Amp selector/switcher

[vibratoking]

I like the approach of the unit that husky posted, although I don't see how it is helpful. Pardon my ignorance. Are you tantalizing us with unobtanium? I don't see a schematic or a way to purchase the unit if we so desired. I am looking for a three channel version that allows me to switch between 3 amp heads and one speaker cabinet for live use. Obviously, this means that I will only be using one head at a time. The active head will drive the single speaker cab. Does anyone know of any designs like this?

This is if you want to switch the speakers but you could use the same approach if you didn't need both on and switch the grounds as well.
This had no ground loops, no buffers or transformers.
It also has loads so effects trailing in the loop are not a problem.
It wasn't easy to make it quiet as well as make sure there is protection everywhere. You also have to be careful of the proximity of the input and output switching or it can feedback on itself at higher volumes. I have seen this happen with other products. We have a separate enclosure for the speaker relays. We will probably do an assignable to different speakers 4 channel version as well. This uses relay and vactrols that are timed to switch the inputs and input grounds. Once switching is complete it is all relay. The speaker outputs are heavy duty relays. Carlos is using 2 of these currently. Only problem is to do it correct, guarantee safety for very expensive amps it isn't really an inexpensive project if you want speakers switching as well

You dont need transformers to eliminate the ground loops, just switch the grounds as well.


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[Structo]

Tonebone makes products like that but I think it will only switch two amp heads between one speaker.

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

Your problem is you want to use one speaker system among three amps.

That will be expensive to implement.

Now if you were only wanting to play one guitar and switch between three complete amp & speaker systems, you can use a simple ABC switcher.

But you are dealing with high current loads when switching outputs.
Plus you have to provide the amp that is not connected to a speaker with a dummy load to protect the amp.

[vibratoking]

I am aware of the Tonebone products. They don't do what I want and I have not heard good things about the headbone in particular. I have heard that it colors the sounds and is far from transparent.

I realize the issues related to switching mulitple heads into one cabinet. I currently use a custom ABC switcher. It works, but it requires three cabs, one for each amp, and also three mics, one for each cab. I would like to 'simplify' by hauling only one cab and using a single mic.

The post by husky looks like what I want, but it is currently a dead end because there is no design info or ability to purchase that unit.
I am also interested in how that design is accomplished with no buffers, ground loops or transformers. Might be something to learn there.

[Guitarman18]

hans-jörg wrote:

Hi,
sorry for the late answer, but I build this one and works perfect for switching between two amps.
Very easy and cheap!
No hum at all!

That is exactly what I was hoping for and I've also got most of the parts lying around!
I'll get to work ASAP.

Many thanks hans-jörg.

Cheers,

Paul.

[Structo]

I am aware of the Tonebone products. They don't do what I want and I have not heard good things about the headbone in particular. I have heard that it colors the sounds and is far from transparent.

I realize the issues related to switching mulitple heads into one cabinet. I currently use a custom ABC switcher. It works, but it requires three cabs, one for each amp, and also three mics, one for each cab. I would like to 'simplify' by hauling only one cab and using a single mic.

The post by husky looks like what I want, but it is currently a dead end because there is no design info or ability to purchase that unit.
I am also interested in how that design is accomplished with no buffers, ground loops or transformers. Might be something to learn there.

What kind of rig are you running that you need three amps?
Are you Joe Bonamassa?

Do you play a Dumble clone?
Those offer pretty great clean tones with a good overdrive channel.

[alvarezh]

Tom, Bonamassa uses his Marshall 2550 on all the time (so he has stated). So, at least, that rig has his own speaker cab.

All (I have three) of my two speaker cabs can be connected as a two speaker (4 ohms) with one amp, or single speakers with two amps at 8 ohms each. I do however must select with a switch on the cabinet. That way I can have 4 amps connected with only two cabinets, but you would need four microphones to pick them all up.

Eric Johnson uses four speaker cabs, but they can be split the same way, two speakers per amp.

Good thing with this arrangement is that you only switch the signal on or off to the heads and there is no loading issue. Cons, you need more mikes.

Cheers.

[vibratoking]

What kind of rig are you running that you need three amps?
Are you Joe Bonamassa?

Do you play a Dumble clone?
Those offer pretty great clean tones with a good overdrive channel.

Tom -

No, I am not Joe Bonamassa. I am generally running a 5E3 Deluxe clone, a 183 clone, and a 65 Super Reverb. They are all run seperately and never together. I have tried the multiple amps at once thing and never really found any big advantages. Those amps can change to a BF Twin, a Boogie Lonestar Special, a Fuchs, JTM45, Rocket clone or an Express clone depending on what I want. I CAN just take one amp and a pedal board and accomplish the job. I prefer to have the real deal because the tones are so much better IMO. So it's not that I NEED three amps, I prefer three amps. So, if I can reduce to one speaker cab, my hauling is greatly reduced.

Thanks for asking. Anyone know the details of any existing designs before I reinvent the wheel?