Accidentally used wrong impedance speaker in my 2x12 cabinet

[Omega1397]

Hey guys,

I bought two K100's to try out in my Diezel FL2x12 cab. I tried them mixed with a V30 and both at the same time. I just realized that I purchased 8 ohm K100's, when the V30's are 16 ohms. I checked the V30 before buying the K100s, and couldn't find the impedance (then I happened to realize there was a little sticker that had it ). I was wondering if I potentially caused damage to my amp, and if so, how would I be able to tell?

 

[garey77]

If your amp still works, and you’re not noticing anything out of the ordinary, you’re probably ok for a while. If you played like that for a bunch of time, I’d take your head to an amp tech and have it tested (if you’re really worried). If you notice a big difference in tone, or you all of a sudden your volume disappears, you’ll def want to take it to the tech.

 

[Loudness250]

Switch the impedence to 8 ohm, Sounds like you didn't hurt anything.

 

[Omega1397]

If your amp still works, and you’re not noticing anything out of the ordinary, you’re probably ok for a while. If you played like that for a bunch of time, I’d take your head to an amp tech and have it tested (if you’re really worried). If you notice a big difference in tone, or you all of a sudden your volume disappears, you’ll def want to take it to the tech.

I appreciate the input. Would there be a way for me to somehow test my amp just for comfort's sake? Things SOUND normal, but...i'm pretty paranoid right now

 

[Omega1397]

Just to update: I put both my original celestions that came with the cab back in, and things sound normal. With that being said, i'm always going to be paranoid that there's something i'm missing :/ Is there some way to test the output transformer or any other things that could have potentially been damaged?

 

[guitarded_1]

Relax. Your amp is fine. You can run a well built amp at mismatched impedance with zero issues. Why do you think that Mesa actually recommends experimenting with impedance mismatches? You don’t need to test anything. there is no damage to your amp.

 

[311boogieman]

Yeah.

I wouldn't worry about anything. Your amp is fine.

Luckily you caught it early. I'd be more worried if you had it like that for 6 months and gigged every other night.

2 - 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel give you a 4 ohm load. I'm assuming your amp was set to 8 ohms.

 

[Omega1397]

Yeah.

I wouldn't worry about anything. Your amp is fine.

Luckily you caught it early. I'd be more worried if you had it like that for 6 months and gigged every other night.

2 - 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel give you a 4 ohm load. I'm assuming your amp was set to 8 ohms.

Yup, I used the 8 ohm output in my amp and 8 ohm input on my cabinet. Things sound fine, but I can't help but obsess about wether or not I damaged something.

 

[glip22]

You can do this safely in most amps. Don't worry about it. It's when you go the other way you're transformer is much more at risk. 8 ohm out to a 4 ohm cab is fine. 16 ohm load to an 8 or 4 ohm cab , again, fine. 4 or 8 out to a 16 ohm cab, not fine. I think I have this right

 

[232cap]

You got it backwards. 4 out will work with any impedance cab, 8 out ok for 8 or 16 impedance or 16 only to 16 ohm cab.

 

[LP Freak]

Easy way to remember is the cabinet ohms should be equal or greater. And whenever changing speakers you should always test the impedance of the cabinet. It can be easily done using a digital volt meter. Speakers can be missed labeled from the factory.

 

[glip22]

You got it backwards. 4 out will work with any impedance cab, 8 out ok for 8 or 16 impedance or 16 only to 16 ohm cab.

That's right. I thought I had it backwards. Haven't mismatched in a long while. That's why it's fine to run a Mesa 8 ohm out to a 16 ohm cab.

 

[Omega1397]

Hmm, I really appreciate the help guys. Things sound fine to me, although I just got this Herbert used. Is there some sort of a diagnostic procedure I can do myself to check the circuit? It wouldn’t hurt to learn since I got both of these amps used. Might be a valuable tool to add to my skill set.

 

[232cap]

If it’s playing your fine.

 

[guitarded_1]

Hmm, I really appreciate the help guys. Things sound fine to me, although I just got this Herbert used. Is there some sort of a diagnostic procedure I can do myself to check the circuit? It wouldn’t hurt to learn since I got both of these amps used. Might be a valuable tool to add to my skill set.

You are fighting a battle with yourself, not the amp. There is no damage. Your mind is getting the better of you and you are letting it. A Diezel will not incur damage from a brief impedance mismatch. If you really want to test, fire up your amp. If it works as normal, it’s fine. Amps don’t work the way you are thinking. There isn’t “slight damage”. Either you blow a fuse or component or you don’t. It’s that simple.

 

[LP Freak]

Hmm, I really appreciate the help guys. Things sound fine to me, although I just got this Herbert used. Is there some sort of a diagnostic procedure I can do myself to check the circuit? It wouldn’t hurt to learn since I got both of these amps used. Might be a valuable tool to add to my skill set.

You are fighting a battle with yourself, not the amp. There is no damage. Your mind is getting the better of you and you are letting it. A Diezel will not incur damage from a brief impedance mismatch. If you really want to test, fire up your amp. If it works as normal, it’s fine. Amps don’t work the way you are thinking. There isn’t “slight damage”. Either you blow a fuse or component or you don’t. It’s that simple.

This ^^^^

 

[Dopethrone]

Hmm, I really appreciate the help guys. Things sound fine to me, although I just got this Herbert used. Is there some sort of a diagnostic procedure I can do myself to check the circuit? It wouldn’t hurt to learn since I got both of these amps used. Might be a valuable tool to add to my skill set.

You are fighting a battle with yourself, not the amp. There is no damage. Your mind is getting the better of you and you are letting it. A Diezel will not incur damage from a brief impedance mismatch. If you really want to test, fire up your amp. If it works as normal, it’s fine. Amps don’t work the way you are thinking. There isn’t “slight damage”. Either you blow a fuse or component or you don’t. It’s that simple.

This ^^^^

THIS. AND. Output transformers either work or they don't. You'd have known.

 

[LP Freak]

The other guitar player in my band ran his PT 100 for almost 3 sets at the wrong on the setting. During the last set it started cutting out and was red plating the tubes. He put a new set of tubes in it and it’s been good ever since.

 

[Omega1397]

I just noticed something: I've been using my VH4 "1x8ohm" output into the "8 ohm" input on the back of my cabinet. What difference is it if I use the "2x16 Ohm" or "1x8 ohm" output on the VH4 into "1x8 ohm" input on my cab?

 

[Loudness250]

I just noticed something: I've been using my VH4 "1x8ohm" output into the "8 ohm" input on the back of my cabinet. What difference is it if I use the "2x16 Ohm" or "1x8 ohm" output on the VH4 into "1x8 ohm" input on my cab?

that depends on what speakers you have in there now.