Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
- JSett
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Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
I'm probably using the wrong word there but what should I be looking for/is there a thing I can use with my Bassman in-line from the output so it can see its desired 4 ohm load regardless of the cab I'm plugging into? A lot of venues here have house cabs that are Orange, which are 16ohm...too high a mismatch.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- LVC
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
You want an impedance matcher ― something like the Weber Z-Matcher
Some attenuators double up as impedance matchers too.
Some attenuators double up as impedance matchers too.
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- JSett
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
That's the ticket. I had a Weber attenuator that had a permanent 8ohm load regardless of cab, didn't know they did a dedicated box.
Thanks!
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- JSett
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
Ouch, $270 after shipping. Anyone know of a more ubiquitous option?
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- LVC
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
I've got a Jet City Jettenuator, but I don't think it would be right for you. It attenuates your volume by a significant amount at its lowest setting, which I suspect might be a little too drastic for onstage playing. Also, as an L-pad circuit, it does slightly cut your highs.
I only use it to play my bigger amps in my flat so I don't mind at all as long as it keeps me in good terms with my neighbours.
Both Bugera and Harley Benton make cheaper clones, but AFAIK they have the same shortcomings.
I only use it to play my bigger amps in my flat so I don't mind at all as long as it keeps me in good terms with my neighbours.
Both Bugera and Harley Benton make cheaper clones, but AFAIK they have the same shortcomings.
Create art, not content
- JSett
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
Yeah, I don't really have need for an attenuator anymore. I sold my Weber Mass when I sold all my +100w heads and moved to smaller stuff. It's just the load matching I needed. Not the end of the world, I was just trying to avoid having to lug a cab to shows if I didn't have to and the Bassman being 4ohm is a pain. I'll happily run it into an 8, but no higher.
I, like most people, hate spending money on the boring stuff.
I, like most people, hate spending money on the boring stuff.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- MayTheFuzzBeWithYou
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
I recently talked to a guy in germany who builds custom attenuators and loadboxes (130-250€ depending if it‘s 50W or 100W) and he told me that a power transformer solution (without volume loss) would be possible too - but way more expensive (3-400€). The Weber sounds about right but yeah I‘m with you with the „boring things“. Haha.
The impedance mismatch and the 120V vs 230V issues are the two things I really dislike about vintage amps (and like about my supersonic).
The impedance mismatch and the 120V vs 230V issues are the two things I really dislike about vintage amps (and like about my supersonic).
- øøøøøøø
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
If you only need to switch one specific impedance to another specific impedance, all you need is a transformer (in a box with an input and output).
You might be able to DIY this bit cheaper than the Weber unit, but probably not, to be honest--after all the shipping of the various parts, and sourcing a quality transformer, etc. you might not come out very far ahead.
If you need (for example) a 2:1 impedance ratio then your turns ratio would be 1.4:1 (the turns ratio will be the square root of the impedance ratio).
You might be able to DIY this bit cheaper than the Weber unit, but probably not, to be honest--after all the shipping of the various parts, and sourcing a quality transformer, etc. you might not come out very far ahead.
If you need (for example) a 2:1 impedance ratio then your turns ratio would be 1.4:1 (the turns ratio will be the square root of the impedance ratio).
- JSett
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
I have been looking into the DIY option and you're right. A good quality transformer that can handle the wattage is pretty expensive. $80 of the cost of the Weber is the insane shipping cost (auto-shipping calculators are always rubbish and wildly out of reality for some reason) in fairness.øøøøøøø wrote: ↑Sat Aug 27, 2022 7:39 amIf you only need to switch one specific impedance to another specific impedance, all you need is a transformer (in a box with an input and output).
You might be able to DIY this bit cheaper than the Weber unit, but probably not, to be honest--after all the shipping of the various parts, and sourcing a quality transformer, etc. you might not come out very far ahead.
If you need (for example) a 2:1 impedance ratio then your turns ratio would be 1.4:1 (the turns ratio will be the square root of the impedance ratio).
I'll likely just stump-up for it. I always rate Weber gear and have used it on and off for years.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- DeathJag
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
What about taking another 8-ohm speaker and pulling off the cone?!! Seems like it'll be super ugly but would function well? Maybe? Have the empty spider hanging out behind the amp. I mean, doesn't everyone have junky 8 ohm speakers laying around?
- MayTheFuzzBeWithYou
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Re: Load Box / Ohm equaliser / thingy Question
If your amp has enough outputs you could also get a „multi-purpose“ attenuator/loadbox that you connect instead of the second cab. And use the attenuator additionally for a line out signal or as an actual attenuator if you ever need it. This could be a tad cheaper.