Jump to content
HAPPY NEW YEAR, TO ALL OUR HARMONY CENTRAL FORUMITES AND GUESTS!! ×

adding a speakon jack to a cab...


mlwarriner

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

okay, in case you missed the rest of it, i just picked up a Genz Benz GBE1200 from hasbeen. only problem is that it only has speakon outs on the back. my ampeg 4x10 is cool, it already has a speakon jack. but my avatar 2x12 does not. (it's older.)

 

would i be better served to buy a speakon to 1/4 inch cable for the avatar, or to add a speakon jack to the cab itself?

 

i have plenty of resource for the parts, just a little short on knowledge.

 

 

 

please and thanks!

  • CMS Author
Posted

Easy schmeezy. A Neutric connector is about $5-6 tops. The hole required is 7/8" (one of those stepped drillbits works great, especially if you want to enlarge the existing jack hole), plus a 1/8" for the mountings. You can use long pop rivets or flathead screws. The wiring part takes about 2 minutes. The only critical aspect is to take care to locate the mounting holes accurately; use a center punch.

  • Members
Posted

I say put a Speakon in there. 1/4" is inferior to Speakon due to the limited amout of contact area. Speakon will give you the best performance.

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members
Posted

there is also a safety issue. With high power amplifiers speakons are the safest way to go.

 

If you are touching a standard 1/4" jack when somebody hits a note, it is very possible to get a good dose of juice running through you.

  • CMS Author
Posted

The biggest argument I have against 1/4" jacks is that they can easily be pulled partially out, and this can short the output. Some amps don't take kindly to this. I'd be willing to bet that if Andy (agedhorse) designed the GBE1200 it's well-protected against shorts, but I'd still not take that chance.

 

There's good reason why 1/4" are banned in Europe for high-powered amps.

  • Members
Posted

 

Originally posted by Craigv

The biggest argument I have against 1/4" jacks is that they can easily be pulled partially out, and this can short the output. Some amps don't take kindly to this. I'd be willing to bet that if Andy (agedhorse) designed the GBE1200 it's well-protected against shorts, but I'd still not take that chance.


There's good reason why 1/4" are banned in Europe for high-powered amps.

 

 

yes, we don't have problems with shorts....even if there's no load on our tube guitar amp.

 

With powerful enough amps, 1/4" plugs can also "blow out" the jacks when a player hits a note. Speakon is the way designers are going with professional amplification.

  • Members
Posted

i actually went ahead and purchased a new jackplate, complete, from avatar speakers. it comes with an improved crossover network and a speakon jack installed.

 

 

now i've got to figure out how to add one to the peavey 4x12 i'm picking up this weekend... ;)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...