AB-Y Amp switchers

[donden]

For those of you who have experience with AB-Y boxes for using 2 amps, which make(s)/model(s) do you recommend ... and which do you advise against?

Any thoughts on Active vs. Passive would also be appreciated.

Thanks very much,

Don

[Hugo Da Rosa]

Active tends to retain tone better. Radial products are good in general...but the Twin Cities AB/Y and the JX-2 are leaps and bounds better than the Big Shot AB/Y. DRAG control, Phase inverter, Ground lift, and even a buffer in the Twin Cities model helps retain/maximize your tone and reduce any kind of unwanted noise that comes along with running multiple amps.

[DigitalHater]

I have a whirlwind, I noticed weird volume drop issues, bleed through when using it. It's hard to describe, but it just didn't sound right. It was the first a/b box I had ever used. One thing I can say is that there must have been some sort of capacitance issue when using it in Y mode. I got a T1M a/b/y box, and that one doesn't seem to have the same issues. I'm pretty sure it's all passive (power just goes to the LED's I think) and I'm really happy with it.

The whirlwind lives on though, I use it to switch between the 2 channels on my super reverb (the normal channel is modded to have more of a British tone stack, reverb linked, and non-reverse polarity). and the weird capacitance issue works to not cause so much of a volume jump when bridging into both channels. I still plan on upgrading it some time.

If you're going passive, I'd recommend looking into T1M. You can even get it customized to your liking, install a tuner out, buffer circuit, etc...

[donden]

Helpful info - thanks, Hugo and DH. I will look into those. This is new ground for me, so I appreciate your help.

[Seegs]

After trying a bunch I'd go Lehle Dual...

Chow,
Seegs

[donden]

Originally Posted by Seegs

After trying a bunch I'd go Lehle Dual...

Chow,
Seegs

Thanks, Seegs and Aran. Thiose Lehl pedals look excellent.

Seegs - are there any AB-Y boxes that you recommend I avoid?

Thank you, Don

[Seegs]

Originally Posted by donden

Thanks, Seegs and Aran. Thiose Lehl pedals look excellent.

Seegs - are there any AB-Y boxes that you recommend I avoid?

Thank you, Don

Yes...Morley...Whirlwind (tone suck) and Framptone (didn't care for the buffer)

The Tonebone is good but I preferred the Lehle to it...

If you are not going to be running two amps at the same time the Lehle 1@3 is excellent and will give you one or the other plus an fx loop or 3 separtate amps but not two at the same time...

Chow,
Seegs

[Matters]

I love my Startouch. I've had it for about five years with no problems. Very quiet and rugged, and I don't notice it affecting the tone at all. Here's the site: http://www.startouchpedals.com/.

Matt

[donden]

Originally Posted by Seegs

Yes...Morley...Whirlwind (tone suck) and Framptone (didn't care for the buffer)

The Tonebone is good but I preferred the Lehle to it...

If you are not going to be running two amps at the same time the Lehle 1@3 is excellent and will give you one or the other plus an fx loop or 3 separtate amps but not two at the same time...

Chow,
Seegs

Good to know - especially since the Tonebone is one of the ones I was looking at.

I definitely want to have the option of running 2 amps at once, so I wiil look into prices for the 'Little Dual' and 'Dual SGoS'. I also need to switch guitars quickly on stage, as I am the front man who is supposed to keep the audience's attention between songs, so I will check out their '3at1 SGoS', as well.

I would not have known about these Lehle pedals without your and Aran's suggestions, so thank you, again.

Best regards, Don

[Aran]

If you're just going to use it to run two amps get one of these.

http://www.lehle.com/products/P-Spli...untry=&lang=en

[VONG]

Twin Cities AB/Y is awesome.

[Dawg76]

I've had good luck w/ LoopMaster:

http://www.loop-master.com/product_i...roducts_id=150

I ABY Egnater Rebel 30 and Marshall Haze 15 heads each w/ their own cab. No issues. $53.

[ShadowPlay]

+1 on the Loop-master...

[donden]

I just watched a few of the videos on the Lehle web-site. These folks are SERIOUS about their guitar pedals. http://www.lehle.com/frameset.php?co..._Link=products

I am going to look for a good deal on a Lehle Dual SGoS. The Radial Switchbone JX-2 is my 2nd choice.

Thank you to all for your helpful insights and advice. Much appreciated.
Happy music making. All the best,
Don