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Post subject: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:44 am
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hi, i'm a total idiot when it comes to amp and have no idea what I'm doing, so I figured I should ask the experts.
i have a ltd ed Hot Rod Deluxe (surf green with a celestion). anyway, i've moved to an apartment and its just too loud to use, so i'm going to pick up a low wattage practice amp. i'm looking a couple and have narrowed it down to two, but i don't want to have to shell out for a cab as well as a head.

can i use the speaker in my HRDx with a head (say a Blackstar HT1 or the like)? I know about the whole 8ohms thing and all the heads I like run at this...

is it possible?


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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 11:10 am
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Hi bernardshakey,

As long as you unplug the speaker cable from the HRDlx amp, you can plug the speaker into another amp head, and don't power up the HRDlx, no need as your guitar will plug into the other amp. Basically, your HRDlx will just be a cabinet for your other head. Do not use a tube amp with the speaker disconnected, damage can result. If the amp has a shorting speaker jack like the HRDlx has, it will be protected if the speaker cable is unplugged from the jack, but NOT if the speaker cable is plugged into the jack with no speaker attached. But, still not a good idea to run a tube amp without speaker. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 11:48 am
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hi shimmilou,

thanks for your response...very helpful. looking at the back of the amp, i'll need an extension cable for the cable coming from the speaker as its only just long enough to connect from the speaker to the amp in the combo right now.

just to be sure...the speaker doesn't connect to the amp other than from that one cable, right?


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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:37 pm
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Right! You can make/buy a longer cable, similar to the one that is there now, and use the longer cable for either amp, one or the other, not both. I cut one end off of the foot switch cord, crimped connectors on the wires, and used it to connect the speaker in my HRDlx to my BJr amp with the BJr speaker disconnected. Make sure that the speaker connections are done well, and use speaker cable NOT instrument cable. :)

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:43 pm
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Thank you so much for your help! You've saved me the price of a cabinet, plus the space it would have taken up!


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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:50 pm
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No problem. 8) If you can, maybe let us know which amp that you get, and your thoughts on it. I am considering a head myself, and am still open to suggestions. I am looking at a Mesa or Egnator head, but am not set on anything yet. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:18 pm
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I've tried a few out, but at the minute I think I'm going to go for a Vox Lil' Night Train.

The thing is, it says that the cab that goes along with the Lil Night Train runs at 16 ohms...but its 8 ohms on my HRDx


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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:06 pm
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According to Vox, you'll get 1.5 watts at 8 ohms. Even 1.5 watts is still pretty loud, I think you'll be surprised.

Check this out too if you can. The VHT Special 6. Very cool little amp, hand wired, dirt cheap and the one I tried sounded great. It gas a half power switch too.
http://www.vhtamp.com/avsp16.html

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:10 pm
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Night Train 16 Ohms, it is necessary to insert a 8 Ohms serial resistors with the speaker. It will be better to buy the cabinet :wink:

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:15 pm
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Vox says 8 ohms is okay. I wouldn't do it. Besides losing a little power, you'll probably lose a little tone along with it. I'd either get the Vox cab or another amp.

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:55 pm
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Impedance matching in a tube amp is only about efficiency, getting the most power out of the amp, that's all. You are not going to do any damage with an impedance mismatch of 2:1, it is fine. As stated, you will get less than full power from the amp with an impedance mismatch, but thankfully half power doesn't equal half volume. Typically, half the power will result in a 3 db decrease in volume, not that much difference really. You may not even notice the difference in volume, as a 3 db difference is just barely noticeable to the average person. :idea:

P.S.
If you are buying at a store like GC (or just try it out there and buy somewhere else), try the amp with different cabinets and hear for yourself how each will sound. The salesmen are usually more than happy to accommodate for a possible sale. I did this with a 4 ohm C600 at my local GC, tried an 8 ohm and 16 ohm cabinets, they were all about the same as far as volume out, but the tone was best with the 8 ohm cab. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:47 pm
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I find this adapter quite handy for connecting an amp head to a speaker in a combo amp cabinet......

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Adapt ... 1-4-Female

All that's otherwise required is a quality speaker cable with standard ¼" plugs on each end.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:12 am
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Another thing to remember is that the matching cabs for a lot of the "lunch box" amp heads are voiced for the amp. I found that out with my Egnater Rebel 20. It sounded it's best with the Egnater cab. I tried a lot of cabinet combination with it and took home the matching cab.

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:28 am
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Good point 63supro,

I found the same when trying the 30, its matching cab sounded the best, of the few that I tried. And the OCD in me really likes the matching looks also. :)

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Post subject: Re: using a HRDx to power a low watt tube head...
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 12:04 pm
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I never care about looks, colors, matching this or that, it's all about the tone. I'd play a pink Hello Kitty Strat through a soup can and a string if it sounded good. :lol:

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