JBL 15" Cab thru BF Bandmaster

Surfzilla

Joined: Aug 08, 2011
Posts: 42
Columbia, SC
8 Download Pins

Posted on Mar 14 2018 08:56 PM

I'm running the 2-12" through my Bandmaster now and would like to try a single JBL 15" with tone ring. About to pull the trigger on the cab so I figured I'd ask you all. I believe the head will do it, and I don't need the Showman Loudness so this sounds like a good option. Anyone done this? How's it sound/compare?
Thanks!!

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stratdancer

Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2533
Akron, Ohio
United States

Posted on Mar 15 2018 05:37 AM

I've been running a D130 from my bandmaster and it sounds great. Your bandmaster is running at 4 ohm however. I put a bassman transformer in mine with an 8 ohm tap for the JBL. Legend has it that the 4 ohm transformer can handle the miss match of a 8 ohm load but won't be as efficient. Running at high volume will eventually cause problems.

—

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Mar 15 2018 08:25 AM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:56:17

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SanchoPansen

Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
Germany

Posted on Mar 15 2018 12:42 PM

Tqi wrote:

I think the answer here is pretty obvious to everyone.

Two JBL 15's with tone ring!

There's either a 1x15" with tone ring or a 2x15". A 2x15" tone ring does not exist IIRC.

—

The Hicadoolas

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Mar 15 2018 01:40 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:58:21

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SanchoPansen

Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
Germany

Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:08 PM

oh, you mean like this? yeah, I did that

—

The Hicadoolas

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WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1544
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:12 PM

I am not an electronics expert but wouldn't the easiest and most economical solution to be to swap the Bandmaster's 4 ohm transformer for a compatible 8 ohm one?

If a 8 ohm Showman power transformer would work, I have a nice late 1966-dated one I would let go for $60 shipped CONUS only. It was in a Showman that my amp tech converted to 4 ohms. I will post a FS ad in the appropriate place shortly.

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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Ben

Joined: Feb 11, 2007
Posts: 591
Encinitas, Ca

Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:32 PM

You won't have any problems running a 4 ohm Bandmaster through an 8 ohm D130. Like Stratdancer said, the "ideal" solution is a transformer swap but it is not really "necessary" either. But, if you want to go that route check out something like an Allen Amps TO40MT. It's a 4/8 ohm multi tap for around $80. If you want to get fancy you could wire it so that the 4 ohm tap is on your main speaker jack for the 2x12 and the 8 ohm tap is on your extension speaker jack for the 1x15 so you could use either one at the proper impedence. My main amp these days is a 4 ohm Bassman through a 8 ohm D120...I've been playing it for years with no issues and it ROCKS!!!

Last edited: Mar 15, 2018 15:00:04

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:33 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:57:32

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MelWaldorf

Joined: Mar 03, 2006
Posts: 648
1 POTD Pin

Posted on Mar 15 2018 04:46 PM

Like Ben said, you'll have no problems running an 8 ohm cabinet with a 4 ohm transformer. I ran my Twin Reverb with a single D130 for years.

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gatorfiend

Joined: Aug 08, 2015
Posts: 214
Gainesville, Florida
United States

Posted on Mar 15 2018 07:29 PM

Do like Ben said.
Look at my thread on my bandmaster. The last pic, I think, shows the Allen/Heyboer OT. That thing looks nearly as big as the PT.
Of course, Woody's price is better, so maybe go that route.
I'm using a 15" weber Michigan ($80 on reverb, I think), their take on an EV, and I think I found my tone.
Good luck!

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Surfzilla

Joined: Aug 08, 2011
Posts: 42
Columbia, SC
8 Download Pins

Posted on Mar 16 2018 05:20 AM

The TO40MT looks like a bolt on solution which is pretty cool. And, I've got a day job and family, this whole rig isn't used but for a 4-5 gigs a year. Probably don't have to do anything to amp.
Ben has offered the proper active and passive solution!
Thanks!!

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eddiekatcher

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2775
Atlanta, GA
1 News Pin

Posted on Mar 17 2018 06:23 PM

I concur.

Like most everyone said the 4/8 ohm mismatch is basically a no issue for the Fender Bandmaster head. If you are worried about it, put a boxer fan on the output tubes and transformer.......... Fans will help your tubes and probably everything else in the power/output side of your head last a lot longer.

I've run the 4 ohm heads in to 8 ohm loads for as long as I can remember. No problems.

Somewhere I read a blurb by either Gerald Weber or Aspen Pittman about this subject, I'll try to chase that down.

