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Ok, is it true, as I've often heard, that tube wattage
is actually greater, or that the output is actually
greater, then solid state wattage? And how exactly
does the whole ohm thing work? If something is 200
watts @ 8 ohms does that mean it's 100 watts @ 4 ohms?
I recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Buster Bass 200, a
200 watt all tube Bassman clone (or so I'm told).
When I plugged it into my SWR bass 2x10 rated at 200
watts @ 8 ohms I got some nasty electrical pops
(scared me) when playing. I've been told that I
either a)have a bad cable (not likely, new Monster
cable) b)that I'm overpowering the cab because 200
watts tube is actually up to five times greater than
200 watts solid state (sounds off to me) or c)the
single pair of 10 inch speakers is unable to handle
the low end.
I have two SWR Workingman cabs rated at 200 watts, a
2x10 and a 1x15. If I run both, can I split the
output between the two cabs? There is also two pairs
of output jacks for the head; one pair of 8 ohm
outputs and one pair of 4 ohm outputs. If I plug in
TWO cabs using TWO seperate cables, should I plug them
into the 8 ohm jacks or the 4 ohm jacks?
I really don't want to blow up my new cabinets.
Richard
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Tube amps certainly "sound" more powerful than transistor amps, but
people are still arguing about why. Neither formula you quoted (five
times or the ohms/watts ) works. But that doesn't really help....
If you're sure it was an "electrical noise" it probably came from
the amp itself. Speakers are passive devices and can only
make "mechanical" noises. But remember, 200 watts tube is a BIG amp
by ANY standards and can blow your speakers...almost any speakers,
particularly if you're foolin' around with the EQ that comes on that
amp.
My advice to you is to call Mesa and talk to a real person in tech
and describe your symptoms, and see what they've got to recommend.
Dave
--- In , Richard <errant_jedi@y...>
wrote:
>
> Ok, is it true, as I've often heard, that tube wattage
> is actually greater, or that the output is actually
> greater, then solid state wattage? And how exactly
> does the whole ohm thing work? If something is 200
> watts @ 8 ohms does that mean it's 100 watts @ 4 ohms?
>
> I recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Buster Bass 200, a
> 200 watt all tube Bassman clone (or so I'm told).
> When I plugged it into my SWR bass 2x10 rated at 200
> watts @ 8 ohms I got some nasty electrical pops
> (scared me) when playing. I've been told that I
> either a)have a bad cable (not likely, new Monster
> cable) b)that I'm overpowering the cab because 200
> watts tube is actually up to five times greater than
> 200 watts solid state (sounds off to me) or c)the
> single pair of 10 inch speakers is unable to handle
> the low end.
>
> I have two SWR Workingman cabs rated at 200 watts, a
> 2x10 and a 1x15. If I run both, can I split the
> output between the two cabs? There is also two pairs
> of output jacks for the head; one pair of 8 ohm
> outputs and one pair of 4 ohm outputs. If I plug in
> TWO cabs using TWO seperate cables, should I plug them
> into the 8 ohm jacks or the 4 ohm jacks?
>
> I really don't want to blow up my new cabinets.
>
> Richard
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do?
>
Richard:
I agree with Stratrhythm, you should probably contact a
real person at Mesa for a true diagnosis of your issue.
Some additional advice to consider:
1. What is the ohm rating for your SWR speaker cabinets?
(You can test this with a multi-meter or ohm-meter on the
male end of your speaker cable). It can be 2 ohm, 4 ohm, 8
ohm...
2. How many outputs are on the rear panel of your Mesa? At
what ohmage are these outputs rated? 2 ohms? 4 ohms?
3. Your amp output ohm rating and your speaker ohm rating
should MATCH.
4. How many watts does your Mesa output to speakers?
5. How many watts is EACH INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER rated at?
Usually you can read this info off of the back of the
speaker, sometimes the info is on a plate on the back of
the cabinet.
(for example, I run 4 x 12" speakers in my cabinet: EACH
SPEAKER can handle 300 watts...I run approx 300 watts from
my GK amp into this cabinet)
If the speakers in a cabinet are rated at 100 watts each,
then you shouldn't put more than 100 watts into that
cabinet (even if the cabinet says "200" on it).
6. Do you use any effects on your signal path? This may
cause unwanted noise.
7. Are the speakers in good order? In other words is there
any chance that they may have been damaged before you
acquired the cabinet?
8. Any loose wires inside your cabinet? Loose solder
joints? Loose jack? Loose connectors or jacks anywhere
along your signal path? Loose jack on your bass?
Just some ideas...you might want to see if Mesa can direct
you to an owner's manual for your particular amp. I
believe these manuals are online at Mesa's website.
good luck, fellow surf bassist...
