less severe when I have my 2x10 extension cab plugged in, which ups the output power and gives me some headroom. Maybe I just need to go for a larger amp (or smaller band :) ! Thanks again.
 
#8
If it's an older Peavey Combo 300, it's is the compressor light that's flashing, as the old ones didn't have input clipping lights. Still you were running things a bit too hot and the Automatic Comp circuit started to kick in to start squashing things down. I would run that baby with the extention cab of your choice to cruise that bad boy at a comfy 4 ohms if it's higher volume levels you tend to be looking for. Maybe adding a good 4x10 would really fit the bill for moving more air for you. Another avenue is for you to consider sending a line out to the band's p.a. system to get some extra horse power at gigs if you can.
 
#9
I recently had a similar issue with mine combo 300 ..... the internal connections between the circuit boards was causing the crackling noise, cleaned up the connections and re-tensioned the female scokets and also reseated the IC chips and it went away ...that amp will sound good with another cabinet, as it's 2 ohm stable
 
#10
jastacey said:
I recently had a similar issue with mine combo 300 ..... the internal connections between the circuit boards was causing the crackling noise, cleaned up the connections and re-tensioned the female scokets and also reseated the IC chips and it went away ...that amp will sound good with another cabinet, as it's 2 ohm stable
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I am not an electronics guy -- if I get into the guts of the amp will this all be clear to me (i.e., will I be able to tell where things are loose and/or connections need cleaning)?
 
#11
a dirty pot will also cause what you are hearing in your bass amp as well, make sure they are clean and if you move alot check the battery connection's and try another jack as well consider them all suspect.it does not take much to cause what you are hearing ,spray some cleaning fluid on your jack and plug it in and out of the input's on your amp all of them, when it is off of coarse,good luck.check all connection's
 

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