View Full Version : Speaker Cab Ohm Ratings
gtrwiz
07-28-2005, 12:22 PM
OK, I've posted this on a couple of the guitar forums, and the lack of response tells my that the kids over there would rather discuss porn than guitars.:rolleyes: So let's see what ya'll can come up with. (no pun intended)
I have a 2x12 cab with one greenback and one vintage 30. They are wired so that I can use them at the same time or plug into each one seperately. When I use the speakers together they have an 8 ohm load, seperately 16 ohm load.
My Delema: I want to, occasionally, use a different amp with each speaker, but my Matchless DC-30 only has an 8 ohm output. Will this blow the speaker, or otherwise effect the tone? Is there any way to convert my 8 ohm output to 16?
Phil O'Keefe
07-28-2005, 12:32 PM
You can plug the Matchless right into one of those speakers without risking damage to anything... it's not ideal loading, but the REAL problem would be if the load values were reversed... In other words, if you were trying to plug an amp that was designed to "see" a minimum 8 ohm load into a 4 ohm speaker. You'd risk damaging the amp if you did that.
A lower load than the amp is designed for will potentially fry the amp... a higher load usually won't hurt anything, but you'll hear lower output levels, all other things being equal.
A good tech should be able to mod the output of the Matchless for a 8 ohm load.
bjorked
07-30-2005, 06:41 PM
Your DC-30 doesn't have an impedence selector switch?? Mine has a switch on the back allowing you to choose either 4, 8, or 16 ohms. Is it a combo or just a head? Mine's a combo but I would think that they would include that switch on the head also just thinking logically. :eek:
gtrwiz
07-30-2005, 08:47 PM
Originally posted by bjorked
Your DC-30 doesn't have an impedence selector switch?? Mine has a switch on the back allowing you to choose either 4, 8, or 16 ohms. Is it a combo or just a head? Mine's a combo but I would think that they would include that switch on the head also just thinking logically. :eek:
Dooh!!(in the voice of Homer Simpson) :eek:
Did I say my Matchless, I meant my 70's Twin... yeah, that's the ticket...:p
The question does actually stand for my twin and '65 Deluxe, but I feel like a moron about the Matchless...
Paully
07-30-2005, 09:27 PM
Edit to Delete by Paul
Originally posted by gtrwiz
Dooh!!(in the voice of Homer Simpson) :eek:
Did I say my Matchless, I meant my 70's Twin... yeah, that's the ticket...:p
The question does actually stand for my twin and '65 Deluxe, but I feel like a moron about the Matchless...
That Twin wants to see a 4 ohm load. I wouldn't go above 8 if it were mine.
I'm not sure if the DRRI wants a 4ohm or an 8 ohm load, but the same rules apply as stated above.