-dp
--- stratrhythm <> wrote:
>
>
> Tube amps certainly "sound" more powerful than transistor
> amps, but
> people are still arguing about why. Neither formula you
> quoted (five
> times or the ohms/watts ) works. But that doesn't really
> help....
>
> If you're sure it was an "electrical noise" it probably
> came from
> the amp itself. Speakers are passive devices and can only
>
> make "mechanical" noises. But remember, 200 watts tube is
> a BIG amp
> by ANY standards and can blow your speakers...almost any
> speakers,
> particularly if you're foolin' around with the EQ that
> comes on that
> amp.
>
> My advice to you is to call Mesa and talk to a real
> person in tech
> and describe your symptoms, and see what they've got to
> recommend.
>
> Dave
>
> --- In , Richard
> <errant_jedi@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Ok, is it true, as I've often heard, that tube wattage
> > is actually greater, or that the output is actually
> > greater, then solid state wattage? And how exactly
> > does the whole ohm thing work? If something is 200
> > watts @ 8 ohms does that mean it's 100 watts @ 4 ohms?
> >
> > I recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Buster Bass 200, a
> > 200 watt all tube Bassman clone (or so I'm told).
> > When I plugged it into my SWR bass 2x10 rated at 200
> > watts @ 8 ohms I got some nasty electrical pops
> > (scared me) when playing. I've been told that I
> > either a)have a bad cable (not likely, new Monster
> > cable) b)that I'm overpowering the cab because 200
> > watts tube is actually up to five times greater than
> > 200 watts solid state (sounds off to me) or c)the
> > single pair of 10 inch speakers is unable to handle
> > the low end.
> >
> > I have two SWR Workingman cabs rated at 200 watts, a
> > 2x10 and a 1x15. If I run both, can I split the
> > output between the two cabs? There is also two pairs
> > of output jacks for the head; one pair of 8 ohm
> > outputs and one pair of 4 ohm outputs. If I plug in
> > TWO cabs using TWO seperate cables, should I plug them
> > into the 8 ohm jacks or the 4 ohm jacks?
> >
> > I really don't want to blow up my new cabinets.
> >
> > Richard
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do?
> >
>
>
>
>
>
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I've discovered the source of the noise--it's the
active pickups on the Ernie Ball Stingray I'm using.
I tested the head at my amptech's through a great big
2x15 and a Gibson passive bass. Great sound, cranked
it all I wanted, no noise.
Got back to the practice space, warmed her up good and
plugged both cabinets into the 4 ohm
jacks...noise...switched cable...no noise...plugged in
Precision bass...perfect. Low hum, no ambient noise
or popping while playing. I cranked it and banged it
and it was perfect. I plugged the Stingray in with
the onboard eq turned all the way up and it did
ok...but periodically there was the popping. Rolled
way off the tone and that was much better, less hum,
and no popping, but is that normal for active pups?
Richard
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Active pickups are typically "hi-z" (hi impedence)...sort
of like an active microphone. Old-school (ie P-Bass and
Gibson)are "passive" pickups also called "low-z" (low
impedence).
Often, bass amps have an "active" (hi-z) input and a
"passive" (low-z) input. Sometimes there is a hiZ/LoZ
switch. Does your Mesa have either feature? Sometimes this
is also refered to as the "line level" switch...
BUT CHECK THIS OUT, it may be something as simple as a
nearly dead 9-volt battery in your Stingray. Or, could be
flourescent lights interfering with your active pickups.
good luck, bass dude
-dp
PS: I'm glad that you narrowed down your problem...and I'm
glad your passive basses all sound great through your amp
setup...a very good sign
--- Richard <> wrote:
>
>
> I've discovered the source of the noise--it's the
> active pickups on the Ernie Ball Stingray I'm using.
> I tested the head at my amptech's through a great big
> 2x15 and a Gibson passive bass. Great sound, cranked
> it all I wanted, no noise.
>
> Got back to the practice space, warmed her up good and
> plugged both cabinets into the 4 ohm
> jacks...noise...switched cable...no noise...plugged in
> Precision bass...perfect. Low hum, no ambient noise
> or popping while playing. I cranked it and banged it
> and it was perfect. I plugged the Stingray in with
> the onboard eq turned all the way up and it did
> ok...but periodically there was the popping. Rolled
> way off the tone and that was much better, less hum,
> and no popping, but is that normal for active pups?
>
> Richard
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> All your favorites on one personal page Try My Yahoo!
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> Meet the McDonald¿s® Lincoln Fry get free digital
> souvenirs,
> Web-only video and bid on the Lincoln Fry prop charity
> auction.
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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