• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Wiring a 2x15 cab?

ric4682

ric4682

Supporting Member
Jul 2, 2008
1,558
1,782
#1
So I picked up an old Acoustic 2x15 cab but the wiring had been stripped out of it and I'm trying to get it back up and running. I got a new jack and some wire and clips from Home Depot. This is a super noobie question, but which part of my new speaker jack is the tip and which part is the sleeve?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1413305232.464547.jpg


Also, if I'm wiring it in parallel so I get 4 ohms how does it need to be wired? I checked the avatar wiring diagrams and it helped a little but I've never even really soldered before so this is a learning experience for me.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
#3
If you use that jack, make sure your amp is switched off whenever you plug in or unplug your speaker lead. A socket like this will momentarily short the plug's connections as it passes in or out and if this is connected to a switched on amp it may blow it's fuses or worse.
 
#4
those jacks suck, i'd never want to depend on one for higher-current stuff like speaker signals. hell, they mostly suck for low-level guitar signal too, and wear out pretty quickly.

you only see them because it's easy to install one on a build, you just drill one hole and slide the jack in.

anyway, if it's a real switchcraft, hot is the short tab and ground is the outer claw thing; the long tab is a ring contact, that's a stereo jack.

if not, who knows? the test is to plug a live signal cable from an amp input into one and touch the two little tabs; the one that makes noise is the hot (tip) connection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: delta7fred and line6man
#5
walterw said:
those jacks suck, i'd never want to depend on one for higher-current stuff like speaker signals. hell, they mostly suck for low-level guitar signal too, and wear out pretty quickly.
Click to expand...

That was my first thought, but I wasn't sure if people were using them on amps and cabs. It wouldn't surprise me if it was commonplace, but I certainly would not want to use those jacks if I could avoid them. They can't handle very much current, and they don't last.
 
#7
I've never seen a jack that long used on any guitar. Maybe I should drill the hole a little bigger in the cab and use a cup/recessed jack style instead of the one I have. It is a switchcraft though.
 
#9
ric4682 said:
I've never seen a jack that long used on any guitar. Maybe I should drill the hole a little bigger in the cab and use a cup/recessed jack style instead of the one I have. It is a switchcraft though.
Click to expand...

Why not install a speakon connector? Thats what I did on my old Peavey 215. Its a much better connection than the old 1/4" phone jack

Invalid Link Removed
 
#10
ric4682 said:
I've never seen a jack that long used on any guitar. Maybe I should drill the hole a little bigger in the cab and use a cup/recessed jack style instead of the one I have. It is a switchcraft though.
Click to expand...
They use them on on a Squier Jaguar Bass with pre-amp for one. Also a Peavey Millenium AC BXP bass
 
Last edited:
#11
ric4682 said:
I've never seen a jack that long used on any guitar.
Click to expand...
you mostly see them on basses, especially non-fender types.

if you look on the bottom edge of the bass and just see a little round hole for the plug with no plate or screws or anything around it, that's a barrel jack.
 
#13
If you use the speakon, you don't have to solder. Also if you are going to run at high power, a bad connection on a 1/4 plug or solder point will suck power...possibly alot of power. You don't want to haul a 2x15 around and not be able to play loud.
 
#14
That is not an appropriate jack for a speaker cabinet. Use a heavier conventional jack, like a Switchcraft, or if your PA head is already wired for Speakons, that is now preferable.
 
#15
iiipopes said:
That is not an appropriate jack for a speaker cabinet. Use a heavier conventional jack, like a Switchcraft, or if your PA head is already wired for Speakons, that is now preferable.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter what kind of jack the head has. Speakon to 1/4" phone cables are readily available. There is no reason not to use a Speakon input on the cab.
 
#16
Hopkins said:
It doesn't matter what kind of jack the head has. Speakon to 1/4" phone cables are readily available. There is no reason not to use a Speakon input on the cab.
Click to expand...
I did not say they were not compatible. I only said that Speakons are now preferable, and if the PA head or amp has them, all the better.
 
#18
Thanks for all the help so far!i picked up a speakon jack with four terminals on it. So how would I go about wiring the speakon jack when running in parallel? I have the jack and it has +1 -1 +2 -2. Are +1 and +2 the same? i.e. Can I wire one speaker to +1 and -1 and one speaker to +2 and -2?
 
#19
ric4682 said:
Thanks for all the help so far!i picked up a speakon jack with four terminals on it. So how would I go about wiring the speakon jack when running in parallel? I have the jack and it has +1 -1 +2 -2. Are +1 and +2 the same? i.e. Can I wire one speaker to +1 and -1 and one speaker to +2 and -2?
Click to expand...

Wire both positives to +1 and both negatives to -1. You wont use the + or - 2 terminials
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back