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WHY ME!?!?!?!?!

#23
Bass_masta16 said:
What should I take back to have checked out? The cab or the head? They came from 2 different stores. I'll also have my bass checked out
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Everything, but one at a time. Make a checklist, and sytematically go through it. Head... cab... bass. When you take stuff to the shop, bring your own cables, and then A/B them with the store's cables.

Now, march! ;)
 
#25
Bass_masta16 said:
Ok, so I haven't tried it with my J bass, because its not at home.
But I tried it with a Squier P Bass with QP's in it, and I noticed that it doesn't do it if the volume is cranked all the way, just when its in the mid-area. But this doesn't happen with my combo (BA-115).
AND, it also doesn't happen with my Walmart bass :p
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Ok, this is what you need to do:

The combo, if it makes no noise, is a good control for deciding if you have a bass with an issue, so that's a good idea. Eliminate any bass that is noisy from the test with the new rig, and there's one variable out of the way.

Now, for the new rig...

1) Set up your rig, noting which cables you're hooking up with.

2) Play your bass, at low and high volume.

3) Take note of noise, etc.

4) Switch cables- first the speaker connection cable and try your bass; then switch the instrument cable and play. Same thing each time, low and then high vols.

At the end of this, you should be able to narrow down some problems to either head, cab, or bass.

So let's hear what you come up with- then you can bring the troublemaker back to the store and know what you're talking about, see? No store clerks wants to argue with a player who has good information... ;)
 
#28
Bass_masta16 said:
Of course, this would just HAVE to happen to me, why can't I get something without something being wrong with it?

Ok, so heres the problem.


I am 15, and I just (as of today) got my first real rig, I got an Ampeg SVT-410HE and a Hartke LH1000.

So the problem - When I play, sometimes it makes like a static-y dirty noise, like if a pot was dirty or something.
And I don't know what is wrong! This stuff always happens to me.
It doesn't make the noise if I do anything specific, but when I'm playing it will just make the dirty noise.

Maybe something with the head? I know it takes a couple seconds to turn on, maybe it just has to heat up or something? The longest I've had it on for is like 10 minutes if that, because as soon as I heard it, I retreated to TB.

Does anyone know what the problem could be?

:crying:
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OK - New Hartke LH1000. Those heads have a "tube" front end. I think a single 12AX7 hides in there. It could be something as simple as a loose or bad tube. Possibly damaged in shipping. I've had that happen before. Tubes are fragile by nature, one good bump might screw one up.

Cabinet? I've used the HE410 cab many times and can tell you as others have mentioned that the tweeters can cause the type of noise you described.

Take the head back to the store. If it's new in box, they should swap it out for you. I know it's a bummer when you get new gear and something isn't right. I can relate. Probably everybody here on TB has had this type of thing happen to them before.

Just stay calm and ask that the store kindly make it right. People rag on GC all the time but I've NEVER had an issue returning anything there ever. The same with SA. If you bought from a major chain, they should have a good return policy and will gladly help you. If you do take it back and the salesman won't help you or seems unwilling to help. Be cool, ask for manager an deal with them.

Good luck. Let us know how you make out.
 
#29
Not saying the other replies weren't good, but the last 2 I just got were the answer..

It WAS infact the cab, unless it just so happens that the Fender 25R ALSO makes the noise, but I've played it with a guitar and its fine. So I'm going to see if my mom (laugh all you want) will take the cab in tomorrow and they're going to have a look at it
 
#31
Oh, I didn't see the post that 60bass wrote, but about the taking it back and swapping it - I had to order this one, so they won't have another in stock, but if you read my last post, I think I've concluded that it was the cab, but I'm going to TRY to have my friend bring his cab and head over to check each out with my stuff
 
#32
I really think you need to check the input signal first. The sound your describing is fairly common if you have either a loose input jack on your bass or if you are getting a short in the instrument cable you plug from your bass to the amp.

If you have another amp, plug your same bass and same instrument cable into it. Jump around or move just as you do when playing through your big amp. If you hear the same shorting sounds, you know the issue lays with your bass or your instrument cable. If you do not hear the same sounds, then you can eliminate these as the cause of the problem and re-focus your attention back on the new head/cab and/or speaker cable (the one between the head and the cab).

Still ... I'm betting its either the input jack on your bass or your instrument cable. Cables are always the weakest link.
 
#33
it sounds like the input on the hartkee might be a little loose?

Also, when you guys were talking about wrigglin around the cable, he seemed to only talk about the cable from the cab to the head, and not about his instrument cable.

I would like to see if the INPUT on the actual head is bad. If its loose than it will crackle. Also, could be your bass jack as well!
 
#34
Bass_masta16 said:
So I'm going to see if my mom (laugh all you want)
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Sorry, off topic here but just had to comment about good ol' Mom LOL

Now that DOES take me way back. My car once broke down on the way to a school dance gig we were doing. No cell phones back then so I had to use a pay phone to call home. My Dad was gone so Mom had to come and rescue me. No way to have her drop me around the corner as my gear was in her car. MAJOR embarassment as everybody from school watched as my Mom dropped me and my gear off right in front of the gym. :o

Then there was the time "Mom, I'm really sorry your prized vase fell off the end table in the room next door. I didn't realize the bass was that loud"

She's since forgiven me for that one :)
 

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