| Kustom Kasino Natural Bass Amp [message #5829] |
Tue, 07 June 2005 13:32  |
fraatzie
Messages: 1
Registered: June 2005
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Junior Member |
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I'm experiencing an annoying buzzing/distortion problem with my kasino 'natural' bass amp. I don't know too much about amps, but I picked this little gem up a few months ago and I love it, definitely don't want it to die out. I didn't always experience this problem, but since I sometimes play with heavy effects, I maybe attribute the problem to that? regardless, the distorted noise only seems to be an issue when playing loud, low notes. I'm fairly certain it's the head, and not the cabinet, as I've tested different combinations of heads/cabs.
I've been trying to sort out the problem as this is my main amplifier right now until I can save up a little more cash. I thought i'd throw it out here to see if anyone could throw a tip my way. I've been thinking about taking it in to a shop, but figured it would be too expensive with such an old amp? I haven't cracked it open myself yet, as I really don't know that much about electronics, but the power light is also busted, and I want to see if that just needs to be soldered or needs a new bulb, as that purple/pink light is just the coolest.
any suggestions? :-\
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| Re: Kustom Kasino Natural Bass Amp [message #5830 is a reply to message #5829] |
Tue, 07 June 2005 15:36  |
voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004
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Senior Member |
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Hello and welcome to the forum! A bit of background "hiss" is normal, but if it is a loud buzzing, then there may be a ground problem. If you still have a two prong cord on the amp, try reversing the polarity switch (if yours has one; i'm more familiar with K200 series) or putting in a three prong cord. What is the impedance on the cabinet you are running? The Natural head has similar features to a 150 head, and I think those can only go down to 8 ohms minimum. The distortion at high volumes on low notes is normal, even my K200 through a pair of 2x15's does it. Kustom amps usually have pretty hot preamp in them, and at higher volumes distortion is normal (especially with bass). With guitar though, I've found it to be a nice effect; like natural tube breakup. The buzzing could be due to low power caps, and a trick an amp tech did with my Kustom PA head was leaving it turned on for 12 hours. I don't know if that length of time is necessary, but leaving it on for a while may help. I have a guitar student with a little tube Kalamazoo amp that hardly could turn on when he first got it, but he left it on for about 8 hours and now it works fine. I'm not 100% sure what bulb is used in it, i'm sure someone else could guide you better in that regaurd. Don't be too worried about the amp though, Kustom and Kasino amps are very dependable and much easier to work on than new amps for the most part. Good luck with your amp!
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| Re: Kustom Kasino Natural Bass Amp [message #5868 is a reply to message #5829] |
Thu, 16 June 2005 22:23 |
pleat
Messages: 1454
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
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Senior Member |
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If I am reading your note correctly is you get a distortion on low and heavy notes. You may have a cap or other component inside that is on the verge of breaking loose from the circuit board. Vibration from the lower notes make be making the sound you describe. The Kasino amps want to run at a 4 ohm total load. I would take the amp to a qualified tech for a quick tune up, clean the controls, make sure all components are secure. The purple lens should unscrew and bulb replacement should be a snap.
I would suggest adding a grounded three prong mains cable, and if your sure if you want to tackle that, have the tech do it when he is cleaning and checking the amp.
Don
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