jamiewoody Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 recently, i bought a valve jr head, and the matching cab sporting the lady luck. i havent seen the need to do any of the popular "mods" to it. it sounds BEAUTIFUL! no pedals needed. just turn up the master volume for lush, creamy overdrive! here is my question: since the speaker cab outs come from the head, this means 2 cabs would be in parallel. this means subtracting ohms. so, since the standard epi-cabs are 16 ohms, the signal going into them would be 8 ohms. is this a safe practice? i assume it is designed for this sort of thing. it would seem with 2 cabs, subtracting ohms, the overdrive would be more lush at lower volumes! thoughts please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 the ohms calc is right, if you paralleling the two 16ohm cab’s together you get 8ohms. Yes it's "safe". Meaning you can always scarf up something, done correctly it will work fine. no it won't yield lower volume, but in fact about a 3~9db gain in volume but just because of more speaker space. All you are doing is matching the total DC resistance of the speakers to the output transformer, this way the OT runs in its specifications without over heating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cGil Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 If you have a 2-in-one adapter or parallel splitter of some sort (Rat Shack Y-plug adapter for instance) you can easily use two 16 ohm cabs together plugged into the 8ohm jack. This is done all the time and it's perfectly safe for the amp as long as you observe the proper impedance load for your amp. http://www.abrown.com/pics/wiring.gif http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/foxweb.dll/extpage@d:/dfs/elevclients/cemirror/ELEVATOR.FXP?page=TECHWIRING Gil... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiewoody Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 thanks for the info "eraser". so, what in your opinion are the advantages/disadvantages of adding a cab; series vs parallel, etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 so' date=' what in your opinion are the advantages/disadvantages of adding a cab; series vs parallel, etc?[/quote']Maybe a subtle advantage drawing 16 ohms (over 8 or 4) but doesn't matter how. Series or parallel wiring won't change tone equation -- just the ohm draw. Maybe it's my ears, but I do hear a subtle tone "depth" advantage using the 16 ohm out. With my 2 custom 2x12s I can run either 1 as 16 (8+8 series) or both as 8 (16s in parallel). The 4x12 option adds a touch of volume for larger venues but I prefer the 2x12 tone overall and that is my usual set-up. B/C the cabs have different flavor speakers, I switch between them depending upon songs/sets. Hope that helps you. WELCOME to the forum jamiewoody! Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cGil Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 It largely depends on how the OT is constructed. It you have an OT with a single, multi-tapped secondary winding, you'll supposedly get the most tone out of the 16 ohm tap, since only that one uses the entire length of the winding. Although, the end effect will probably be rather subtle and take a trained ear to pick out from the crowd. On other OT's with multiple secondaries, there probably won't be much of a difference. Gil... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiewoody Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 thanks for the help and the warm welcomes. i am not new to the "tube tone", but i am always wondering about this stuff. right now, my amps are the valve jr, which i love! an old univox u-45b tube amp (15 watt, i think), sporting a jensen! (my favorite amp of all time! an old silvertone (made by dannelectro) twin twelve reverb (needs the old jensens re-coned, new caps, etc), and a mystery amp, which sports the logo "deluxe". it is a tube head, not sure if it is even a "guitar" head, but it is a true hand wired amp! very unique! i bought it for peanuts almost. i want to put new caps and new tubes in it. (and no, it is not a fender. no serial or anything either). also, i have one of those fender mexi 60s reverse strats. i dont care about the mexi stigma, i love that thing and i will never get rid of it! a slew of analog pedals, mxr micro chorus, phase 90s modded, a morely emerald echo, a cry baby, an old dod flanger, and the list goes on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 a mystery amp' date=' which sports the logo "deluxe". it is a tube head, not sure if it is even a "guitar" head, but it is a true hand wired amp! very unique! i bought it for peanuts almost. i want to put new caps and new tubes in it. (and no, it is not a fender. no serial or anything either). [/quote'] We love mysteries....got pix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiewoody Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 i know this is a lame reply, but do you know any good photo/video hosting sites? i was using photobucket, and all of a sudden, the buttons did not work on my browser anymore. the wiring of that "deluxe" is sort of motley. it is a nice heavy gague of wire, and point to point hand wired though! components are not lined up like little soldiers like in a marshal. lol! i think with a new set of tubes, it will be SWEET! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnenym Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 i know this is a lame reply' date=' but do you know any good photo/video hosting sites? i was using photobucket, and all of a sudden, the buttons did not work on my browser anymore. the wiring of that "deluxe" is sort of motley. it is a nice heavy gague of wire, and point to point hand wired though! components are not lined up like little soldiers like in a marshal. lol! i think with a new set of tubes, it will be SWEET! [/quote'] Dont know if it works without the Picasa photo program but you could try http://picasaweb.google.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakinawesome Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I am looking for a way to do this as well. Seeing as sewatt is down the the mo, would this work? http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103713 Obviously a permanent solution would be ideal, does anyone know of instructions on how to add an additional speaker output? I've been searching here but can't find anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I am looking for a way to do this as well....would this work?http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103713 Not really. Sloppy to convert the RCA connects back to 1/4" for guitar speaker. With a valve amp you need to keep speaker connections clean/secure to avoid wasting an OT. If you're limited to RS' date=' this will work (but the cable looks ultra low budget -- I'd find a better one). http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103869 Obviously a permanent solution would be ideal' date=' does anyone know of instructions on how to add an additional speaker output?[/quote']You already have 3 outputs on your VJr. (ver. 2 & 3) so additional out isn't really going to help you. What I mean is that you could mod VJr. by tapping the ohm output you want to use and adding a jack (or just disconnect from OT and use one of the existing ones -- e.g. make 2 - 8 ohm outs instead of a 4 and an 8). Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cGil Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Here another Rat Shack-able solution. Start with one of these for connecting speakers in parallel http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062217 Or one of these for connecting speakers in series http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062279 Sprinkle in a few of these http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103379 Solder as required and you've got a speaker cab breakout box good for lots of situations. Essential tool for the well stocked gig bag. And don't forget the speaker cables. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131036 http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032241 Gil... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakinawesome Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 You already have 3 outputs on your VJr. (ver. 2 & 3) so additional out isn't really going to help you. What I mean is that you could mod VJr. by tapping the ohm output you want to use and adding a jack (or just disconnect from OT and use one of the existing ones -- e.g. make 2 - 8 ohm outs instead of a 4 and an 8). Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby...' date=' I'm going to play on:-" [/quote'] Ah ok I didn't know you could do that,any instructions about on that one?I suppose sewatt is the place to go... Well actually what I meant by adding another speaker output was to add one to the 1x12 cab itself. To go VJR 1x12 cab(extra speaker output) 1x12cab How does that sound and how tricky is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakinawesome Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Here another Rat Shack-able solution. Start with one of these for connecting speakers in parallel http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062217 Or one of these for connecting speakers in series http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062279 Sprinkle in a few of these http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103379 Solder as required and you've got a speaker cab breakout box good for lots of situations. Essential tool for the well stocked gig bag. And don't forget the speaker cables. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131036 http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032241 Gil... Gil thanks for the suggestions,problem is i'm still very much a newbie so will have to research that option a bit more..not really getting it.I was thinking(if it's possible) to add another output to the 1x12 cab itself to 'daisy chain' the cabs? Are all answers for my questions over at sewatt?If they are I apologize,very eager to get going with it!lol Any idea when sewatt will be up again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-theory Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 There's only one way to do this, imo. Put another jack on one of the cabinets and wire them in parallel. Use quality jacks, plugs, and cables and you'll have no problems. Flakey speaker connections can kill tube amps in a flash...not worth cheaping out, in my mind. Btw, the 14 gauge, 2 conductor cable that you can buy in bulk at home improvement centers is cheap, and is a great choice for this. Use the jumbo switchcraft plugs with it, use heatshrink tubing both inside the plug and over it, with a few inches along the cable itself, and you'll have a rock solid speaker cable that'll perform marvelously and last for many years of hard use. With cable, plugs, and heatshrink tubing, you'll have a grand total of about $15 into each cable. A very worthy investment in quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 REMEMBER MONO not stereo. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103712 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Ah ok I didn't know you could do that' date='any instructions about on that one?[/quote']The VJr. output switchover I mentioned would be simple enough. If you're going to use the 4 ohm jack as your other 8 ohm, simply cut or unsolder the wires from the output terminals and isolate them. Then jumper one wire from each of the 4 ohm jack terminals (+ -) over to each matching terminal (+ -) on the existing 8 ohm jack. Solder the connects and you're set. Now what you have made are 2 - 8 ohm outputs (and the existing 1 - 16 ohm output). To use 1 Epi cab - 16 ohm - plug into the 16 ohm output. To use 2 Epi cabs parallel (16 divided by 2 = 8 ohms) plug one cable from each cab into VJr. -- 1 into your newly made 8 ohm output (old 4 ohm) and the other into the original 8 ohm. ** Just be sure to unplug both and switch back to the 16 ohm output whenever you only want to use 1 cab. To use any other 8 ohm cab/speaker plug into either of the two 8 ohm outputs. However, you cannot plug 2 - 8 ohm cabs/speakers -- one into each output -- b/c that would give you only 4 ohms parallel load. Well actually what I meant by adding another speaker output was to add one to the 1x12 cab itself.To go VJR 1x12 cab(extra speaker output) 1x12cab How does that sound and how tricky is it? Not tricky at all. Simply buy an output jack' date=' drill a 3/8" OD hole in the cab you select, install the jack and solder a jumper wire to each terminal (+ - ) over to each terminal matching (+ -) on the existing cab output. Plug your cable from cab A into the output you added on cab B and plug a cable into the original output on cab B and into [b']the 8 ohm output on VJr[/b]. When I built my cabs I used 3 switchcraft jacks for each (2 ea. are 3-prong disconnect type). This setup allows me to isolate and use any 1x12 - 8 ohm speakers, either 2x12 cab (16 ohm), or with a "Y" connect a 2x12 using any 2 speakers from either cab (16 ohms) or both cabs as a 4x12 (8 ohm). Just another way to eat that tone elephant. Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Uh Steven.. this is easier than the Y connector I posted? You know I know how to wire the cab's and amp's but this doesn't sound like the Steven Lister I've known for a few months on this board. Could have just as easily said, put a second 1/4" jack on the back of one speaker in parallel with the other connector in that cab. That way he plugs 1 speaker into the amp and the second speaker gets plugged into the first speaker. Just has to remember (just like you said) If running 1 x 16ohm speaker plug into 16ohm out. if running 2x 16ohm in parallel plug into the 8ohm out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Uh Steven.. this is easier than the Y connector I posted? Y connectors are easiest' date=' no doubt. If I read freakinawesome's posts right he was first about to try a radioshak Y plug with RCA inputs then later had asked how-to add outputs to VJr. As he stated he was a newbie, I was trying to provide simple step-by-step details of exactly how-to add an output jack to either VJr. or cab -- followed by how to use them -- to keep VJr. humming happy. For long term durability/dependability, I prefer "hard-wired connects/outputs" over the Y adapter solution. If my English skills were sub-par, chalk it up to multi-lingualism and my apologies. Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 I hear you on the English / French stuff; my 2 best race instructors were French and they had to think French and translate to English. Yeah I saw the Y-RCA, then I forget in one of those links it was a stereo jack as well; which won’t work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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