Converting a combo amp to a head

[amphlett7]

I have this old combo amp that I think sounds pretty good through headphones, but through it's internal speaker it sounds average at best.

I was fiddling around and took it apart and found the amp was wired straight to the speaker. If I unplug the red and black wires that are connected to the speaker, can I solder them to a standard utput jack to use them with one of my cabinets?

or will this blow everything up?

[jnewmark]

Can I pull the head out of my combo amp and attach it to a cab?

[will33]

Originally Posted by amphlett7

I have this old combo amp that I think sounds pretty good through headphones, but through it's internal speaker it sounds average at best.

I was fiddling around and took it apart and found the amp was wired straight to the speaker. If I unplug the red and black wires that are connected to the speaker, can I solder them to a standard utput jack to use them with one of my cabinets?

or will this blow everything up?

Yes, you can do that. Check the coil resistance of the combo's internal speaker and consider that the minimum impedance load for the amp unless you find out otherwise. Might be 4 ohms, some were 8.

[YuppyPunk]

Originally Posted by amphlett7

I have this old combo amp that I think sounds pretty good through headphones, but through it's internal speaker it sounds average at best.

I was fiddling around and took it apart and found the amp was wired straight to the speaker. If I unplug the red and black wires that are connected to the speaker, can I solder them to a standard utput jack to use them with one of my cabinets?

or will this blow everything up?

The idea situation would be to pull the head out of the combo. It probably won't have a chasis. If you are good with sheet metal work you could fashion your own or you could find a local machine shop to make you one. I wouldn't try to use the exist wires for a speaker cable. I would wire up a 1/4" female to the existing wires that way you can use any 1/4" speaker cable.

I can't help but wonder if it would be worth the hastle and expense. But that's up to you can your ears.

[jungleheat]

I've never seen an amp, combo or otherwise that DIDNT have a chassis. The chassis is just what all the internal amp components are attached to. What you need is a head cab, ie a wooden box to mount that chassis in.

But then you're left with the remains of the combo (ie the speaker part) which will basically be useless/worthless.

So a better idea is to just sell the combo and get a head instead. As it seems like that's really what you want.

[amphlett7]

Originally Posted by jungleheat

I've never seen an amp, combo or otherwise that DIDNT have a chassis. The chassis is just what all the internal amp components are attached to. What you need is a head cab, ie a wooden box to mount that chassis in.

But then you're left with the remains of the combo (ie the speaker part) which will basically be useless/worthless.

So a better idea is to just sell the combo and get a head instead. As it seems like that's really what you want.

Well I already have a nice amp, this is just for fun essentially.

I'd like to use this more for practise seeing as my proper amp is 600 watts and far too loud for my house. I think it would be perfect with a bigger speaker.

I'd replace the speaker in the amp but it's an 8inch speaker, obviously theres no proper bass speakers that size.

Also the speaker is 4ohms, so I think it's safe to assume the head is too.

I haven't seen many 15 watt amps with a 2 ohm output

[will33]

There are "proper" 8" bass speakers, but they're not cheap and it'd be a waste of money to put one in a tiny practice amp.

The "chassis" will likely only be the front, back and bottom with the combo cabinet making up the sides and top. You'll want to wrap a box around it for a headcase. If there are air vents anywhere, like maybe on the top, cut holes in the headcase that line up with the vents. Staple a little window screen or something over it on the inside of the headcase to keep crap from falling in there.