8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

[Mike M.]

I can't remember where I read this, but it went something like this: Disconnect the speaker leads from the 16 ohm speaker and tape each lead off. Connect an 8 ohm speaker by plugging it into the extension speaker jack.
Will this work and if so would there be any differance in tone or output? I'd be curious to try this but not until I get an answer from someone who understand's this type of thing. Last thing I want to do is to blow my amp up. Thank's.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

What ohmage is the ext speaker out? What comes to mind is when 2 speaker loads (cabs) are running at once it halfs the impedence IE 16+16 = 8. So if the output is normally 16, and when you run a speaker with it at 16 ohms, it would cut load down to 8 ohms, and I'd think peavey would have known that, so if thats all correct, the amp would be put down to 8 ohms, but only when both speakers are attached.

In any case, it's alright for small periods of time and volumeto mismatch ohmage in a 2:1 fashion. (IIRC)

 

[NT02]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

I know what you're talking about. When a speaker is plugged into the ext jack, the amp is switched to an 8 ohm tap instead of the stock 16. The reasoning is that the ext speaker is supposd to be 16 ohms and the stock speaker is 16 ohms, combined equaling 8 ohms. Here is some text quoted from Blueguitar.org, a GREAT site for modding a Peavey Classic 30. I highly suggest checking it out.
"I strongly recommend that you replace the stock 12" 16 ohm speaker. (I put in an 8 ohm Celestion V12-60 "Silver Series" for about $60 and was fairly pleased with the performance.) What I did notice when I put the stock speaker back in, the amp sounds much more alive if I plug it into the existing "Extension Speaker" jack (which uses the 8 ohm tap). I also noticed a similar response when testing the amp with the 16 ohm load of my Classic 50-410 speakers. I suspect that putting the speaker load on the 8 ohm tap has an effect on the feedback loop; in any event, for a nice blues lead guitar tone use the 8 ohm jack whenever feasible. There is a simple trick to switch the built-in speaker from the 16 ohm tap to the 8 ohm tap: plug a bare 1/4" plug into the Extension Speaker jack. The internal switching contacts of the jack will connect the built-in speaker in parallel to the 8 ohm tap when anything is plugged into the Extension Speaker jack. If you can't afford to replace the stock speaker at this time, be sure to switch it over to the 8 ohm tap."

Hope this helps.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

I replaced mine with a new Eminence Red White & Blues and am very pleased. It's an 8 ohm speaker. The Vintage 30 also sounded very good in it, but this one is better.

 

[Mike M.]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

So if I'm reading this correctley, there's one of two ways I can hook up an 8 0hm speaker to my Classic 30:

1) Replace the 16 ohm speaker with an 8 ohm speaker and connect the + and - lead's from the amp to the 8 ohm speaker. Then take a bare 1/4 " jack and plug that into the extension speaker jack.

2) Replace the 16 ohm speaker with an 8 ohm speaker. Tape off the + and - lead's (seperatley) that come from from the amp. Connect the 8 ohm speaker to the extension speaker jack.

So either of these will work, right? Just want to be absolutely sure about this. Thanks a lot for the info, guys. Buckeye, would you say there was a huge improvement in the amps overall performance?

 

[Mike M.]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

Bump. I just want to be sure about this. Thanks.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

I just wired the 8 ohm up to the speaker and it's fine. If you want to definitely use an extension cab, I'd go with a 16 ohm "wired in" speaker, they you can use the speaker out jack to another 16 ohm speaker cab giving you a 8 ohm load. I bought the amp with a Vintage 30 already in it and it sounded great, but I figured I'd try a new Emi and I'm glad I did. Another guy put a cannibus rex (Emi) and loves it. I think you could put a Governor or Tonker in as well. From all I've read/heard about the C30, the speaker swap is basically a no brainer. Be sure to give ample time at louder volumes for speaker break in. It will probably sound a little stiff and harsh right off the bat. I used a variac to break in mine.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

Just to add, I don't think that the guy from blueguitar.com is correct. The extension jack is also a 16 ohm out, not an 8. The amp can run at 8 or 16, which is either one 8 ohm speaker (regardless of wired in or jack) or two 16 ohm speakers for a total of 8 ohm load. Or one 16 ohm speaker (regardless of wired in or jack) for a 16 ohm load. Don't mess with trying to put an internal speaker in the extension jack IMO. I guess you can always try it both ways to see if it makes a diff, but I doubt it. Good Luck.

 

[ruach777]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30?

I know this is an old thread, but just in case someone needs to know, I spoke with a Peavey tech about this very issue. He said that an 8ohm speaker can be installed exactly as the original speaker without any problems. However, if you install an 8 ohm speaker in the original manner, you can not add an extension cab.

 

[jerry1954]

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30? More volume with an 8 ohm than stock 16 ohm?

Re: 8 Ohm speaker in Classic 30? More volume with an 8 ohm than stock 16 ohm?

I know this is an old thread, but just in case someone needs to know, I spoke with a Peavey tech about this very issue. He said that an 8ohm speaker can be installed exactly as the original speaker without any problems. However, if you install an 8 ohm speaker in the original manner, you can not add an extension cab.

I'm wondering if you put a single 8 ohm speaker in the Classic 30 if it will get more volume?