Fender Superchamp XD.....Connecting an extension speaker (Fender SC112)

[Craig Williams]

Got a little Fender Superchamp XD combo which is an awesome little amp but looking for a bit more grunt and projection...Volume?

Preferably I would like to use internal and external speakers. I see the Superchamp has a speaker out connection (8 ohms) and the SC112 cab is 8 ohms. Is it as simple as....

1) Just plugging the extension cab in and both speakers will work, or

2) Does using the Ext speaker jack cut the internal speaker, or

3) Do I need to disconnect my combo speaker to use the external speaker socket?

Anyone used one of these extension cabs? Did it improve volume / tone? (I understand maybe not an actual volume increase but a perceived increase / projection / presence ....which is ok )

Any advice appreciated

 

[archetype]

There's only one output jack on the amp. Disconnect the combo speaker. Plug in the other cabinet.

I used to run my SCX2 into a 2 x 10" Tremolux cab.

 

[Craig Williams]

Thanks for your reply....Not 100% sure, but I don't think the SCX2 is the same as the SCXD as far as output jacks. From what I gather the SCX2 doesn't have the "speaker out" jack, and the SCXD does? SCXD has Line out and speaker out
(I know you don't use the Line out for ext cab)

 

[Dacious]

You can unplug the internal speaker. Do not try to run two 8.ohm speakers unless the user guide specifically says you can.

You can replace the stock speaker with something like an Eminence Legend or Celestion V-type which will provide much more volume for gigging.

 

[Bob M]

I have a SCx2 and it has a speaker output jack. Years ago I bought a custom cab for it that holds a 12 inch speaker. I have a Emi legend in it. I have used it with a 2 x 12 cab and a 2 x 10 and it sounds great. I’ve had it at least 10 years and only have had to do a retube. The Super Champ was one of the best values in the Fender lineup. I had a PRRI and a DRRI and the SC compared favorably with both. I was always worried about the reliability but it hasn’t been an issue. Yet. I’m thinking of buying another head as a spare.

 

[Craig Williams]

Im wondering if there would be a splitter Y lead you could use....one male jack to plug in the output speaker socket and 2 females to accept internal and external speakers. Would it be possible to wire said Y connecter so that running the 2 speakers produced a total load of 8 ohms ?

 

[schmee]

Im wondering if there would be a splitter Y lead you could use....one male jack to plug in the output speaker socket and 2 females to accept internal and external speakers. Would it be possible to wire said Y connecter so that running the 2 speakers produced a total load of 8 ohms ?

You can use a Y connector, but NO, the load will be 4 ohms unless you buy two 16 ohm speakers.
Many tube amps are fine at 1/2 load, but read the notes on the SCHD and see if they allow it.

If you are almost there volume wise, rather than adding an extension, I would think maybe a robust/loud speaker would help a lot. Maybe a Weber 12F150 50 watt, or one of the Eminence's like a Red, White and Blues or others rated up at 101-103 db efficiency.
The other thing you can do is buy an MXR Micro Amp pedal. It's a very clean boost and they are cheap used. At 12-1 oclock setting on the single knob it's a lot louder with no dirt added.

MXR M133 Micro Amp Pre Effect Pedal

For greater savings check out our Used MXR M133 Micro Amp Pre Effect Pedal and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

 

[Craig Williams]

I was thinking if you connect the speakers a certain way (series / parallel) it would be ok? But I guess you are either going to get total of 4 ohms or 16 ohms load. As u can probably tell I have no clue lol

 

[39martind18]

+ 1 for a Weber F150 50 watt. Ran one in a 1x12 cab with my SCXD and the sound was glorious!

 

[Mechanic]

I run my SCXD into a Fender 212 cab 8 ohms resistance. Unplug cab speaker, jack in 212, 8ohm cab. I can rattle my windows pretty good. Remember your moving air.

 

[Craig Williams]

Got the SC112 enclosure this morning and did a quick A / B. Definitely a fuller sound and bassier. Not sure if technically it is louder but sure sounds like it. Probably just fuller but it is noticeable I would say +20%. I think I like the sweeter sound of the 1 x 10 Combo speaker. The 12 is fuller but not as bright. maybe able to change that with EQ controls on the amp when I get a bit more time to test it. My initial thoughts probably wouldn't use it at home....but would take to a gig or practice to get a bit more ooomph

 

[Craig Williams]

I run my SCXD into a Fender 212 cab 8 ohms resistance. Unplug cab speaker, jack in 212, 8ohm cab. I can rattle my windows pretty good. Remember your moving air.

I reckon 2 x 10 would be the best for my ears....bit more oomph and retain the high end sparkle

 

[knockeduptele]

I run mine into an open backed Zilla cab with 1x10 +1 x12 in it

The 10" is an 8 ohm wired in series with the combos internal speaker with a 16ohm 12" in parallel across the series pair maintaining the 8 ohm load to the amp.

Involves putting a stereo jack on the back of the combo with some "creative" wiring which took a bit of thought, but adds depth and preserves the sparkle.

 

[Craig Williams]

I run mine into an open backed Zilla cab with 1x10 +1 x12 in it

The 10" is an 8 ohm wired in series with the combos internal speaker with a 16ohm 12" in parallel across the series pair maintaining the 8 ohm load to the amp.

Involves putting a stereo jack on the back of the combo with some "creative" wiring which took a bit of thought, but adds depth and preserves the sparkle.e

I would really like to run my combo speaker with the ext cab speaker at the same time....but need a Y lead / connector or something so the total load of the 2 x 8 ohm speakers will be 8 ohm. Could any one draw me a rough diagram of how I would make / wire?

Male jack into amp "speaker out" socket, and two leads out with female connector to plug in both speakers

 

[randym]

Two 8 ohm speaker in parallel would be 4 ohms; in series would be 16 ohms. Can't get to an 8 ohm load with 2 8 ohm speakers (maybe with resistors?).

How to Wire Speakers in Parallel & Series, and how does it affect Impedance?

There are a number of ways that speakers can be wired, but the most commonly used are Parallel and Series. These are also the two ways in which our speaker systems are based upon and is what you will use when installing them. You can also combine series and parallel wiring to achieve a desired...

audiovolt.co.uk

 

[Dacious]

Even if you could connect the two speakers, the much lower efficiency of the internal speaker means nothing is gained. You will barely hear it. Stick to the external cab. It's not only the simplest but best option.

There's no way to connect it unless as someone noted you connected another 8 ohm in series then paralleled both to a third 16 ohm speaker.

 

[knockeduptele]

I would really like to run my combo speaker with the ext cab speaker at the same time....but need a Y lead / connector or something so the total load of the 2 x 8 ohm speakers will be 8 ohm. Could any one draw me a rough diagram of how I would make / wire?

Male jack into amp "speaker out" socket, and two leads out with female connector to plug in both speakers

Here you go - it took a good few days of head scratching to figure out and the same again to wire it and you HAVE to have a meter to check at every stage to check impedance and make sure you don present the amp with a dead short.

With this configuration you have the followin combinations

no extenson cable in the internal speaker is connected as per normal
with the extension cable connected you get all three speakers

Plus

With a mono jack in the extension socket you can connect a normal speaker and have both but risk your amp a bit

And

If you use the same cable between the speaker cabinet and another amp then you can use it as a 1x 12

The cab is an open back Zilla with a 10" speaker from an other champ so matched and a 16 ohm Jensen 12"

Basically sounds lovely - just like a champ but with a bit more depth and spread to it