| Author | Message | ||
| count
Junior Username: count Post Number: 48 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm trying to wrap my head around how to wire my 4x10 cabinet project... The idea is to be able to use it BOTH as a mono and as a stereo cabinet. in mono I would have it as a 4 ohm cab, in stereo as a 2x8 ohm cab. I figure I would need 4 ohm drivers, which I wire in i series to have two pairs of speakers with 8 ohm impedance for both. And two inputs on the backpanel. Now the tricky part; wire a third input which connects the both of them (the two pairs) in parallell to make it a 4 ohm cab. Would I need a switch of some sort..? Does any of this make any sense?? I will be using two GK 800rb amps, which can handle a minimum of 4 ohms impedance. When playing in mono obviously only one of these bad boys.. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2387 Registered: 5-2009 |
The GK 800RB will handle 4 OHMS on the 300W side and 8 OHMS on the 100W side . Use 16 ohm speakers in parallel . 2 speakers will give 8 OHMS and 4 speakers will give you 4 ohms mono for the full 300 W. This way you will still have A pair ( stereo) @ 8 OHMS each. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2388 Registered: 5-2009 |
As far as your question about a Switch to connect the 2 pairs , just make a parallel "Y " cord using 12 gauge stranded cable from the outside of the cabinet if you are using 1/4" jacks. Even better is to use BANANA plugs and just use a short jumper banana cable for your parallel connection. | ||
| count
Junior Username: count Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2003 |
I agree with the speakers, how ever 16 ohm bass speakers aren't really that easy to come over. (was planning on using Celestion speakers) Hence the series/parallell choice. As to the Y-cord: You lost me.. Where do I solder the two ends of the Y..? | ||
| count
Junior Username: count Post Number: 50 Registered: 10-2003 |
Was thinking of getting hold of two of these: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=092-045 | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2389 Registered: 5-2009 |
If you are using 1/4" connections then you would need 3 male 1/4" plugs . Connect 1 to the amplifier output and 1 each to the paired jacks on the cabinet. Start with 2 equal lengths of 12 gauge stranded cable. Keep your positive and negatives paired in correct polarity and attach and solder the 3 plugs . | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2390 Registered: 5-2009 |
I would not use the part you linked in your post #50 for your speaker application. (Message edited by sonicus on March 26, 2012) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2391 Registered: 5-2009 |
If you are buying new speakers , 16 ohm speakers are available . I just purchased a pair of 16 ohm 10" EV's about a year ago. | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2003 |
Now I got you! Hmm.. Okay, it would mean a custom cable contraption. Not too complicated I guess. Maybe a stereo speakercable? And then the two 1/4" jacks on one end (plugged into the speaker) and one 1/4" into the amp. Something similar to the mono/stereo instrument cable for the series basses. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2392 Registered: 5-2009 |
Yes .I would use all MONO TS (tip /sleeve) 1/4 " plugs . The big heavy duty ones to fit the 12 gauge cable. | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 363 Registered: 8-2008 |
A couple thoughts... 1/4" is not my favorite choice for speakers just because we're talking about power (think lightbulbs in watts). Definitely not any kind of switching 1/4" jack for this application. Banana plugs or "speakon" if you can do it. But 1/4" are convenient, especially when that's what the amp has... Here's a handy source for speaker cabinet parts: http://www.speakerrepair.com They sell heavy duty 1/4" jacks and plugs, pre-made cables, and even jack panels, handles and other hardware for speaker cabs. In "full range" mode your amp has two speaker outputs so you've already got a parallel connection there. You could wire your cabinet in stereo at 8 ohms per jack and just use two speaker cables to run it mono @ 4. If you want to run each side at 4 ohms then you'd need a switch or special cable to make the cabinet mono @ 8. Perhaps something like this:  HA! Jimmy J (Message edited by jimmyj on March 27, 2012) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1804 Registered: 11-2004 |
jeeze....jimmyj, that looks like an 11kV switch housing!! | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 364 Registered: 8-2008 |
Just kidding! But wouldn't that look great as part of the rig? So yeah, if you run each side @ 4 ohm then you need to run the two sides in series to make it a mono 8 or the amp won't like it. And as Wolf said above, mind the polarity. Jimmy J | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 52 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jeez... Why didn't I think of that.. Thanks for the input jimmyj, you just made my life alot easier! Hehe.. It's basically the same as the cable solution, only built into the amp. Awesome..! And also thanks for the link. I know all the cons regarding jacks, being both a musician and an engineer. But I have to say I have never had any bad experiences with them. I think it's more than anything down to the interface between the plug and the floor. (In other words, the user..) | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 206 Registered: 8-2002 |
