Of course I can, right?

[travisvwright]

Before I break something thought I'd ask even though I can't figure how it could backfire. I have a Marshall TSL 2x12 combo. Is there any reason I can't set a smaller 18-30 watt head on top and unplug the speaker cable from the back of the TSL and plug it into the head (matching ohms and with the TSL off of course)?

[michael patrick]

As long as the TSL is off (or on standby, but off is safer), sure. Whenever an amp is on, it needs a load, whether it is the TSL or the other head.

[travisvwright]

Ok good just seems better than lugging a sperate cab for the smaller amp(when I get one).

This may have to go over to the Marshallampforum but the TSL has an output mute button on it (with a direct out for recording purposes). Would it still need a load?

I am not considering trying this I'm just trying to understand.

[hammersig]

Yes it will still need a load, or it puts too much stress on the output transformer. If you are wanting to switch between the head and the amp in the combo, look into a quality head switcher from Radial or others. This is not something you would want to go cheap on.

[travisvwright]

Ok how does the mute button work then? If it doesn't bipass the OT how does the amp keep from burning up?

[drewl]

I use my combo amp speakers with different heads all the time. I made long speaker cords for all my combos so they plug into a head so I can use say my AC30 Celestion blues with my marshall heads etc. Also in case an amp dies I can plug a head into the combo, I always carry backup amps.

[SatelliteAmps]

Ok how does the mute button work then? If it doesn't bipass the OT how does the amp keep from burning up?

Muting an output doesn't mean there is no load on the output transformer. It just means there is no signal flowing through. To get the power amp to work properly, it needs to be connected to an output transformer with a load attached. There is really no way around that. It's still functioning properly with the mute engaged, you just don't hear anything. If you lift the load, or disengage the output transformer from the tubes, there is a lot of potential for damage.