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Troubleshooting Amp/Cab Distortion - Help!

Smallmouth_Bass

Smallmouth_Bass

Dec 29, 2005
8,023
6,057
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
#1
I am running a Trace AH350SM (350 watt) head into an Eden 210XLT and 115. The tweeter is producing all kinds of buzz and distortion at all volumes. When I turn the tweeter all the way down, that gets rid of that but then I am noticing some "unnatural" distortion - that farty sound - as well and I am not sure where it is coming from.

The overload light on the amp is not lighting, so I don't think it's the amp clipping. It also seems to be happening at all volume levels. After an inspection of the speakers, I do not see any tears or anything. I've set all controls flat and plugged directly into the amp and the basses I've tried it with are passive (no dead batteries). Both cabs are 8 ohms and the head accepts a 4 ohm load, so that should be ok.

Any suggestions?
 
#2
That overload light is only for preamp clipping, not power clipping. However you said it's at all volumes! I have the same problem but only at medium-high volumes, and that's because I need more power.

Try a different cable perhaps?

You could have blown the tweeter, and then the buzzing you hear might be it rattling, but that's a bit of a long shot.
 
#3
Unfortunately you have to play the tedious process of elimination game. As simpy said, try a different cable.

Then try the head with each cabinet by itself.

Then try your head with another cabinet.

Then a different head with your cabs.

At which point you'll probably have figured out where the problem is.

Lets hope it's nothing too serious.
 
#4
Well, I've just tried each cabinet separately and with different speaker cables and it's still happening. Unfortunately, I don't have another head available to try out, but that's the direction it's pointing in right now.

The thing that gets me is it's at all volumes. I can understand if I was on 7 or 8 and it was clipping, but it's at 1 and still doing the same thing. I guess I have to go and see the repair man! :crying:
 

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