Gallien Krueger Legacy connection noob question

[basscooker]

Looky there. I learned something today. I didn't realize that.

Guess how I learned that? When I read @tombowlus review of My S10B. LOL. I wore a bit of egg on that detail. I really can't imagine the cost to a manufacturer for NL-4 only product to be that large. Boo on me for the error in part choice there, (NL-2's from the drawer went in the trash that day haha) but on a higher end amp? What reason for the NL-2?

 

[joel406]

Guess how I learned that? When I read @tombowlus review of My S10B. LOL. I wore a bit of egg on that detail. I really can't imagine the cost to a manufacturer for NL-4 only product to be that large. Boo on me for the error in part choice there, (NL-2's from the drawer went in the trash that day haha) but on a higher end amp? What reason for the NL-2?

I don't get it either. I ditched GK a year ago because the new line sounded terrible. Switched to Mesa and Epifani. No connection problems and the tones are so sweet.

 

[john_g]

I still don't get why GK did all their new stuff in NL2.

Same. I remember being kinda ticked when I found out you needed to buy the newer type after spending all that for the amp. Its not well documented either but Ill take responsibility for not researching like a pre-med student =)

 

[Ryn]

Same. I remember being kinda ticked when I found out you needed to buy the newer type after spending all that for the amp. Its not well documented either but Ill take responsibility for not researching like a pre-med student =)

Ha, glad I'm not alone in my frustrations, at least!
for now this new rig can just sit in my livingroom and look pretty

 

[Ryn]

...at least it does look pretty swish

 

[two fingers]

...at least it does look pretty swish

Once you get the cable sorted, it'll likely sound pretty great as well.

 

[groovaholic]

Bob Gallien designed heads and cabs with NL-4 connectors when he intended them for biamp usage that would require 4-conductor cables.

But when the overwhelming majority of GK users never used that biamp feature (and far too many tweeter amps got blown up through incorrect usage) I think he made the smart decision to adopt normal 2-conductor wiring.

And the NL2 is the appropriate connector to use for that.

 

[agedhorse]

Bob Gallien designed heads and cabs with NL-4 connectors when he intended them for biamp usage that would require 4-conductor cables.

But when the overwhelming majority of GK users never used that biamp feature (and far too many tweeter amps got blown up through incorrect usage) I think he made the smart decision to adopt normal 2-conductor wiring.

And the NL2 is the appropriate connector to use for that.

There's no reason why the 2+/2- connections on the NL4 can't be left unconnected. That's what most manufacturers do.

 

[Leo Smith]

You gotta plug the connector in then twist to lock it.

 

[groovaholic]

There's no reason why the 2+/2- connections on the NL4 can't be left unconnected. That's what most manufacturers do.

Agreed.
Though I think in the context of GKs prior products, the change made sense for GK.

 

[Bass Jones]

...at least it does look pretty swish

Say, those color coordinate nicely! The logos even look kinda similar.

 

[agedhorse]

Agreed.
Though I think in the context of GKs prior products, the change made sense for GK.

It has created this exact appearance of incompatibility with all the other manufacturers, especially those who may include an NL-4 cable in with their amps.

We have had to deal with several troubleshooting sessions with players using NL4 cables who were switching between heads and cabinets and suddenly found themselves in an unexplainable situation where their cable wouldn't fit and that that made no sense to them.

 

[Adam Wright]

Agreed.
Though I think in the context of GKs prior products, the change made sense for GK.

It cost them a sale from me. I purchased it because I've always been a big GK fan. There was zero mention of this in any ad copy from any online store. I received it right in time for a gig and thankfully plugged it in before I left. Obviously I didn't have the right cable and I sent it back the next day because I don't see the point in having to source a special speakon when no other amp I've ever used needed it.

 

[groovaholic]

I received it right in time for a gig and thankfully plugged it in before I left. Obviously I didn't have the right cable and I sent it back the next day because I don't see the point in having to source a special speakon when no other amp I've ever used needed it.

That's too bad you returned the amp before you ever had a chance to play out through it.

I'm not using the biamp feature on my 700RB, so I've replaced all my speaker ends with NL2, at a cost of roughly $7/cable.

An NL-2 plug can go into ANY Speakon jack.

 

[gotfunk21]

Yeah it's kind of annoying. My speakon cable used NL4.

I bought a set of NL2 ends from Amazon and put one on. So my cable has an NL4 on one side and the NL2 on the other. So the NL2 goes to the GK and the NL4 side goes to whatever else.

You can see the center pole on them is different. I took crazy pills the first few days too until I scoured Talkbass myself

https://www.amazon.com/NEUTRIK-SpeakON-2-Pole-Female-Connector/dp/B01BFDOVAA/ref=sr_1_5

Pretty easy to swap them out. Just make sure you note the +/- when you remove one end.

 

[wave rider]

Noted, I'll source an onbrand NL2 and give that a proper try
This cable wasn't even cheap, but it could just be an NL4, not the one I need. Same might be true for my friend's cables, which I know work fine.

It's good to know the cab and amp will be okay together once I do figure out how to get them plugged into each other

Thanks guys!

Get two of these (beware imitations):
NL2FX

Get some 14 gauge wire from your local hardware store (lamp cord will work or something with a fancy covering over the wires) and make your own cable. Supposed to be easy to assemble (I've not made one yet…), no soldering required.

It looks like fun!
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+assemble+speakon+connectors+

 

[agedhorse]

Yes, beware on imitations/knock-offs which can turn into a very expensive repair.

 

[TomB]

I've made plenty of NL-2 cables - just don't buy the cheap-o cable ends. It's worth it if you like the GK sound as the Legacy line captures it in spades, IMO.

 

[MCF]

...at least it does look pretty swish

Nice Rig! Get a good cable with Nutrik connectors. The extra $10 to $20 is well worth it and will make sure you won't have any problems in the future.

 

[crazyBassClown]

And the NL2 is the appropriate connector to use for that.

The industry standard on everything is the nl4. I've never even seen an NL2 in person on any bass or PA gear.