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View Full Version : Connect Head To A Speaker



piebaldpython
July 10th, 2009, 03:27 PM
Let's say I have a combo amp and that I really like the speaker. Now, I also have an amp head and I'd like to connect it occasionally to the speaker in the combo amp.
What all is entailed to do that other than disconnecting the speaker from the combo chassis cable???

Can I just buy some sort of cable that will do it all for me??

OR, do I have to buy some wire/connectors/plugs and start soldering away??

Sorry, just want to see how this all plays out.

Thanks in advance.

just strum
July 10th, 2009, 03:31 PM
I run my black heart into my AD30VT - is that what you are trying to accomplish?

ibanezjunkie
July 10th, 2009, 03:34 PM
you need to solder an input jack onto the cables of the speaker, and if you till want to use the combo, you need to solder a 1/4" jack onto the 2 cables that previosuly joined the speaker. some combo amps already work as a jack connection between amp and speaker.

then you need to plug the speaker into the right speaker output on the head. If you dont know, but i bet you do, this means matching the impedances.

just strum
July 10th, 2009, 03:37 PM
Pie,

Here is the thread regarding my black heart and AD30VT

http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=11177

sunvalleylaw
July 10th, 2009, 03:43 PM
When I saw that title, I thought of what Shiner connected to his tuners, and shuddered just a bit. ;) :D

just strum
July 10th, 2009, 03:50 PM
When I saw that title, I thought of what Shiner connected to his tuners, and shuddered just a bit. ;) :D

:rotflmao: I got that.

piebaldpython
July 10th, 2009, 06:47 PM
I run my black heart into my AD30VT - is that what you are trying to accomplish?

Exactly Strum! I didn't look at your link yet but I bet it answers my questions. Thanks so much.

IBJ......I was afraid it involved soldering and that ain't happening with me. No way Jose'. If I get what I plan (a big IF btw), it would be 8 ohm across the board...both speaker and amph head would be 8 ohm.

I like the least amount of things to go wrong or variables as possible with things I know little about. :D

piebaldpython
July 10th, 2009, 07:14 PM
OMG, Strum I just went thru your link. My knees are weak....close to hyperventilating. :rotflmao: Dude, what you did is SO far out of my league/ability.

just strum
July 10th, 2009, 07:16 PM
OMG, Strum I just went thru your link. My knees are weak....close to hyperventilating. :rotflmao: Dude, what you did is SO far out of my league/ability.

Explain.

piebaldpython
July 10th, 2009, 08:56 PM
You cut a hole in your AD30VT, then you mounted some stuff where the hole is. I'm assuming you did some soldering too. If I tried all of that, I'd have the cold sweats for sure. I am not mechanically inclined. :D

WackyT
July 10th, 2009, 09:53 PM
If the speaker in your combo amp has a 1/4" connector on it already:

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/feed/large/NTK224.jpg

then you can use a 1/4" female to 1/4" female adapter:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/3/1/6/456316.jpg (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Monster-Cable-14-Female-Mono-to-14-Female-Mono-Inline-Cable-Coupler?sku=330044)

with a regular 1/4" male to 1/4" male speaker cable.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/4/5/1/568451.jpg (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-14-Inch-14-Inch-Speaker-Cable?sku=500522)

ibanezjunkie
July 11th, 2009, 03:03 AM
lets just stress, it MUST be a speaker cable.

or your going to fry something.

just strum
July 11th, 2009, 05:44 AM
First, cutting the hole isn't a big deal. I used an adjustable hole cutter, which was the wrong tool because you should have it in a drill press, however it worked and it was inexpensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Circle-Cutter-Blades-Better-Balance/dp/B0012KA5P2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1247312166&sr=1-5

If you use a hand drill and work slowly, it will work just fine.

I ordered parts online for $23 1/4" female disconnects come in 50 ($4.10 for 50), I can send you some. These are crimped and solder, easiest solder job there is.

Double jack plate $1.50

Mono 1/4" mono jacks 4 at $1.64 each

25 feet of Belkin 18 AWG speaker wire (I made my own cables) $2.50

Some heat shrink - $4.10 (it was the wrong size so I got some from work)

All soldering is simple and would be a good starting soldering project.

So for $23 I have a nice cab that I can plug in my BH or Vjr to, plus I maintain the use of the AD30VT.

Add to teh $23 the cost of the cutting tool.

piebaldpython
July 11th, 2009, 02:56 PM
Thanks Strum......I'll keep all of this in mind. I haven't bought the combo amp yet nor the head. I just received some AWARD money from my job and I'm musing about some ways to spend it. :D My git room is tiny as it's also the computer/cedar chest/huge bookcase-that-spans-two-walls room too. Space is at a premium and so I'm looking at various possibilities to improve on my Behringer GM110.

just strum
July 11th, 2009, 04:00 PM
Thanks Strum......I'll keep all of this in mind. I haven't bought the combo amp yet nor the head. I just received some AWARD money from my job and I'm musing about some ways to spend it. :D My git room is tiny as it's also the computer/cedar chest/huge bookcase-that-spans-two-walls room too. Space is at a premium and so I'm looking at various possibilities to improve on my Behringer GM110.

I have the same issue

1) full size office desk
2) two file cabinets
3) A book case
4) two ammo boxes used as a stand for the Epi Vjr
5) small dresser used as stand for Black Heart
6) AD30VT on stand
7) 5 guitars
8) 3 guitar cases
9) 4 guitar stands
10) music stand
11) me


Room: 10x11

piebaldpython
July 11th, 2009, 04:33 PM
WOW....you may have even more of a "room to move" problem than I do. We both have the same size room. Thanks again for your advice. I might do something after my vacation in a few weeks.

just strum
July 11th, 2009, 04:48 PM
Pie,

I think this is the place I purchased the parts from.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=1/4%20FEMALE&srchExt=&perPage=9&sortBy=1&layout=GRID&page=3&srchPrice=&srchCat=&srchMfg=&srchPromo=

I omitted one part in my list - Switchcraft 1/4" Female Jack (around $2.00 each)

post here or PM me if you have any concerns.