xlr to unpowered cabinet - need advice

[avafan]

Hi. I'll try and be as clear as I can and polite. Over the years, Ive always scavenged off forums, never asking questions.
I bought inmho a great sounding Vox ac50 from around the '65. It came with two xlr, power carrying outputs from the head. It also came with a bass speaker. Are there xlr guitar cabinets around, or is there a way to transfer to 1/4". Most of the adapters Ive bought dont carry power. And the one that does is too loose and cuts out. I am tired of my bassy sound.
I could also try using my soldering skills to make a cable.
Nate

 

[Frodebro]

Were those actual XLR connectors, or just some funk three pin stuff? I’ve seen those before, but it’s been years and I can’t remember the specifics.

If it were me, I would retrofit the speaker outs on the head itself to standard 1/4” jacks.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Speakon maybe?

 

[GreatGreen]

I think we might need to see pics of the front and back of the amp. I've never heard of xlr jacks used to carry speaker output signal, ever.

edit: is it this amp?

The VOX Showroom - Vox AC-50 Mk II Amplifier Head - 1964

 

[avafan]

Were those actual XLR connectors, or just some funk three pin stuff? I’ve seen those before, but it’s been years and I can’t remember the specifics.

If it were me, I would retrofit the speaker outs on the head itself to standard 1/4” jacks.

Were those actual XLR connectors, or just some funk three pin stuff? I’ve seen those before, but it’s been years and I can’t remember the specifics.

If it were me, I would retrofit the speaker outs on the head itself to standard 1/4” jacks.

 

[Frodebro]

Speakon maybe?

No, I’ve seen these connectors on some old gear, predates Speakon connector by a long bit. It’s a funky three conductor thing, which would require a bit of investigative work to figure out how to update it to 1/4”.

 

[Frodebro]

those definitely look like XLR connectors, but currently available XLR cables would not work in that application.

 

[avafan]

the first adapter I bought works, but its very loose in the socket so it cuts out. other adapters fit, buf no sound

 

[Frodebro]

the first adapter works, but its very loose in the socket so it cuts out. other adapters fit, buf no sound

I think the pins are a different size compared with modern XLR connectors, and maybe the overall diameter as well.

 

[avafan]

im going to pause, and inspect the xlr to 1/4" adapter that works. If i knew how it worked, i might be able to adapt it to fit. maybe take the plug from a better fitting adapter...

 

[Frodebro]

Oh, and I cannot emphasize enough that you do NOT want to go plugging cables and adaptors in randomly without knowing how those jacks in the amp are wired. Just because it looks the same doesn’t mean that it is, and you run the risk of damaging something.

 

[avafan]

Oh, and I cannot emphasize enough that you do NOT want to go plugging cables and adaptors in randomly without knowing how those jacks in the amp are wired. Just because it looks the same doesn’t mean that it is, and you run the risk of damaging something.

thank you, Ill be careful. i have limited electrical experience

 

[JiveTurkey]

@GuitarBilly74 any idea on this one?

 

[GuitarBilly74]

@GuitarBilly74 any idea on this one?

Yes it needs to be rewired. The xlr is actually a 3-pin IEC wiring but someone thought having a hot wire for the speakers on the same connection would be a good idea. Its not.

Open the plate up and you see where the 3.prong power and the 2 prong speaker are joined. Separate them into 2 isolated jacks. Use a standard C14 for power and 1/4 inch for speakers. The standard tap is 8ohms but there's also a 16ohm on the transformer that's unwired from the factory l. I'd suggest adding an.extra 1/4 inch for the 16ohms tap. It's really that simple.
But if you're not comfortable with working with tube amps, take it to a tech because there's definitely lethal current right where you'd be working. But this should be a simple job for a tech, it can be done within 1 bench hour. So about $100.