Craigster Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 What's best cable to use to power cab from amp? Standard 1/4 double ended jack, or jack to speakon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 Speakon is the better connector but it is as much about the cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abarson Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 Speakon is unquestionably superior to 1/4" jacks. Make sure your cable is built with genuine Neutrik Speakon connectors. There are plenty of reports of cheap knockoffs becoming lodged in the sockets or otherwise failing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigster Posted May 17, 2021 Author Share Posted May 17, 2021 Thanks guys, 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 The standard 1/4" phone plug was originally developed for telephone switchboards. in that service they were rated at 48V DC at a couple of hundred milliamps. Using them for a guitar cable is fine. as a speaker cable not so much especially as amplifier power has grown. Up to a couple of hundred watts they are adequate but have problems shorting the amp if withdrawn accidentally from the amplifier. SpeakOn cables are superior in every way. Typically they are wired +1 >>> +1 and -1 >>> -1. For Bridge mode they are wired at the amp end +1 >>> +1 at the cabinet. Amp end +2 >>> -1 at the cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killed_by_Death Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 23 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said: Using them for a guitar cable is fine. How about for a bass? 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted May 17, 2021 Share Posted May 17, 2021 1 hour ago, BassmanPaul said: For Bridge mode they are wired at the amp end +1 >>> +1 at the cabinet. Amp end +2 >>> -1 at the cabinet. I think you'll find that it's 1+ and 2+ at the amp end and normal 1+ and 1- at the cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 For speaker use they are carrying more current. You will find modern amps especially higher wattage heads use Speakon as it’s safer I use mine with 2.5mm cable and Neutrik connectors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Also worth reiterating (because you’d be surprised how many people do this...) a “standard” Jack-Jack guitar cable is NOT the same as a Jack-Jack speaker cable. Do not use an instrument cable for a speaker connection. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Merton said: Also worth reiterating (because you’d be surprised how many people do this...) a “standard” Jack-Jack guitar cable is NOT the same as a Jack-Jack speaker cable. Do not use an instrument cable for a speaker connection. Very good advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 19 hours ago, Killed_by_Death said: How about for a bass? 😀 Don't be naughty! LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 18 hours ago, obbm said: I think you'll find that it's 1+ and 2+ at the amp end and normal 1+ and 1- at the cabinet. That's what I wrote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killed_by_Death Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 11 hours ago, Merton said: a “standard” Jack-Jack guitar cable is NOT the same as a Jack-Jack speaker cable. Do not use an instrument cable for a speaker connection. Thanks for following up with 'Instrument Cable'. Guitar-Players are constantly calling them 'guitar cables' & it's irrational, but it gets on my tits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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