Making A Custom Wiring Harness for 2x12 (mono/stereo)

Re-building a custom wiring harness I made a few years ago. The concept is simple, use one jack when you want mono (doesn't matter which one) or use both jacks simultaneously when you want stereo. Maybe we should make these en masse and sell them as a pre-made jack plate. Thoughts?
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[@Digiflowers]

Huge ups to this channel, y'alls dead simple diagram helped turn an old peavey cab I bought into a versatile mono/stereo monster! Running a WGS ET65 and Retro 10, sounds super nice :)

[@NextGenGuitars]

Awesome! 👍

[@theozonechamber5122]

(3:35) Does using poutine in place of flux make a significant difference in tone?

[@NextGenGuitars]

Only if it's made with fresh/cold/squeaky cheese curds! ;)

[@vincentvenezia2692]

Questions: On your diagram, leads marked with a circle go to sleeve? These are used with a mono (male) speaker cables. Thanks for the video.

[@NextGenGuitars]

Yes. Long lug is tip, short lug is ring, and the circle is sleeve. They are stereo switching jacks, but you would still use mono speaker cable. There is an alternative drawing using Cliff jacks in the parts list on our blog about it: nextgenguitars.ca/pages/whats-new.htmlcustom-2x12-cab-wiring-monostereo-no-switch/

[@justinmanningofficial8393]

I’d like to do this to a 4x12. Would I just jump to the next speaker on either side?

[@NextGenGuitars]

You just do the exact same thing as in the video, but with pairs of 8-ohm speakers in series instead of single 16-ohm speakers. Same result... Either jack used individually would be all 4 speakers, for an 8-ohm load. Both jacks used at the same time would separate the two jacks, each having their own 16-ohm load.

[@newsnowhamilton]

1:31 Just to confirm... with both jacks used, the speakers are disconnected from each other? Meaning I can go stereo from an effects pedal/splitter, OR i can plug in two amps (one to each jack/speaker)? I liked the two amp ideas, but I didn't want to blow anything up 😬 Thanks!

[@NextGenGuitars]

That is correct. If using both jacks at the same time, each individual speaker has its own signal path completely separate from the other (and the other jack). So, you could run two amps into the same cab. Each amp would only be connected to one speaker, separately from each other.

[@newsnowhamilton]

@@NextGenGuitars Perfect! Thanks 👍

[@adrianjones1735]

Do I need to use a specific wire gauge for a speaker cabinet? Thanks for the video! I’m going to copy this to make my Orange 4x12 have a stereo 8 ohm 2x12 option.

[@NextGenGuitars]

For the short runs inside guitar cabinets, the wire gauge doesn't matter nearly as much as many online might claim. There are 4x12 cabs out there wired with 24AWG wire that work/sound identical to matching cabs wired with 16AWG wire. Though, I wouldn't recommend any smaller than 20AWG, mainly because the smaller you go, the easier it is to break when mishandling it. I use 18AWG wire, primarily for comfort and ease of use. It isn't too big, inflexible, or difficult to solder, and it isn't too small for my uncoordinated fingers to work with. Just right (for me). 👍

[@adrianjones1735]

@@NextGenGuitars awesome thanks. I’ve also realized that this setup doesn’t work for a parallel-series wiring in a 4x12. I’ve figured out how to do it with a DPDT switch but I think two switching jacks isn’t enough. It was a fun exercise to figure that out though

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@adrianjones1735 Correct. This is for mono/stereo wiring only. If you converted this for a 4x12, it would be as described in the video, but for each pair of speakers in stereo, or all 4 in mono. Series/Parallel wiring is different.

[@adrianjones1735]

@@NextGenGuitars I was trying to do all 4 in mono, and two pairs stereo, but the pairs would have to be in parallel to give me 8 ohms and 8 ohms with 16 ohms speakers, or a 4x12 16 ohm mono option. I don’t think that’s possible without another switch piece of hardware

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@adrianjones1735 If you use 8-ohm speakers in series pairs, it would work like this video. 16 ohms per jack in stereo and 8 ohms mono. Or, if you used 16-ohm speakers in parallel pairs, you would end up with 8 ohms per jack in stereo, and 4 ohms mono.

[@mortie2]

Where does the one black speaker wire from each input as well as the two white wires go to on the actual speakers???

