Poping noise through amp when hitting hard lows

[Violator1069]

This has probably been covered before in other threads but I'm hoping someone can help me......I recently down tuned my Yamaha TBRX174EW (4 string w/ P/J pickups) to drop C (CGCf) with heavier strings (.125, .105, .085 .065), did a new set up (truss, action, intonation, ect) and it plays like a beast now......when playing through my Carvin Pro Bass 150 combo amp (15" speaker) with pick or fingers if I hit a hard low note I am getting a LOUD "POP" through the speaker randomly and the sound cuts out briefly....doesn't do it as much when finger picking or if I plug my PRS Kingfisher (standard tuning) in...…..could this be a pickup issue (to close to the heavier strings) or could this be an amp issue and time to upgrade to a better amp/cab?

 

[two fingers]

Does it have exposed magnets? If so, it's likely the metal string tapping the magnets.

 

[charlie monroe]

I bet the strings are hitting the pickup

 

[buldog5151bass]

Thicker strings, probably lower action... Yep, the above sounds right.

 

[Violator1069]

I actually raised the action from 3.5mm on the low string to 4.0mm.....I didnt do any adjustments on the pups....if I'm understanding you guys I should lower my pups...they are exposed mags and I have them set at the stock 3mm

 

[Violator1069]

And I'm running coated DR Black Beauty strings

 

[BassmanPaul]

It could even be the drivers voice coil hitting the back plate of the magnet.

 

[Mushroo]

Do you hear the "pop" if you listen through headphones?

 

[rickdog]

It could even be the drivers voice coil hitting the back plate of the magnet.

That was my first thought. Tuned down, 150W combo and playing "like a beast" is a recipe for that.

 

[Rick James]

the sound cuts out briefly...

That's probably the amp protection circuit kicking in to save your output transistors from being toasted. You don't have enough amp for what you're doing.

 

[dan1952]

Probably this. The low B puts a lot more strain on your amp and speaker.

 

[micguy]

Commercial bass guitar cabinets (and combos) don't really go all the way down to low E. Often, you can get away with that, but pushing it to low C, and....overexcursion is the likely result. That's what the POP probably is.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

If it's not strings hitting pup magnets, it's the speaker asking for last rites.....

 

[Systolic]

HPF will help if it's the speaker.

 

[Violator1069]

Thanks for all the info guys...I lowered the pups 1/2 turn on the low side....using a lighter pick and lowered some of the settings on my eq and some of the "pop" is gone..... the wife will only let me run the vol less than 3 when at home so mabey the amp is just a bit weak to hit those low tones....presently looking at either an acoustic, gk or ampeg head and cab set.......

 

[bobyoung53]

Does it pop at all volume settings, even when played softly at home?

 

[2strings2frets]

Does it have exposed magnets? If so, it's likely the metal string tapping the magnets.

Like he said

 

[ThisBass]

Thanks for all the info guys...I lowered the pups 1/2 turn on the low side....using a lighter pick and lowered some of the settings on my eq and some of the "pop" is gone..... the wife will only let me run the vol less than 3 when at home so mabey the amp is just a bit weak to hit those low tones....presently looking at either an acoustic, gk or ampeg head and cab set.......

HPF will help if it's the speaker.

ok, must of all players think about the Fundamental and 1st Overtone if they do considerations about strain of the loudspeaker.
In real practice we can see kinda "transient noise" which comes (naturally) along with any playing of any stringed intrument.

Roughly it can be predicted this way, if tuning of the instrument goes down then transient noise takes more part at the lowish side of the spectrum and, this "nasty" frequency content easily underruns the lowest tuning of the instrument itself if the loudspeaker was not protected by a HPF.

You may play a droped C on the intrument but the (naturally) accomponied transient noise generates sub harmonic content which is way below in number (frequency) than the Fundamental of droped C

 

[Violator1069]

ok, must of all players think about the Fundamental and 1st Overtone if they do considerations about strain of the loudspeaker.
In real practice we can see kinda "transient noise" which comes (naturally) along with any playing of any string intrument.

Roughly it can be predicted this way, if tuning of the instrument goes down then transient noise takes more part at the lowish side of the spectrum and, this "nasty" frequency content easily underruns the lowest tuning of the instrument itself if the loudspeaker was not protected by a HPF.

You may play a droped C on the intrument but the (naturally) accomponied transient noise generates sub harmonic content which is way below in number (frequency) than the Fundamental of droped C

Makes sense

 

[Violator1069]

Does it pop at all volume settings, even when played softly at home?

Not all settings....if I play lightly I dont get the pop...if I hammer down I do...its not the string hitting the pup so i either play to "heavy handed" with the new tuning or need better amp/cab to handle the lower notes