|  | | 
04-03-2011, 06:53 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio | | | How risky is it to run 2ohms on a 4ohm min amp, if only at low volumes?
Sign in to disble this ad
Hi TB,
Recently I've had to go through surgery on my shoulder and have been limited for a little while now. I'm not actively playing w/ anyone at the time, but this experience has me reconsidering the weight of my gear.
I've got a nice 2x10 that I'm keeping around, but have realized that its too heavy to move around much these days. I'm looking at picking up one of the GK 1x 12 Neos and also a new ultra-light head (leaning towards the Fender Rumble 350), to re-open the opportunity to jam with others.
The existing 2 x 10 is 4 ohm but the GK Neo is 8ohm. From the looks of it, I'm seeing about a 2.6 Ohm load. How risky is it to run an amp at that load, if its rated only down to 4, assuming that I'd only be running it at very low volumes (I live in an apartment)?
Thanks,
David.
__________________
Currently Playing:
My first bass -- a 4 string Ibanez SRX300
Last edited by Ibanezzer : 04-03-2011 at 06:55 AM.
|
04-03-2011, 06:56 AM
| | Banned
Endorsing Artist: MLaghus Custom Basses | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boca Raton - FL | | | If it's gonna be in "very low volumes" why do you need both cabs wired to your amp? |
04-03-2011, 06:58 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio | | | I'd loose too much money selling the 2x10, so that's really the only reason.
__________________
Currently Playing:
My first bass -- a 4 string Ibanez SRX300
|
04-03-2011, 07:04 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nashville | | | So again... "If it's gonna be in "very low volumes" why do you need both cabs wired to your amp?"
You don't have to have them plugged in to look good. |
04-03-2011, 07:07 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Horsham, Pa | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Ibanezzer  I'd loose too much money selling the 2x10, so that's really the only reason. | I think his point is if you're running at low volume in an apartment, why even run two cabinets? Either cabinet by itself will do the trick.
Low volume or not, I wouldn't risk it.
EDIT: yeah, what stflbn said.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth Music is magic that rides a unicorn into my ears! | |
04-03-2011, 07:07 AM
|  | Registered User | | | | | All I can say is it's more risky than I'd be willing to find out. If it does end up and issue you will be without a functioning amplifier. |
04-03-2011, 07:25 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tampere, Finland | | | It's always risky. Don't do it. If you don't need high volume, you gain absolutely nothing by using both cabs. A single 1x12 provides enough volume to make all your neighbors hate you.
Besides, the impedance difference between the cabs would result in uneven power distribution between the cabs so it wouldn't work even at high volumes - if the amp could handle it, which it probably won't.
__________________
The best metal for bass. |
04-03-2011, 07:35 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis | | | Seems like a good way to burn out an amplifier.
__________________
"It's one of the great fallacies, it seems to me," said Lee, "that time gives much of anything but years and sadness to a man."
- Steinbeck, East of Eden
|
04-03-2011, 07:44 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: austin texas | | | These guy's are pretty smart, I wouldn't do it either. I agree if your playing at low volume just use one cab. |
04-03-2011, 07:57 AM
|  | Jack of all grooves, master of none | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nashville, TN - Music City | | | The amp probably has protection circuitry in it that will shut it down if you connect a 2 ohm load. Even at low volume, it's still a 2 ohm load. |
04-03-2011, 08:03 AM
|  | <---Shinola Shite--^ | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manitoba, Canada | | | could he rewire the 210 cab drivers in series to see 8 ohms if they are 4 ohm drivers?
__________________
'74ish Ampeg V4B, 115/210. * '75 Gibson G3. *Epi Tbird. *Squier: VM Jazz, CV 50's P. *Squier VM Jazz Assoc. *MBC 641. Squier owners club
Last edited by 96tbird : 04-03-2011 at 08:04 AM.
Reason: correction
|
04-03-2011, 08:10 AM
|  | The Funkfather
Endorsing Artist: Kohlman Bassworks | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia | | | Honestly, these newer micro amps just don't like seeing a 2 ohm load and will shut down. No matter what the volume is. Why not just buy 2 of the GK Neo112's? Or check out the Hartke Hydrive 1x12 that is switchable from 4ohm to 8ohms. Same price range as the GK. |
04-03-2011, 08:11 AM
|  | Supporting Member | | | | | It will likely go into protect mode regardless of the volume.
__________________
Rob Allen -> Acoustic Image |
04-03-2011, 08:26 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago SW 'burbs | | Quote:
Originally Posted by 96tbird could he rewire the 210 cab drivers in series to see 8 ohms if they are 4 ohm drivers? | I achieve a 4 ohm load on a 2 x 10 cab it's likely 2 - 8 ohm drivers were installed, in parallel. Putting them in series would wind you up with a 16 ohm cabinet. It would work, but probably not a good idea. Gotta agree that a 1 x 12 by itself is probably more than enough to make your neighbors call the cops.
__________________
Rickenbacker Club #230
Gibson Club #124 Tbird Club #26
Fender Precision Club #46 47 48
50+ Club #46
Last edited by bassplayer8953 : 04-03-2011 at 08:29 AM.
|
04-03-2011, 08:28 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado | | | Wanting to keep the cab is not a reason to keep moving it around, and the 2 ohm load is a no-go. There are plenty of light cabs and heads. Bite the bullet and sell. I had a back problem last fall and sold all my heavy gear, then bought Genz-Benz gear. Pricey AND worth every penny.
__________________
"...awesome as a monkey wearing a tuxedo made of bacon, riding on a unicorn!'"
|
04-03-2011, 08:31 AM
| | Banned
Endorsing Artist: MLaghus Custom Basses | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boca Raton - FL | | Quote:
Originally Posted by 96tbird could he rewire the 210 cab drivers in series to see 8 ohms if they are 4 ohm drivers? | No, those are 8ohm drivers, you get 4ohm in parallel and 16ohm in series... |
04-03-2011, 08:56 AM
| | <---Shinola Shite--^ | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manitoba, Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by allexcosta No, those are 8ohm drivers, you get 4ohm in parallel and 16ohm in series... | got ya,
__________________
'74ish Ampeg V4B, 115/210. * '75 Gibson G3. *Epi Tbird. *Squier: VM Jazz, CV 50's P. *Squier VM Jazz Assoc. *MBC 641. Squier owners club
|
04-03-2011, 09:09 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio | | | Thanks guys for the responses, I really appreciate the input. In thinking more, it does seem kinda dumb to hook it up for the hell of it.
__________________
Currently Playing:
My first bass -- a 4 string Ibanez SRX300
|
04-03-2011, 12:26 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Norfolk | | | Relax, me being my stupid (8 years old at the time) self, I ran an 8 ohm HiFi at 2 ohm at high volume for 2 years, before i realised the mismatch.
That same HiFi is still going strong today. |
04-03-2011, 01:06 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Electricblue Relax, me being my stupid (8 years old at the time) self, I ran an 8 ohm HiFi at 2 ohm at high volume for 2 years, before i realised the mismatch.
That same HiFi is still going strong today. | OP, Please ignore this post. Running a SS amp at lower than its minimum impedance is a sure way to kill it. Sorry EB it's simple bad advice.
__________________
Paul
| | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | |
