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Post subject: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:25 pm
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I just recently purchased my Mustang I v.2, and didn't realize it didn't have an external speaker jack for a cabinet. Then I just purchased a Marshall MG412ACFE, and went to plug it in and (duh!) no speaker jack.

I saw a post somewhere, someone asking about the same thing, and they were told they could connect a speaker jack if the ohms were the same on both. Well, I just checked and they are the same on my stuff...just want to be sure this is correct before I do anything.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:37 pm
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Dear WhangDanger,

Thanks for the inquiry. We recommend that you don't modify your Fender® MUSTANG™ Amp with the installation of a speaker jack because the Amps aren't field serviceable and your warranty would be voided. Please let us know if we can assist you further.


Thanks,

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(800) 856-9801


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:51 pm
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Thanks, but at this point, a warranty is of no use to me... I can't return the amp, and I need to be able to use the speaker cabinet...


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:47 am
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WhangDanger,
I don't think Fender will object to my comment here, as I think the Mustang I V2 is an outstanding amp, and so affordable that if you DO violate the warranty by making some kind of mod and the amp fries, then simply buy another M1! Fender sells another amp and you learn something. If you know what you are doing and make sure that the external speaker is of the same impedance as the one in the cabinet, then you are going to have an awesome sounding M1. In fact the amp is so small that you could just use it like an "amp head" on top of the larger speaker cabinet :)
I just reread your posts. If the external speaker cab impedance is the same as the internal speaker, then disconnect the two wires from the internal speaker and run them to a jack that you mount somewhere on the amp. DO NOT run wires so that the internal speaker is in parallel with the external speakers. The impedance will be cut in half and could damage the amp. This means that, as long as you use an external speaker, the internal speaker will be of no use. Be careful and good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:15 pm
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And NEVER turn on your amp without any speaker attached...that can burn up the power transformer. Same goes for using a speaker or cabinet with too little impedance...which is why the other poster correctly stated that your ext speaker must have the same impedance as the internal speaker. And don't run both the internal and ext speaker at the same time unless both are wired such that total impedance is the same as the internal speaker was.

As long as you don't care about the impact to your warranty and understand the risks if you make a mistake...mod away and have fun.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:27 pm
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Hey thanks ya'll! I'm on the road to where I want to be now!


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 5:51 am
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If you decide to go with a 1/4" jack, I believe you can purchase one that can be wired to automatically disconnect the internal speaker when the external speaker is plugged in. This will protect you from running both speakers in parallel. You can buy one of these online or at an electronics store. I'm not sure I would go to Radio Shack, unless the person there knows what he/she is doing.

Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 4:00 pm
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Quote:
NEVER turn on your amp without any speaker attached...that can burn up the power transformer

This applies to valve/tube amps. It won't hurt a solid-state amp like the Mustang to turn it on (and even use it) with no speaker load connected. Indeed, this question has been asked specifically about the Mustang V head on this forum and Fender have confirmed the amp is safe to use with no speakers connected.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:28 am
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Would the ability to hook up to an external speaker would be a great addition to the v.3 mustang line? Sounds like it would be fun.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:05 am
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..


Last edited by mcarrollmust on Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:05 am
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Regarding running with no load (no speaker connected)...While it is true that most solid state amps can tolerate this not all do. Some SS amps have problems with it...it depends on the amp design. I wouldn't take the chance unless Fender specifically said it is ok for the M1 or any other Mustang other than M5. I guess it would make sense for them to design the M5 head to tolerate no load so it could be used for headphone practice without lugging the 4x12 speaker cab around with it.

Try no load on the M1 at your own risk.


Last edited by mcarrollmust on Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:22 am
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What would you call the type of jack that would disconnect the amp speaker and enable the speaker cabinet when you plugged it in? I see some that say closed circuit and some say open circuit....


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:35 am
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About using an open or closed speaker jack. I have included a web address that eludes to your question. The person in this web-page is building a different device but it does relate to what you are doing. Here is the applicable sentence that you would be interested in. "Closed-circuit headphone jacks are far more commonly used in devices where plugging the headphones in cuts another circuit out, like the speakers in a boom box, or the RCA outputs in a preamp." In your case you are plugging in a speaker instead of headphones, but the principle and wiring is the same. I suggest that you do your research before you start rewiring your amp, as improperly connecting this jack may prove a real problem. It is not a difficult modification at all; you just have to know what you are doing.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/639569/closed- ... rcuit-jack

Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:22 pm
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Quote:
What would you call the type of jack that would disconnect the amp speaker and enable the speaker cabinet when you plugged it in? I see some that say closed circuit and some say open circuit

First, you need a switched jack socket. This means the jack has a switch built-in to it to control something else when you insert a plug into (or remove one from) the socket.

A jack socket with a "closed circuit" switch means the switch is normally 'on' and gets turned off when you plug-in to the socket. "Open circuit" means the opposite. However, different countries / jack socket manufacturers could use different terminology so you'll need to check exactly how the switches available in your region are labelled.

You need a jack socket with a switch that is normally closed when nothing is plugged into the socket. You use these switched connections to connect your internal speaker. When you insert a plug in the socket, it opens the switch in the jack socket, and disconnects your internal speaker. This is what you want, as you then have your external speaker connected via the jack socket.

You'll need to check all the terminals carefully on the jack socket and make sure you understand exactly which connection to make to each terminal.


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Post subject: Re: Can I connect a speaker cab to my Mustang I?
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:40 pm
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Thanks everyone.... I purchased this jack: http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/amp-j ... .VJWWdpAk6
I saw someone else post somewhere, that was trying to do the same thing as I am, and this is what they used. Does this look like the correct one?


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