Webb amp to headphones w/speaker disconected. OK or a no-no

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 17 Apr 2000 4:50 pm

trying to set up to practice thru headphones from my Webb without speaker. I can run from preamp out OR line out into mixer. But can I disconnect the 4 ohm JBL without causing harm to the amp? (unable to reach Jim Webb)
THANKS SW

Joe E · Post by **Joe E** » 17 Apr 2000 6:24 pm

Sounds to me like you could ruin the power amp section of the amp. Is there a master volume you could turn down, while leaving the pre amp or gain up?

I know that you can buy a speaker loading device that will put a load on your amp when an inappropriate load is connected.

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 17 Apr 2000 6:42 pm

the WEBB has a sensitivety control which could be a master but not shure about that. Also, I suppose I could run straight from main speaker jack to mixer and headphone. Then there's a load, but not sure if thats a compatable load. Dont know the ohms on the mixer/headphones.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 18 Apr 2000 6:59 am

<h3>Don't do it!</h3> The impedance of the
headphones is no where near the 4 ohm speaker
impedance. If you feed the speaker output
to the mixer you'll <u>blow it up!</u>
You <font color=red>CAN</font> go from the
preamp out into your mixer. That's the only
way to go. Just turn your amp real low &
crank up the mixer feeding your headphone.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 18 April 2000 at 08:03 AM.]</p></FONT>

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 18 Apr 2000 4:18 pm

I don't know of any headphones that can handle 225 watts either. If they could, they'd damage your hearing.

It's not safe to run an amp with no load. You can get dummy load resistors to plug into the speaker jack, then use the preamp out to go into a mixer with a headhone jack.

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 18 Apr 2000 6:28 pm

man sakes alive#*% GLAD i ASKED FIRST. THESE DANG THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE. THE DUMMY LOAD AND PREAMP-OUT SOUNDS LIKE THE WAY TO GO. THANKS GUYS....sw

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 18 Apr 2000 6:54 pm

I don't think solid state amps care if there are speakers plugged in or not.

I have a rare Session 400 piggyback top that I took to sessions for years for a direct gig, just running out the preamp out. It never had a speaker plugged in and still runs fine.

A tube amp is a whole nother story, though.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 18 Apr 2000 7:22 pm

I run my Stereo Steel amp with no speakers at most gigs, just the XLR outs to the PA snake and we use earplug monitors. BTW, the Stereo Steel has an adjustable output headphone jack specifically for this purpose. In fact it also has stereo RCA inputs so you can plug in your CD or cassette player and mix it with your steel, then listen to it through the headphones.