Help needed with impedence/ohm settings.

rcamp5 · Newbie Alert Joined: 21 Dec 2003 Posts: 3

Can you please give me a basic understanding of impedence/ohm settings? I have a Sunn Model-T Reissue head that has an impedence switch for 4,8, or 16 ohms. I have the matching 4x12 Sunn cab that is 16 ohms. The other day I played the amp for a few minutes (volume on 1 or 2) with the head set to 8 ohms. Will that damage my amp to do that since the ohms didn't match? How will I know if I did in fact damage the amp? I have heard this is bad but I also have a Fender Tonemaster that allows me to switch the head to Low, Medium or High Impedence. I think it's ok to set it to Low even though the Tonemaster cab is 16 ohms? Thanks for your help.

gtrtekcraig · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:49 am Post subject:

ALWAYS match impedence.It won't harm the amp for a short period but over the long term it will hurt the transformer.If you run a 16 ohm cab...run the amp at 16.If you run 2 16 ohm cabs run the head at 8.2 8's will make a 4 ohm load.Be careful and keep loads matched for the life of your amp.
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It ian't a piano,you have to PLAY it in tune.

agyoung08 · Newbie Alert Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

i just bought the crate gt412 cabinet. can i play my crate glx65 through my new cab or will i blow my amp? someone please help.

gtrtekcraig · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

if that amp is solid state.....yes.As long as you dont go below the minimum load rating. If the amp is tube......yes.As long as you have 2 like loads...ie the cab and internal speaker(s) match ...a pair of 8's or a pair of 16's. If the loads dont match it will drive your tube amp at an odd load and they hate that. An s/s amp wont care.
_________________
It ian't a piano,you have to PLAY it in tune.