As a new bassist, I see that most bass amps and cabs have speakon connectors. Coming from the guitar side, most guitar amps are quarter inch plugs. When making the transition from quarter to speakon, is it better to get dedicated cables with the proper connectors or get the speakon to quarter adapters. All of my current amp cables are high quality and I have lots of extras.
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Speakon Connectors Questions
- Thread starter lhrocker
- Start date
Buy the speakon NL4 connectors $4 to $6 each and convert your 1/4" cables to speakons. No soldering, all that is needed is wire strippers and a screwdriver.
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Bob Lee (QSC)
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Buy a couple Speakon connectors. Buy a length of two-conductor stranded copper wire in a round jacket. Spend five minutes with wire strippers and a small Phillips screwdriver. Done.
Either one works. My own preference is to get a cable made for the application and use it, so I carry purpose-made Speakon cables.
I also carry a couple of 1/4" to Speakon adapters just in case a cable gets lost and I have to use a cable with 1/4" connector...and I always carry spare 1/4" cables.
The popular theory here seems to be that since bass amps generally run considerably more power to the speakers then most guitar amps, the more secure connections and larger contact area at the connections provided by the Speakon connector are a good idea.
It's also true that it's much easier to bend the contacts on a 1/4" jack (the female part) resulting in poor contact than it is to mess up the contacts on a Speakon connector.
I also carry a couple of 1/4" to Speakon adapters just in case a cable gets lost and I have to use a cable with 1/4" connector...and I always carry spare 1/4" cables.
The popular theory here seems to be that since bass amps generally run considerably more power to the speakers then most guitar amps, the more secure connections and larger contact area at the connections provided by the Speakon connector are a good idea.
It's also true that it's much easier to bend the contacts on a 1/4" jack (the female part) resulting in poor contact than it is to mess up the contacts on a Speakon connector.
To answer your question. Use the speakon cables.
The 1/4-speakon adapter is a poor, but useful, solution.
You'll probably also want speakon to 1/4" cables to go between amp/cabinet combinations whose connectors differ.
As B-String says, replacing the ends on your existing cables is likely the best solution for you.
The 1/4-speakon adapter is a poor, but useful, solution.
You'll probably also want speakon to 1/4" cables to go between amp/cabinet combinations whose connectors differ.
As B-String says, replacing the ends on your existing cables is likely the best solution for you.
Use a Pozi-Drive for the Neutrik screws - it'll work better, it's the right diver, those are not Phillips. Read the instructions.
Consensus seems to be to use NL4 even when only using two poles, as a nicer connector. If you actually have something with an NL2 jack you're stuck with that, but most jacks are NL4 (can use NL4 or NL2 plugs - NL2 only do pair 1, of course). Don't buy the Chinese knockoffs. They are not all that much cheaper and they are a lot worse.
For small orders, watch the shipping when choosing a vendor. Price per connector may be higher but total cost of a small order delivered may be lower.
Dale Pro Audio has free shipping for most orders. They also offer the range of colors.
Redco has pretty cheap shipping options for small orders.
I prefer the NL4FX series plugs - they cost a bit less but are rated 10 amps higher than the NL4FC
Consensus seems to be to use NL4 even when only using two poles, as a nicer connector. If you actually have something with an NL2 jack you're stuck with that, but most jacks are NL4 (can use NL4 or NL2 plugs - NL2 only do pair 1, of course). Don't buy the Chinese knockoffs. They are not all that much cheaper and they are a lot worse.
For small orders, watch the shipping when choosing a vendor. Price per connector may be higher but total cost of a small order delivered may be lower.
Dale Pro Audio has free shipping for most orders. They also offer the range of colors.
Redco has pretty cheap shipping options for small orders.
I prefer the NL4FX series plugs - they cost a bit less but are rated 10 amps higher than the NL4FC
I'll all about using the right tool for the job but I've never had an issue using a small Phillips when making speaker cable. Now, if they only made a specialty tool to screw down the outer housing once the connections have been made.
Big +1 for Redco and Dale, they are local go-to electronics stores. They have everything!
The NL4FX's I just did have a flat for an open end wrench on the back shell part. You could use a strap wrench on the front part, or set up a jack in a handle (or clamp one in a vise.) My hands seemed to work fine, but that might not always be true (decrepitude is coming, bit by bit. Already having to work around the eyes not doing what they used to.)
