A long time ago when I used to repair amplifiers (mostly tube ones at that time) someone brought in a bass amp. I looked at it and found that the voice coil had torn off the cone completely.
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Whos at fault?
- Thread starter ghiggin1079
- Start date
From this I guess you're using a graphic EQ pedal - if you are pushing your input signal a lot you won't be doing the speakers any favours. If the amp is cranked and you're slamming the input the amp could be pushing out way more than the stated max output. Speakers would be first to know.
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Happens sometimes, that's why today's high performance speakers use vastly superior adhesives, reinforced cone necks and more robust suspension components.A long time ago when I used to repair amplifiers (mostly tube ones at that time) someone brought in a bass amp. I looked at it and found that the voice coil had torn off the cone completely.
- That much low will kill a speaker!
- You tried to save the amp.
- what you did wouldn't break it.
- he adjusted it.
- it went boom.
- so you aren't liable at least from what I read.. but I only have you side.. so I guess take it with a grain of salt.
- Drummers and most guitarist are usually loud, deaf, and dumbfounded by a good bass player.. even a sucky one.. lol Rhythm guitarist and a good Sideman thinks like a bassist.. if they are any good! lol
I'd wager this guitarist has more than his share of bass frequencies and expects to hear the lil' Rumble over his half stack!
Close?
Close?
If one borrowed an amp to play somewhere else and it went south, then yes, the borrower absolutely is financially responsible, IMO. But in this case, the owner offered the use of his amp at a rehearsal -- he was present and participating; perhaps he even precipitated the failure. Your adjusting the EQ downward certainly didn't do anything to harm the speaker; if anything, it helped protect it. If you were playing too loud for the rig: again, the owner was there and participating; if there was cause for concern, he could have expressed that but didn't. Whether or not you OFFER to share some of the expense is situational -- there is something to be said for maintaining band relationships, but I wouldn't even want to hang with someone who expected to be reimbursed in this situation -- stuff happens. Since we don't know if the owner even IS expecting compensation, maybe this isn't even an issue. Just for the record, I also don't want to hang with any 'nobody touches my amp' types. 
OP, if money is tight for you at the moment and you can't afford to help fix, then tough luck for your buddy - he invited you to play on it. If he's wealthy and doesn't care, then even better.
If you want to pitch in because you can or because you want to, then there are cost effective solutions to get the speaker replaced. You may be able to get a decent new MCM Audio or more pro grade used 10" woofer in the $35-90 range as a replacement. No service tech needed, just get the amp model, total watts, and individual as well as total speaker ohms specifications. Whatever recommendations you get, run it by Fender to make triple sure, and wire the replacement speaker back up exactly like the damaged one. Take pics of the original speaker wiring before you disconnect for reference when you replace.
If you are inclined to help out, set a budget for what you can contribute, propose that to your buddy and let him take it or leave it.
If you want to pitch in because you can or because you want to, then there are cost effective solutions to get the speaker replaced. You may be able to get a decent new MCM Audio or more pro grade used 10" woofer in the $35-90 range as a replacement. No service tech needed, just get the amp model, total watts, and individual as well as total speaker ohms specifications. Whatever recommendations you get, run it by Fender to make triple sure, and wire the replacement speaker back up exactly like the damaged one. Take pics of the original speaker wiring before you disconnect for reference when you replace.
If you are inclined to help out, set a budget for what you can contribute, propose that to your buddy and let him take it or leave it.
Replacing one of two drivers in a 2-driver speaker system with a different driver is definitely not recommended. If fact, replacing the driver in a ONE-driver system with a speaker matched only in impedance and power handling is also not a recommended practice. The proper replacement OEM driver shouldn't be all that expensive.
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OP, I'm surprised you have to ask "Who's at Fault?"
If I were in your shoes I would feel responsible enough to at least offer to pay for the repair. Most people wouldn't take you up on it, unless they also felt you were responsible. Any small amp that is rattling a house like you described is likely on the verge of exploding.
I don't like playing through other peoples gear. When I was younger I even hated playing through backline (but didn't have much of an option). But at a friends house? IMHO there's no reason you shouldn't have been playing through your own rig.
If I were in your shoes I would feel responsible enough to at least offer to pay for the repair. Most people wouldn't take you up on it, unless they also felt you were responsible. Any small amp that is rattling a house like you described is likely on the verge of exploding.
I don't like playing through other peoples gear. When I was younger I even hated playing through backline (but didn't have much of an option). But at a friends house? IMHO there's no reason you shouldn't have been playing through your own rig.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
If you were pushing the amp to that volume, unless it was a small room with lots of figurines and rafters, you were pushing the amp. But we also don't know what was done to it before you got there. I would offer to split the cost of repair.
This isn’t People’s Court and it’s difficult to assign fault in this situation. If you’re able to, I’d offer to pay for the repair. Ultimately, you were playing it when it broke. In most situations, when you borrow something and it breaks, you’ve assumed responsibility.
If It fails while I'm using it, I fix it. IN the event the "house" fiddles with it I would simply turn down to a point where I doubt there could be damage.
I played in a basement where a guitarist offered a guitar head, connected to a peavey cabinet that was sawn in half. It had an old gauss 18" speaker. It gave out, I think he expected a replacement, It just so happened I had a old gauss 18" speaker. From then on, I used my Elf, and if I wasn't loud enough too bad.
I don't like using other peoples gear at practice no matter how convienient it is.
I played in a basement where a guitarist offered a guitar head, connected to a peavey cabinet that was sawn in half. It had an old gauss 18" speaker. It gave out, I think he expected a replacement, It just so happened I had a old gauss 18" speaker. From then on, I used my Elf, and if I wasn't loud enough too bad.
I don't like using other peoples gear at practice no matter how convienient it is.
This is one reason why I prefer to only use my own gear. And I usually do not loan gear because stupid stuff has happened in the past. That said, boosting the lower frequencies with enough volume can easily destroy a speaker. I try to keep bass frequencies flat.
