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Post subject: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:18 pm
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Not sure how old my Ultimate Chorus amp is, but I love it. I use it for acoustic guitar mainly, but also with my strat, and I was just using it as a practice amp for bass....it worked very well but I don't want to blow out the speakers. I looked to see if there was a speaker out jack that would bypass the 2-12's and allow me to plug in an old bass cabinet but all I see in the back is the wires to the speakers, and a pair of RCA cables that run to a metal box in the bottom of the cabinet. With a mirror I was able to see they are labeled "IN" and "OUT" but unplugging them did not disconnect the speakers. There is nothing in the owners manual about these plugs or the box they go into....any help? I can get a picture if needed. Thx!


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:44 pm
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That's the reverb tank.


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:38 am
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On many solid-state amps, the speaker wires are soldered directly to the circuit board inside the amp. So not designed to allow you to simply unplug the internal speakers and connect an external cab -- you have to modify the amp.

Before we think about mods, you are aware that it's a stereo amp? Two separate power amps, so you'll need two separate bass speakers.

And both of those bass cabs must be at least 8 ohms. 4 ohms will attempt to draw too much power from the amp and cause damage to the amp. 16 ohms is safe but will reduce the amp's output power.
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So, assuming you have a couple of bass cabs, the next issue is whether you can solder.

The mod I'm thinking of is external -- you don't have to take the amp apart. You'll just be dealing with the speaker wires in the back of the cab.

But if you don't want to modify the amp, or don't have two bass cabs, or can't solder, not much point in detailing the mod. So I'll wait for your reply.


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:22 pm
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strayedstrater wrote:
On many solid-state amps, the speaker wires are soldered directly to the circuit board inside the amp. So not designed to allow you to simply unplug the internal speakers and connect an external cab -- you have to modify the amp.

Before we think about mods, you are aware that it's a stereo amp? Two separate power amps, so you'll need two separate bass speakers.

And both of those bass cabs must be at least 8 ohms. 4 ohms will attempt to draw too much power from the amp and cause damage to the amp. 16 ohms is safe but will reduce the amp's output power.
-----------------
So, assuming you have a couple of bass cabs, the next issue is whether you can solder.

The mod I'm thinking of is external -- you don't have to take the amp apart. You'll just be dealing with the speaker wires in the back of the cab.

But if you don't want to modify the amp, or don't have two bass cabs, or can't solder, not much point in detailing the mod. So I'll wait for your reply.


Right !


tengraver,
If you don't know what to do, or not sure about, don't try. !


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:39 pm
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By the way, at low to moderate volumes you won't blow the speakers playing bass.

It's a litte risky because you can't know how loud you can go without hurting the speakers. Turning it up to "3" might be fine, but "4" might be too much. Or they might possibly handle full volume -- you can't tell how much is too much until they blow.

But the damage only happens if you exceed the speakers' limits. Whatever volume you had it when you were testing it is fine -- you can keep using it like that as much as you want, as long as you can avoid the temptation to crank it up louder and louder.
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I saw a band where the keyboard player used an Ultimate Chorus quite loudly. His bass notes are just as low as a bass guitar. Probably less dynamic -- thumb popping and slapping create huge instantaneous peaks that are hard on speakers.

I wouldn't use the UC as a bass amp at rock band stage volumes. But probably ok for home practice.


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 2:20 am
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strayedstrater wrote:
By the way, at low to moderate volumes you won't blow the speakers playing bass.

It's a litte risky because you can't know how loud you can go without hurting the speakers. .



I won't do !


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 2:45 am
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Up until the late '70s, all Fender bass amps used guitar speakers. (Except the PS400.) Some of them blew, but many didn't.

There are pedals that double your guitar notes an octave down. Bass guitar is one octave below guitar.

He's already played bass through his amp.

I'd be very nervous about cranking it. But it didn't damage the speakers at the volume he tried, so that volume should continue to be safe.


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Post subject: Re: Ultimate Chorus RCA jacks
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:23 am
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The speakers in that amp (if they’re stock) will be farting badly enough that you will likely decide on your own to turn down for better tone before any damage occurs.

A friend used to have a couple of those amps.
One PC and one UC IIRC.
They sounded pretty good for S/S at moderate levels but when you pushed them hard they would flab out.
I’d say just let your ears be the judge.
If it sounds distorted, turn down.

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