Can a combo amp be used as a cab for a head?

clutebass · #1 08-22-2011, 09:47 AM

I tried searching for this and came up empty. Basically my question is this: I noticed on my buddy's combo amp that you could run out to a cab. I was wondering if the opposite is possible. I was hoping to get a combo amp for practice and then, if it's possible, run my gk head through my 410 and also the combo amp during gigs. Not sure if that is even an option but figured you guys would have the answers. Thanks!

Venom of God · #2 08-22-2011, 09:49 AM

Not sure if this answers your question or not, but when I'm playing a gig with a "supplied backline" and it turns out to be some combo thing I run a cable out of the pre-amp out on my SVT3PRO and into the effects return on the combo amp. Uses my pre-amp and the power section and speakers of the combo.

Venom of God · #3 08-22-2011, 09:52 AM

I have also done this at a gig once where the other bassist supplied the amp and it had a 2ohm cab.. didn't want to fry my SVT so I did the same thing but with the return on his head.

fretlessguy · #4 08-22-2011, 09:55 AM

That depends on how it is constructed. I have a Genz Benz that the cab can be unplugged from the amp. The speaker cable made where you can see it and pull it from the head, allowing you to remove it and plug into another head. I have a Carvin combo that you can do the same, although I have never had a need to do this. The length of the cable coming from the cab may be too short to do wht you want.

Venom of God · #5 08-22-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venom of God

Not sure if this answers your question or not, but when I'm playing a gig with a "supplied backline" and it turns out to be some combo thing I run a cable out of the pre-amp out on my SVT3PRO and into the effects return on the combo amp. Uses my pre-amp and the power section and speakers of the combo.

Also, you're less likely to blow the speakers in your combo doing this as you're not using the power section in your GK. Note that on most amps the pre-amp out is called your effects send.

clutebass · #6 08-22-2011, 10:11 AM

Interesting... I love learning new things! So a combo with an effects loop would allow me to use the speaker with my head? Am I understanding that correctly?

Venom of God · #7 08-22-2011, 10:17 AM

It sure would, as long as your head also has an effects loop! The send on your effects look is a pre-amp out, so it takes the signal of your pre-amp and sends it down the cable (usually to some effects, obviously) and then the return is that same signal (so usually the signal of your pre-amp run through your effects chain) ready to go into your power amp. So yeah.. effects send on your GK into effects return on your combo will effectively let you run the power amp and speakers on the combo from the pre-amp in your GK, while also letting you power your usual 410 or whatever out the power amp of your GK.

nashvillebill · #8 08-22-2011, 10:18 AM

If you just want to use the speaker, and not use the power amp off the combo, you need some way to disconnect the speaker from the combo (otherwise the combo's power amp will still be connected to the speaker, even if the combo is not turned on that will cause problems).

Or, what the others have suggested, when you get your head, you come out of the head's preamp out and plug that into the combo's power amp in or efx loop return. You then turn on the combo amp.

Bass_Pounder · #9 08-22-2011, 10:56 AM

Not sure why you would want to do it anyway.

*Most* combos are not the best cab design for the speakers in them, as design sacrifices are made for size/weight/portability.

clutebass · #10 08-22-2011, 12:28 PM

Oh I don't know if I would actually do it, I was more curious than anything.