[@NextGenGuitars]

1:22 The positive and negative speaker terminals. White=(+) , black=(-).

[@davidstone3780]

Can you please clarify which direction the clif jack is facing in your diagram? Assuming the female jack is on the left is that a top down view? As in solder tabs on the bottom? Thanks.

[@NextGenGuitars]

It is not a top or bottom down view. The switching mechanism in the drawing tells you which lugs are which. Focus on that.

[@thoughtlessent]

By mono do yall mean only one speaker playing at a time? Or just one signal out of bith speakers

[@NextGenGuitars]

In guitar cabs: MONO = One signal through both speakers at the same time. STEREO = Separate signals, one from each jack that stays separate between the available speakers.

[@MadAlhazred]

Can this be configured so it's 8 ohm in both stereo and mono with 8 ohm speakers? Also, I don't see the 14b jack on your website.

[@NextGenGuitars]

No. 2x 8-ohm speakers makes 16 ohms in series, or 4 ohms parallel. There is no way to use 2x 8-ohm speakers, and end up with 8-ohms (unless you just didn't use both speakers together at all, in which case you'd just have one jack for each speaker, and they wouldn't be connected at all). We no longer sell the 14B jack, and would recommend the Cliff jacks as an alternative for complex wiring schemes.

[@MadAlhazred]

@@NextGenGuitars So I should be able to wire the two 8ohm speakers in series for mono at 16 ohms and still have 8 ohms stereo.

[@joshsmith7033]

Will one jack (mono) make BOTH speakers work? Or just one?

[@NextGenGuitars]

In an application that involves multiple speakers, MONO means "all speakers at once". So, when using only one jack, both speakers are active (wired in parallel). It only separates the speakers when you use both jacks at the same time. Then each individual jack goes to each individual speaker, separately.

[@joshsmith7033]

@@NextGenGuitars thanks. I'm building 2 cabs and using this wiring diagram.

[@Legendaryaxxis]

Is there an easy way to do exact this except created 2 seperate 2x12's in a 4 speaker cab. All 12 ohm speakers like in the video. Stereo them together as seperate channels was my first thoughts but I'm not sure. Basically I'd like to either plug one jack in for 'half the amp' and 2 for the whole amp in stereo. Maybe a pair of jacks with a switch can work. Just haven't been able to find this specific thing. Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[@NextGenGuitars]

You just do the exact same thing as in the video, but with pairs of 8-ohm speakers in series instead of single 16-ohm speakers. Same result... Either jack used individually would be all 4 speakers, for an 8-ohm load. Both jacks used at the same time would separate the two jacks, each having their own 16-ohm load.

[@Legendaryaxxis]

@@NextGenGuitars So I'd put two speakers in series on each jack but have each pair ran in parrallel?

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@Legendaryaxxis You would copy the wiring diagram in this video exactly. The only difference is that instead of 2x 16-ohm speakers, you would have 2x series pairs of 8-ohm speakers. The top speaker in the diagram would be replaced by a pair of 8-ohm speakers wired in series. The bottom speaker in the diagram would be replaced by another pair of 8-ohm speakers wired in series. You end up with two 16-ohm loads, thus the same results as the video.

[@Legendaryaxxis]

@@NextGenGuitars Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[@southportdrivers]

Could the wiring diagram be modified so that Input 1 is both speakers in parallel and Input 2 is both speakers in series? I have 2 heads - 16 ohms and 4 ohms - and would like to have one 2x12 cabinet with 8 ohm speakers that handles both heads.

[@NextGenGuitars]

Yes, that would actually be a much easier design/wiring job.

[@southportdrivers]

It’s taken me 3 days but I think I have it figured out. Thanks for the comment and great video!

[@kgillars3451]

Forgive me if you have answered this before (i read all of the comments and didn't see it), you are using TRS jacks, does that mean I need to use TRS Speaker Cables?

[@NextGenGuitars]

Proper practice is to use 2-conductor shielded cable with TRS plugs. In practice, it depends what you're building the cable for... If all you have is TRS plugs and mono raw cable, you can make mono instrument cables (for guitar, for instance). Just be sure to solder the shield to both the ring lug and the sleeve, and mark the cable clearly as a mono cable to avoid confusion. It isn't proper, but it works in a pinch and will function exactly like a standard mono instrument cable.

