Connecting headphones to guitar amp speaker output

[mike6182]

Hi everyone,

I want to use headphones with my guitar amp (head not combo), but there's no headphone socket. From research I've done so far, I understand I probably can't plug the headphones directly into the speaker output. Can anyone please advise on what I need to do?

 

[Brett]

Resistive divider to drop the level down.

 

[John Audio]

First question - what type of amplifier is it?

If it is has a valve output stage, then you will need to dummy load the output, which is fairly inconvenient.

If it is a transistor amp, then no problem - a suitable resistive divider might consist of a 100 ohm resistor in series, wired from the output to the commoned tip and ring of the headphone jack socket, with a 10 ohm resistor in parallel (from common tip and ring to the sleeve). The sleeve connects back to the amp.

2 watt rated resistors ought to be fine - unless you want to play REALLY loudly....!

 

[mike6182]

Thanks both for your replies.

The amp in question is an Ashdown MAG300H. Its technical spec is here: http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=112. I believe it is all-transistor. The minimum output loading is 4 ohms.

John, I'm afraid I'm being somewhat dim but I'm finding it hard to form a clear mental picture of the scheme you're suggesting & I don't want to run the risk of messing-up. Would it be possible to post a simple sketch, please?

Cheers,
Mike

 

[John Audio]

Can't send you a PM - so you will have to e-mail me via my Web site:

www.orchid-electronics.co.uk

JG

 

[Brett]

Thanks both for your replies.

The amp in question is an Ashdown MAG300H. Its technical spec is here: http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=112. I believe it is all-transistor. The minimum output loading is 4 ohms.

John, I'm afraid I'm being somewhat dim but I'm finding it hard to form a clear mental picture of the scheme you're suggesting & I don't want to run the risk of messing-up. Would it be possible to post a simple sketch, please?

Cheers,
Mike

http://www.vk2zay.net/calculators/simpleDivider.php

From John's suggestions, R1=100, R2=10, Rsource=0, Rload=headphones, Vin is amp output, +=positive, -=negative

 

[mike6182]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.