The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a Twin that is the 135 watt ultralinear transformer type. I am wanting to use an 8 ohm speaker . Can I just put a shorting jack in the ext. speaker outlet to get on the 8 ohm tap. Thanks, Louis

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Trust what Ken says!
~pb

Yes, that will work. the shorted 1/4" jack will be in series with the internal 4 ohm load and switch the output to the 8 ohm tap. Buy a darn good plug and short it well! An open circuit can and will result in a blown output transformer!!!

Thanks for the info , Louis

I am eternally confused by this issue. This arrangement is unique to the ultralinear circuits, yes?

Yes it is used on the UL amps and even some later amps use the Switchcraft switching jack for output tranformer tap changes (the Hot Rod Series of amps do that as well). Peavey did it as well with the old VT series of tube amps.

Thanks.

re: my confusion--I should have said "unique to the UL amps vs. the earlier BF & SF Fenders."

Ken, not to get confused over terminology, would a shorted jack be the same as a "dummy jack", open jack, or a dead plug? Dumb question from a dummy here.

A dummy jack could have the tip/ring shorted or open, depends on the need it has to serve.

Thanx Ken.