If you use a combo amp, you might have wondered if there is a way to get more out of it.
You’ve probably thought of using your combo amp as either a cabinet and adding an amp head or using it as an amp head with a cabinet.
Well, the good news is that you can do either of these setups. There are two ways to go about setting up the amp as either a cabinet or amp head.
Table of Contents
Combo vs Stack
First, let’s go over the two types of amp setups we can use.
Combo Amps
Combo amps are an all-in-one solution for guitarists.
They combine a cabinet and an amp head into one unit. There are a few advantages and disadvantages to combining the two units into one.
Compact: Because there is only one unit, combo amps are quicker to transport as they only need one trip. Cabinets and amp heads are lighter though.
Cost: Combo amps are usually cheaper than buying a separate head and cabinet.
Venue: Because they’re a little less powerful, combo amps are better suited for smaller venues.
Another thing to consider with combo amps is choosing between an open back and a closed back.
Closed back amps only allow sound to come out of the speaker. Open backs allow sound to go out of the front and back.
Depending on which sounds better to you will determine what you choose.
Stacks
A stack is when you have a separate amp head and cabinet. The head is an amplifier without a speaker, and the cabinet is just a speaker.
Using an amp head and cabinet in a stack has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Weight: Being two separate pieces of equipment, amp heads and cabinets can be lighter than combo amps. This does mean that you might need to make two trips to get the head and cabinet where they need to be.
Customization: Having the head unit and cabinet separate means that you can mix and match them the way you want. If you prefer the way a certain head sounds with a cabinet, you can easily swap them out and change your sound.
Having both units separate also makes recording easier. You can easily swap out amp heads on a cabinet if you need to get different tones for different songs or part.
Venue: Stacks are more powerful, which makes them great for larger venues, and especially outdoor venues.
Using a Combo as a Head Unit
Because combo amps consist of the speaker and the amp, we can use it as either an amp head or cabinet.
So, how do we use it as an amp head?
There are two ways to use it as a head:
If your combo has an external speaker jack, then you just need to connect the combo to a speaker.
If your combo doesn’t have a jack, then you’ll need to disconnect the speaker element of the combo amp, and connect it to a passive speaker.
Using a Speaker Jack
The easiest way to use your combo amp as a head unit.
If the combo amp has a line-out jack, then you simply need to connect the amp to a cabinet. You can then use the amp to control the tone.
Two things to remember is that you don’t use a guitar cable, but rather a 1/4” cable to connect the amp and speaker.
The other is to check the resistance to make sure your amp and speaker matches.
Disconnecting the Amp’s Speaker
If your combo amp doesn’t have a line-out jack, then the process is a bit more complicated.
I wouldn’t recommend this option unless you know what you’re doing. This option isn’t quick and easy, and you won’t be able to reverse it easily.
If you do want to go for this option, here’s a quick guide:
- Remove the back panel of the amp to find the wire connecting the amp to the speaker.
- Using pliers, cut this wire and strip it.
- Cover the wire with a jack and connect the two.
- Use a speaker lead to connect the amp jack and the cabinet.
This video is an excellent in-depth guide for connect a combo amp to a speaker.
Using a Combo As a Cabinet
If you want to do the reverse, that is, use the combo amp as a cabinet, we have two options as well.
Some combo amps have a cable on the outside at the back of the amp. This cable connects the amp part to the speaker part.
If your combo amp has this cable, then you can simply disconnect it and connect the speaker to a separate head unit.
The cable might not be long enough, in which case you can just use a 1/4” cable adapter to lengthen it.
Just make sure that the resistance of the speaker and head unit match, otherwise you might blow either the speaker or amp head.
If your combo amp doesn’t have this connecter cable, then you’ll need to follow the steps above to disconnect the amp and the speaker.
But again, this is only really an option if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, just buying a cabinet and amp head might be better.
A Quick Summary
You can use a combo amp as either a head unit or a cabinet in a stack setup.
If your combo amp has a line-out, we can easily connect it to an external speaker to use it as an amp.
If the amp and speaker of the combo are connected with a cable, you just need to unplug it and connect an amp head.
Some combos need a bit more work to disconnect wires and solder new ones. But if you have the know-how or are willing to spend some time, this is also an option.
No matter how you want to use your combo, as a head unit or a cabinet, either way is possible.
