Thoughts on a pair of redundant combos

[Scott Loveless]

So, at last we meet again for the first time, for the last time.

I have a GK 400RB-IV combo. I like this combo a lot. After I bought it I spent quite a bit of time searching for a "matching" GK 210 cabinet. As far as I can tell, only the SBX, NEO and RBH 210 cabinets were built with a tilt back design. They are, apparently, fairly rare, but that's one of the features I really want. The ones I've found have been either too expensive, too expensive to ship, too far away to go pick up, beat to heck, speakers blown, or some combination of the preceding. I've given up.

On to plan B. Buy another 400RB combo. I should have started with plan B. The combos are relatively inexpensive and available. The combos are often less expensive than a 400RB head alone. This arrangement would allow me to use one of them as an extension speaker cabinet, plus I'd have a spare head. Redundancy. It would also allow for some flexibility if I decide to eventually do some kinda stereo wet side/dry side setup. So far, this is making lots of sense to my pin head.

The photo shows the rear of one of these. As you can see, there are two speaker jacks on the back of the head, and one male speaker cable coming out of the cabinet. I'm thinking I need to remove the cable entirely on each amp and replace it with a single jack. (Having one of those cables waving around while that cab is being powered by the other amp seems like a recipe for disaster.) But every time I come up with something like this I end up half-way into it and realize I've missed a significant detail. Which is why I posted this. Any thoughts? Gotchas? Eye rolling?

Thanks in advance.

Image blatantly stolen from a used gear web site.

 

[Wasnex]

So, at last we meet again for the first time, for the last time.

I have a GK 400RB-IV combo. I like this combo a lot. After I bought it I spent quite a bit of time searching for a "matching" GK 210 cabinet. As far as I can tell, only the SBX, NEO and RBH 210 cabinets were built with a tilt back design. They are, apparently, fairly rare, but that's one of the features I really want. The ones I've found have been either too expensive, too expensive to ship, too far away to go pick up, beat to heck, speakers blown, or some combination of the preceding. I've given up.

On to plan B. Buy another 400RB combo. I should have started with plan B. The combos are relatively inexpensive and available. The combos are often less expensive than a 400RB head alone. This arrangement would allow me to use one of them as an extension speaker cabinet, plus I'd have a spare head. Redundancy. It would also allow for some flexibility if I decide to eventually do some kinda stereo wet side/dry side setup. So far, this is making lots of sense to my pin head.

The photo shows the rear of one of these. As you can see, there are two speaker jacks on the back of the head, and one male speaker cable coming out of the cabinet. I'm thinking I need to remove the cable entirely on each amp and replace it with a single jack. (Having one of those cables waving around while that cab is being powered by the other amp seems like a recipe for disaster.) But every time I come up with something like this I end up half-way into it and realize I've missed a significant detail. Which is why I posted this. Any thoughts? Gotchas? Eye rolling?

Thanks in advance.

View attachment 3805959
Image blatantly stolen from a used gear web site.

Just buy a cable with a good quality female plug on one end. Problem solved.

Or get a Neutrik 1/4" turn around (P/N NYS236)

 

[abarson]

Question: why do you want the extension cabinet to be tilt back as well? I'm not certain you can stack two tilt backs, which is how I'm assuming you would use them.

In re to @Wasnex suggestion: make sure it's speaker cable and not instrument. Otherwise, it would be that simple. Understand that you won't be using the second amp at all, and could even remove it to save transport weight.

 

[Wasnex]

Question: why do you want the extension cabinet to be tilt back as well? I'm not certain you can stack two tilt backs, which is how I'm assuming you would use them.

In re to @Wasnex suggestion: make sure it's speaker cable and not instrument. Otherwise, it would be that simple. Understand that you won't be using the second amp at all, and could even remove it to save transport weight.

I agree it's important to use speaker cable, and also to make sure the female jack is up to the task. The Neutrik turn around is rated for 500V, so I think it's a viable option.

I believe you can stack a pair of the 400RB combos vertically, but they won't be quite as stable as rectangular cabs. So be careful if the stage is wobbily, or if you have people with a tendency to bump into things.

I have an 700RB/112 which is also a tilt back design, and it stacks just fine on top of other cabs. I used to gig with an 18" behind me and the 700RB tilted back in front of me, a la surround sound.

 

[abarson]

Here's another idea:
On the second combo, remove the 1/4" speaker plug, solder a 1/4" jack to it and mount it on the cabinet. Then you can use a longer standard speaker cable from the output of combo 1 and run it into the speaker of combo 2. You would still be able to use combo 2 as a standalone by using a short 6" speaker cable.
Actually, I'd do this modification to both combos and then they'd be interchangeable.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Go the vertical 210 stack
O
O
O
O
by putting them end on end.

I am a 210 vertical stack believer!!

 

[Scott Loveless]

Just buy a cable with a good quality female plug on one end. Problem solved.

View attachment 3806157
Or get a Neutrik 1/4" turn around (P/N NYS236)
View attachment 3806156

That male-female cable is the only one of it's type SW carries, and it doesn't inspire much confidence. It's also not very long. I suppose I could make one with better hardware.

I was unaware of the Neutrik turn around. Will investigate further. Thank you.

 

[Scott Loveless]

Here's another idea:
On the second combo, remove the 1/4" speaker plug, solder a 1/4" jack to it and mount it on the cabinet. Then you can use a longer standard speaker cable from the output of combo 1 and run it into the speaker of combo 2. You would still be able to use combo 2 as a standalone by using a short 6" speaker cable.
Actually, I'd do this modification to both combos and then they'd be interchangeable.

This is exactly what I proposed in the original post. I really think this will give me quite a bit of flexibility. Stereo amps, master/slave, just run one, stacked, spread out, tilted back, whatever.

 

[Scott Loveless]

Go the vertical 210 stack
O
O
O
O
by putting them end on end.

I could do that!

 

[JimChjones]

Yes, I'd remove the captive cable and replace it with a socket. Actually two sockets, one jack and one Speakon. Maybe even one jack and two speakon, because then you could use both cabs with a speakon fitted head if you so desired.

 

[Wasnex]

That male-female cable is the only one of it's type SW carries, and it doesn't inspire much confidence. It's also not very long. I suppose I could make one with better hardware.

I was unaware of the Neutrik turn around. Will investigate further. Thank you.

You could just cut the end off an existing cable. I used this Hosa adapter and the Female end has been solid.

I believe it is a Switchcraft 121