Hot Switching Cabinet

[Faraday]

Would it hurt the output transformer on an amp if I switched from one 8 ohm cabinet to another 8 ohm cabinet while playing? Assuming I had the cabinets wired up with a switch and just stepped on it to toggle from a "solo" 10" speaker cabinet to a "rhythm" 8" speaker cabinet. Would there be a small amount of time when switching from one to the other where there may be no load?

[kmcguitars]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

What Exactly are you planning to use for a switch? I think Weber makes a switch that will do this? But you Can't/shouldn't do this with your typical A/B switch box. Those are for passive signals. I can't Imagine what a speaker load would do to one of them or your amp? Something NOT GOOD !

[Faraday]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

What Exactly are you planning to use for a switch? I think Weber makes a switch that will do this? But you Can't/shouldn't do this with your typical A/B switch box. Those are for passive signals. I can't Imagine what a speaker load would do to one of them or your amp? Something NOT GOOD !

Thanks. I guess my idea won't work.

[itbepopples]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

Thanks. I guess my idea won't work.

It sure would work. Just get a Tonebone Cabbone pedal and it'll switch between cabinets safely. I've never used one, nor do I know anyone who has...but it's an option nonetheless.

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

Steve Stevens does this and talks about it in an interview I linked recently. Look in the pickup forum for my post on Stevens.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

In theory, I think it wouldn't hurt an amp. The only issue is that speaker cables have less resistance than a guitar cable, and possibly an A/B switch in the link would add resistance, sorta like a guitar cable.

Maybe that Tonebone Cabbone pedal would be something to look into, and an Email to them might clear up why their pedal is superior to a regular A/B pedal.
It seems to me that an A/B switch is nothing more than a connection, so it wouldn't make any difference. It's probably a question for customer service at Radial.

[WhoFan]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

I never thought of switching from one cab to another..... from www.axess-electronics.com i bought the HS2 that allows you to safey switch between two tube heads into a single cab....... Maybe Mario at Axess could help you with this cab switching question..... he has built rigs for a lot of famous guys.... Even EVH uses his buffers..... Alex Lifeson, Peter Frampton....

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Hot Switching Cabinet

I've been over on Aaron's stompbox forum asking about an A/B box for two amps, one with an effects loop and one without. Even with that, the consensus seems to be (1) I'm a NOOB, and (2) my application requires buffers and isolated outputs.

I know that running the wrong speaker load, or god forbid no load, can torch an amp. IMHO you should buy something from a VERY reputable source like Weber or ToneBone to do this switching. That instant while the switching occurs could be a disaster otherwise.

Chip