Guitar head through bass cab?

[Electricblue]

Ok, I'm getting a Fender 150w guitar head on saturday. It's stereo 2 x 8ohm, but I still need some money for a cab, which will be an Fender or Orange 4x12.

For now, I was going to run it through my bass cabs (115 and 410) but will it ruin the tweeter in the 410? I think the head needs a load on both sides but I'm not sure.

Thanks.

[staindbass]

i dont think it should hurt it. one speaker output may be marked "mono" if your using just one, or a stereo mono switch. i would check a manual to be sure. johnny a.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by staindbass

i dont think it should hurt it. one speaker output may be marked "mono" if your using just one, or a stereo mono switch. i would check a manual to be sure. johnny a.

Copied and pasted from the manual in its original form:

The Mustang V head amplifier provides stereo speaker
outputs that must both be connected to a stereo speaker
cabinet such as the Mustang V 412, with four 12" Celestion®
G12P Rocket 50 speakers (recommended), or two 8Ω speaker
cabinets capable of handling 75W each.

[Electricblue]

Small bump?

[runmikeyrun]

You're not going to blow your tweeter by using a guitar head. You'll blow your tweeter by exceeding its power rating. Whatever you do, DONT play your bass through a guitar CAB the speakers aren't made for the low end and will burn out.

I've played a Peavey Windsor, a guitar head, through my bass cabs for years. No problems, as there shouldn't be.

[will33]

There's more high harmonic content in od/distortion that can and will take out tweeters not to mention it just plain sounds bad coming through them. If it has an Lpad turn it down or just disconnect the tweet entirely. The rest of things will be fine.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by will33

There's more high harmonic content in od/distortion that can and will take out tweeters not to mention it just plain sounds bad coming through them. If it has an Lpad turn it down or just disconnect the tweet entirely. The rest of things will be fine.

Yah, I have no pad on my tweeter, and I dont fancy disconnecting is because I like my bass to sound crisp.

Would the tweet be ok at room volumes? I wont likely be using this setup live, I will wait until I get a proper guitar cab for it.

Would the head be ok running just one cab on one side? Obviously I would lose the stereo effects, but from a damage point of view?

[bassfac3]

Well, it worked for Duane Allman, so I assume it could work for you.

[will33]

Lower volumes it'll probably be ok. Most any ss amp doesn't mind if you run it without a speaker plugged in that's more of a tube thing. May want to check the manual just to be safe but I'll call it ok to do.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by will33

Lower volumes it'll probably be ok. Most any ss amp doesn't mind if you run it without a speaker plugged in that's more of a tube thing. May want to check the manual just to be safe but I'll call it ok to do.

Copied and pasted from the manual in its original form:

The Mustang V head amplifier provides stereo speaker
outputs that must both be connected to a stereo speaker
cabinet such as the Mustang V 412, with four 12" Celestion®
G12P Rocket 50 speakers (recommended), or two 8Ω speaker
cabinets capable of handling 75W each.

Says nothing about mono operation?

[will33]

Weird.

I guess just plug a bass cab in each side so you know you're ok. If it's too loud or sounds bad set one in the next room where you won't hear it......as much.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by will33

Weird.

I guess just plug a bass cab in each side so you know you're ok. If it's too loud or sounds bad set one in the next room where you won't hear it......as much.

That's what I was planning. I'm ok if it doesnt sound quite how it should, I just don't want to bust a tweeter.

[will33]

Lower volumes and/or cleaner tone will make less stress on the tweeter. It should have a bulb fuse to help protect it as well but that doesn't mean it does. Keep it at bedroom volumes and it should be ok.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by will33

Lower volumes and/or cleaner tone will make less stress on the tweeter. It should have a bulb fuse to help protect it as well but that doesn't mean it does. Keep it at bedroom volumes and it should be ok.

No bulb, I've had the cab apart, just a highpass capacitor and thats it.

[will33]

At actual bedroom volumes I don't think it's a worry even with a little distortion. Louder than that and the risk curve will rise pretty quick. Especially with just a 1cap/first order filter and no bulb like that. If you don't want to chance it unhook the tweeter. It involves a screwdriver and about 5min. of your time. Again at honest bedroom volumes I don't think it's an issue.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by will33

At actual bedroom volumes I don't think it's a worry even with a little distortion. Louder than that and the risk curve will rise pretty quick. Especially with just a 1cap/first order filter and no bulb like that. If you don't want to chance it unhook the tweeter. It involves a screwdriver and about 5min. of your time. Again at honest bedroom volumes I don't think it's an issue.

I would unhook the tweeter, but I'm famous in my Dad's eyes for frying components when soldering stuff...

Will high-gain stuff be ok at bedroom volumes? Will it be something that I can hear when it gets a bit too hot for the tweeter?

I was thinking of putting a capacitor across the extra jack on the back of the cab, but I don't know the crossover point for the tweeter

[will33]

High gain/distortion is really good at hiding the sound of a stressed speaker. Not to dis your stuff, I know it costs a lot but I could've done that penny-ante filter for about 89 cents. That thing should be passed 3rd order set a little lower and have a bulb and an Lpad.

If you disconnect the tweeter you could throttle that thing for all it's worth with distorted guitar and not hurt it.

[will33]

I'm not saying that to be a butthead just letting you know what you have there. Playing slap or using distortion effects on bass at volume could damage it. A single cap and no bulb doesn't offer much protection.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by will33

I'm not saying that to be a butthead just letting you know what you have there. Playing slap or using distortion effects on bass at volume could damage it. A single cap and no bulb doesn't offer much protection.

Sure thing man, although I cherish having a tweeter there. I run my highs and high mids flat out so I really couldnt do without a tweet in there.

[will33]

Either the tweeter is fairly robust or the cap is set high enough or both. It's stillba cheaped out way of doing it especially considering what they charge for those things.