Ed

—

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Feb 02 2024 12:57 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:46:39

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Surfzilla Joined: Aug 08, 2011 Posts: 42 Columbia, SC	Posted on Mar 14 2018 08:56 PM I'm running the 2-12" through my Bandmaster now and would like to try a single JBL 15" with tone ring. About to pull the trigger on the cab so I figured I'd ask you all. I believe the head will do it, and I don't need the Showman Loudness so this sounds like a good option. Anyone done this? How's it sound/compare? Thanks!! Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2533 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Mar 15 2018 05:37 AM I've been running a D130 from my bandmaster and it sounds great. Your bandmaster is running at 4 ohm however. I put a bassman transformer in mine with an 8 ohm tap for the JBL. Legend has it that the 4 ohm transformer can handle the miss match of a 8 ohm load but won't be as efficient. Running at high volume will eventually cause problems. — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Mar 15 2018 08:25 AM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:56:17 Top
SanchoPansen Joined: Jan 04, 2011 Posts: 1588 Berlin L-Berg	Posted on Mar 15 2018 12:42 PM Tqi wrote: I think the answer here is pretty obvious to everyone. Two JBL 15's with tone ring! There's either a 1x15" with tone ring or a 2x15". A 2x15" tone ring does not exist IIRC. — The Hicadoolas Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Mar 15 2018 01:40 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:58:21 Top
SanchoPansen Joined: Jan 04, 2011 Posts: 1588 Berlin L-Berg	Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:08 PM oh, you mean like this? yeah, I did that — The Hicadoolas Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1544 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:12 PM I am not an electronics expert but wouldn't the easiest and most economical solution to be to swap the Bandmaster's 4 ohm transformer for a compatible 8 ohm one? If a 8 ohm Showman power transformer would work, I have a nice late 1966-dated one I would let go for $60 shipped CONUS only. It was in a Showman that my amp tech converted to 4 ohms. I will post a FS ad in the appropriate place shortly. — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
Ben Joined: Feb 11, 2007 Posts: 591 Encinitas, Ca	Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:32 PM You won't have any problems running a 4 ohm Bandmaster through an 8 ohm D130. Like Stratdancer said, the "ideal" solution is a transformer swap but it is not really "necessary" either. But, if you want to go that route check out something like an Allen Amps TO40MT. It's a 4/8 ohm multi tap for around $80. If you want to get fancy you could wire it so that the 4 ohm tap is on your main speaker jack for the 2x12 and the 8 ohm tap is on your extension speaker jack for the 1x15 so you could use either one at the proper impedence. My main amp these days is a 4 ohm Bassman through a 8 ohm D120...I've been playing it for years with no issues and it ROCKS!!! Last edited: Mar 15, 2018 15:00:04 Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Mar 15 2018 02:33 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:57:32 Top
MelWaldorf Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 648	Posted on Mar 15 2018 04:46 PM Like Ben said, you'll have no problems running an 8 ohm cabinet with a 4 ohm transformer. I ran my Twin Reverb with a single D130 for years. Top
gatorfiend Joined: Aug 08, 2015 Posts: 214 Gainesville, Florida	Posted on Mar 15 2018 07:29 PM Do like Ben said. Look at my thread on my bandmaster. The last pic, I think, shows the Allen/Heyboer OT. That thing looks nearly as big as the PT. Of course, Woody's price is better, so maybe go that route. I'm using a 15" weber Michigan ($80 on reverb, I think), their take on an EV, and I think I found my tone. Good luck! Top
Surfzilla Joined: Aug 08, 2011 Posts: 42 Columbia, SC	Posted on Mar 16 2018 05:20 AM The TO40MT looks like a bolt on solution which is pretty cool. And, I've got a day job and family, this whole rig isn't used but for a 4-5 gigs a year. Probably don't have to do anything to amp. Ben has offered the proper active and passive solution! Thanks!! Top
eddiekatcher Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2775 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Mar 17 2018 06:23 PM I concur. Like most everyone said the 4/8 ohm mismatch is basically a no issue for the Fender Bandmaster head. If you are worried about it, put a boxer fan on the output tubes and transformer.......... Fans will help your tubes and probably everything else in the power/output side of your head last a lot longer. I've run the 4 ohm heads in to 8 ohm loads for as long as I can remember. No problems. Somewhere I read a blurb by either Gerald Weber or Aspen Pittman about this subject, I'll try to chase that down. Ed — Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Feb 02 2024 12:57 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:46:39 Top

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JBL 15" Cab thru BF Bandmaster