Extension cab cable (sudden panic)

[citymariner]

Hi,

I've recently got an extension cab (Ashdown 15") to my Ashdown MAG300 210t.

Now, I popped on to the net to buy a 1/4" to 1/4" cable, a metre long - it's basically a patch cable...

I've been reading around here and I've noticed a few people talking about cables taking all the watts.


Now my amp is not that powerful will be ok?
What are the potential consequences?
Can you spec me an alternative cable?


There is a neutrik connection on the back of the cab. Would I be better getting a 1/4" to neutrik connection?

thanks in advance.

[Big_Stu]

Depends how quick you need it. What's the mail like around you with the weather if you're going the online route?
The thing not to do is use Instrument Cable, a guitar lead in other words. It's dead easy to make your own if you have a decent shop near you that sells the bits. What you're looking for is something like this
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Klotz-Jack-Guitar-Amp-Cab-Cabinet-Speaker-Cable-1m-/370412107540?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item563e483714"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Klotz-Jack-Guitar-Am...=item563e483714[/url]
(no link with the seller in any way)
All of my leads are Klotz interconnect cable with Neutrik jacks, homemade with no problems.

Edit: I've only ever used cabs with straight 1/4" connectors so somone else may help out with your last question.

Edited December 19, 2010 by Big_Stu

[obbm]

This might be a better choice

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370019423984"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=370019423984[/url]

or perhaps

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370089740607"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=370089740607[/url]

[citymariner]

[quote name='obbm' post='1064050' date='Dec 19 2010, 09:42 PM']This might be a better choice

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370019423984"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=370019423984[/url]

or perhaps

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370089740607"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=370089740607[/url][/quote]

Thanks, went for the speakon->1/4" connection.

I know my amp is not a high flying super duper thing but the cable out of the back into the built in speaker cab looks below par compared to the instrument cable i've been using from the amp to the extension cab!

Weather isn't too bad here in Lincolnshire - makes a change to see this grey stuff everywhere - they call it tarmac or concrete apparently...

[citymariner]

Are spraker cables wired differently to instrument cables btw (ie tip/shaft)?

[Al Heeley]

Not really - as long as you get both ends the same polarity, tip is normally live or +, shaft is ground or -ve.
Speaker cable should be twin core, not normally braided/shielded.
Neutrik Speakon plugs are better contact and more secure than standard 1/4" jacks, but by no means essential.
You don't want your extn cab to be reverse phase from your 2x10 combo, but there's the sound of a can of worms being opened......

[flyfisher]

[quote name='citymariner' post='1063771' date='Dec 19 2010, 05:38 PM']I've recently got an extension cab (Ashdown 15") to my Ashdown MAG300 210t.[/quote]
That's the same rig that I use.

As pointed out above, speaker cables should be heavier gauge and not screened.

I use a jack-to-speakon for my speaker cables so they can't be confused with an instrument cable. Alternatively, if you do use jack-to-jack, use a different colour for speaker cables.

[citymariner]

I'd originally done this - bought an instrument patch cable in a different colour so it would always be used as the speaker cable.

I've now gone for the jack to speakon connector for your reasoning exactly.


What do you think to the cable ashdown supply from the head into the cab? looks flimsy-er than an instrument cable to me...

[citymariner]

Well I received the Klotz cable today.

Went for the 1/4" to Speakon connector because I could really.

The 1/4" jack is huge and very solid, the cable is thick - I thought at first it wouldn't actually make the distance as it does not look flexible at all. However, it made it fine. Speakon connector is as you'd expect.

I think there is many many years in this cable.

I don't know whether it is just me but my extension cab seems more prominent.

Thanks for the advice etc.

Josh