SWR or GK Problem?

[grumpyjfc]

I have an SWR SM-500, SWR Working Pro 4x10 cabinet, and a Gallien Krueger SBX 115 cabinet. Playing the amp with just the 4x10 is not a problem. But the GK cabinet, no matter what configuration I try, will only play about half volume and starts distorting way early. The last time I had it hooked up, I also noticed a slight tingle when I touched the cable end that was plugged into it.

I took the cabinet completely apart and inspected the speaker, the wiring and the pc board. Everything looks normal, but I don't know what the values are supposed to be so I have not put a meter on it yet.

Any suggestions?

 

[grumpyjfc]

C'mon people, anybody have any ideas about this?

 

[ihixulu]

Based on your observations it sounds like the GK has the problem.

Maybe the 15" speaker itself has an electrical problem. Get a multimeter and check DC resistance. See what you get and report back.

 

[yamaha]

There probably is a problem with your 15". Are they (the cabs) the same impedance (ohms). I own a 410 workingpro and I love it. I looked up the specs of both cabs, and they actually should match up pretty well. This beeing said, my 410 should of matched up well with my JBL 115, but not so, now I run it with a SWR Big Ben and what a beatiful team they make.

 

[grumpyjfc]

Thanks for the replies guys. First, there is 7.5 ohms of resistance across the speaker. I also noticed that one of the two light bulbs on the circuit board is blown. It was not blown the last time I had it apart and I was having the same problem then.

As far as the second reply, they are both 8 ohm cabs. The 115 is not acting right even when played by itself so I don't think it is an impeadance or a phase problem. Why didn't you're JBL cab work with your amp?

It's a real head scratcher. If the speaker's popped it sure doesn't look like it. Is GK proprietary to GK? Is SWR? Supposedly you can use this cab with any amp.

Thanks.

 

[yamaha]

To answer your question, I have no idea why my JBL didin't sound good with the 410. It matches very well with my Hartke 210 though. The 410 is great with my Big Ben, but the Big ben is not so hot with the Hartke 210. According to numbers (ohms) and efficiency (SPL), they should all be able to be mix and matched, but, allthough functionnal, to my ears, not all setups sound good.

I think its easyer to match differewnt heads to cabs, than different cabs to cabs. Thats my 2 cents. Good luck with your GK 115. By the way, my head is a GK 800RB, so I do mix heads to cabs.

 

[ihixulu]

First, there is 7.5 ohms of resistance across the speaker.

That seems a bit high for an 8 ohm speaker, I believe it should read in the 6 range.

I also noticed that one of the two light bulbs on the circuit board is blown. It was not blown the last time I had it apart and I was having the same problem then.

Is the tweeter in the cab blown? Try disconnecting the tweeter and see if you get the same symptoms.

It's a real head scratcher. If the speaker's popped it sure doesn't look like it. Is GK proprietary to GK? Is SWR? Supposedly you can use this cab with any amp.

If there is an electrical problem with a speaker, it may not have a visible symptom.

And yes, you can use any head with any cab so long as the power and impedance are compatible.