Changing a Fender Head to 16 ohm output?

[Vibrolucky]

What has to be done to change a Fender Head (Bassman, Bandmaster, Tremulox) to a 16 ohm load out instead of 4 ohm?

Those darned 2x12 cabinet are taking up alot of space. I was trying to mix and match some cabinets and was wondering how difficult a chore it would be to switch the guts to work w/ 16 ohms.

Of course, I plan on paying a mad scientist for the job as to not hurt myself sticking screwdrivers inside and whatnot.

[Old Tele man]

...two choices:

(1) get a "new" 4/8/16-ohm OT (costly and requires a tech), or...

(2) use one of Ted Webers Z-Matcher units (cheaper than OT and easy install/detach).

[mr coffee]

but thats just me.. from angela
12. PROSONIC. For repairs or build an ass kicking 50W combo (or head) with a pair of 6L6s. Upright end bell construction. Standard push-pull primary with three wires; red center tap, brown and blue plate leads. Somewhat unusual (for a Fender...) secondaries make this transformer useful for those of you with Marshall 4X12"s; black common wire, green/yellow 4 ohm tap, green wire for the 8 ohm tap, yellow wire for 16 ohms. Measures approx. 3.75"X3"X3.375" tall. Mounts to chassis with four screws, mounting centers 3.5"X2". GENUINE FENDER PART #049009. SALE! $59!!!

I've not used the Zmatcher personally

[John Phillips]

I would absolutely NOT change the transformer. Why mod the amp - involving work and reducing its value - when you can buy a Z-Matcher, probably for less money, and just connect it up? You can use it with other amp and cab combinations too.

[trisonic]

I just looked up the Z-Matcher - first I've seen it! D'oh!

So you set the left hand knob for the Amp rating then the right hand knob to the speaker cabinet, correct?
How do you set it if you have a 100 watt amp with a half power setting?

I still get really confused over Ohm issues............

Handy Line Out and second cab out put too.

Best, Pete.

[AbbeSauniere]

Yes, head into Z-matcher input set to head's impedance, then Z-matcher output into cab, set to cab's impedance. Running combos and external cabs changes things a bit, because you'll be running speakers in parallel. I'm still not clear about impedance and half power switches though.

[RedMan]

If your 2x12 has 2 8 ohm speakers wired in series just rewire them to parallel.

[sdgvintage]

Or just run a 1x12 at 8 ohms.
It won't be as loud, but you probably wouldn't notice a big difference.
Fender stuff is fine with a 2x1 impedance mismatch.

[Joe_Zimmerman]

I just got a single 12 inch 4 ohm Jenson for about 50 bucks or so. I wouldn't change the transformer.