Genz Benz guys, anyone have trouble fitting a 1/4 plug into speaker jack?

Edword · #1 12-19-2012, 10:04 AM

Today I was troubleshooting a weird scratching noise in an old rig, and needed to test the cab with a properly-working amp. The closest amp at hand was my Shuttlemax 12.0. I always use Neutrik cables with my G-B rig, but in this case the cab I was testing had only a 1/4" jack, and when I tried to plug the speaker cable into the center hole of the SM12, it wouldn't go. I didn't try to force it in, but I thought Neutrik jacks could accept 1/4" plugs if necessary. Is this not the case?

TIA

RedMoses · #2 12-19-2012, 10:08 AM

Ihad the same issue with a Monster cable woth my GBE750, not wanting to break sh*t i got a speakon cable we had lying around in the studio. Nice to have both options though.

jlepre · #3 12-19-2012, 10:09 AM

I'm pretty sure you can't force that 1/4" jack into that jack on the Shuttlemax 12. You need to have an adapter

**CL400Peavey** · #4 12-19-2012, 10:11 AM

Some of those Neutrik jacks will work with both 1/2" and Speakon, some wont.

If the jack is green it works with both, black is speakon only.

KJung · #5 12-19-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edword

Today I was troubleshooting a weird scratching noise in an old rig, and needed to test the cab with a properly-working amp. The closest amp at hand was my Shuttlemax 12.0. I always use Neutrik cables with my G-B rig, but in this case the cab I was testing had only a 1/4" jack, and when I tried to plug the speaker cable into the center hole of the SM12, it wouldn't go. I didn't try to force it in, but I thought Neutrik jacks could accept 1/4" plugs if necessary. Is this not the case?

TIA

The speaker outputs on the Max heads are Neutrik only.

The dual mode Neutrik jacks are dark green.

Edword · #6 12-19-2012, 10:16 AM

Thanks guys!

pbass6811 · #7 12-19-2012, 10:23 AM

Not all Speakon plugs will accept 1/4" cables. The Genz Benz Speakon plugs will NOT accept anything but Speakon cables. you'd hafta get a Neutrik to 1/4" cable to make that work. It sucks. I had the same issue when the cab I was gigging with took a crap right before a show started. The club had extra PA cabs they said I could use, but they had 1/4" plugs and my GB SM12 has Neutrik only plugs...that night really sucked.

jlepre · #8 12-19-2012, 10:42 AM

That's why I carry an adapter in my gig bag.

rapidfirerob · #9 12-19-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

That's why I carry an adapter in my gig bag.

Exactly. I have two of them and extra cables as well.

pbass6811 · #10 12-19-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

That's why I carry an adapter in my gig bag.

That's a great idea, although this would probably work a bit better...

jlepre · #11 12-19-2012, 11:19 AM

Just for curiosity sake how would this work better?

pbass6811 · #12 12-19-2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Just for curiosity sake how would this work better?

Well, the output on the SM12 amp is Neutrik and the input on the speaker cab is 1/4" which is what that cable is. The adapter is fine, which I said, but using the adapter necessitates an extra 1/4" cable, which may or may not be available at that moment. Why carry the adapter AND an extra cable, when all you'd need is an extra cable?

wcriley · #13 12-19-2012, 11:49 AM

Ya' know...
Maybe I should put together a short Speakon to 1/4" cable in case I ever run into a situation like pbass6811 ran into. The only 1/4" cables I carry with my bass or PA gear are instrument or ballanced patch cables.

pbass6811 · #14 12-19-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcriley

Ya' know...
Maybe I should put together a short Speakon to 1/4" cable in case I ever run into a situation like pbass6811 ran into. The only 1/4" cables I carry with my bass or PA gear are instrument or ballanced patch cables.

I learned my lesson! I carry a Speakon to 1/4" cable in my gig bag. I know if it ever happens again(I have spare cabs now, too! LOL!), I have a good speaker cable to the rescue. It sucks having to carry extra stuff in my bag, but it sucks worse not having a cab to play through at a gig...

wcriley · #15 12-19-2012, 12:07 PM

I'm thinking about making something small like jlepre posted, but with a male 1/4" plug instead of the female jack. Won't take up much space in the bottom of my "you never know what you might run into" box.

jlepre · #16 12-19-2012, 12:08 PM

Just make sure it's not TOO short. That's why I think my idea works a little better.

pbass6811 · #17 12-19-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcriley

I'm thinking about making something small like jlepre posted, but with a male 1/4" plug instead of the female jack. Won't take up much space in the bottom of my "you never know what you might run into" box.

True. The idea of a small adapter is a great one. I have a question for you...how short are you talking? If you're going Neutrik to 1/4" male for a bass rig, I'd guess you'd need at least a 2.5'-3' cable, just to have a little slack?

pbass6811 · #18 12-19-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Just make sure it's not TOO short. That's why I think my idea works a little better.

The Neutrik to 1/4" female adapter works fantastically, if you plan on also carrying 1/4'' speaker cables or the venue has 1/4" speaker cables they will let you use. One Neutrik to 1/4" male speaker cable that's long enough is all you need to carry. I like your adapter. I definitely think it would come in handy and I wish I'd had one that night my cab died, anything would've been better than nothing.

jlepre · #19 12-19-2012, 12:36 PM

I didn't make mine. I just bought it off the rack

wcriley · #20 12-19-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbass6811

True. The idea of a small adapter is a great one. I have a question for you...how short are you talking? If you're going Neutrik to 1/4" male for a bass rig, I'd guess you'd need at least a 2.5'-3' cable, just to have a little slack?

I'll only make it 6 or 8 inches long. I have Speakon to Speakon couplers in the "you never know" box.