Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: Transcend on November 26, 2011, 06:44:27 PM

Title: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: Transcend on November 26, 2011, 06:44:27 PM: Hey guys this is something i should really know but i don't so i'll ask!

What guage wire would you recommend for speaker cab wiring?

I have a ton of different guage wires but wasn't sure where safe starts and overkill ends with it.
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: JacksonRR on November 27, 2011, 03:48:53 AM: This is my favorite speaker wire page. I'm glad it is still up, but it is saved on my comp for all of time or until the pron viruses take it away.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: DavidRees on November 27, 2011, 08:27:30 AM: Quote from: JacksonRR on November 27, 2011, 03:48:53 AM
This is my favorite speaker wire page. I'm glad it is still up, but it is saved on my comp for all of time or until the pron viruses take it away.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
an excellent [and amusing] read - thank you for posting...
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 27, 2011, 12:09:30 PM: I like Van Damme speaker cable for wiring up cabs and also for making leads between the head/cab.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/van-damme-blue-series-studio-grade-speaker-cable-2-x-1.50mm-twin-axial-536230
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: Frank on November 27, 2011, 02:19:55 PM: Mine are made from mains wire from a broken lawnmower.

I ain't even joking.
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: Transcend on November 27, 2011, 07:31:56 PM: Quote from: HTH AMPS on November 27, 2011, 12:09:30 PM
I like Van Damme speaker cable for wiring up cabs and also for making leads between the head/cab.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/van-damme-blue-series-studio-grade-speaker-cable-2-x-1.50mm-twin-axial-536230

I have no idea why i never thought of van damme stuff as i love the guitar cables.

Everytime i ask for it in maplins they say they dont stock it and do a search and find nothing...

idiots ill preorder it online first so they cant lie to me!

Cheers guys
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: MDV on November 27, 2011, 10:56:59 PM: Quote from: Frank on November 27, 2011, 02:19:55 PM
Mine are made from mains wire from a broken lawnmower.

I ain't even joking.

Nor should you be.

Not a single reason in the world that that wont do a great job.
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: Frank on November 27, 2011, 11:16:58 PM: I think it's oxygen free lawnmower cable if that helps
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: JacksonRR on November 27, 2011, 11:37:41 PM: Doesn't matter one bit. If the wire gauge is thick enough, go for it. Tons of vintage amps used thin gauged lamp wire. Maybe that's where the tone is. You know those 16 gauge stranded wires just got that spank!
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: Dmoney on November 27, 2011, 11:44:57 PM: the problem you'll have with thicker wire is actually getting it soldered to the terminals on the jack socket. its a bit fiddly since it won't fit through the solder tab.
Title: Re: What Guage wire for internal speaker cab wiring.
Post by: jpfamps on December 07, 2011, 01:08:08 PM: I use inexpensive 6A 2-core mains cable for most jobs and is not so thick it is hard to solder into the connectors.

Bear in mind that the current rating of the wire is NOT the maximum current the wire can conduct without melting, but the maximum current recommended for power transmisson, and is v-v-v-ery conservative.

The current rating is most relevant for electrical installations, which have of course to conform to the regs.

The actual wire thickness required will depend on the current delivery of the amp, and can be calculated from the impedance of the cab and the maximum power using the formula W=I^2R.

So 6A into a 4ohm load equates to 144W.