no speaker cable = damage?

[Son of Bovril]

So I arrived at practice last night after packing in a hurry and realized I had left my speaker cable behind. All I had was an instrument cable, so I ran the amp with that but tried not to push it too much...

Everything sounded fine and I won't be doing it again, but given the situation I was in and I'm sure others have been in before, what is the potential damage of doing this?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

what is the potential damage of doing this?

Instrument cables can overheat, melting their insulation, short-circuiting the output devices, and if the amp isn't adequately protected that will blow the output devices and power supply.
Other than that using instrument cables for speakers is just dandy.

[cybersnyder]

Deleted post - misread the post. I thought you ran the amp without a cable, without a speaker.

[Son of Bovril]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Instrument cables can overheat, melting their insulation, short-circuiting the output devices, and if the amp isn't adequately protected that will blow the output devices and power supply.
Other than that using instrument cables for speakers is just dandy.

in other words: Big Badda Boom!?

so basically it's a big risk and a serious NO NO!

[deekay911]

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

in other words: Big Badda Boom!?

so basically it's a big risk and a serious NO NO!

Correct - although if none of those things happened, then you are fine - no damage done this time.

[Selta]

Entirely depends on the gauge of the wire in the cable.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Entirely depends on the gauge of the wire in the cable.

Absolutely. But invariably, the center conductor of an instrument cable is tiny, and that's your weak link. Don't be fooled by the robust, woven outer conductor/shield.

[perogato02]

My Hartke was blown to h*ll like that ... so I would advice you not to do that again

[Selta]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Absolutely. But invariably, the center conductor of an instrument cable is tiny, and that's your weak link. Don't be fooled by the robust, woven outer conductor/shield.

That's why I said the wire in the cable . Most instrument cables will actually do OK unless you're pumping a lot of power through them constantly. With most modern higher powered heads though, I'd be keeping a closer eye on it than I do with my SVTs...

[Son of Bovril]

hehe tx guys next time I won't even attempt it!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

While not advisable to do so, a hefty instrument cable will be able to transfer the required power in an emergency situation. Just like several posters have said.

Hell, I've seen posts here at TB where guys say you don't need no stinking speaker cables, they've used instrument cables umpteen years without any problems. They also seem proud to do so?

On the rare occasion I'm faced with such a problem, I open each plug and choose the cable with the largest core.

Regards
Sam

[Sartori]

Use a speaker cable. I don't get why anyone wouldn't. They're better.

I keep mine with my amp at all times.

[Son of Bovril]

Originally Posted by Sartori

Use a speaker cable. I don't get why anyone wouldn't. They're better.

I keep mine with my amp at all times.

No, I agree, I'm just saying if you are presented with the situation where you arrive at practice and forgot your speaker cable, given no other options, do you take the risk of using the instrument cable for practice or not?

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Son of Bovril

No, I agree, I'm just saying if you are presented with the situation where you arrive at practice and forgot your speaker cable, given no other options, do you take the risk of using the instrument cable for practice or not?

I'm not sure how that would happen. I don't remove my speaker cable from my amp after rehearsal.

So, the hypothetical would have to be that someone broke in and took my speaker cable?

I guess I'd just run one cab, instead of the usual two. Or perhaps pop down to one of the music stores and get one. If they were closed, I suppose I might use an instrument cable. My band used them for a couple years, only got a few bad shocks.

[MIJ-VI]

Spare cables?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Spare cables?

That'd be great, but outside the pro circles, have You seen too many players with even a spare instrument cable. Please be honest with us.

Since the majority of the speaker cables people use nowadays are equipped with Speakon connectors, we for example had only two spare 1/4"-1/4" speaker cables on our PA. One dumb **** trippin' over the monitors, and those two were called for. On the possible second time, one or two of the hefty instrument cables would've seen a speaker cable duty. Without a second thought.

Regards
Sam

[BassmanPaul]

I do Sam. In my tote I carry at least four speaker cables of various lengths all speakon. Four XLR mic Cables, a couple of phone to phone signal cables as well as a couple of guitar cables with right angle plugs on one end. There's IEC power cables - a couple, a cable tester, mains tester, multimeter and a tool kit with soldering iron. I've had to use all of it from time to time and that's why it's there.

Paul

[SurferJoe46]

Yes - I carry about for every possible contingency except for zombie attacks and I might be able to fend them off for a short while. This is just my BASS SUPPORT gear case:





My mics (2) spare string sets, assorted tools, portable butane soldering gun, electrical tape, circuit tester, power cords, XLR/XLR extensions, XLR-to-1/4" adapters (both ways) cab cables, guitar cables, flashlight, RCA cables and gender bender adapters, Posi-Drive/Torx/Allen sets, etc.

Then there's my 120V box with a lot of those Hi-Amp multi-tap adapters with 20-Amp & Twistlock ends and adapters, 100' and 250' x 20 Amp extension cords, a much larger three-speed soldering pistol and solder/flux/needle-nosed pliers, dikes, Graphing scope/DVM, surge protectors and a bigger MagLite.

I just load three basses and stage stands, my cabs/combos/amps and just those three metal boxes and I'm on the road.

I play a lot of out-building BBQs and lawn parties that are usually 100 yards or more from the pole drop/power panel and I demand to test the circuits for correct voltage and polarity before anyone plugs in.

Who knows how things are wired by a farmer?

Be a Boy Sprout and be prepared for the worst.

[perogato02]

And that is why every band needs a bass player ... they just come in handy!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I do Sam. In my tote I carry at least four speaker cables of various lengths all speakon. Four XLR mic Cables, a couple of phone to phone signal cables as well as a couple of guitar cables with right angle plugs on one end. There's IEC power cables - a couple, a cable tester, mains tester, multimeter and a tool kit with soldering iron. I've had to use all of it from time to time and that's why it's there.

Paul

I know You do have spares Paul.

I do however count everyone who's been in the PA field at least a semi-pro in the way they think. And that means to be prepared. The same goes with anyone who's been gigging with different bands, one time or another.

For a regular bar band, I've found it rather difficult to explain to the other players (=roadies ), why I want to take spares of anything with us. To them it's just dead weight and more to carry. A couple of mishaps and dead amps later, they tend to get it better.

It'd be logical to think that the drummers were the worst since they're most of the time unamplified, but no, guitarists are the worst. Once again .
Followed closely by the singers.
IME anyway.

It's a sort of a shame that us bassplayers are usually left with the "fix-it-all" / "know-it all" duty, but it sure feels great to be able to save the gig .

Regards
Sam