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head output question

Aenema

Aenema

Apr 18, 2001
573
3
44
Michigan
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#1
ok heres the dilema... i want to get a gk 1001 rb II which puts out 460 watts and 8 ohms. i plan on getting a 1x12 neo and 2x10 to go with it. id like to use the 1x12 neo by itself for church gigs but the head will be putting out 460 watts and the speaker only handles 300 watts. will it be ok as long as i dont turn the head up too loud? i recall reading that the volume knob is related to how much power the head puts out. for example... maybe this head puts out 50 watts witht he volume at 1, and 100 watts 2, and 150 watts on 3 and so on. this is just for example and is mostly like not accurate but you see my basic idea. is this how it worx though?
 
#6
No, the volume knob just attenuates (cuts) gain.

So the power the amp puts out is a function of the load (the speaker--how many ohms) and the power of the input signal.

The amp could be delivering its full rated power into a given speaker cabinet with the volume knob set on 1/2 if its input signal is strong enough. An even stronger input signal could drive the amp to its full power with the knob at 1/4, for example.
 
#7
nashvillebill said:
No, the volume knob just attenuates (cuts) gain.

So the power the amp puts out is a function of the load (the speaker--how many ohms) and the power of the input signal.

The amp could be delivering its full rated power into a given speaker cabinet with the volume knob set on 1/2 if its input signal is strong enough. An even stronger input signal could drive the amp to its full power with the knob at 1/4, for example.
Click to expand...

signal input? meaning the bass? and can you answer my original question since you seem to be knowledgable? :help:
 
#8
are the volume knobs actually relative to the power output of the heads? lets say i had the master half way up. would the head be putting out half of its power?
Click to expand...
NO!

If you have a high output bass, you could get all 450 watts with the master on 2 out of 10.

And your speaker will be fine as long as you make sure it sounds clean, not distorted.

Randy
 
#9
Aenema said:
ok heres the dilema... i want to get a gk 1001 rb II which puts out 460 watts and 8 ohms. i plan on getting a 1x12 neo and 2x10 to go with it. id like to use the 1x12 neo by itself for church gigs but the head will be putting out 460 watts and the speaker only handles 300 watts. will it be ok as long as i dont turn the head up too loud?
Click to expand...

Yes. Just because your amp can put out 460 watts into an 8 ohm load doesn't necessarily mean it will be doing that.

maybe this head puts out 50 watts with the volume at 1, and 100 watts 2, and 150 watts on 3 and so on. this is just for example and is mostly like not accurate but you see my basic idea. is this how it worx though?

As Bill said, that depends on the input signal (your bass and how hard you are playing it, whether you are in the active or passive mode, etc.), but it also depends on how your tone controls are set, what effects you have in the effects loop and how they are set, and so on. The volume control position will not tell you how much power the amp is putting out, that's essentially a job for your ears. :cool: In any case, most volume controls are logarithmic, so in your example one might be 1 watt, three 10 watts, five 100 watts, etc., at some given settings of the rest of the controls, and given a steady input signal. At some other setting, one might be 200 watts though, dig?
 

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