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I'm a fool!

snaverb

snaverb

Feb 19, 2007
977
12
Atlanta, Ga
#1
Like a fool, I've been using an instrument cable to connect my new bass amp ( MarkBass Little Mark II ) to my cabinet. I've been using it for about two months, anyways, I now have a speaker cable.... Question is, how can I tell if I've done any serious damage to my amp because of using the instrument cable?

It seems to be working fine, sounds great, so I dont think it was affected by the instrument cable... But should I take it somewhere and have it checked out just to be sure?
 
#5
If your amp still works at this point, then you're okay (and lucky).

But the problem is that an instrument cable offers too much resistance to the amplified signal, and in some cases can cause the amp to self-destruct.
 
#10
rockdoc11 said:
If your amp still works at this point, then you're okay (and lucky).

But the problem is that an instrument cable offers too much resistance to the amplified signal, and in some cases can cause the amp to self-destruct.
Click to expand...

Actually, the resistance of an instrument cable is not much more (if any) than a speaker cable, and it certainly has far less impedance than the speaker itself, so that isn't the problem; most amps can handle several times their rated speaker impedance without difficulty.

The problem is that instrument cables and connectors are designed to handle a much smaller voltage differential between the conductors than typically exist in a speaker circuit, and if that voltage breaks through, it suddenly presents the output bus of your amp with a dead short. Blooey.

To the OP: if it had hurt your amp, you'd know it. Go forth and sin no more. ;^)
 
#13
rockdoc11 said:
If your amp still works at this point, then you're okay (and lucky).

But the problem is that an instrument cable offers too much resistance to the amplified signal, and in some cases can cause the amp to self-destruct.
Click to expand...

Well actually there is no such thing as "too much resistance" to an amp with a solid state output section, it's only too little that kills it.
 
#15
I used instrument cables to connect speakers for about 15 years (1964-1979).

Nothing ever went wrong, but I don't do it now, because there is that small, but real risk. IMHO, the lower power of the tube amps I used back then (dual shownman, marshal major) didn't make it less risky. A short is a short. :cool:

I wonder if when a speaker cable shorts out, if the amp is then protected by its fuse(s). I use a CA6 now, but my old SWR 350 has two fuses, one is labled "speaker." :p

Probably ought to do a search on this...
 
#16
Bass Boy said:
This is one of the most perpetuated myths on TB. It's been said time and time again that metachlorine depletion is dependent on impedence AND spl. Do a search.
:rollno:
Click to expand...


Where do you get your information, the Torolabs sales brochure? Metachlorine depletion is metachlorine depletion and esoteric SPL inducted impedance will have such a minimal effect that for all practical purposes, it can be discounded. Sure, with the right lab conditions and equipment you MAY be able to measure a difference, but in a live band situation, I DEFY ANYONE to be able to tell the differnce blindfolded. Way to cloud the issue, buttmunch. :mad:
 
#19
lug said:
Where do you get your information, the Torolabs sales brochure? Metachlorine depletion is metachlorine depletion and esoteric SPL inducted impedance will have such a minimal effect that for all practical purposes, it can be discounded. Sure, with the right lab conditions and equipment you MAY be able to measure a difference, but in a live band situation, I DEFY ANYONE to be able to tell the differnce blindfolded. Way to cloud the issue, buttmunch. :mad:
Click to expand...

I love this place!:hyper:
 

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