Two amps live?

[Mika]

I just got my second amp. I have a DR Z Carmen Ghia, and a Jet City 20H
How would I run them both live? Would it be a A/B box, or an A/B/Y box.

If so what are the best (low noise) ones...

I really know nothing on this subject :/

[bilbal]

It really depends on a cpl things Mika.

Are your amps heads or combos?
Do you plan to run them simultaneously or switch between them?
Will each require different effects or will you run same effects into each?

A simple a/b/y box will work in one scenario while a load bearing switcher will be needed for another, etc...

[DCH]

I assume you intend to run each amp through its own cab rather than switch between two heads into one cab, since you mention "A/B/Y" (if I'm wrong, forgive me). I have done this frequently, and have found a Radial Engineering JX-2 Switchbone great for the task. It has three footswitches — one for A/B, one for Both (your "Y"), one assignable to "Mute" when using the tuner out or for a built-in clean boost — as well as switches to reverse phase of Output 2 to match the two amps, and to lift its ground too, too avoid ground-loop hum issues. Seems to be extremely transparent tone-wise, and quiet too.

[Mika]

I would be running the carmen ghia 210 combo, and then the jet city head into a 112 cab. I would bascially be running from my simple 6 pedal board int othem. I would ideally like to have the option to switch between them and the option to have both of them on for extra "mmmmffff"
I noticed alot of people use the radial and whirlwind switchers

[jmckenzie]

I don't have any experience with this. I have researched it a little and there are two amp switchers that I like if you are switching between heads.

1st choice
http://www.tonetronix.com/pc/Radial-Tonebone-Headbone-SS-Amp-Switcher/Guitar-Amp-Switchers-Selector/Guitar-Amp-Switchers-Selector.html

2nd choice
http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=48

[StevenStrat]

I use the radial Bones aby switchbone, which is the active version of their passive aby box. Works great and has a buffer for long chains as well.

[spookybonus]

The Radial Switchbone is the best option, I have run two amps with one many many times

[Mika]

those are two great box's but super out of my budget after all my recent buys...
Any super cheap decent box's?

[bilbal]

IMHO...

If your going to have loads (which you will) on both [power] amps, going to run the same board into each, and either run one, the other, or both simultaneously, you can simply get an inexpensive a/b/y pedal and you'll be golden.

TGP member THIS1SMYNE made me the very pedal/switcher I believe you'll need and it works perfectly for me. This is providing I'm understanding your application.

[MT Buckaroo]

+1 for Radial Switchbone. End of story.

[rigg]

If you don't need the boost and want the switcher to run on 9v radial also makes this for a bit less coin. http://www.tonebone.com/bones-twincity.htm

[Mika]

thats the one I was looking at.. the twin city...
yeh all I will be doing is A or B or both... same board, 2 amps

[mcdes]

i'd just plug them into the left and right outputs of a stereo delay, and BAM, thankyou mam!! yea, you could switch between them, but when they are both going, you can get a full massive.... i mean MASSIVE sound!! luscious!!

just my 0.02c

[Taking_Frags]

I've had a question about this for a few days and this thread fits perfectly...

Hypothetically, I have two amps. One amp is for clean and the second amp is for distortion. I can use an A/B to switch between the two. However, when running effects, which includes two delay pedals and two reverb pedals, is it possible to put these pedals in the effects loop of the distortion amp and still have them available to the clean amp? Would I have to have individual pedals for each amp?

[Rod]

Remember when running 2 amps together, you have to lift the ground to one of the amps or you will get a lot of hum....

[Steve Snider]

+1 for Radial Switchbone. End of story.


Totally agree!!!

[nofearfactor]

Radial Switchbone. If youre on a budget and dont mind a passive box get their Bigshot ABY. Both of them cure ground loop problems that the Morley and other ABY boxes cant do.

[Guild guy]

I have a Morley a/b swich ,cheap and works great .

[Bluzeboy]

Don't forget the phase issues. I use a lehle

[MT Buckaroo]

Switchbone has ground lift, phase switch, dedicated tuner out, boosts, mute (great when you want to tune up), and more. Does it ALL.

[Dr. Cuddy]

If running both at same time its best to use stereo outs of an fx unit like a chorus or delay. Remember unless you are headlining bigger venues you can expect a lot of headbutting with soundmen. There can also be phasing issues.

[Mika]

I tried my delay (ad9) but there is way to much hum for my liking :(
I am wondering if its worth just going AB route and not getting them both at the same time.... seems cheaper and easier

[smolder]

i have a radial Bigshot and it's worked great, though the switches for setting up ground loop stuff are pretty confusing. Mine just recently started having issues on the A/B switch with intermittenly weak signal on B... it's an IC board with special jacks, not sure I want to dive in and try to fix that. Looking around for an affordable upgrade that has LED's.

I've been looking closely at the Lehle solutions that uses a transformer to avoid the grounding issues but am wondering what that does to the signal/tone. I am not a bypass purist, but the Morley ABY drove me crazy that way.

[gtrs]

I tried my delay (ad9) but there is way to much hum for my liking :(
I am wondering if its worth just going AB route and not getting them both at the same time.... seems cheaper and easier

That's because you have to lift ground on one of the amps.
There's no uber cheap way to do this correctly.

I use a Framptone switcher and LOVE it but have heard great things about Radial too. Pay close attention to powering these units as well.
The devil is in the details...........................

