Cabinet Wiring help.
- Thread starter mammo300
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Left_Hand_Strat
New member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
the toggle is to allow him to use both speakers in the cabinet together.
If my judgement is correct his speakers are 8ohms each.
so he basically want to be able to switch it from using just one speaker in the cab to useing both speakers in the cab.
the toggle is to allow him to use both speakers in the cabinet together.
If my judgement is correct his speakers are 8ohms each.
so he basically want to be able to switch it from using just one speaker in the cab to useing both speakers in the cab.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
OP, what are you trying to accomplish and why?
His trannys ain't gonna like that for very long.
OP, what are you trying to accomplish and why?
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
The way I understand it:
- Plugged in the "both" input with the switch "on", he wants to get a 16ohm dual-speaker cab.
- With the switch "off" and plugged in one of the two inputs specific to each speaker, he can select either speaker, depending on which input he's plugged in. That makes sense, unless he's got two identical speakers in there. Both inputs would be 8 ohms.
This isn't a bad idea as long as he doesn't forget to switch inputs. Would work IMHO but don't take my word for it, there may be something I'm missing. I'm not even sure that there's a need for a switch since the inputs are independent.
Mojo: I'm assuming that he's gonna plug into a different output on the amp and input on the cab for this, which won't affect his tranny, as long as he's in the right output.
The way I understand it:
- Plugged in the "both" input with the switch "on", he wants to get a 16ohm dual-speaker cab.
- With the switch "off" and plugged in one of the two inputs specific to each speaker, he can select either speaker, depending on which input he's plugged in. That makes sense, unless he's got two identical speakers in there. Both inputs would be 8 ohms.
This isn't a bad idea as long as he doesn't forget to switch inputs. Would work IMHO but don't take my word for it, there may be something I'm missing. I'm not even sure that there's a need for a switch since the inputs are independent.
Mojo: I'm assuming that he's gonna plug into a different output on the amp and input on the cab for this, which won't affect his tranny, as long as he's in the right output.
Jolly_Rancher
New member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
the schematic you have won't work.
My Randall RT212RC cab does what you want (2 8ohm spkrs, 2 jacks, with DPDT switch to one side it is 2 seperate 8ohm inputs, with switch to the other side it is 16ohm on one and 4ohm on the other. Maybe you can find a schematic of that cabinet somewhere.
the schematic you have won't work.
My Randall RT212RC cab does what you want (2 8ohm spkrs, 2 jacks, with DPDT switch to one side it is 2 seperate 8ohm inputs, with switch to the other side it is 16ohm on one and 4ohm on the other. Maybe you can find a schematic of that cabinet somewhere.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
I know I've seen stuff like that before and my little Class A project amp is setup for one input at 8 ohms or 2 inputs at 16 ohms.
I just want to make sure the OP knows he has to switch between 8 and 16 ohms on his amp, too.
I was just wanting to point out that while he *could* make that wiring scheme work, and he might actually get sound out of the amp, it wouldn't be for long.
Oh sure.
I know I've seen stuff like that before and my little Class A project amp is setup for one input at 8 ohms or 2 inputs at 16 ohms.
I just want to make sure the OP knows he has to switch between 8 and 16 ohms on his amp, too.
Yea, but he has to remember to switch inputs.
I was just wanting to point out that while he *could* make that wiring scheme work, and he might actually get sound out of the amp, it wouldn't be for long.
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
That's the part I don't understand... why wouldn't it work for long if everything's plugged where it's supposed to be?
Or are you talkin' about the fact that it wouldn't work long if he did forget to switch inputs in the process?
I'm not trying to be confrontational at all, I just want to make sure I understand clearly... thanks
That's the part I don't understand... why wouldn't it work for long if everything's plugged where it's supposed to be?
Or are you talkin' about the fact that it wouldn't work long if he did forget to switch inputs in the process?
I'm not trying to be confrontational at all, I just want to make sure I understand clearly... thanks
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
The transformer would fry after a while.
The problem is that you think everything is ok, because, well, you've hooked everything up and you are getting sound, so you don't stop.
Mismatched impedance is bad.
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I'm just not sure I understand the benefits of doing this.
At best you convert the cabinet from a 112 to a 212, but the tonal differences can't possibly be meaningful, unless there are 2 completely disparate sounding speakers involved.
In which case, if you can get everything to match up so it sounds good like that, it would be a worthwhile endeavor.
At that point it would be more meaningful to be able to have something like an ABY switch between the amp and the speaker cab.
And I'm still not sure you could do it without having to switch your amp impedance at the amp.
Yes.
The transformer would fry after a while.
The problem is that you think everything is ok, because, well, you've hooked everything up and you are getting sound, so you don't stop.
Mismatched impedance is bad.
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I'm just not sure I understand the benefits of doing this.
At best you convert the cabinet from a 112 to a 212, but the tonal differences can't possibly be meaningful, unless there are 2 completely disparate sounding speakers involved.
In which case, if you can get everything to match up so it sounds good like that, it would be a worthwhile endeavor.
At that point it would be more meaningful to be able to have something like an ABY switch between the amp and the speaker cab.
And I'm still not sure you could do it without having to switch your amp impedance at the amp.
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
Ok, so we understand each other
I can see the benefit of doing this, especially in a situation where you have two different speakers and want to be able to hear each one separately depending on the occasion.
I've actually devised something similar for myself in order to be able to use only 1 speaker instead of two in a 2x12 for indoor solo use but didn't need both speakers separately.
It does make sense but as you said: you run the risk of forgetting to switch the input and therefore mismatch the impedance.
