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How to Connect Guitar Amps to Cabinets

Half stack and full stack guitar amps consist of two basic parts: a power source, and a cabinet, or speaker. Most people buy these two together, but it's not necessary. Sometimes, certain amps will give a better, more clear sound than the power source amps that come with half stacks or full stacks. Either way, as long as you have the two basic parts, you can connect an amp to a cabinet.

Things You'll Need

  • Guitar amp
  • Guitar cabinet
  • Two guitar cables
  • Guitar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plug your guitar amp's power source into the wall, but make sure not to turn it on. Set it on top of the cabinet (cab).

    • 2

      Find the output source on the amp. Look for a jack labeled "Output," "Speaker" or "Headphones."

    • 3

      Plug the guitar cable into the amp's output, and connect the other end of the cable into the back of the cabinet. There are usually two holes on the back of the cab, sometimes they're labeled, sometimes not. Look for a label that says "Input." If you can't find one, plug the cable into the left-side input first.

    • 4

      Plug your guitar into the input of your amp, which should be stacked on top of your cab. Turn on the amp and play your guitar to see if it works. Make sure the volume knobs on both your guitar and your amp are turned up. If it's still not working, turn the amp off, and try connecting the output cable from the amp into the right-side input in the back of the cab, instead of the left-side input.

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