Dummy load-How does one work, and where do I get one?

[Souperman08]

I'm looking at getting a stack locally for cheap, and but looking at the specs on it, the cab handles 400w at 8ohms, and the head outputs 500w at 4ohms. I've read a little bit about them, and I was wondering if dual outputting 250 watts at 8 ohms to the cab and a dummy load would help out. And if so, where do I get/how do I make a dummy load?

[Tim1]

Don't worry about it, just use your ears sensibly and the cab will be fine - that is, don't crank the volume or bass controls till the speaker farts out. Also, if the head is transistor and outputs 500 watts into 4 ohms then it will be putting out far less into eight. Forget about the dummy load idea, it is complex and not worth pursuing, if you really want the full output get a second cab to run with the first.

[Dark Barn]

This head, rated at 500 watts into 4 ohms will produce less than that into 8 ohms, if you were concerned about overpowering the speaker there's no need. If I had to guess without knowing what head it is I'd say it probably delivers 300 watts to an 8 ohm load.

[Souperman08]

It's a GK Goldline stack, the 4x10 cab and the 500 watt head. While I'm asking, is 250 a good price for both? I know the heads are notorious for having power issues, but I'm thinking it'd be worth replacing the power supply if I could get the whole thing for 250.

[BassmanPaul]

Amps don't use a separate power supply like a computer. it's not replaceable per se.

Dummy loads are resistors that can replace a speaker for testing purposes. Trying to use one to garner more power from an amplifier is simply a waste of time. Any gains in output power will just be lost as heat in the dummy load. Thus less power to the speakers.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 , just use the rig as is. If you want or need more volume, you cas add another 8 ohm cab later on.

[Vanceman]

If you want less watts to go to the cab, don't turn the volume knob too far up.