Amp Head On Without Speaker Load

jackdc100 · June 24th, 2008, 09:39 PM

Hey, I was at Guitar Center today trying out Gibsons (gasp) and I brought my Ceriatone Overtone head with me to try out guitars with my own rig. Now, I am super paranoid of turning my amp heads on without a speaker load attached, but the speaker cable that the salesperson handed my was totally dead. I checked the thing myself to make sure it was actually a speaker cable and not just an instrument cable I was handed. I warmed the amp up and flipped it on and no sound came out. After checking several parts of the rig we found out that the cable was, for sure, dead. After replacing the cable, my amp and the 4/12 Mesa cab that I was using performed fine. Do I have anything to worry about as far as the output tubes or transformers being fried? I was always worried about doing this, and it happened by accident. Any advice here? Thanks. -Jack

Wardpike · June 24th, 2008, 10:25 PM

You might blow a fuse!

Scott S · June 24th, 2008, 10:44 PM

Sounds like it didn't damage anything. Sucks when you try to be careful, and stuff like this happens!

- Scott

G-P · June 24th, 2008, 10:49 PM

Good idea bringing your own amp. Next time remember the speaker cable. BTW, did you find anything you liked?

jackdc100 · June 24th, 2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-P

Good idea bringing your own amp. Next time remember the speaker cable. BTW, did you find anything you liked?

Yeah, I actually bought one of the three-pickup '57 Les Paul Customs. I'm a huge Danny Gatton fan, and this one reminds me on his pin-striped Les Paul Custom with the magic dingus box mount on it. My wallet is sure hurting from that one. Some of my gear is definitely going to end up on the 'bay now haha. I'm really happy with the guitar regardless.

mikethebike500 · June 25th, 2008, 08:31 PM

not sure about ur particular amp.....and I could be totally wrong....but if ur amp is fender based...as far as the output jacks are concerned.....I have heard that if the amp is turned on...with no load..that the output jack...shorts itself out...not damaging the ouput transformer...I could be wrong.....and more knowledgeable input would be welcom for myself as well as for you..............

I once owned a fender tone master and mistakenly turned it on with no load.......and suffered no bad results from it.........just my experience

jackdc100 · June 25th, 2008, 11:44 PM

Ok good. I was afraid someone would tell me that I had probably trashed my output tubes and OT and that they need to be replaced or something.

JohnnyCrash · June 26th, 2008, 01:56 AM

I've built like a dozen amps, a few cabs, and bought a few cabs (and bought a few amps)...

1. I only have two speaker cables.
2. I'm always tinkering/modding/fixing amps.

As you can imagine, I've powered up so many different heads with NO cab plugged in, so many times.

With amps, forum chatter makes it sound like World War 3 will happen if A, B, or C happens. Tubes will explode, children's eyes will bleed, and fires will start.

It's no big deal. Don't make a habit out of it (like I have), and don't let an amp be without a load for long periods of time. Otherwise, forums are for fear. You're OK, the amp is fine.

June 24th, 2008, 09:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
jackdc100 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 227	Amp Head On Without Speaker Load Hey, I was at Guitar Center today trying out Gibsons (gasp) and I brought my Ceriatone Overtone head with me to try out guitars with my own rig. Now, I am super paranoid of turning my amp heads on without a speaker load attached, but the speaker cable that the salesperson handed my was totally dead. I checked the thing myself to make sure it was actually a speaker cable and not just an instrument cable I was handed. I warmed the amp up and flipped it on and no sound came out. After checking several parts of the rig we found out that the cable was, for sure, dead. After replacing the cable, my amp and the 4/12 Mesa cab that I was using performed fine. Do I have anything to worry about as far as the output tubes or transformers being fried? I was always worried about doing this, and it happened by accident. Any advice here? Thanks. -Jack

June 24th, 2008, 10:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 591	You might blow a fuse! __________________ Proverbs 3:6 Matthew 5:44

June 24th, 2008, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,412	Sounds like it didn't damage anything. Sucks when you try to be careful, and stuff like this happens! - Scott

June 24th, 2008, 10:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
G-P Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PDX Posts: 144	Good idea bringing your own amp. Next time remember the speaker cable. BTW, did you find anything you liked?

June 25th, 2008, 08:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikethebike500 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: eau claire Michigan Age: 37 Posts: 210	not sure about ur particular amp.....and I could be totally wrong....but if ur amp is fender based...as far as the output jacks are concerned.....I have heard that if the amp is turned on...with no load..that the output jack...shorts itself out...not damaging the ouput transformer...I could be wrong.....and more knowledgeable input would be welcom for myself as well as for you.............. I once owned a fender tone master and mistakenly turned it on with no load.......and suffered no bad results from it.........just my experience

June 25th, 2008, 11:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
jackdc100 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 227	Ok good. I was afraid someone would tell me that I had probably trashed my output tubes and OT and that they need to be replaced or something.

June 26th, 2008, 01:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	I've built like a dozen amps, a few cabs, and bought a few cabs (and bought a few amps)... 1. I only have two speaker cables. 2. I'm always tinkering/modding/fixing amps. As you can imagine, I've powered up so many different heads with NO cab plugged in, so many times. With amps, forum chatter makes it sound like World War 3 will happen if A, B, or C happens. Tubes will explode, children's eyes will bleed, and fires will start. It's no big deal. Don't make a habit out of it (like I have), and don't let an amp be without a load for long periods of time. Otherwise, forums are for fear. You're OK, the amp is fine.