Using Two Amps with One Cab?

[technik]

Hi guys,
I have two amp heads and 1 cab (8ohms). Is that ok if I let 2 heads "on" at the same time and each amp connect to the cab. Then I'll just use an A/B Box from my guitar to each of the head. So, everytime I want to use a specific head, I'll just step on the A/B box, and the sound goes out from the cab?

Will that harm the amp or the cab?

thanks

 

[aleclee]

No prob if you don't mind frying an amp or two.

Seriously, it's a very bad thing.

 

[technik]

ooppss, better safe than sorry...

So, the only way is to get another cab huh?

 

[BPlexico]

Actually you could buy a Radial Headbone. It let's you share one cabinet between two heads.

More information here:

http://www.tonebone.com/tbone-headbone-vt.htm


-- Barr

 

[electronpirate]

Would work with a stereo cab, but you would only have 2 speakers (or one..2x12) working at the same time.

Tonebone is fancy, but for the price throw your money at another cab.

Not worth trying. Get 2 2x12's with the A/B box.

 

[technik]

thats right. Another cab will worth the money i guess...

 

[haslar]

2 plusses using the tonebone:
- if you use a 4x12", you still have 4 speakers working all the time, no matter which amp you use
- the soundman only needs one mike for your guitar...

 

[Chiba]

Don't forget that with a Headbone, you only have one cabinet to drag up the stairs out of the basement, take around the side of the house, load, transport, unload, carry inside, carry up the stairs, and position on stage!



--chiba

 

[zoooombiex]

i recently got a headbone and have been very pleased. just make sure you get the right one (there are different models for tube and solid state amps).

 

[zoooombiex]

this reminds me ... i did have one question about the heabone for the technically minded:

the headbone does not provide a load on the amp, but simply switches the inputs and outputs (so the amp sees no input signal when not in use). but what if an amp has some internal hum or some of the transient signal spikes (that i think john P has mentioned)? can it damage the amp to have no load on it when the amp has some background hum or noise? thanks,
~chris

 

[aleclee]

Originally posted by zoooombiex
the headbone does not provide a load on the amp, but simply switches the inputs and outputs (so the amp sees no input signal when not in use).

That's not what the web site says:

To address this, the Headbone employs a large ‘load resistor’ that couples with the standby amp. For example: when head-1 is active, it is connected to the speaker while head-2’s output is routed to the load resistor.

 

[zoooombiex]

Originally posted by aleclee
That's not what the web site says:

hmmm ... i could've sworn the manual to mine specifically warned that it did NOT provide a load, which i found surprising. i'll have to double check that, but i certainly hope i've been mistaken thanks!

 

[BPlexico]

Yes - the Headbone provides a load to both amps - you would not want to run any amp without a load on it.

-- Barr

 

[zoooombiex]

well, i dug out my manual and answered my own question

i was confused because the manual says in bold print that the headbone "is not a load box," and that's what stuck in my head when flipping through it. but elsewhere it mentions that the headbone does provide a load on the standby amp, but that it is a minimal load only meant to handle the standby output. that is why the manual says not to use a delay in the effects loop of either amp, because it could send a signal to the output tranny after the cab has been disconnected from that amp, and the headbone's resistor load won't be able to handle that signal.

anyway, sorry if i caused any confusion. hope that dispells it

 

[GAT]

Axess or Palmer make the appropriate 2 head to one cab equipment. I have both and they work great. I had nothing but trouble with the Headbone.

 

[haslar]

What kind of trouble?

 

[DavidE]

Originally posted by GAT
Axess or Palmer make the appropriate 2 head to one cab equipment. I have both and they work great. I had nothing but trouble with the Headbone.

What kind of trouble and what do the other types cost?

 

[DavidE]

bttt

 

[Mondoslug]

bumpski

 

[DavidE]

Well, I got a Headbone VT and it worked great.