If you go with the 16 ohm speaker option, there are a couple of advantages. First, with the speakers in parallel, if one fails the other 3 keep working. Second, it makes mono/stereo wiring a simple 2 jack option. You can use the Cliff panel mount jacks (like this: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/CLIFF-ELECTRONIC-COMPONENTS-CL1160A-/CL1160A ). Wire your 2 8 ohm parallel pairs, one to each jack, then jumper the switching contacts of one jack to the plug contacts (where the leads from the speakers are connected)of the other, and voila! instant mono stereo switching, i.e., when you plug into the jack with the switching contacts connected you split the speaker pairs. | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 53 Registered: 10-2003 |
I would also like to take advantage of the Biamp capabilities of the GK 800rb, and I'm playing with the idea of using a 2x12" cab loaded with bassy guitar speakers. Any thoughts on this..? Celestion also have splendid guitar elements: http://celestion.com/product/25/heritage_series_g12h55/ http://celestion.com/product/19/g12k100/ are some examples. Now one of them only has a watt rating of 30w. Now I'm walking on this ice when I enter the guitar world, so I don't know how much importance I should lay in that.. | ||
| jimmyj
Advanced Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 365 Registered: 8-2008 |
I'm not an amp and speaker guy ... but I think that would work. My small but loud rig has 2-EVM12L speakers which are supposed to be guitar speakers. They sound pretty good to me at full range and work together to cover the bottom. Also, the reason the "High" output of that amp is only 100w is because there is simply not as much power required as there is for the 'Low" output. For bass there is not as much information above 1khz as there is below, if you see what I mean. And bigger waveforms (lower frequencies) take more juice... I'm sure some speaker gurus will weigh in here but I would think the High output would be fine into a pair of those celestions... And so would the Low at a reasonable volume. For lower volume gigs you could just take the 2x12 and the head and I bet it would sound great. If either of your basses work in "stereo" you should also try running two heads into your stereo cabinet with the pickups split left and right. Since more fundamental comes from the neck pu and more overtones from the bridge pu it's almost like a "natural" crossover. The sound may surprise you. Have fun! Jimmy J | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 54 Registered: 10-2003 |
I totally agree Jimmy. Hence my idea of using a guitar cab. ;) I have a 73' series bass which I am building this rig for. Can't wait to try it out! Kinda worried I will get lost in knobs and adjustments, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it, and find some sweetspots.! | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1359 Registered: 6-2002 |
I think you might be right about the G12H not having enough overhead, one of the things guitarists like about them is that they break up fairly easy. I paired my 15 cab with an EVM12L and the highs were always crisp and it still had the mid punch. I used the crossover on my F-1X at around 150 hz IIRC, (paired with an SF-2 to tune each cab somewhat and boost the low lows). My friend and speaker guru ( he goes by the moniker " Speakerguy" ...LOL) is currently building some EV 12's with magnets from EV 15's...I'm looking forward to hearing/playing with what he comes up with. (shameless plug: we have a pretty good inventory of old and new speakers in our warehouse) Elwood | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2003 |
EV speakers come highly recommended it seems....? Anyone done a comparison of EV and Celestion.? | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 336 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have EV-15L (2 1x15" cabinets) and EV 10L (a 2 x 10). I love them. I've had trhem since the 70s. | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 56 Registered: 10-2003 |
EV don't have dedicated bass speakers though. It seems.... | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 57 Registered: 10-2003 |
So, Eminence it is then.. Can't find the celestions I want in 4 ohm. or 16 for that matter. Eminence legend 200 watters should do the trick I'm sure. Now to the guitar speakers. I'm between the Eminence Swamp Thang or Tonker. They're both supposed to be bassy speakers. They come with 150 watt capacity, and both have 102 dB sensitivity. Man I hate having too many options, LOL. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1361 Registered: 6-2002 |
there are some EV's that might work for you, e.g http://www.usspeaker.com/ev%20dl12x-1.htm ...but I see the prices for a new one are relatively high .I think your on the right track with Swamp Thing/Tonkers. here's an Eminence I've used with good success in my bass rigs, it held up well,sounded great ...even when I was a little mean to it ; ) http://www.usspeaker.com/DELTAPRO12-1.htm elwood (Message edited by elwoodblue on March 28, 2012) (Message edited by elwoodblue on March 28, 2012) (Message edited by elwoodblue on March 28, 2012) | ||
| count
Member Username: count Post Number: 58 Registered: 10-2003 |
Been looking at the freq./response charts of the various guitar elements now.. Why is it that they have an enormous dip around 1200-1500 Hz...? |
