Extension cabinet...

[rraawwrr]

This may seem a bit confusing, so feel free to complain :laugh2:

Currently I have a Fender ss amp rated at 90W @ 4 ohms. On the way is an Avatar 2x12 rated at 60W @ 8 ohms. This is for a 50W Mesa head that is also coming, but not for a couple of months. Since the Mesa is much louder than the fender amp, will I be able to connect the Fender to the cabinet without running the risk of damage to either piece?

ie - 90W @ 4 ohms amp -> 60W @ 8 ohms cab?

The reason for my confusion is that the Mesa, although rated at nearly half the power of the Fender, is much more than twice as loud. So if the cab works with the Mesa, it should be fine with the Fender too, unless I am missing something very important.

Will it work or am I overlooking some technical detail?

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Extension cabinet...

no you won't damage either piece

although ideally a 4 ohm head wants to see a 4 ohm load

will it hurt anything? no, amp will just have to work a little harder

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Extension cabinet...

solid state is much different in terms of ohms matching from tube amps. putting an 8 ohm cab on the fender will actually drop the wattage of the fender to right around 50 watts (depending on a few factors). you can put any ohm rating cab on a solid state amp as long as it's stable at that ohms rating. tubes on the other hand are very particular to what ohm cab it's pushing out to. never put a cab with a lower ohms rating on a tube amp. if the amp says 8 ohms make sure your cab is 8 or 16 (cab is at or higher than the rating of the amp). you cannot do this the other way around cause you will blow tubes mighty quickly.. hope this helps

 

[rraawwrr]

Re: Extension cabinet...

Yes, thank you both very much. I am sad to hear about the drop in wattage though, I was hoping for a little more volume than what I have now (1x12). That's okay though. It will be plenty loud with the Mesa

 

[Hellion]

Re: Extension cabinet...

I don't think you'll have a problem. You very well may like the way that combo sounds.

 

[knucklefux]

Re: Extension cabinet...

there are actually people out there who prefer "mismatched impedance". they say it sounds better. something about the way the power amp section handles the higher load. just remember to experiment intelligently, don't just plug it all in at turn it all the way up and see what happens, because smoke is usally what happens. smoke=bad

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Extension cabinet...

mike ness for example