[Mika]

Yeh so far what I have gathered is.... if I want to run them at the same time I need to be able to get a ground lift on my switcher, and it needs to be true bypass.... thus the Radial Twin City, Switchbone, lehle will do.
I am debating if I should just do AB route right now, seems cheaper and then I can save for the ABY.

[M Fowler]

I run the radial Bones aby switchbone it has the lift switch.

I have used with many low powered to high powered heads going into a stereo 412 for 2 years now. Works very well without having to do anything with power cords, cheater plugs or special ground loop solving.

Mark

[BluesLou]

Here is a link to another guy that makes some pretty nice A/B and A/B+Y boxes. Very well made. I own one but not affiliated. After one years use it is still great.

http://www.startouchpedals.com/

[Dr. Cuddy]

You guys could very well be belaboring all this for naught. After the soundman bitches and complains and laughs at you he will probably only mic one amp and have you turn the other one down/off...unless at the very least, stereo panning and such is the crux of the bands sound.

But i dont know if op is a newb, a bedroomer, or t-bone burnett. So...

[Pinelake]

i'd just plug them into the left and right outputs of a stereo delay, and BAM, thankyou mam!! yea, you could switch between them, but when they are both going, you can get a full massive.... i mean MASSIVE sound!! luscious!!

just my 0.02c

Same experience for me too. Used my stereo delay and holy cow!

[MartinCliffe]

I'm running a pair of Egnater Tweakers (in stereo) using an RJM Music Y-Not to switch between the heads... then mixing the two heads together at the effect send stage, which then goes to a TC G Major II and out to both FX returns in stereo. Gives me a huge sound at sensible volumes and in a really portable rig. The RJM Y-Not has phase switching, switchable isolated outputs and a switchable buffer... it can also be MIDI controlled and programmed, or switched using a conventional footswitch. Great bit of kit - I'm very happy to be an RJM artist.

[Mika]

I dont know if I would be to happy if a soundguy decided on what my rig should be to suit him. Especially if he is getting a cut of the door money.
I would understand if someone was to pull out two 100 watt twins and want to stereo them in a tiny club.
My band only has one guitar player, which is myself so I expect and soundman would be prepared with at least 2 sm57's for guitar.
I am looking at a whirlwind selector for like $50 on craigslist...... how are these, probably not near as good as a Switchbone, or Lehle.

[Dr. Cuddy]

I dont know if I would be to happy if a soundguy decided on what my rig should be to suit him. Especially if he is getting a cut of the door money.
I would understand if someone was to pull out two 100 watt twins and want to stereo them in a tiny club.
My band only has one guitar player, which is myself so I expect and soundman would be prepared with at least 2 sm57's for guitar.
I am looking at a whirlwind selector for like $50 on craigslist...... how are these, probably not near as good as a Switchbone, or Lehle.


youll probably be fine then. im just sayin...it happens.

[Mika]

:) I have seen a few guys in the last years who yank in Mesa boogie stacks.... in bedroom size rooms and expect to get away with it.
I could not imagine using more than 30watts for my music :)

[JasonD]

Another vote for the radial SwitchBone. I run two amps live. One for clean tone and the other for Gain. The switchbone has been a main stay on my board for years now. Super piece of equipment.

[mesa/kramer]

Run them both together at the same time in stereo.

It will sound huge.

[Dr. Cuddy]

:) I have seen a few guys in the last years who yank in Mesa boogie stacks.... in bedroom size rooms and expect to get away with it.
I could not imagine using more than 30watts for my music :)


yep. and they get mocked, rediculed, and laughed at for doing it. its just not cool.

[Mika]

needless to say it sounds pretty bad...
I am going to try a whirlwind ABY, off craiglist for cheap..... if it sucks then I am going to go switchbone :) I shall report back soon

[gtrs]

needless to say it sounds pretty bad...
I am going to try a whirlwind ABY, off craiglist for cheap..... if it sucks then I am going to go switchbone :) I shall report back soon

If it has a ground lift switch you'll be fine.
Although you'll notice some high's and lows will be missing without a buffered circuit.
Here's to hoping your amps are in phase with one another! :munch

[Mika]

I hope...

[Coldacre]

I've never felt the need for anything more complicated than this:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Coldacre/top_M.jpg



good enough for the pro's; good enough for me. dirt cheap too

[XmasTree]

im surprised nobody has said loop-master yet

http://www.loop-master.com/index.php?cPath=26&osCsid=s1aj5102rov09gifq1hcosbft6

[amplifiedtorock]

+1 for Radial Switchbone.
You will be disappointed with a cheaper A/B/Y that does not offer ground lift and polarity switch. The boost is icing on the cake and works very, VERY well. I've found myself using it on stage when I had never intended to.
I've sold a Boss LS-2, a Loooper and a Morley because they all had hum issues with two amps.
Spend the extra bucks and you'll never need another A/B/Y.

[Mika]

Haha, I got back with my Whirlwind plugged it in, turned on both amps, then..... HUM.... My Carmen ghia blew its output tube and then fuse :( so I will have to see how it sounds when I get some new tubes in..... So annoying but typical life

[Zach.drummond]

I wouldn't bother with it with those two amps. That's just me. Keep the Z. They're supposed to be good amps. Never played one tho.

[Prerequisite]

Not meaning to hijack, but what sounds better; a wet/dry set up or a left/right setup?

[Mulletmaster]

Run them in stereo. Don't be a square.