Can you play a Tourmaster 4100 head without speakers?

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isis

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Hi guys,

I have just brought home my first all tube head.
I'm waiting for a speaker cabinet to arrive.

I was excited, and I noticed the record/PA output.

Being late at night, and without a speaker cabinet I plugged headphones into the back of the amp.
Then I turned it on and cranked every channel.

While admiring the lush tones for an hour I sifted through the manual - only to find the text:

"NEVER EVER operate without speakers pluggin in."

Arrrgh!
I was wondering if ive fried anything?
The OD2 channel was making strange tube-squealling sounds... uh oh

Can anyone give some advice on operating the amp with just headphones?
How can I tell if it has been damaged?
 
You have to have a load connected. To run it without a speaker cab, you would need a load box like THD Hot Plate or Weber MASS. Hope you didn't fry anything :scared:
 
isis":2wnwh0s7 said:
Hi guys,

I have just brought home my first all tube head.
I'm waiting for a speaker cabinet to arrive.

I was excited, and I noticed the record/PA output.

Being late at night, and without a speaker cabinet I plugged headphones into the back of the amp.
Then I turned it on and cranked every channel.

While admiring the lush tones for an hour I sifted through the manual - only to find the text:

"NEVER EVER operate without speakers pluggin in."

Arrrgh!
I was wondering if ive fried anything?
The OD2 channel was making strange tube-squealling sounds... uh oh

Can anyone give some advice on operating the amp with just headphones?
How can I tell if it has been damaged?
Click to expand...
:no: I did the same thing when I got my first tube amp as a teenager. I fired up my Carvin MTS head one day without the cab connected to use the direct out for recording, and it sounded AWFUL! I figured out why shortly after. :doh: It didn't fry anything luckily.
 
isis":1cprd5pu said:
Hi guys,

I have just brought home my first all tube head.
I'm waiting for a speaker cabinet to arrive.

I was excited, and I noticed the record/PA output.

Being late at night, and without a speaker cabinet I plugged headphones into the back of the amp.
Then I turned it on and cranked every channel.

While admiring the lush tones for an hour I sifted through the manual - only to find the text:

"NEVER EVER operate without speakers pluggin in."


Arrrgh!
I was wondering if ive fried anything?
The OD2 channel was making strange tube-squealling sounds... uh oh

Can anyone give some advice on operating the amp with just headphones?
How can I tell if it has been damaged?
Click to expand...

This is why I won't buy a used tube amp ever or one off the floor from Guitar Center. Some idiot ( sorry) may have operated the amp without a load or used the wrong ohm setting to cab.
 
dude, did the same thing with my first tube head. My cab didn't come untill the next day, had a direct out, and walla. Except right away I got an arching type of sound so I knew something was wrong. Didn't damage anything luckily. I am surprised you were able to play it so long with no issues, I guess that shows how tough it is.
 
Got my cab today and eagerly set it all up.

Thank the gods everything sounds fine!

Big - lesson learn't.
Wish the sales person couldve warned me, hopefully no long term damage done.

Channels 2 + 3 are untamed beasts on this amp!
Beautiful sweet overdrives.
 
isis":2qb6bzo9 said:
Got my cab today and eagerly set it all up.

Thank the gods everything sounds fine!

Big - lesson learn't.
Wish the sales person couldve warned me, hopefully no long term damage done.

Channels 2 + 3 are untamed beasts on this amp!
Beautiful sweet overdrives.
Click to expand...


You know, it really isn't the most obvious thing when you're young and buy your first rig that it is a big no no to run it without a load. Most amps, including Eggies, do not have any warnings silk-screened on the back of the amp chassis to warn against it. It is in the manuals of course, but honestly, how many of us thoroughly read a guitar amp manual before plugging in the first time? Especially in today's world with POD, AxeFX, Digi Eleven Rack, etc., where guys get used to being able to run straight into a PA or DAW.

isis - glad to hear everything is OK. Now rock that bad boy! :thumbsup:
 
Umm, no offense to the OP but this is the reason equipment comes with a manual.

I understand new gear can be exciting but if I had never had a tube amp before you can be sure Id read the manual. These days most manuals have the "quick start sections if you don't want to read the whole thing first.

RTFM is a saying we throw around on tour "Read The F'n Manual" :D

Im so obsessive Ive usually read the manual 15 times before the purchase. :doh:
 
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