cab wiring question

[Mindseyes]

Hey guys I got a question about 4-12 cab wiring.......is it possible to have a stereo 4-12 cab with 1 set of 12's out of phase to the other set?

I have a Mesa Boogie recto 4-12 and when I use the cab in stereo with two different heads it kinda loses its punch and the firs thing that came to mind as far as describing it is ....it sound out of phase, but is that even possible with a cab?

When I run both heads to there very own cab it sound full and loud.

Here is a diagram I drew of how my cab is wired up.......so what do you guys think about this?

[unfun75]

I always use this page for reference. Maybe it'll answer your question.

[Jimbilly]

That looks in phase to me, that's weird that it's sounding out of phase. Sometimes a recone will result in the phase being changed in a single speaker, but I doubt that's the answer in your case.

[Mindseyes]

That looks in phase to me, that's weird that it's sounding out of phase. Sometimes a recone will result in the phase being changed in a single speaker, but I doubt that's the answer in your case.

This makes it even more strange......ok the amp's im using when it sounds out of phase are a Bogner Shiva and a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier......I just tried my Mesa Boogie DC-5 with the T-Rec and it sounded fine.

Must be something with the Shiva.....any ideas on how I could fix this, the Shiva sound freaking MASSIVE with the T-Rec but I really dont want to start hauling another cab around!!!

Thanks!

[tomteriffic]

You might try taking a speaker cable and flopping the leads on one end, then using it only with the Shiva. It's worth a try and free. If that doesn't fix it, you aren't out anything.

[Jimbilly]

Like maybe the amps are out of phase with one another?, causing the speakers to sound out of phase? I don't know enough to know if that's possible, but I guess it would explain it.

[Mindseyes]

Like maybe the amps are out of phase with one another?, causing the speakers to sound out of phase? I don't know enough to know if that's possible, but I guess it would explain it.

I've never heard of anything like that either but it sounds like thats whats going on...... Strange!

[tomteriffic]

Like maybe the amps are out of phase with one another?, causing the speakers to sound out of phase? I don't know enough to know if that's possible, but I guess it would explain it.

I've never heard of anything like that either but it sounds like thats whats going on...... Strange!

That's why I suggested flopping the phase on the speaker cable. Stuff like that does happen, depending on the design of the amp.

[seeker]

With amps, with it really comes down to is how many gain stages and what type they are. Depending upon the answers, the output can either be in or out of phase with the input. Meaning two different amps, with the same inputs, could possibly be out of phase at the outputs.

Do as tomT says. Flip leads and see.

Or get a Barber Launch Pad.

[Mindseyes]

Can someone explain what y'all are talking about with the speaker cable?

Is this what y'all are talking about..... I would take one end of a speaker cable and unsolder both wires and then swap them around, so in other words take the center wire and solder it to the sleeve/ground and take the outer braided wire and solder it to the center of the jack.

Thanks!!

[tomteriffic]

That's the general idea. But on a speaker cable, you ought to have two conductors of the same size in there. There may be a sleeve as well, but there definitely should be two center conductors. If you have a single center conductor and a sleeve, that ain't a speaker cable and it shouldn't be used as one. Just swap the conductors and off you go.

[Mindseyes]

That's the general idea. But on a speaker cable, you ought to have two conductors of the same size in there. There may be a sleeve as well, but there definitely should be two center conductors. If you have a single center conductor and a sleeve, that ain't a speaker cable and it shouldn't be used as one. Just swap the conductors and off you go.

Thanks for the help!!!!!

Ok so Im just gonna swap the white and black wires around on just one end?

This just sounds wrong to me, but I guess thats why this section of the HFC is called "Ask the HFC experts!!!

here is a pic of my speaker cable

[SteveB]

quick phase test... get a nine volt battery and a typical 9 volt battery connector with bare leads. plug a speaker cable in your cab and touch black to the shaft of the plug and red to the tip. You'll hear a "thump" and you'll be able to see the speakers move. See what direction they move when you tap the leads. Then try that on the other side of the stereo cab and see if they move the same way. I do this test every time I wire up a multiple speaker cab to make sure things are good.

Most likely your heads are out of phase.

[Mindseyes]

quick phase test... get a nine volt battery and a typical 9 volt battery connector with bare leads. plug a speaker cable in your cab and touch black to the shaft of the plug and red to the tip. You'll hear a "thump" and you'll be able to see the speakers move. See what direction they move when you tap the leads. Then try that on the other side of the stereo cab and see if they move the same way. I do this test every time I wire up a multiple speaker cab to make sure things are good.

Most likely your heads are out of phase.

Thanks Steve for that info!

I have come to the conclusion that my cab is fine, its the Shiva thats out of phase with the recto.

Running my DC-5 and Recto together sound right.

I want to try what Tom is talking about but I wanna be sure im going about it the correctly so I dont fry a amp!!

[Jimbilly]

Yes, that looks like a speaker cable, not an instrument cable.

You are correct, you just reverse the positions of the black and white wires on one end of that speaker cable, -and mark that cable for use with that amp and that cabinet only.

[Mindseyes]

Yes, that looks like a speaker cable, not an instrument cable.

You are correct, you just reverse the positions of the black and white wires on one end of that speaker cable, -and mark that cable for use with that amp and that cabinet only.

Awesome!!!!

Thanks Jim

[crbreaux1]

I would recommend the radial switchbone. They have polarity switches, and ground lifts on these units to prevent things like this from happening. It would help to solve this issue.