how to run a Sunn 2000s amp through multiple cabs

[HRobert]

Thanks a ton for posting that, Rob!!! I may just have to build one myself ... even though I don't need it at the moment.

Here's a scary thought.  If I had two more 4 ohm 2 x 15 cabs, and another Series Box, I could run all 4 cabs at a 4 ohm load....that would be 8 15" JBL's.

[D.M.N.]

Thanks a ton for posting that, Rob!!! I may just have to build one myself ... even though I don't need it at the moment.

Here's a scary thought.  If I had two more 4 ohm 2 x 15 cabs, and another Series Box, I could run all 4 cabs at a 4 ohm load....that would be 8 15" JBL's.

That is the FIRST thing that came to my mind: running 4 2x15 cabs off a single amp!  Oh my!

Thanks very much Rob! That's a genius little device, no special cables, no messing with the OT taps, no switching cab wiring, absolutely fantastic!

[biltmore]

Here's a scary thought.  If I had two more 4 ohm 2 x 15 cabs, and another Series Box, I could run all 4 cabs at a 4 ohm load....that would be 8 15" JBL's.

You'd have to have one beefy amp to run all of those speakers efficiently, I would assume.



2000S, Model T or Coliseum Bass & Slave perhaps?

[HRobert]

Here's a scary thought.  If I had two more 4 ohm 2 x 15 cabs, and another Series Box, I could run all 4 cabs at a 4 ohm load....that would be 8 15" JBL's.

You'd have to have one beefy amp to run all of those speakers efficiently, I would assume.



2000S, Model T or Coliseum Bass & Slave perhaps?

I'm sure that plugging in 8 JBL K-130's and driving them with a 60 watt Sentura II would be a bit over the top...especially as it sounds great with 4.....but it would be clean.  A Model-T, 2000S, or Coliseum 880 would be a much better fit power wise.

[CLD]

I need to make one, too. That way I can run my Sorado head through the two Coliseum 118s. Thanks, Rob!

[loudthud]

Connecting speaker cabinets in series can sometimes give poor results, especially if the cabs or speakers in the cabs are not matched. It would be best to re-wire those 4 ohm cabs to 16 ohms (hopefully the speakers in the cab match each other) then run all 4 cabs in parallel. Don't forget to check the phasing of the cabs, especially JBL cabs.

[HRobert]

Connecting speaker cabinets in series can sometimes give poor results, especially if the cabs or speakers in the cabs are not matched. It would be best to re-wire those 4 ohm cabs to 16 ohms (hopefully the speakers in the cab match each other) then run all 4 cabs in parallel. Don't forget to check the phasing of the cabs, especially JBL cabs.

Your point is very well made...and taken. I think that we're talking about matched speakers here. I don't know too many people who would run two speakers of different sensitivities and ranges.  It would be futile to run a higher efficiency speaker - like a D, K, or E series JBLs - with a lesser efficient speaker.  I have no problem with my cabs...I'm running 2 K-130's in each.  

[Isaac]

Here's a scary thought.  If I had two more 4 ohm 2 x 15 cabs, and another Series Box, I could run all 4 cabs at a 4 ohm load....that would be 8 15" JBL's.

You'd have to have one beefy amp to run all of those speakers efficiently, I would assume.



2000S, Model T or Coliseum Bass & Slave perhaps?

A common misconception. In fact, all else being equal, more speakers gives you more output per watt, so you need less power to push a lot of speakers to an adequate volume. Of course, each individual speaker gets less power, but the total acoustic output is higher because the electric-to-acoustic transformation is more efficient.

[D.M.N.]

Connecting speaker cabinets in series can sometimes give poor results, especially if the cabs or speakers in the cabs are not matched. It would be best to re-wire those 4 ohm cabs to 16 ohms (hopefully the speakers in the cab match each other) then run all 4 cabs in parallel. Don't forget to check the phasing of the cabs, especially JBL cabs.

Your point is very well made...and taken. I think that we're talking about matched speakers here. I don't know too many people who would run two speakers of different sensitivities and ranges.  It would be futile to run a higher efficiency speaker - like a D, K, or E series JBLs - with a lesser efficient speaker.  I have no problem with my cabs...I'm running 2 K-130's in each.  

