2FB 2x12 Cab, only one speaker working?

[hagcel]

I picked up a 2FBB-R cab last week as I waited for my Single Rectifier to arrive (which was today!!!)

I am only getting sound out of one of the speakers. I have it hooked up 8 ohm to 8 ohm with a speaker cable. Do I need a different cable?

The only other amp I have is a 5150 combo which has a 16 ohm out on it but I shouldn't plug that in to the cab, right?

I tried calling Mesa but they were already closed.

Can I damage the cab or amp by playing like this?

Otherwise it sounds amazing! Makes the 5150 sound like pure crap.

 

[hagcel]

So I'm thinking I should check the wiring to see if it was setup as Stereo for some reason?

Does anyone have a wiring diagrams for the 2x12 2FB? I would like to set it back to Mono...

Thanks

 

[mikey383]

Do you have it plugged into the stereo jack by chance? Maybe there's just a loose wire inside. :?

 

[hagcel]

Well that's the thing, there isn't a stereo Jack on the cab. Just an 8 ohm in and a paralle out. I took all the screws out of the back panel and tried prying a bit but the cover wouldn't come off. I'll try again tonight and get a photo up.

Edit: any suggestions for getting the back off? Do I need to remove the jack plate? The back panel is rather tight!

 

[hagcel]

Working Speaker:

Non Working Speaker:

Front Of Jack Plate

Back of Jack Plate

The connections feel firm. Can I test them with a multi meter? Could this possible be the amp somehow?

 

[mikey383]

Chief, it sounds like you have a blown speaker.

Here's what I would do:

Test the connection on the back of the jack plate with a multimeter. You should get ~ 8 ohms if both speakers work...somewhere from 6.5 to 11 would be considered normal.

If you get higher than that, disconnect one of the wires from the non-working speaker. Test the working speaker and see what you read. The V30s in the 2x12 are 16 ohm speakers, so you should get anywhere from 12 or so to 18. Then test the non-working speaker and see what you get.

I'll be willing to bet you get some funky readings, either really low or really high.

 

[hagcel]

Testing the good speaker i get 13.8. Testing the bad speaker i get 14.5. Testing the jack I get 13.5 - .8. Testing the parallel out i get the same.

I don't want to unsolder the connections in case the shop will do something for me. I really don't want to return it because i love this cab. I paid $450 for it so hopefully they will cut me a deal or hook me up with a V30 but I'm not crossing my fingers.

Do those readings tell you anything?

I'm guessing I should not be running my head through this since I can only output 4 or 8...

Also I tested with no load, meter set to 200...assuming this is correct...?

 

[mikey383]

That tells me you have a blown speaker.

Since they are wired in parallel, you should get ~8 ohms at either speaker. The 14.5 you got is a reading through the good speaker.

Sounds like the bad speaker has an open coil. Is it brand new? Even if it's not, the shop you bought it from should be able to do something for you.

 

[YellowJacket]

Order a speaker from http://www.avatarspeakers.com. They have some great deals with barely used speakers in the Scratch and Dent section on that site. You can get a Hellatone 60 (same as a v30 but already broken in) for around $75 USD plus shipping.

 

[hagcel]

I can get it reconed for 65$ so I will probably go that route.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mikey383]

I would immediately take it back to the shop where it was purchased and demand they make it right. $450 is a lot of money for a 2x12 (considering they go for less than that on Ebay), and it should be in proper working order.

Just my .02

 

[hagcel]

Yeah, it was in like new condition so I was cool with the price.

The store told me everything is checked when it comes in so it was good when it went out. They said they would sell me a V30 at cost...

 

[mikey383]

There's no way a speaker can go out in transit, unless it was bad to begin with.

How old is the cab? If it's less than 5 years old, it's still covered under Mesa's warranty. Call them up and see if they can help you out if the shop won't.

You shouldn't have to drop any cash on it (unless you blew it, which I doubt you did with a 50 watt Single.). If the shop won't do anything about it, I would make sure to let them know you'll be calling your local BBB and filing a complaint.

That kind of customer service gets me fired up, because that's mostly what I've dealt with in the Ma and Pa shops around here. They'll sell something but won't stand behind it when it's not what it was expected to be.

 

[hagcel]

Yeah I know what you mean.

I didn't check it out before I bought it so I didn't cover myself there. Last time I do that...

It's going to be in the shop for two weeks which sucks, but will give me a reason to check out the Single Rec through a 1960b.

 

[hagcel]

Took it into the speaker repair shop today.

Bad lead wire. $30 repair. Not bad. Should have it back in a few days

 

[mikey383]

Doh! I never even thought about that.

Good deal. I'm glad you didn't have to spring on a new speaker.