Speaker outputs

[fossilshark]

If i wanted to connect an amp to 2 4x12 cabs (for a full stack) does the amp need 2 cab outputs (a 16ohm output wired for 2 8ohm cabs) or is there a different way this is usually done? Ive never seen a full stack in person and i want to build one.

[2deaf]

For a classic Marshall stack, you would set both cabinets for 16 ohms and the amplifier impedance selector to 8 ohms.  Each cabinet is then connected to the amp via the parallel output jacks.  The amplifier would need two parallel jacks connected to a single OT tap in order to connect cabinets like this with standard speaker cables.

[Willabe]

Ive never seen a full stack in person and i want to build one.

Why?

Very, very, very few, (if any) who need a full stack anymore.

You can damage your hearing pretty easily with that much power from an 8 x 12" stack. 

[John]

Why?

Why do I have a milk house full of vintage test equipment, and still get quivery when I see a nice IM-10 on eBay?


Why would I build a 35 watt (sweeeeet sounding) bass amp when I can buy a SS for 100 bucks?


Why, ask why? 

[2deaf]

You can damage your hearing pretty easily with that much power from an 8 x 12" stack.

It's not all downside, y'know.  There is the legitimate claim that you didn't hear her.  It can also lead to valuable new skills such as reading lips.

[Willabe]

IIRC, fossilshark is in high school?

He's hopefully going to be needing his hearing for a long time.

The days of 8 x 12" stacks are gone and we're better off without them, well at least our hearing is. 

[jjasilli]

You can damage your hearing pretty easily with that much power from an 8 x 12" stack.

It's not all downside, y'know.  There is the legitimate claim that you didn't hear her.  It can also lead to valuable new skills such as reading lips.

 

[sluckey]

It's not all downside, y'know.  There is the legitimate claim that you didn't hear her.

Absolutely! I had my hearing checked just before I retired from FAA. Seems I have "a significant loss of hearing in the human speech range". And I have a doctor's signed report. I've referred to that report quite a few times in the 4 years since I retired!  Prior to that it was just "you never listen to me". And I never won one of those! These days I just say huh?   

[Willabe]

Yeah Uncle Ted can be very funny but there's nothing funny about permanent hearing loss, which Ted has said he has in interviews a good number of times.

He has said that he ruptured his eardrum(s) at different shows over the years by playing so loud on stage. I know he has said he ruptured the same 1 a few times, I can't remember if he said that he also ruptured the other 1 too.

Don't get me wrong, I saw Ted at least 2 times in the early/mid 70's and anything before the cat scratch fever nonsense I really like, own several of his albums/CD's, but Ted is not a good role model for guitar amp volume and hearing.   

[fossilshark]

I was just curious, and yes i am in high school, why else would i ask about a full stack

[Willabe]

I was just curious, and yes i am in high school, why else would i ask about a full stack.

I'm not trying to talk down to you, nothing wrong with being in high school. (I never graduated high school, big mistake.    ) 
 
Your a member here and a member is a member. We're glad your here.     

I just want to make sure you're aware of possible hearing loss with loud powerful amps/music. And you don't even need an 8 x 12" stack to cause hearing damage but it can/will probably get you there faster.   

Stacks can look cool and we wanted them back then too, we didn't know any better. Now it's very clear about hearing loss danger with loud music. Many of the players/singers from back in the rock heyday have very serious hearing loss.

Stacks came about because PA systems couldn't handle the whole band being mic'd through them. Now a days SS PA systems can more than handle the job and most bands don't use stacks anymore, they just don't need to. There are a few hold overs that still play stadiums and large out door gigs and can use the power on massive stages.

And for some bands it's still part of their 'look'. Jim Marshall, founder of Marshall amps, admitted in interviews that Marshall had built unloaded (no speakers dummy) stack cabs for several bands through the years just for the stage presence look. Although he never named the bands.

Besides, stacks cost $$ and are big, heavy and a major pain to move around from gig to gig.     

[shooter]

I have a doctor's signed report

Mine stops at 12k, nothing after, won't even register, but my wife has been in the medical field longer than me and knows speech, and hearing work FINE below 12K

[fossilshark]

Im building a 4x12 to go with this build and Im already expecting it to be way too much. I was just wondering how a full stack works. Thanks for the input!

[terminalgs]

J.Mascis's setup:

[jjasilli]

Notice that no one's there.  It's TOO LOUD!   

[drgonzonm]

What kind of amp are you planning to use? What speakers, (components) are you planning to use? Do you have friendly neighbors? 
Don't forget to consider the head to cabinet connections, those 1/4" jacks might not be safe at the power you want to operate at. 

Just want to make sure you have enough power.  I have an 8 inch bass speaker, that requires a minimum power of 25w for it to work.  The choke filters on it need that power just to work.
 

[terminalgs]

Notice that no one's there.  It's TOO LOUD!   

notice the twin at head level facing J's face.


in the rig run down ( https://youtu.be/m52-IFMXI60 ) he says he like to feel the speakers moving the air behind him.


the rig run down (amp talk begins @ 24min) is fantastic, he discloses two things (1) he blows up tubes and transformers all the time and (2) he sets the volume level at "4" )