Run a head without a cab? (Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0)

[SuperBassSam]

Hi all,

I have been playing bass for a while now however I recently bought my first head, a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0. I really cannot wait to start playing through it but I don't know anything about head/cab configurations, so, extremely dumb question: I know you have to do impedance matching so on my Shuttle the minimum load is 4ohms meaning I'd have to have at least a 4Ohm cab to run it through. My question is, what will happen if I switch it on with no cab connected at all, and could I just use headphones with it until I have found a decent cab matched properly?

Thanks a lot

[Double Agent]

Originally Posted by SuperBassSam

Hi all,

I have been playing bass for a while now however I recently bought my first head, a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0. I really cannot wait to start playing through it but I don't know anything about head/cab configurations, so, extremely dumb question: I know you have to do impedance matching so on my Shuttle the minimum load is 4ohms meaning I'd have to have at least a 4Ohm cab to run it through. My question is, what will happen if I switch it on with no cab connected at all, and could I just use headphones with it until I have found a decent cab matched properly?

Thanks a lot

You can use the Shuttle as a headphone, or a DI, or both, with no speaker attached to it and you will not damage the Shuttle in any way.

Remember, 2 cabs at 8 ohms each = 4 ohms. If you use a single 4 ohm cab, you can NOT use any other cabs with it. I recommend two smaller 8 ohm cabs (2x10, 1x12, etc.) instead of one large 4 ohm cab (4x10, 2x12, etc.) for a more versatile setup.

[Bardley]

Originally Posted by Double Agent

You can use the Shuttle as a headphone, or a DI, or both, with no speaker attached to it and you will not damage the Shuttle in any way.

Remember, 2 cabs at 8 ohms each = 4 ohms. If you use a single 4 ohm cab, you can NOT use any other cabs with it. I recommend two smaller 8 ohm cabs (2x10, 1x12, etc.) instead of one large 4 ohm cab (4x10, 2x12, etc.) for a more versatile setup.

+1 to everything.

You don't have to worry about not having a cab attached with most heads unless you get into tube amps.

[SuperBassSam]

Originally Posted by Bardley

+1 to everything.

You don't have to worry about not having a cab attached with most heads unless you get into tube amps.

Thanks for all your replies, Bardley I assume then that the GB having a tube preamp doesnt count as an actual tube amp in the way that your talking about?

Thanks

[Selta]

Originally Posted by SuperBassSam

Thanks for all your replies, Bardley I assume then that the GB having a tube preamp doesnt count as an actual tube amp in the way that your talking about?

Thanks

That's correct.

[JTE]

Just to be clear. Solid-state amps (where the power amp is solid-state) can be safely operated without a speaker load. Tube power amps always need a load on the transformer. I don't know, but suspect the early G/K amps with output transformers also require a load.

So, you can run a new GB Shuttle, an old Acoustic 150b, etc. (all solid-state amps) with no load. You can run an SWR Redhead, an Eden WT-400, etc. (tube pre-amps, but solid-state power amps) with no speaker load. You can NOT run a Fender Dual Showman, a real SVT (as in "Super Valve Technology), etc. (essentially all-tube amps) without a load. You can NOT run a Music Man HD-130 (solid state pre-amp, tube power amp) without a load.

John