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Ampeg Venture V3 and SpeakOn/cable question

McSalterson

McSalterson

Mar 11, 2023
74
124
#1
Can using the wrong cable damage an amp?

I’m on my 3rd V3 head. First two were replaced under warranty. There was a bad connection and the volume would frequently drop out. I’ve read that the Venture series aren’t the most reliable amps, but I’m wondering if this is my fault.

The one I just got isn’t taking a standard 1/4” speaker cable. It says it should, but it isn’t going in easily and I don’t want to try to force it. I have a SpeakOn cable that fits in my Markbass cab, but not in the V3. I’m guessing it’s 4 conductor and I need a 2.

I don’t remember how I had it connected previously, but I’m wondering if maybe I had it connected loosely with a 4 conductor that either wasn’t making full contact or it somehow damaged the amp. It definitely wouldn’t click in. When I brought it back to the store and they tested it out with their own cab and cable, it was malfunctioning.

Unless Ampeg changed the output recently, I don’t think I could have used a standard speaker cable. It definitely wasn’t an instrument cable.
 
#2
Do your speaker cables have Genuine Neutrik plugs? Off-shore knock-off plugs are a common cause for these symptoms, they bend the mating jack contacts and once bent they must be replaced.

SpeakOn Damage.JPG
 
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#5
McSalterson said:
I don’t remember how I had it connected previously, but I’m wondering if maybe I had it connected loosely with a 4 conductor that either wasn’t making full contact or it somehow damaged the amp. It definitely wouldn’t click in. When I brought it back to the store and they tested it out with their own cab and cable, it was malfunctioning.

Unless Ampeg changed the output recently, I don’t think I could have used a standard speaker cable. It definitely wasn’t an instrument cable.
Click to expand...
McSalterson said:
In case it's useful to anyone, Ampeg customer support (great, by the way) recommends Pro Co S12NN3 speakON based on their own testing. I've overnighted one.
Click to expand...


They recommended you an NL2 connector and the manual also mentions to us an NL2 connector. Guess they switched from the NL4. :meh:

The manual also says it is a combination Jack so it should have taken the Phone plug.
 
#6
S-Bigbottom said:
They recommended you an NL2 connector and the manual also mentions to us an NL2 connector. Guess they switched from the NL4. :meh:

The manual also says it is a combination Jack so it should have taken the Phone plug.
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They said it hasn't changed since the design phase in their response. Makes me wonder, though. I've only ever owned one SpeakOn, and it's 4 conductor. I could have only used either the 1/4" or the NL4, and neither of them wanted to go in. Oh well, I ordered the specific cable they recommended, so I should be all set.
 
#7
McSalterson said:
In case it's useful to anyone, Ampeg customer support (great, by the way) recommends Pro Co S12NN3 speakON based on their own testing. I've overnighted one.
Click to expand...
That uses genuine Neutrik plugs.

Knock-off plugs is a big problem for all manufacturers IME.
 
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#8
S-Bigbottom said:
They recommended you an NL2 connector and the manual also mentions to us an NL2 connector. Guess they switched from the NL4. :meh:

The manual also says it is a combination Jack so it should have taken the Phone plug.
Click to expand...

The venture series has spec'd an NL2 connector since these amps were launched. I recall seeing it called out as an odd choice here given the NL4 is industry standard and they had used NL4 under Loud. Perhaps a Yamaha choice due to parts sourcing? But an odd choice either way.
 
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#9
coreyfyfe said:
The venture series has spec'd an NL2 connector since these amps were launched. I recall seeing it called out as an odd choice here given the NL4 is industry standard and they had used NL4 under Loud. Perhaps a Yamaha choice due to parts sourcing? But an odd choice either way.
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Agreed, it goes against industry standards and makes for interconnection issues for any player why has cables with NL-4 plugs. The V3 (according to the O/M) uses the combo speaker jacks but the V7 and V12 do not, they have NL-2 only jacks which will not work with NL-4 plugs.

What's ironic is that the cabinets and V3minclude the combo 1/4" + SpeakOn jacks that are compatible with both NL-2 and NL-4 plugs.
 
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