New speaker - static?

[yaryaryar]

Hi all,

This feels like a silly question. I just installed a brand new WGS G12Q in an early 60s Ampeg Rocket. Now the amp has a tiny bit of static that kind of follows the note - especially lower notes. I know normally for that I'd clean pots/jacks/tube sockets, and maybe have to hunt down a bad solder joint. But the problem is - the static wasn't there with the old speaker (or at least I didn't notice it). I plug in to external speakers and it's not there. Back to the new speaker in the cab, the static is there.

So the question is: Is it even possible for a speaker to have some defect that causes this problem?

[Leo_Gnardo]

Is it even possible for a speaker to have some defect that causes this problem?

Crap in the gap. Or possibly some debris stuck in the speaker frame. Examine it carefully to make sure your new speaker didn't pick up an errant washer, guitar pick or potato chip (yes I've found these things) or other rubbish during the unpacking & mounting process. You could try gently pressing the cone, see if you feel or hear any scraping that would likely indicate a bubble of glue or other debris in the magnet gap. If you can't clear the problem I'd suggest asking WGS for a replacement.

[nosaj]

Hi all,

This feels like a silly question. I just installed a brand new WGS G12Q in an early 60s Ampeg Rocket. Now the amp has a tiny bit of static that kind of follows the note - especially lower notes. I know normally for that I'd clean pots/jacks/tube sockets, and maybe have to hunt down a bad solder joint. But the problem is - the static wasn't there with the old speaker (or at least I didn't notice it). I plug in to external speakers and it's not there. Back to the new speaker in the cab, the static is there.

So the question is: Is it even possible for a speaker to have some defect that causes this problem?

Since you installed a the new speaker. Try 2 things put the old one back in if the noise is now still there I'd check the speaker connections(are they soldered on or push on? reflow the solder or crimp the spade a little with some pliers to increase contact.) Try new speaker with another amp.

Nosaj

[Enzo]

And if removing the new speaker, hold it in front of your face and shake it, do you hear any rattling?

A test for voice coil rub:
Hold the speaker in front of your face by its frame, cone facing away, looking at magnet. Use a rubber mallet or ball up your fist and whack the magnet, center on. Listen to the sound. A good speaker will make a low "tum" or just a clean thud. A rubbing voice coil will give a little rattle or scratch sound. try a good speaker first to hear that. Then compare.

[yaryaryar]

Thanks for all the suggestions. This is why I love this forum - novices like me can ask silly questions and get great advice without any condescension or anything like that. I really appreciate it!

Long story short: there must have been some junk loose in the frame. When I removed the speaker to try the whack test and to try the original speaker back in this amp, I blew around the edges of the frame and back towards the magnet, and also around the amp cabinet, just to make sure no loose pieces were around. When I mounted this speaker in a different cab to test, everything was fine. When I got it back in the amp, everything was fine. I didn't actually see anything fly out of there, so I'm not positive. It also could have been the connectors - they're the crimp type. Maybe there just wasn't a solid connection?

Thanks again for the help!

[Enzo]

Oh, a tiny bead of solder would be enough, and you might not have seen it leave.

[Mick Bailey]

Oh, I've had that one happen a few times over the years.