| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Getting 8 ohms out or two 4 ohm speakers
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Getting 8 ohms out or two 4 ohm speakers
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 8:27 am    
Reply with quote

I recently purchased a Boss Katana head an it calls for a minimum load of 8 ohms. All three of my speaker cabs(with Eminence, Tilonics and BW's) are loaded with 4 ohms speakers.

If I jump from one cab to the other(parallel hook up), I believe I end up with a 2 ohm load. According to my ohm meter.

So the question is how do I connect two separate cabs in series to get the needed 8 ohm load??

I'm sure this is not rocket science but I missing something here.

Please enlighten me. Thanks. JimE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Paul Sutherland

 

From:
Placerville, California
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:04 am    
Reply with quote

You need to wire the speakers in series. There's lots of diagrams online of series vs. parallel wiring.
_________________
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:17 am    
Reply with quote

Paul,

I understand that and it doesn't create a problem if they are in one cabinet. But............ what about separate cabinets. Thanks. JimE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Georg Sørtun


From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:35 am    
Reply with quote

Same thing ... just more cable.
Only minus from amp to one cab/speaker, and only plus from amp to the other cab/speaker. A wire connected between the cabs/speakers to get them in series.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:38 am     Series Cable
Reply with quote

Jim this is one way of doing it. Does not require rewiring a cabinet. Cable can be any length, requires 3 male 1/4 connectors.




Or...




Last edited by Dick Sexton on 5 Sep 2017 9:47 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Paul Sutherland

 

From:
Placerville, California
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:42 am    
Reply with quote

I didn't mean to offend Jim. Lots of folks don't know things as simple as series versus parallel wiring. Since you mentioned using an ohm meter I should have realized you were a bit more savvy.
_________________
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 10:13 am    
Reply with quote

Paul,

I wasn't offended at all. Just trying to clarify. Sorry if I cam across in that manner.

Just because I own a meter that can read ohms doesn't mean I know anything. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

JimE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 10:19 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks Dick.

I was hoping that wasn't the way I had to do it.

What a wire mess that's gonna create on the outside of the cabinets. Very Happy Especially if I get them far apart.

JimE

PS: Just went back and took a second look at option 2. That simplifies it a little and probably could be put in a small box to contain the wiring then just use two speaker cables to the cabs. Thanks.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 11:39 am     Small Box...
Reply with quote

Jim, that is exactly what I would do. Might even use 3 female connectors in the box so I could use whatever cables I had. Just need to label everything real good and not use that box for something that would be harmed by it. My problem is, I'd forget what I made the box for. Lol! Good luck, my friend...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 12:24 pm    
Reply with quote

That is the plan Dick.

Just ordered the boxes and female plugs to do a couple of them. Thanks for the help and drawings. I'm old and pictures are worth a thousand words. Very Happy JimE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
John Russell

 

From:
Austin, Texas
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2017 11:34 am     What about an 8-ohm speaker?
Reply with quote

If that works, fine. I have the Katana amp head and a couple of 4-ohm 15" speakers (both with neodymium magnets) but would rather not haul two speakers. Does anyone make an 8-ohm 15" neo speaker? I bought a Travis Toy Eminence 12" 8-ohm speaker and I have an older EV 15" (8-ohm) but it's heavy and I'd like to get a 15 for the Katana that's lighter. Suggestions?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Roman Sonnleitner


From:
Vienna, Austria
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2017 12:01 pm    
Reply with quote

There's a 8 Ohm version of the Jensen Neo 15"-150. I have that in a homemade amp. sounds great, and weighs nothing, compared to other speakers...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Randy Owens


From:
West Central Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 7 Sep 2017 12:39 am    
Reply with quote

I had the same dilemma with my Ampeg G15 that has a single 8 ohm, 15" Jensen speaker. I wanted to use my two D130s that are in separate cabinets (4 ohms). After a PM conversation with Ken Fox, I made up a harness that is wired just like Dick's diagram and it works great. Just be sure to use speaker wire rated for your amp's output.
_________________
2003 Mullen Royal Precision, Walker Stereo Steel, Ampeg G-15, Telonics FP-100
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Willie Sims

 

From:
PADUCAH, KY, USA
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 10:37 am    
Reply with quote

you may already know, to use speaker wire and not guitar cables.for your speaker hook up;s.
View user's profile Send private message
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 11:02 am    
Reply with quote

Yup. Speaker wire it is. JimE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 3:46 pm    
Reply with quote

Dick,

Followed the drawing and it worked fine..... until I put it in 2x4 box and it said 4 ohms instead of 8ohms.

Couldn't figure out where I went wrong................until I realize the box was aluminum.

Go ahead, have a good laugh. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

Thanks, JimE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 4:55 pm     Ooops!
Reply with quote

Sorry Jim, should have mentioned I was thinking outside the box. Hehe! Easy fix...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron