cheap speaker cable causing my Markbass problems

[marc61]

This is what you get for buying cheap speaker cables. The tip of the cable as seen in the pic broke off in the lower speaker output(the one above where it says "class two wiring") . I can't get it out. Took off the top of the amp case but, that didn't help.

Any ideas? clues?

[chrisdski]

I'd try a bolt or screw with a similar diameter to the inside diameter of the remains of the plug. If you can get a grip on it, you may be able to pop it out. Or buy a speakon cable

[marc61]

I got a little piece out. I think the tip of the cable is jammed in there though

[analogpackrat]

Ooh, that's not good. I would definitely advise removing the piece before trying to use the amp, even with the Speak-on output. If that little missing end bit gets wedged in a way that shorts the output you might be in more trouble. Can you take a pic of the amp innards showing the output jack that has the problem? There are at least three types of 1/4" jacks in common use and knowing which kind you have would help us to help you.

[marc61]

I was actually able to use it last night without issue. Took the best pics I could. If it matters. It's a Markbass Little Mark II

[marc61]

apologies, trying my best here to photograph

[chrisdski]

Marc, have you loosened the nut holding the jack onto the amp? Maybe if you can get the jack up out of the case you can push the busted piece out from the rear, or worse case you can unsolder the jack to work on it out of the case (or replace as needed).

[marc61]

Marc, have you loosened the nut holding the jack onto the amp? Maybe if you can get the jack up out of the case you can push the busted piece out from the rear, or worse case you can unsolder the jack to work on it out of the case (or replace as needed).

Chris thank you. I tried that at first but, you gave me the inspiration to try that again. Using these little jewelery screwdrivers i had and skinny allan wrenches, I got it out.

Rig is fully operational. Now I'm gonna get me some better speaker cables.

[johnhall]

Or buy a speakon cable

This is the best advice you should take out of this experience. 1/4" for high powered speaker cables is amateur hour, whereas the Speakons are nearly bullet-proof at very high power ratings. They're not that expensive either.

[marc61]

Yup, Just ordered speakon to speakon cable.

[FretlessOnly]

Marc - glad you got things sorted out. Where did you order the speakon cable? With GK, they only come with the cabinet; they told me that that don't ship with the heads because of potential damage if used with a GK head and a non-GK cabinet (I don't recall exactly what they cited as the possible damage).

With this as a basis, are there different types of compatibility with respect to speakon cables?

Thanks

[johnhall]

Since Speakons come with 2, 4, and 8 pole versions, with those multi-pole versions for biamping or various stereo cabinets, they might be concerned about someone using the standard 2 pole cable out of the amp head into a 4 pole speaker enclosure, where due to the wiring all the power might accidentally end up on tweeters or horns that can't handle it.

Other than that I can't see much risk. In fact, as far as the amp is concerned, they should be better, as Speakons eliminate the possibility of shorts, such as a 1/4" plug might encounter on a metal floor or during insertion.

From a marketing sense I understand why the cable goes with the cabinet; as you add a cabinet to a combination, you need another cable.

[marc61]

Actually, I held off. I'm going to go into GC in person. Here's why -

The Markbass amp has one speakon out. I use two cabs. An Orange Sp210, and a really old GK.

Now if I'm correct, I can use the speakon out from the Markbass into the speakon from the Orange, then go speakon out from the Orange into 1/4" of the GK.

Underneath each speakon on the Orange it says - Pins : 1+ = +ve 1- = -ve, on the Markbass it says 1+=signal, 1- = ground.

Being uneducated I will bring this info in with me to the store and try to figure it all out.

[jps]

Marc, you're good to go with that. Actually, Speakon cable are very easy to make yourself, as there is nothing to solder, it is all screw connections.

[cjj]

+1 on speakons. Great connectors, easy to use, hard to screw up...

As for your connections, +ve is the signal, -ve is ground. It really doesn't make any difference with a single speaker. With multiple speakers, you just want to make sure it stays the same throughout so they are all in phase (all cones moving the same direction at the same time)...