[@kgillars3451]

@@NextGenGuitars Sorry I am being dense, but I have several speaker cables, some with TS 1/4 " to TS 1/4 ", some Banana to TS 1/4", Some Banana to SpeakON, some SpeakOn to SpeakON, each with separate + / - wires from the amp to the speaker. i have never seen a TRS 1/4" speaker cable. Am I missing something?

[@NextGenGuitars]

@ If you mean for sending an amp powered signal to an unpowered speaker, no. I've never seen TRS speaker cable. Amplifiers output mono signals. Stereo amps send two mono signals (one for each channel), so I can't imagine a situation where a TRS speaker cable would be needed.

[@NextGenGuitars]

Sorry, I totally misread your original question... You would only use standard 1/4" TS speaker cables with this.

[@kgillars3451]

@@NextGenGuitars So in your design, I would just use a standard TS 1/4" Plug Speaker Cable, either 1 from a single amp for Mono (both speakers), or 2 - one from each amp to power each individual speaker?

[@jimpion]

If I wired a 212 this way, with a pair of 16 ohm speakers, could I plug a “dummy” plug (like just a cable end going to nothing) into one jack, and the other jack to the amp to run the cabinet as a 16 ohm 112? I ask because I have two combos, and one 212 cab. One combo is a 210 that wants a 16 ohm load, the other is a 212 that wants an 8 ohm load. I’m okay with the 210 running with just one 12. More is still more. I would be running one amp, or the other. Not both simultaneously. Or at least not both using the extension cab… Thanks!

[@NextGenGuitars]

Yes. If you put a dummy plug into one jack, the other jack would then only connect to one 16-ohm speaker. The dummy plug would effectively be disconnecting the two speakers from each other.

[@jimpion]

@@NextGenGuitars thanks! This is probably easier than wiring in some kind of switch to accomplish the same thing (which is what I was looking for when I found your video). The trick is to make it REALLY obvious that one condition or the other is being met so as to avoid a mismatched situation, and to not lose the dummy plug, like a dummy.

[@wesbuchanan724]

Would this work as an input to an amplifier? Mono to both sides with one plugged up and stereo with 2?

[@NextGenGuitars]

Too many other factors to just give a simple yes or no. It could work, but it depends entirely on the rest of the circuit in the amp.

[@halfend8199]

i have 12 inch 8ohm speaker and am looking into making a 2/12, there's no better or worse in terms of ohms right? i should just get another speaker to match the one i have and have the 4ohm 2/12 cab and two 1/12 if my friend come by and plug his head in to jam with me. instead of selling mine and getting two 16ohm to make it like yours. *i know if i plug in the second 8ohm i should change my head to an 8ohm as well in this scenario, talking just about ohms. i haven't gotten a head yet, i can look into it with that in mind when time comes also i feel like it's way simpler than when put into words lol

[@NextGenGuitars]

As long as your head can handle 4-ohm or 8-ohm, and is switched correctly depending on how you're using it, it's all good. 👍

[@halfend8199]

@@NextGenGuitars got it. thank you. one last question. do i have to make it stereo for this splitting function to work? i don't care for stereo i just wanted to have a 2/12 cab with the ability to have it working two 1/12. would it work the same way?

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@halfend8199 If you have the ability to isolate each speaker separately, that is by definition turning it into a stereo cab. So, I'm not really sure I understand your question.

[@halfend8199]

@@NextGenGuitars oh... i think my question is that i will never plug in a stereo jack, just two monos

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@halfend8199 No guitar amp outputs to a stereo/TRS speaker cable. The cables should always be mono/TS, and the jacks/wiring in this video example require only mono/TS plugs to be used for it to work properly. Any other type of plug would cause the system to route the signal incorrectly. So, yes, mono cables only.

[@linguafranca86]

I wanna use this with a 2x12 cab with 2 different 16ohm speakers in it. For recording purposes I want to be able to choose which of the two speakers I use, while keeping the other speaker silent. (Also to keep volume levels down at home) All I have to do then is to put a dummy mono jack into the input of the speaker that I don't want to use. So guitar amp-> 16 ohm to 1 speaker, and a dummyjack into the other input will keep the speaker with the dummy jack silent.

[@NextGenGuitars]

Yes. Using the dummy jack would mute the second speaker, and leave the one jack with a 16-ohm load.