Ok, so we understand each other
I can see the benefit of doing this, especially in a situation where you have two different speakers and want to be able to hear each one separately depending on the occasion.
I've actually devised something similar for myself in order to be able to use only 1 speaker instead of two in a 2x12 for indoor solo use but didn't need both speakers separately.
It does make sense but as you said: you run the risk of forgetting to switch the input and therefore mismatch the impedance.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
Tonebone makes something called the Cabbone which allows for safe one-button switching.
Just imagine that you've got the cabinet wired for ABY, so either speaker AB or both Y, selectable by a switch on the cabinet. So either speaker(AB) is 16ohm and both(Y) are 8ohm.
The Cabbone is connected to your amps 8 and 16 ohm jack and then out to the two speaker jacks on the cabinet.
Of course, none of that is cheap.
Tonebone makes something called the Cabbone which allows for safe one-button switching.
Just imagine that you've got the cabinet wired for ABY, so either speaker AB or both Y, selectable by a switch on the cabinet. So either speaker(AB) is 16ohm and both(Y) are 8ohm.
The Cabbone is connected to your amps 8 and 16 ohm jack and then out to the two speaker jacks on the cabinet.
Of course, none of that is cheap.
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
Have none of you ever played through a cab wired stereo??
The wiring diagram is just fine. If you want to use a single 8 ohm speaker, plug into either of the "outside" jacks with the switch off (open circuit). If you want stereo (8 ohms each channel), plug each channel into each of the two "outside" speaker jacks with the switch off. If you want mono and want to use both speakers, flip the switch on and plug into the "center" jack. The speakers will be connected in series so the impedence will be 16 ohms.
Many cabs are wired for 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono. This will all be fine as long as he remembers to select the proper output impedence on his amp.
Have none of you ever played through a cab wired stereo??
The wiring diagram is just fine. If you want to use a single 8 ohm speaker, plug into either of the "outside" jacks with the switch off (open circuit). If you want stereo (8 ohms each channel), plug each channel into each of the two "outside" speaker jacks with the switch off. If you want mono and want to use both speakers, flip the switch on and plug into the "center" jack. The speakers will be connected in series so the impedence will be 16 ohms.
Many cabs are wired for 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono. This will all be fine as long as he remembers to select the proper output impedence on his amp.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
I just never saw the point because you just aren't getting very much stereo separation from a single 212 cab.
But it's good to know that's what that diagram is all about.
Thanks.
I must admit that I have not.
I just never saw the point because you just aren't getting very much stereo separation from a single 212 cab.
But it's good to know that's what that diagram is all about.
Thanks.
+1.
GoldenVulture
Braindeadologist
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
I have a stereo S.D, box which has three jacks on it and no switch.
1X 8 Ohm; 2 X 4 Ohm.
There's a few ways to wire to stereo or alternate the wiring to parralell
As he hasn't responded, I wonder if he will return to the thread?
I have a stereo S.D, box which has three jacks on it and no switch.
1X 8 Ohm; 2 X 4 Ohm.
There's a few ways to wire to stereo or alternate the wiring to parralell
As he hasn't responded, I wonder if he will return to the thread?
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Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
What is it about the diagram that makes you say it won't work?
With the switch "off" (disconnecting the continuity in that wire), each speaker is separately connected to each of the two outside jacks. With two cables plugged into those two jacks you get two separate 8 ohm speakers, just like running two separate 1x12 cabs, but together in one cab. You're not using the one jack which would only be used when the switch is "on" connecting the two speakers in series.
What is it about the diagram that makes you say it won't work?
With the switch "off" (disconnecting the continuity in that wire), each speaker is separately connected to each of the two outside jacks. With two cables plugged into those two jacks you get two separate 8 ohm speakers, just like running two separate 1x12 cabs, but together in one cab. You're not using the one jack which would only be used when the switch is "on" connecting the two speakers in series.
GoldenVulture
Braindeadologist
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
Your correct. I just realised what the diagram was . 3 plugs. Having a complete braindead moment on that. I was seeing the two plugs [ 8 Ohms ] as the speakers. I shall just go and hide under the carpet now.
[ And edit my previous post ]. cheers Doc.
Your correct. I just realised what the diagram was . 3 plugs. Having a complete braindead moment on that. I was seeing the two plugs [ 8 Ohms ] as the speakers. I shall just go and hide under the carpet now.
[ And edit my previous post ]. cheers Doc.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Cabinet Wiring help.
Ok, while researching a new amp build I read through The Guitar Amp Handbook, by Dave Hunter, and came across his version of this on page 173.
He calls it "independent parallel/linked series jacks" and there is no switch.
This guy blogged about making his own.
So, yea, basically you choose one or the other speaker, both at double the ohm rating, both at half the ohm rating, or you can run an amp into each speaker.
Here's the wiring using Cliff jacks:
This guy added a switch to that scheme, which looks like what the OP was doing:
8 ohm speakers on the left, 16 ohm speakers on the right.
And this guy figured out how to wire it up using 2 16 ohm speakers:
Ok, while researching a new amp build I read through The Guitar Amp Handbook, by Dave Hunter, and came across his version of this on page 173.
He calls it "independent parallel/linked series jacks" and there is no switch.
This guy blogged about making his own.
So, yea, basically you choose one or the other speaker, both at double the ohm rating, both at half the ohm rating, or you can run an amp into each speaker.
Here's the wiring using Cliff jacks:
This guy added a switch to that scheme, which looks like what the OP was doing:
8 ohm speakers on the left, 16 ohm speakers on the right.
And this guy figured out how to wire it up using 2 16 ohm speakers:
