Lwa Compressor Clipping

Hi all, first post here. I'm a long time Warwick fan.

I recently bought a used LWA500, which I really love, but the compressor has issues. When I first received the amp, the compressor would function normally most of the time and only clip if the gain was set very high. However, sometimes when I turn on the compressor it clips even with a very low signal level. It's gotten worse; it does it all the time now. I can plug in my Corvette, dial back the volume on the bass, put it in passive mode, set the amp gain below 9 o'clock, bass knob flat (12 o'clock), and the compressor will still clip! When clipping, the light goes from green to orange, there is audible distortion (comes on and off very suddenly, like a switch, so it's very un-musical), and the overall volume drops. I was really digging the compressor when it was functioning! (Although there was a bit of a learning curve.) I've been trying different cables and basses trying to figure it out (the intermittent behavior had me confused), but I've had no luck. The amp is out of warranty.

I know others have had problems with the LWA compressors, and I know that many of those problems are actually just users struggling to understand the gain structure and how to work the compressor. But is there a way to repair an actual malfunctioning compressor? I'm hoping there is a simple, ahem, affordable fix. Hopefully something a local amp tech can fix. Any ideas?

 

The LWA should still be in its warranty period I think. I'd take it back to the dealer. You have tried several workarounds already.

The comp on my LWA1000 does not have any of these problems so it isn't normal LWA behavior.

 

Hello there, and welcome aboard.

Sounds like something is not working properly, if you bought it new you should claim the warranty and let the seller check it out.

 

I bought the amp used. It's out of warranty.

 

Do you boost your lows a lot? And if so, do you boost on the Corvette built in pre or on the amp?