Cabinet "Break In"

[igorot]

I just got a new marshall 4x12 cabinet and noticed that there's a more pronounced high freq that makes everyone in the band ear 'ring'. I tried to adjust the mid hi and treble on the amp but the sound coming from the cab has an eir peircing tone. It was suggested that it could be due to the speakers being new. Does this make any sense at all or the cabinet needs to be returned.

I tried 2 differenct heads with the same result. I have my amp set to real low but the guitar is getting buried easily.

 

[gbdweller]

Sounds like an impedance problem of some type. Make sure your matching the head's impedance to the cabinet. Check your cables as well. I've heard similar results when a speaker cable was used between the instrument and amp or a shielded instrument cable was between the head and speaker.

 

[igorot]

Sounds like an impedance problem of some type. Make sure your matching the head's impedance to the cabinet. Check your cables as well. I've heard similar results when a speaker cable was used between the instrument and amp or a shielded instrument cable was between the head and speaker.

I have my marshall 6100 set to 16 ohms.

 

[Outlaws]

I have my marshall 6100 set to 16 ohms.

and is the cab set to 16? or stereo 8?

 

[igorot]

and is the cab set to 16? or stereo 8?

16 ohms mono,,,

 

[c7sus]

http://www.webervst.com/blocker.html

 

[igorot]

http://www.webervst.com/blocker.html

That's very interesting! I'll look into that.

 

[c7sus]

I'm gonna order a pair of 4" domes for a Rivera Quiana 55 212 that's a little bright.

I called them and spoke with the guy that does their website. He plays guitar and said he was using 4" BBs on his amp and what he noticed the most was that the amp became less directional. That is, the amp sounds more "on-axis" when you're off-axis. Told me he was back playing in a live setting and needed the punch so he took them off.

Harmony Central might have some info on them too, maybe some customer reviews.

 

[punkin]

Is your cab an open back or closed back design? If it's a closed back, you might try pulling the back off just to see if it effects the reso-ringing you've described.

 

[Thatupstateguy]

Just so you know,.... speakers that have never been used need to be broken in before they really sound like they should,....

At least 10-15 hours of good heavy playing,... to flex the cones, and voice coils,.... kinda like a new pair of shoes,.... stiff when new,... more flexable as they break in......


At least that's been my experience....


Steve

 

[edgarallanpoe]

Just so you know,.... speakers that have never been used need to be broken in before they really sound like they should,....

+1 breaking the speakers in is a legit practice. About 20hrs of heavy playing and a lot of harshness and brittle top end goes away. It doesn't change a bad speaker into a good one, but there is a noticable change in how the speaker sounds. I don't know if this is your problem or not, but it is legit.

 

[boingoman]

Just so you know,.... speakers that have never been used need to be broken in before they really sound like they should,....

At least 10-15 hours of good heavy playing,... to flex the cones, and voice coils,.... kinda like a new pair of shoes,.... stiff when new,... more flexable as they break in......


At least that's been my experience....


Steve

There's also something to the other side of that idea, that a pair of shoes should be comfortable even when new, and only get better.

 

[Zaphod B]

There's also something to the other side of that idea, that a pair of shoes should be comfortable even when new, and only get better.

I agree. Certainly all speakers require some degree of break-in, but I've never heard any brand-new speakers actually sound bad - as boingoman says, they should just get better.

igorot, what kind of amp are you using? I have experienced tube amps that exhibit a high-pitched "tube resonance" (for lack of a better term) when the tubes are going south. Maybe your new speakers are just exposing a fault in the amp?

 

[punkin]

Good points...is there a chance you might have a tube slightly microphonic? It can sound like a ringing or pinging sound if only mildly microphonic.

 

[igorot]

I agree. Certainly all speakers require some degree of break-in, but I've never heard any brand-new speakers actually sound bad - as boingoman says, they should just get better.

igorot, what kind of amp are you using? I have experienced tube amps that exhibit a high-pitched "tube resonance" (for lack of a better term) when the tubes are going south. Maybe your new speakers are just exposing a fault in the amp?

I'm using a marshall 6100 amp. I just had the tube replaced and rebiased.

 

[igorot]

I think the "speaker breakin time" has credence to it and besides the re-stocking fee for the cab, I decided to keep it.

Anyway, can I hookup the cab to our PA system and play CDs through it for hours to get the cones broken in? Is this safe? I can leave it blazing in our rehearsal room when noone is around.

 

[Zaphod B]

Yes, absolutely safe, and a good idea.

 

[jeff5xo]

I agree, safe and a good idea.

 

[igorot]

Man! It's like night and day. A Black Eyed Peas night long loop did the trick!

 

[Zaphod B]

Oh, so you were punishing it all night?