I'll add for the record; Even the most genuine SpeakON connector is no match for a couple of well meaning horn players and pair of vice grips, tearing down at two in the morning. 
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Rant.. Neutrik Connectors Without 1/4” Connectivity
- Thread starter 57pbass
- Start date
Man you had good mojo, that sure as hell wasn't my experience.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,087
- 5
- 221,210
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
You don't remember all the problems with broken bass amps back in the day? Lots more defective products, and the warranty of 90 days to 1 year reinforced the challenges the industry faced back then. I know my older (pre 1990) products were nowhere near as reliable as those of the past 20 or so years and we all were in a similar boat in that regard due to limitations in the parts and manufacturing methods of the day.
All that I can tell you is based upon my own experiences, my observations of other people, and the conversations we had. It's a specific case which, although valid and reliable, cannot be generalized to a wider population. As such, it is what it is, and for myself and those I played with "back in the day", technological problems were few and far between or, in my case (and others), non-existent.
In fact, "back in the day", problems were generally traced back to people, and not blamed on technology. I'm not of the opinion that this doesn't hold true to this day, but I am definitely encountering too many up and coming musicians who, IMHO, have become overly reliant on their technology at the expense of their playing. But, again, that's just my experience.
I should probably explain that for me, "back in the day" equates to the early 80s, as far as bass playing is concerned (prior to that, I primarily played guitar, whilst developing an interest in bass playing). That's when I bought the bass, the amp and the cab, that I still have to this day. They're having a little rest right now (hence the new gear experience), but as they served me perfectly well, playing 1,000+ gigs / rehearsals / recording sessions, over several decades, all without a single problem, I think they deserve the time out. At least, for now, that is ... in particular, in terms of my beloved Aria Pro II SB900 bass; she'll be back, for sure.
Yeah, I remember plenty of musical gear crapping out on me and bands I've seen.
Are these ok? I was using these when I had my Mpulse 600 into Subway Cabs, maybe I was lucky again??
Even the old, original ring-lock SpeakONs seemed a little vague. They didn't have the same forceful latching that the latest versions do. I remember mine went on straight, and then you had to turn a ring (not the entire plug) to lock them. That ring was pretty vague and "soft" after about a year of use.
Never had one fail, even though some of those old ones eventually felt like they weren't really locking into place.
Never had one fail, even though some of those old ones eventually felt like they weren't really locking into place.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,087
- 5
- 221,210
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I don't use them anymore since I sold my Mpulse 600, I guess I'm gonna have to get the real ones to use my Walkabout head with my Subways..
The whole reason for Peavey coming up with DDT was that their amps were blowing speakers almost as quickly as they got sold. I think Hartley said at one point they were losing money on every amp sold because of the sheer number of speaker replacements they had to cover.
I remember amps ran too hot, too buzzy, too scratchy (pots)...
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,087
- 5
- 221,210
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Yup, DDT greatly improved their speaker reliability. I know the guy who developed DDT, a very well respected and talented engineer who passed away a few years ago.
Limitations in part performance and being fairly early on the solid state learning curve, all manufacturers had reliability challenges.
Loudspeaker jack output is ok for any amp, it can not be shorted if pulled out. The only limit is current (power of amp & impedance of the loudspeaker system) - the temperature of the plug. Another story is at the loudspeaker end of speaker cable because here the jack plug can be accidental shorted ! Here must be used Speakon or XLR connectors. I was using this connector combination on speaker cables last 40+ years (even on smaller PA amps and loudspeakers) and never had any problem. Loudspeaker box must have another parallel jack output for parallel connection of the next box. The situation is changed now because of Speakon connectors on many amps.
Jack connector at the amp's input is the best because jack (straight jack plugs recommended) can go out if you forget about cable's length or someone hooks up your cable. Then the amp/combo is still on its place without the damage. The plug at the source end must be a shorting model like "Silent" plug. All the MI industry is still based on unsymmetrical connections, so it is still the same... However, most guitars can be partly or quasi symmetrized - pickups themself can be fully symmetrized, shielding/grounding part of the guitar can be separated using of stereo jack at the guitar's output and then quasi-symmetric cable with "stereo" jack plug at the guitar's end, then symmetric cable until first unsymmetric input (of amp or pedal), just there shield/ground and signal's (-) must be shorted together using mono jack plug at this end of cable.
Jack connector at the amp's input is the best because jack (straight jack plugs recommended) can go out if you forget about cable's length or someone hooks up your cable. Then the amp/combo is still on its place without the damage. The plug at the source end must be a shorting model like "Silent" plug. All the MI industry is still based on unsymmetrical connections, so it is still the same... However, most guitars can be partly or quasi symmetrized - pickups themself can be fully symmetrized, shielding/grounding part of the guitar can be separated using of stereo jack at the guitar's output and then quasi-symmetric cable with "stereo" jack plug at the guitar's end, then symmetric cable until first unsymmetric input (of amp or pedal), just there shield/ground and signal's (-) must be shorted together using mono jack plug at this end of cable.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,087
- 5
- 221,210
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Shorting instrument cables used (accidentally) as speaker cables has caused the death of many an amp back in the day 
XLR for the speaker out has been the cause of (accidental) damage to many a console back in the day, sure glad that crap is done with.
XLR for the speaker out has been the cause of (accidental) damage to many a console back in the day, sure glad that crap is done with.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,087
- 5
- 221,210
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Lukas Electric, prince of darkness, was actually a stand-up comic
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I don't really get the fuss. I'd rather have a good solid connection and isolated contact points. In a world where I may have to put my amp/rack on top of a provided cab I carry an adapter that does Speakon-to quarter inch in my gig bag. I made mine but they're out there. Though I've used it all of zero times in the past couple years.
Also, I much prefer Powercon connectors for power. Works like a Speakon, can't be used interchangeably with speakon etc. I carry an IEC/Powercon adapter as well.
Also, I much prefer Powercon connectors for power. Works like a Speakon, can't be used interchangeably with speakon etc. I carry an IEC/Powercon adapter as well.
I wouldn't normally post the following but the thread's title does include the word "rant".
~
And by "Brits" you actually mean the "English", right? That'll be the vast majority of UK citizens who live in England; as opposed to Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; all of which are other, smaller countries, each with its own particular sense of humour.
And, just to be clear: I am a Scot. I am proud to be a Scot, but embarrassed to be British, or a "Brit" as you put it. HOWEVER, over the years I have met, worked with and known many an Englishman and woman, and they are fine people (as are the Welsh and the Citizens of Northern Ireland). Indeed, this is quite normal. Contrary to popular opinion, we Scots do not "hate" the English (other than amidst the hysteria which accompanies our mutual rivalry whilst playing football against each other~ or soccer, if you must); quite the opposite in fact.
Indeed, the reason why many Scot's want to get as far away from England as we can has nothing to do with the vast majority of English citizens. It's the UK government, a troupe of blundering clowns, based in London and lead by an incompetent, racist, eugenicist that's the problem.
Apologies for that. But, as above, it does include the word "rant".
Lol!! No offence intended. I was referring to the British in general and Trace Elliot in particular. : D
A friend has a 70's TVR. Most of the Lucas stuff has been swapped out in favor of stuff that's more resistant to spontaneous combustion except for the headlight relay. There's a full SECOND of darkness when switching from hi bean to low or vice-versa. It's quite exciting.Lukas Electric, prince of darkness, was actually a stand-up comic
