Tone - 16 ohm vs. 8 ohm

[amiller]

I was struck by something Blackba wrote in another thread regarding tonal differences in 16 ohm vs 8 ohm settings.

Blackba wrote:
"The tone difference could be due to the amount of the output transformer you are using. If the output transformer has taps you are using a different amount depending on the impedance setting. If I remember correctly the 16ohm uses all the transformer and the 8ohm tap only uses part of it."

So, is there a difference in tone depending on how the ohms are set in an amp? If so, what have you experienced?

 

[Gainfreak]

I was struck by something Blackba wrote in another thread regarding tonal differences in 16 ohm vs 8 ohm settings.

Blackba wrote:
"The tone difference could be due to the amount of the output transformer you are using. If the output transformer has taps you are using a different amount depending on the impedance setting. If I remember correctly the 16ohm uses all the transformer and the 8ohm tap only uses part of it."

So, is there a difference in tone depending on how the ohms are set in an amp? If so, what have you experienced?

Blackba is correct and he pretty much said what I have been saying for a long time now!
There is a definite difference when you run your amp at a different ohms setting because of hoe the taps are on a transformer. 16ohms has the most resistance, 8ohms is a bit less restrictive and 4ohms is like running your amp wide open (loud as hell!!)

As far as the changes in tone, it depends on the amp.
In my findings Marshall’s are subdued at 16ohms, become more glassy at 8ohms and loud as hell at 4ohms.
Boogies sound normal at 8ohms and get a bit edgier at 4ohms.

There is also another side of the equation when you mismatch the ohms (running a Marshall at 8ohms through a 16ohm cab)

 

[degenaro]

I was struck by something Blackba wrote in another thread regarding tonal differences in 16 ohm vs 8 ohm settings.

Blackba wrote:
"The tone difference could be due to the amount of the output transformer you are using. If the output transformer has taps you are using a different amount depending on the impedance setting. If I remember correctly the 16ohm uses all the transformer and the 8ohm tap only uses part of it."

So, is there a difference in tone depending on how the ohms are set in an amp? If so, what have you experienced?

Blackba is correct and he pretty much said what I have been saying for a long time now!
There is a definite difference when you run your amp at a different ohms setting because of hoe the taps are on a transformer. 16ohms has the most resistance, 8ohms is a bit less restrictive and 4ohms is like running your amp wide open (loud as hell!!)

As far as the changes in tone, it depends on the amp.
In my findings Marshall’s are subdued at 16ohms, become more glassy at 8ohms and loud as hell at 4ohms.
Boogies sound normal at 8ohms and get a bit edgier at 4ohms.

There is also another side of the equation when you mismatch the ohms (running a Marshall at 8ohms through a 16ohm cab)

Mostly right...it's not a matter of more or less resistance of the cab. But rather that for one you use all the windings on the secondary on 16 ohm.
Also, the loud equation doesn't work since normally the only way you'd run a 4 ohm load is wit 2 8 ohm cabs, thus the volume goes up about 3 dB as it is.
Also, you cannot broad stroke that JMPs are more subdued at 16 ohm, since it varies from transformer to transformer.
Also then there's the thing that a matched load into speakers wired parallel vs. in series sounds different.
Plus there is the reflected impedance, and how tubes react/sound different with different loads.

 

[blackba]

I know on my marshall Silver Jubilee 2553 I prefer the amp into a 16ohm load versus a 4ohm load. I am able to run my 212 with the 8ohm speakers in series (16ohm load) or parallel (4ohm load). So speaker wiring factors into the difference as well as the output transformer as I mentioned earlier.

To me the amp sounds a little more open and alive with the speakers in series and the amp set to 16ohms. So since I can set my cab either way, that is what I use.

 

[thegame]

[
Also, the loud equation doesn't work since normally the only way you'd run a 4 ohm load is wit 2 8 ohm cabs, thus the volume goes up about 3 dB as it is.
.

Rewire a 16 ohm 4x12 cab to 4 ohms parallel. Its undeniably louder at 4 ohms. It has more mid content this way as well, and a little less extreme lows and highs.

 

[degenaro]

[
Also, the loud equation doesn't work since normally the only way you'd run a 4 ohm load is wit 2 8 ohm cabs, thus the volume goes up about 3 dB as it is.
.

Rewire a 16 ohm 4x12 cab to 4 ohms parallel. Its undeniably louder at 4 ohms. It has more mid content this way as well, and a little less extreme lows and highs.

Undeniably?! What's undeniable is that when the midrange goes up, shit appears louder. And of course there would be less top, it's wired in parallel.

 

[amiller]

'All these variables and possibilities...no wonder we're all tone chasers.

 

[Zachman]

[
Also, the loud equation doesn't work since normally the only way you'd run a 4 ohm load is wit 2 8 ohm cabs, thus the volume goes up about 3 dB as it is.
.

Rewire a 16 ohm 4x12 cab to 4 ohms parallel. Its undeniably louder at 4 ohms. It has more mid content this way as well, and a little less extreme lows and highs.

Undeniably?! What's undeniable is that when the midrange goes up, shit appears louder. And of course there would be less top, it's wired in parallel.

What about those who would argue that tone is in the fingers, not the gear?.?.?

Does one's middle finger have more high-end than say a pinky???

 

[degenaro]

Does one's middle finger have more high-end than say a pinky???

Even though you're being a wise ass right now...I wouldn't be surprised. Seeing that I'd guess the mass of the flesh absorps vibrations and the pinky has less mass than the middle.

 

[dstroud]

Does one's middle finger have more high-end than say a pinky???

Even though you're being a wise ass right now...I wouldn't be surprised. Seeing that I'd guess the mass of the flesh absorps vibrations and the pinky has less mass than the middle.

So would the index and middle finger have a lower resonance? Could that be why Leslie West had such fat tone -index and middle finger only? I'm gonna start playing with 2 fingers and see if my tone gets better - I'll let you know how it goes !

 

[Zachman]

Does one's middle finger have more high-end than say a pinky???

Even though you're being a wise ass right now...I wouldn't be surprised. Seeing that I'd guess the mass of the flesh absorps vibrations and the pinky has less mass than the middle.

then why would the equipment matter.... oh never mind.

 

[meanstreet]

Al, any word on the EVH??

 

[amiller]

Al, any word on the EVH??

I sent you a pm...I should have the amp today or early next week.