SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Can I run my 8 ohm head into the stereo setting 8 ohm input of the 1960a cab ? I know i would be only using 2 speakers but would the impendence match up and is it safe for both the amp and cab ? Thanks in advance fellas!
Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
- Thread starter SongsForTheDeaf
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SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
I keep hearing mixed things some say 8 into 16 is ok some say its bad... All I know is that the amp I'm using is vintage and I don't wanna mess anything up! is it safe to run just the 2 speakers in the cab with my amp ? I messaged Marshall but I doubt I'll get an email back by tomorrow night
I keep hearing mixed things some say 8 into 16 is ok some say its bad... All I know is that the amp I'm using is vintage and I don't wanna mess anything up! is it safe to run just the 2 speakers in the cab with my amp ? I messaged Marshall but I doubt I'll get an email back by tomorrow night
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
Is it a solid-state head or a tube head with an output transformer?
Solid-state amps generally act as voltage sources in their linear range, and they like to see a certain minimum load. You can usually run a solid-state amp into a higher-impedance load (more ohms) without hurting anything, though it will probably impact the maximum volume the thing will put out and the overall efficiency of the power transfer. (You usually get the maximum power output when the load impedance matches the output impedance of the amp.) If you go too low on the impedance with a solid-state amp, at higher volumes it can't maintain the output currents being demanded of it, and it may clip and/or go into thermal protection. You might also notice sonic issues -- unwanted distortion, bass gets thin -- as you push the envelope more and more relative to what the amp is comfortable with. If you play at a level where the amp sounds right and doesn't seem to get hot or shut down, you're probably safe.
Tube amps are a little different. They often have specific taps on the output transformer for specific speaker loads, and it's a good idea to keep the two matched. A tube amp, with its impedance-matching output transformer, acts more like a current source than a voltage source. It tries to maintain a certain output current with a given input signal into it, which is why it's a bad idea to run a tube amp without a speaker load or with too high a load impedance. Some of the guys with more tube amp experience can probably expand on how and when you can play around with these rules. Personally, I have enough trouble with tube amps as it is, so I like to play it safe.
Is it a solid-state head or a tube head with an output transformer?
Solid-state amps generally act as voltage sources in their linear range, and they like to see a certain minimum load. You can usually run a solid-state amp into a higher-impedance load (more ohms) without hurting anything, though it will probably impact the maximum volume the thing will put out and the overall efficiency of the power transfer. (You usually get the maximum power output when the load impedance matches the output impedance of the amp.) If you go too low on the impedance with a solid-state amp, at higher volumes it can't maintain the output currents being demanded of it, and it may clip and/or go into thermal protection. You might also notice sonic issues -- unwanted distortion, bass gets thin -- as you push the envelope more and more relative to what the amp is comfortable with. If you play at a level where the amp sounds right and doesn't seem to get hot or shut down, you're probably safe.
Tube amps are a little different. They often have specific taps on the output transformer for specific speaker loads, and it's a good idea to keep the two matched. A tube amp, with its impedance-matching output transformer, acts more like a current source than a voltage source. It tries to maintain a certain output current with a given input signal into it, which is why it's a bad idea to run a tube amp without a speaker load or with too high a load impedance. Some of the guys with more tube amp experience can probably expand on how and when you can play around with these rules. Personally, I have enough trouble with tube amps as it is, so I like to play it safe.
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SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
Thanks for the info Pigbacon, I appreciate it. It is infact a tube amp (JTM-45 clone) but has a big hammond output transformer so I think it would probably be ok going into 16 ohms but if I can go 8 ohms into just half the cab I would rather do that.
Thanks for the info Pigbacon, I appreciate it. It is infact a tube amp (JTM-45 clone) but has a big hammond output transformer so I think it would probably be ok going into 16 ohms but if I can go 8 ohms into just half the cab I would rather do that.
SteveAlysis
Active member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
Just lug that cab around man... that amp is not gonna sound nearly as good through that 1960.
Just lug that cab around man... that amp is not gonna sound nearly as good through that 1960.
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
good point ^^^ plus it would be good to have my speakers while tweaking my sounds and stuff for songs. Still an interesting question though if I can run the head into the marshall through just 2 speakers. |
Someone has to have tried it :fingersx:
good point ^^^ plus it would be good to have my speakers while tweaking my sounds and stuff for songs. Still an interesting question though if I can run the head into the marshall through just 2 speakers. |
Someone has to have tried it :fingersx:
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
The answer to your question is yes. But it has to be switched to stereo mode, which isolates each side into 8 ohms per side.
One thing you can then do is run another 8 ohm head or combo into the other side and use an A/B or A/B/Y switch to jump between heads or have them both running in stereo. Stereo cabs are the only ones you can do this with.
The answer to your question is yes. But it has to be switched to stereo mode, which isolates each side into 8 ohms per side.
One thing you can then do is run another 8 ohm head or combo into the other side and use an A/B or A/B/Y switch to jump between heads or have them both running in stereo. Stereo cabs are the only ones you can do this with.
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Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
Doesn't the OPT have a 16 ohm tap? Otherwise follow Gear Joneser's advise.
Doesn't the OPT have a 16 ohm tap? Otherwise follow Gear Joneser's advise.
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
I might try a stereo setup with the 1960a cab and a Dark terror head sometime soon.. it would be interesting to say the least
thanks Gear Joneser !!!
I might try a stereo setup with the 1960a cab and a Dark terror head sometime soon.. it would be interesting to say the least
thanks Gear Joneser !!!
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
Just run 8 into 16, you'll be fine. Had to do it last gig as the cab I was using had a ****ed up 4ohm side so I went 4 into 16. Once I switched over to the 16 the smell went away!
Just run 8 into 16, you'll be fine. Had to do it last gig as the cab I was using had a ****ed up 4ohm side so I went 4 into 16. Once I switched over to the 16 the smell went away!
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Marshall 1960a Cab and running 8 Ohm head
I used it in stereo last night.. sounded great! Headroom for days and loved my pedals with the amp LOUD (1.5 out of 10 lol) seriously these old Traynors are LOUD
I used it in stereo last night.. sounded great! Headroom for days and loved my pedals with the amp LOUD (1.5 out of 10 lol) seriously these old Traynors are LOUD
