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K 200B-2 low volume [message #25671] Tue, 01 November 2016 15:39 Go to next message
slk854 is currently offline  slk854
Messages: 192
Registered: January 2015
Senior Member
Ok I just plugged into my K200B-2 and I noticed the volume was not as loud as it was the last time I was playing. It also sounded as if the reverb was really distant. Same low volume on the normal channel as well. The back of the head felt warm to the touch also. Any ideas?????

I just connected to another B-2 and it ran cool to the touch for the last 30 min. So something is getting hot in the first amp.

Steve

[Updated on: Tue, 01 November 2016 16:09]

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Re: K 200B-2 low volume [message #25672 is a reply to message #25671] Tue, 01 November 2016 16:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
slk854 is currently offline  slk854
Messages: 192
Registered: January 2015
Senior Member
I may be on to something.............Dummy me. I think the problem may be in the speaker cable. I pulled the head and plugged it in and it ran cool. I connected a different speaker cable and the volume is back and it seams to be running cool. I will leave it on for a while and see what happens. Would have never thought a bad speaker cable could cause it to run hot.

Steve

Update !!!!!!!I found the culprit. The plastic insulator on the 1/4" phono plug had slipped causing the center post to ground. All is well............

[Updated on: Tue, 01 November 2016 17:46]

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Re: K 200B-2 low volume [message #25673 is a reply to message #25672] Tue, 01 November 2016 23:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2006
Registered: April 2003
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slk854 wrote on Tue, 01 November 2016 15:35
Would have never thought a bad speaker cable could cause it to run hot.

Steve

Update !!!!!!!I found the culprit. The plastic insulator on the 1/4" phono plug had slipped causing the center post to ground. All is well............

The amp was trying to drive a shorted output or nearly shorted maybe. Good thing you didn't try to play it too hard, or the output stage could have been cooked.
Re: K 200B-2 low volume [message #25674 is a reply to message #25673] Wed, 02 November 2016 00:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
slk854 is currently offline  slk854
Messages: 192
Registered: January 2015
Senior Member
I realized something was not right pretty fast. I usually plug the guitar in while it is in the case and flip the power switch. I did not hear that instant power as usual. I strummed the strings a little, turned the volume up to about 3 which could usually break windows and it was sounding sick. It was not on any longer than about 3 to 4 min and I decided to shut it down. That is when I felt the back and it was getting warm. I pulled it out of the housing and turned it back on without any cables hooked up and was going to feel for hot spots which I did not find so I decided to connect a different speaker cable and it was still running cool. I then connected a guitar cable and all was just fine. Got my meter out and found that the bad speaker cable was shorted. That shows you how fast things can happen but I learned from it. Now I know if it sounds sick shut it down quick, and start investigating.

Thanks for the reply Bill. Appreciate it

Steve
Re: K 200B-2 low volume [message #25675 is a reply to message #25671] Wed, 02 November 2016 06:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Your luck it was not a Frank head you did that to as odds are the output stage would have blown befiore tha amps speaker fuse did!
Re: K 200B-2 low volume [message #25677 is a reply to message #25675] Wed, 02 November 2016 08:59 Go to previous message
slk854 is currently offline  slk854
Messages: 192
Registered: January 2015
Senior Member
I think when I make up these speaker cables from now on I will double check them to make sure nothing is touching, and check them with a meter after they are together. I have been making my own as I like to have a right angle plug at the bottom of the speaker cab. I like to have a cable for each amp already connected so I don't have to keep switching cables. My collection is growing...I fully understand now how important it is to check things and just not assume it is right.

Steve
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