[@chopbang]

Great video. I have two 8ohm speakers and when I use the cabinet in mono I’d like it to be 16ohm (series) to match another cabinet for very wide stereo. In stereo mode for the single cab, 8 or 16 ohm is ok too as the amp is switchable between 8 and 16. Is this achievable? Also it would be preferable to have all modes as 16 ohms to avoid and confusion if possible.

[@NextGenGuitars]

I don't know off hand... That would take some work. Any reason why you'd want both? Would you use it in stereo by itself, or only with the other cab attached?

[@chopbang]

@@NextGenGuitars thanks for your reply. Yes definitely by itself always as the amp and pedals are stereo and it would be with the extension cabinet for a bigger wider stereo in live shows.

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@chopbang In that case, I would just wire the speakers in series to make the cab 16 ohms. Use it with the other cab for stereo, and switch your amp to 16-ohm when using the cab by itself.

[@chopbang]

@@NextGenGuitars that would mean losing the ability for the cabinet itself to be stereo wouldn’t. I guess I’m trying to have it both ways. Basic stereo at rehearsal and wide stereo live. Also with the brilliant fool proof wiring scheme you have designed so I don’t blow the amp.

[@chuckygm]

Sorry if you answered this already. For the speaker cable. If I have a stereo out on my amp, can I just use a stereo 1/4 split to two mono 1/4?

[@NextGenGuitars]

I'd say yes, but I've never heard of a guitar amp with a single 1/4" stereo speaker output jack. So, I'm not sure where this question would ever apply.

[@chuckygm]

Ya ya. Makes sense. Last question. When you run the cab in stereo, is each side 16ohms? I’m just learning this stuff and didn’t quite catch it in the vid. thanks so much.

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@chuckygm Yes. In stereo, each individual jack is 16-ohm. In mono, the load would be 8-ohm.

[@chuckygm]

Thanks so much.

[@kevinclayborn7830]

I would definitely buy this. Will this work with a standard stereo jack?

[@NextGenGuitars]

No, you need switching jacks for it to work properly. Details are in the blog on our website: nextgenguitars.ca/pages/whats-new.htmlcustom-2x12-cab-wiring-monostereo-no-switch/

[@kevinclayborn7830]

@@NextGenGuitars Understood. Thanks for replying. I'm definitely applying this concept to my custom cab.

[@NextGenGuitars]

@@kevinclayborn7830 Cool! Let me know how it goes!

[@jimpion]

If I wired a 212 this way, with a pair of 16 ohm speakers, could I plug a “dummy” plug (like just a cable end going to nothing) into one jack, and the other jack to the amp to run the cabinet as a 16 ohm 112? I ask because I have two combos, and one 212 cab. One combo is a 210 that wants a 16 ohm load, the other is a 212 that wants an 8 ohm load. I’m okay with the 210 running with just one 12. More is still more. Thanks!

[@linguafranca86]

@@jimpion I think you would. I just had the same idea when watching this, and figured it would be possible.

[@bruceb2839]

Would this work with two 8 ohm speakers?

[@NextGenGuitars]

Yes. You'd end up with 8 ohms per jack (in stereo), or 4 ohms total (mono / one jack being used only).

[@chuckygm]

Don’t kill me. But for me. It’s unclear where the black twisted wires go on the jacks. And it looks like you have 2 whites (+) coming from each jack and one black (-) from each jack. So if you have two speakers, each with one + and one - where are the 4 whites connecting to? Your patience is second to none!!!

[@NextGenGuitars]

Best thing to do is follow the wiring diagram shown at 1:20. Or, check the blog for a diagram that uses Cliff jacks (if you prefer Cliff jacks). nextgenguitars.ca/pages/whats-new.htmlcustom-2x12-cab-wiring-monostereo-no-switch/ The twisted black wires are the "orange" wires that goes between the two jacks in the diagram. It's what allows the speakers to operate in mono (in parallel) when only one jack is being used. The whites are for the positive connections. Most modern speakers have two (+) and two (-) terminals. Again, follow the wiring diagram to see which ones those are ("blue" and "pink" from each jack). It would be better to colour code everything and have a wiring diagram that matches those chosen colours. This isn't something we sell, so I didn't bother with anything like that. The easiest way would be to use blue, orange, and red (pink) wire to match the diagrams.