Speaker Break in.

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Violin Player 75

Violin Player 75

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Soo..

I am getting ready to break in my new 2x12 tourmaster cab with Celeston 80s (when it comes)

so my choices of break in are as follows. Which would you guys reccomend and or do? What would the man think is best?

1- do nothing, but play normally. BUT I won't play loud enough very much... this could take a while

2- Run Fm Radio through it. (some people swear by this)

3- run recordings of either guitars only, or full rock bands.
 
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Play normally. Lots of big open clean chords to start with, then some nice loud stuff
 
Since the whole idea of breaking it in is to get the speaker MOVING back and forth alot, I've heard some people talk about playing BASS thru the speakers. Since the bass sounds get the cones pushing more.

Although in theory, it sounds like a good idea, I'd be afraid to try it at high volumes. Just plug in, and do some palm mute chugging, and get those cones moving!

A broken in speaker is just SO so much better than a new one. New ones just have that steely, almost metallic treble response to them.
 
Option 3 for me. I like old Bad Company and Montrose ( :D )!!!

I run my stereo into it, put the cab in a closet, trun the CD player on repeat or if you have a changer put 5 or 6 disks in there. Face the cab on it's face to the floor. That's if you have niehbors that care, if not just let it go.

And of course play though it for real. I don't think you will find the Celestion 80 sounds all that bad without a long break in though.
 
Since those are 80 watt speakers, its going to take a lot to get them loosened up, I recommend something pretty intense at first.
 
Aim the cab at the floor (assuming you have a carpeted floor. This is especially effective in a basement with thick and or soft carpet.
 
I've heard of people doing that to acoustic guitars, that is, placing them in front of a speaker with loud music. I have no idea if it works or not lol.

Not to derail, but judging by your avatar do you play the same kind of violin as this hottie?
0719_jpg.jpg
 
That is a sweet looking instrument. What do you mean "wooden" violin? I thought all violins were made of wood..

I never realized the company made fretted violins (viola?), first time I've ever seen that. Did you start off playing regular/unfretted violinfirst? Are those things tuned in 4th like a guitar, or 5ths like a violins?
 
very cool; sorry that i derailed your thread! I was just interested. Didn't know that you still play on top of the fret, very interesting. You're right, seems like a great way to start. I also didn't realize they got into the guitar/bass tuning territory, very cool.

Now *hopefully* back to your regularly scheduled thread..
 
So we've talked about a bunch of different methods for breaking speakers in... Now I'm wondering how long does it take? I've got a 2x12 and a 4x12 both with brand new Warehouse 30s and I've gotta break them in. 10 hours of wanking at high volume? 20 hours? My preferred method will just be to put the cab(s) face-down on carpet and just crank the volume up and start wailing.
 
I just hook up my iPod to a poweramp, lock the doors to my studio, and let 'er rip for a day.

Has worked great for me so far.
 
As to using your synth, first off, don't go below 55hz, probably stay above 100hz. Also don't go over 6Khz, guitar speakers are not full range.

TheGrooveking
 
gdgross":vpm7fp3l said:
I just hook up my iPod to a poweramp, lock the doors to my studio, and let 'er rip for a day.

Has worked great for me so far.
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I'm thinking about doing this myself. How long do you do this for until the speakers can be said to be officially "broken in"?
 
Yeah, i've heard numbers of hours all over the show!

I practice for about 4 hours, once a week with my band. So that's all that my new cab gets used. In few months, i'm sure it'll sound great, no piercing highs and a smoother bottom end. I'm just aiming at the highest figure i've heard, 50 hours
 
Side tangent:

It would be hilarious if there were some famous tone snobs that insisted on speaker changes before every show/recording take.

Like, some nutcases that need to change speakers like they change strings. I don't think there's anyone out there like this, but that WOULD be really funny...

"I require the articulation and stiffness of a fresh, new speaker. Once the cone has moved for more than 20 hours, that speaker just loses it's punch and clarity. Trust me, you can hear the difference in tone..."

:lol: :LOL:

Ok. Comedy hour is over. Back to the thread.
 
I broke in a 4x12 with British Lead 80s (Warehouse version of the CL-80s) and Veteran 30s in an X pattern and a 2x12 with Veteran 30s in it over the last two days. I hooked my iPod up to our practice PA and ran the outputs to each cab. I put them face-down and used blankets to cover up any exposed areas to dampen sound even more. I had the volume at a moderate level - the level indicators on the PA never went above halfway. I ran them for about 24 hours straight with rock music playing - about 300 songs played in that time - and I checked on them and heard a noticeable difference. I ran them for another 24 hours and they definitely broken in and sounding awesome. All harshness is gone and they're ready to rock. :rock: I just wanted to let you guys know that, first hand, this method definitely works! :thumbsup:
 
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