nugget Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Hi - I've got somrthing strange going on with my amp (SWR220 studio into schroeder212) Until recently I've always gigged with the amp volume at just over half way but over the last month in nearly every gig I've been having to turn the volume down a bit during soundcheck and now its down to just under a quarter and it's only a 220watt head in a 5 piece classic rock band! I guess it's better than running out of headroom but I'm worried why its happening.... I dont have to fiddle with volume during a gig so it doesnt shift while playing. Apart from this I've never had any other issues with the amp. I do the soundcheck so i know it's not someone who just thinks the bass is too lound EQ on amp or bass hasnt changed, I only use one bass Input level is the same as i always check the clip light JUST comes on when slapping pre-gig Its not batteries as I do about half the gig in passive mode. I'm not playing any harder (if anything a bit lighter due to the raised volume) It's not the amp overheating (I guess that would drop output) I've checked the ohms on the cab and it's not changed Still using the same type of strings and have been through 3 sets since I've noticed the problem I got the cab 2nd hand so it's not the speakers running in it's not the speaker cable as I've tried 2 different ones. I just adore the SWR220 and would jump under the nearest bus if it every packed up is this something anyone else has experienced? Is it something I should be worried about? PS I cant afford to buy a backup right now.... Ta Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dincz Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 [quote name='nugget' post='1034933' date='Nov 24 2010, 12:55 PM']over the last month in nearly every gig I've been having to turn the volume down a bit during soundcheck and now its down to just under a quarter and it's only a 220watt[/quote] This is very common and is usually accompanied by increased wearing of slippers and smoking of pipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 [quote name='dincz' post='1034940' date='Nov 24 2010, 12:01 PM']This is very common and is usually accompanied by increased wearing of slippers and smoking of pipes [/quote] welll I did buy some slippers about a month ago - my first pair since i was a kid....but they are comfy and keep my feet warm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Could the rest of the band be playing a trick on you by playing quieter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noisyjon Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 If you're that worried then maybe a once over by a qualified amp tech may be in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 This has got to be a first for this forum, or any other bass forum on the world wide web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Speakons or 1/4" Plugs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 How old is the cab? Might be the speakers bedding in (or whatever technical term people who actually know about this stuff use!) if you bought it new recently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 I like Chris_B's idea of the band turning down and playing tricks.... I WISH those les paul/boogie damm guitarists would turn down a bit, apparently the volume pots on their amps cant be turned anti-clockwise!!! Bloodaxe - I've tried 2 cables both with high quality 1/4" plugs - BUT I've tried them both into the same output, I could try the other speaker output on the amp. i dont think there are speakons on the amp (I'll look later) The cab was 2nd hand when I got it and I've gigged with it twice a week for 3-4 months ta Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 [quote name='nugget' post='1035442' date='Nov 24 2010, 06:46 PM']I've tried 2 cables both with high quality 1/4" plugs - BUT I've tried them both into the same output, I could try the other speaker output on the amp. i dont think there are speakons on the amp (I'll look later) ta Dave[/quote] Ah... I wonder if there was some cack in the socket that's now been dislodged. Might be worth popping the covers off the amp to see if it's riddled with fluff (or if there's obvious oxidation on the speaker output contacts). P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinman Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Could be a dodgy component changing the gain as it warms up. Are there any valves in there? My amp definitely gets gradually louder for about an hour after being switched on - I think as the valve in the preamp warms up. Another option - assuming a rotary control knob, has it slipped on its shaft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 (edited) bloodaxe - I'll certainly try that this weekend, it is an old amp so i wouldnt be surprised if there was crap on the output contacts. I did hover out the dust when I got it but didnt inspect the sockets..... [quote name='thinman' post='1035477' date='Nov 24 2010, 07:21 PM']Could be a dodgy component changing the gain as it warms up. Are there any valves in there? My amp definitely gets gradually louder for about an hour after being switched on - I think as the valve in the preamp warms up. Another option - assuming a rotary control knob, has it slipped on its shaft?[/quote] Thanks for the suggestions the volume doesnt change from initially turning on to the end of the gig.... I dont think the knob has slipped, when winding knob back the pointer stops at 0. Edited November 24, 2010 by nugget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Have you changed where you actually place the amp on the stage recently ? Or has the stage layout forced you to position the amp in a corner, or near a back wall in the gigs where it's sounded louder ? (as opposed to being nearer the middle of the stage away from any walls). Positioning a speaker cab in relation to surrounding walls can create a "coupling" effect that can affect the volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 [quote name='BOD2' post='1036663' date='Nov 25 2010, 05:45 PM']Have you changed where you actually place the amp on the stage recently ? Or has the stage layout forced you to position the amp in a corner, or near a back wall in the gigs where it's sounded louder ? (as opposed to being nearer the middle of the stage away from any walls). Positioning a speaker cab in relation to surrounding walls can create a "coupling" effect that can affect the volume.[/quote] Thanks for the ideas- I dont think that's the problem, we have played pretty much different venues every gig over the past month. ranging from small pubs were we're jammed in a corner to large functions with loads of space. the 'problem' has been increasing wherever we play! No one else in the band has changed guitars/amps/cabs/drums/PA in the past month. Ta Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.