Precisely. When I mentioned running 8 15s, I was talking about 8 of the same 15" speakers, namely 8 JBL K140s in 2000s enclosures. Sorry for the confusion.

[EdBass]

Precisely. When I mentioned running 8 15s, I was talking about 8 of the same 15" speakers, namely 8 JBL K140s in 2000s enclosures. Sorry for the confusion.

I can't even imagine gigging 4 2000S cabs, certainly not for what I get paid for live gigs. 
Also, I can imagine the FOH engineer; "Dude, uhmmm... what exactly are you planning to do with that sh*t?"
Actually, I can only think of a few venues that they would even physically fit in, and you would need a truck truck; not a car, or even a minivan or an SUV. That's 50 cubic feet and around a quarter ton of dead weight just in bass guitar cabs, not even factoring in the amps, basses, or any other gear you need to carry to a gig.
On a very rare occasion I'll bring a pair of 2000S cabs to an outdoor festival venue, and only when I've got crew support.


On the other hand it would look way cool, and it sure would be a blast to play through! 

[D.M.N.]

Precisely. When I mentioned running 8 15s, I was talking about 8 of the same 15" speakers, namely 8 JBL K140s in 2000s enclosures. Sorry for the confusion.

I can't even imagine gigging 4 2000S cabs, certainly not for what I get paid for live gigs. 
Also, I can imagine the FOH engineer; "Dude, uhmmm... what exactly are you planning to do with that sh*t?"
Actually, I can only think of a few venues that they would even physically fit in, and you would need a truck truck; not a car, or even a minivan or an SUV. That's 50 cubic feet and around a quarter ton of dead weight just in bass guitar cabs, not even factoring in the amps, basses, or any other gear you need to carry to a gig.
On a very rare occasion I'll bring a pair of 2000S cabs to an outdoor festival venue, and only when I've got crew support.


On the other hand it would look way cool, and it sure would be a blast to play through! 

Oh god, I can't imagine taking all that to a gig either, I was speaking more hypothetically! But nonetheless, can you imagine the wind pressure you could make? You'd probably create a wind storm! Your pants would be flapping, and so would everything else! I have a truck, and could easily fit two of these in, and I would definitely take two if I had two, and if I had four.......well, I'd find a way to use them all.......

[HRobert]

Precisely. When I mentioned running 8 15s, I was talking about 8 of the same 15" speakers, namely 8 JBL K140s in 2000s enclosures. Sorry for the confusion.

I can't even imagine gigging 4 2000S cabs, certainly not for what I get paid for live gigs.  
Also, I can imagine the FOH engineer; "Dude, uhmmm... what exactly are you planning to do with that sh*t?"
Actually, I can only think of a few venues that they would even physically fit in, and you would need a truck truck; not a car, or even a minivan or an SUV. That's 50 cubic feet and around a quarter ton of dead weight just in bass guitar cabs, not even factoring in the amps, basses, or any other gear you need to carry to a gig.
On a very rare occasion I'll bring a pair of 2000S cabs to an outdoor festival venue, and only when I've got crew support.


On the other hand it would look way cool, and it sure would be a blast to play through!  

Oh god, I can't imagine taking all that to a gig either, I was speaking more hypothetically! But nonetheless, can you imagine the wind pressure you could make? You'd probably create a wind storm! Your pants would be flapping, and so would everything else! I have a truck, and could easily fit two of these in, and I would definitely take two if I had two, and if I had four.......well, I'd find a way to use them all.......

Apparently Noel Redding likes having several SUNN bass cabs on stage  Are those 2000S heads

[EdBass]

Apparently Noel Redding like having several SUNN bass cabs on stage   Are those 2000S heads

Obviously, Noel had roadies... 
I believe that they are. The most I've ever played through at one time is one head and two cabs, and it is vision blurring and pant flapping loud. I can't even comprehend standing in front of that monster rig cranked up! 

[loudthud]

I'd like to bring up the the subject of the Master/Slave switch.

It has been suggested that amps used by major acts like Hendrix and Mountain were modified to have a Master/Slave switch and one or two jacks on the back. This allowed one amp to drive several other slave amps. I've ask Conrad about this subject and he didn't respond. How were the switch and jacks connected?