Did some research: wiring a 4x12 Ser/Par vs. Par/Ser

[hunter]

You might or might not be aware that there are basically two ways to wire four 16 Ohm speakers to a 16 Ohm total load: Series/Parallel or Parallel/Series.

But less people will have heard that the two alternatives sound different. Well, they do!

I wired my cab with a switch to test the two alternatives, and I can say that there is definitely a difference, very noticeable in the room, still noticeable on recording.

I also did two sound files, using a Tascam DR-1 to try and capture the room. I think even on this recording you can hear a difference - both recordings were made just 2 minutes apart, all settings identical, just switched amp to standby to switch the cab from one wiring to the other.

Here are the two files, which are named in "vintage" and "modern". "Vintage" relates to below schematic with the white wire disconnected (parallel/series, standard Marshall). "Modern" relates to the setting where the white wire is connected (series/parallel).

Vintage (disconnected):
http://www.klangforschungszentrum.de/temp/speaker_wiring/parallel_series_vintage.mp3

Modern (connected):
http://www.klangforschungszentrum.de/temp/speaker_wiring/series_parallel_modern.mp3


I used a schematic from Acys-Lounge.de which I attach here.

By the way, I prefer Vintage, it feels nicer to play and gives more harmonic feedback. Modern tightens up the low end, increases dispersion, shifts the mids up a notch and adds treble. It can be useful depending on amp/room/style.

[Frank]

Now that's an interesting bit of research - got to say the vintage sound is my fave.

Someone should try this with humbucker pickup coils and post the results!

[38thBeatle]

I couldn't hear a great deal of difference but that is more likely due to the speakers I have but I preferred recording 1 for some reason.

[Twinfan]

Couldn't hear any difference, personally.

[hunter]

Well it's lost some of its detail going from 24bit to 320Kbps, but if you A/B directly the different parts, you can still hear a great deal of difference, unless your monitor sucks or you're deaf  :lol:

I can surely state that in the room the difference is drastic.

[martinw]

Nine out of ten for Stranglehold!!  :D
(You'd have had 10 but for not going to the high notes on the second parts!)

Oh, the wiring. I could hear a small difference, but it's not what I would call core to the tone. The sort of thing that might be good for one song, and bad for another.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Nine out of ten for Stranglehold!!  :D
(You'd have had 10 but for not going to the high notes on the second parts!)

Oh, the wiring. I could hear a small difference, but it's not what I would call core to the tone. The sort of thing that might be good for one song, and bad for another.

+1

I liked the vintage slightly more for that track - may feel differently on other stuff

[JamesHealey]

Nine out of ten for Stranglehold!!  :D
(You'd have had 10 but for not going to the high notes on the second parts!)

Oh, the wiring. I could hear a small difference, but it's not what I would call core to the tone. The sort of thing that might be good for one song, and bad for another.

I agree with u here Martin, I get your drift too it's like when your voicing an amplfier, there is the core tone and u can get to some pretty unreal extremes using the EQ etc.. but it's the core of the tone that matters.. u cud probably get a similar effect of this just by tweaking your EQ slightly on your amp.. and save yourself the hassle of another switch.

[HTH AMPS]

I messed with this years ago after realising my old Marshall and Selmer 4x12s were wired the old (vintage) way.  There is a small difference, but a difference none the less.  And yes, I prefer the old way - same as with the wiring on Les Pauls - the 50s style wiring is better.