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amps cabs and heads

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gx1327  
23 Dec 2009 08:25 | Quote
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
United States
Karma: 9
can someone explain to me the difference between amps cabs and heads? i am fairly certain i know the difference, but i figured if someone can offer a detailed explanation i will take the free advice.

i'm assuming that an "amp" is an amplifier and speaker wrapped into one box, and that a head unit / cabinet is a separate amplifier (head unit) and speaker (in cabinet).

one question i have: how are a head and cab connected together?
fender_bender  
23 Dec 2009 08:48 | Quote
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
United States
Karma: 5
The Amp head is the amplifier and circuitry in one box. The cab is the speakers.
fender_bender  
23 Dec 2009 08:49 | Quote
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
United States
Karma: 5
Oh yeah. They are connected with a speaker cable from the head to the cab.
fender_bender  
23 Dec 2009 08:49 | Quote
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
United States
Karma: 5
An amp and speakers in one box is called a combo amp.

I should have answered these in one post, I'm not sure why I did it this way...I'm just silly I guess.
gx1327  
23 Dec 2009 10:00 | Quote
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
United States
Karma: 9
what kind of speaker cable? so basically the output from the amp head is an audio signal that could be played on any speaker, not just a "guitar amp" specified speaker cabinet?

as opposed to the output from the guitar which is an electrical signal?
fender_bender  
23 Dec 2009 10:43 | Quote
Joined: 09 Oct 2009
United States
Karma: 5
In theory you could use any speaker cabinet, but you run the risk of blowing the speakers if they can't handle the power of the amp. I just use a regular 1/4 inch to 1/4 inch speaker cable for my half stack. It was thrown in when I purchased the half stack at the local music store. I have an 8 ohm cab so I set my head to 8 ohms (mine is switchable) and I go from the mono out of the head to the input on the cab. I think my amp (line 6 HD 147) can run 8 cabs or something ridiculous like that.

EDIT: Make that 4 cabs. Not so impressive now.


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