Author Topic: matching my head with a cab... (Read 5195 times)

danstap · « **on:** October 20, 2005, 06:27:53 PM »

hi,

i have a jcm800 50W head, and i'm looking to buy a base cabinet. i keep getting contradicting oppinions from everyone about how to what extent the rating of the cab should be compared to the amp. some will say its fine to run a 50w head through a new 300w 1960b cab, which i see no problem with.. but others will contradict that and say well the amp cant drive the speakers fully.. i mean, an amp is only as loud as it is at the end of the day, i thought that the rating of the cab was purely an indication of the maximum load it could take, and didnt mean that a less powerful head wouldnt be able to drive it.

i currently use a 100w 1960a cab borrowed from somebody, one of the much older ones that just has the circular silver plack on the back, alls well with that, but it must go back to its owner.

thanks

BigBazz · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2005, 01:23:16 AM »

ok with say a stereo system then a 50w amp would not be sufficient to power 300w speakers, the speakers could get damaged.

however, with guitar speakers they are tough as shite and are designed for this kind of usage.

I have been running a 10w head into my 300w Marshall 1960 since january and its been fine, at the time i wasnt very experienced with amps but ive since become friends with the guy that built my amp and ive learned a lot.

you may want to get a lower power cabinet like another 100w just because they sound better, 100w cab with 4 25w greenbacks, it would probably sound better than a 300w 1960, but then again who knows, its all about personal preference, just make sure that whatever cab you use can handle 50w or more and you will be fine.

HJM · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2005, 06:53:12 AM »

I don't like my speakers driven too much, enough to get them moving but I'm not too keen on the distortion you get from thrashing a speaker.

Having said all that, if you're playing blues it could be just what you want, heavy rock not what you want! So if you're after classic blues/rock tones, get a 100w cab, for modern sounds (1980 onwards) go for the 300w.

Hope that helps!

danstap · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2005, 12:53:04 PM »

Quote from: BigBazz

you may want to get a lower power cabinet like another 100w just because they sound better, 100w cab with 4 25w greenbacks, it would probably sound better than a 300w 1960, but then again who knows, its all about personal preference, just make sure that whatever cab you use can handle 50w or more and you will be fine.

yeah i have been considering getting the vintage cab with the greenbacks, i'm just playing around on ebay for a cheap standard 1960b a the moment.. can't complain if i get one for under 200, so long as the drivers are still there hehe

danstap · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2005, 12:57:14 PM »

Quote from: HJM

Having said all that, if you're playing blues it could be just what you want, heavy rock not what you want! So if you're after classic blues/rock tones, get a 100w cab, for modern sounds (1980 onwards) go for the 300w.

im thinking something inline with ratm/audioslaves sound... it helps having (i think) the same amp as morello in the first place! so a 300w it may be..cheaper than the reissue 100w also... infact i think the angled cab i have at the moment is an authentic 1960 100w greenback.. looking at the speaker serial numbers i think its from 1978.. it used to be josh hommes as well as my jcm900 head!