AB Box Output Possibilities ~ Will ONE Wreck an Amp?

[Toppscore]

Hi! Can an AB Box work this way . . . .
#1) Guitar into AB Box, out “A” to amp’s Normal channel’s first input.
#2) Guitar to AB Box, out “B” to effects signal chain to amp’s Normal channel’s second input.

#1 is typical AB Box usage.
#2 may seem typical, but will there be a problem if the
Normal channel’s two inputs each has a guitar wire plugged in?

I would not use both inputs at once, just the first input jack
for a straight in clean signal; and the second input jack
with the effects chain. Never would both guitar cables be “active”.


What do you think?
Is there a chance or are there scenarios that will I wreck the amp?
I could always use one amp input via a "Y" input cable.



Thanks ahead of time as I am going to purchase an AB Box for two purposes:
1) to AB two different amps at the same time
2) to review the above described straight clean signal into an amp
and then the effects signal to the same amp as well.

[vibratoking]

#1 and #2 will be fine. Should be no damage. The both on case might sound bad.

AB boxes with two amps work pretty well as long as I don't try to run the signal to both amps at the same time. The loading created by seeing two inputs really kills the tone IME.

[Toppscore]

#1 and #2 will be fine. Should be no damage. The both on case might sound bad.

AB boxes with two amps work pretty well as long as I don't try to run the signal to both amps at the same time. The loading created by seeing two inputs really kills the tone IME.

Thanks. Let's see if I have it . . . . .
One guitar into two amps out, but play one at a time.
One guitar in to "A" amp out to Amp #1 and into "B" amp out to the same amp,
with the second B having effects in the loop.
But, play only one side at a time.

If two guitar inputs into both amp channel inputs is bad,
then I can reconnect both A & B via a "Y" cable back into one amp input.
Always playing one line A or B at a time, not both.

Thanks.



Question:
To find a box that will play one guitar to two active amps at the same time,
would I need a MXR Micro Amp to boost the initial signal to two amps?
Or, just "Y" cable out of the guitar?

Thanks ahead of time.

[Reeltarded]

You need a signal splitter like a Lucas Deceiver or similar that mirrors the correct line impedance, or an active direct box that accounts for this.. which is what a Lucas does.

[Toppscore]

You need a signal splitter like a Lucas Deceiver or similar that mirrors the correct line impedance, or an active direct box that accounts for this.. which is what a Lucas does.

Thanks. I will investigate. Much appreciated.

Still, a passive AB box that "completely" switches from amp-1 to amp-2
will be OK for that usage, right?

And a "signal splitter' will help deal with multiple amps.
Been reading about two amp players.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

ANother possibility is an ABY box. It works just like an AB box, with a third option: Y Cable, so you can drive both amps at the same time. I know Divided By 13 makes such a box, I believe it's call the Switch Hazel. It also has an adjustable clean boost function as well - IIRC, 0dB to 7dB of boost.

CHeers,
Lou

[ampgeek]

Yes. No problem with straight passive A/B switching.

The problem with A+B as Vibratoking says is that your guitar signal is being loaded down with two amps at once. A typical pick-up can't generate enough current to smack both V1 grids with the voltage one would like.

A simple, and very cheap, unity gain buffer between the guitar and A/B/Y box should solve that problem in spades. Input impedance of ~1 meg like a typical tube amp to retain the desired response. But...an output impedance of 10's of ohms (IC type) to 100's of ohms (JFET type). Again, no "boost" of signal amplitude here so don't expect any overdrive capabilities.

Check this one out:

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pro ... -ic-buffer

Really easy/cheap to build and integrate into a homegrown A/B/Y box.

Pete Cornish would highly approve!!

Cheers,
Dave O.

[Toppscore]

Yes. No problem with straight passive A/B switching.
The problem with A+B as Vibratoking says is that your guitar signal is being loaded down with two amps at once. A typical pick-up can't generate enough current to smack both V1 grids with the voltage one would like. A simple, and very cheap, unity gain buffer between the guitar and A/B/Y box should solve that problem in spades. Input impedance of ~1 meg like a typical tube amp to retain the desired response. But...an output impedance of 10's of ohms (IC type) to 100's of ohms (JFET type). Again, no "boost" of signal amplitude here so don't expect any overdrive capabilities. Check this one out:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pro ... -ic-buffer
Really easy/cheap to build and integrate into a homegrown A/B/Y box.
Pete Cornish would highly approve!! Cheers, Dave O.

Dave. Thanks much.

How about a MXR Micro Amp pedal boost before the AB Box?
What do you think?

Also, I have a 1974 DeArmond Volume Pedal. Would a
volume pedal produce similar results as the MXR Micro Amp pedal?

Thanks.

[pdf64]

The problem with A+B as Vibratoking says is that your guitar signal is being loaded down with two amps at once. A typical pick-up can't generate enough current to smack both V1 grids with the voltage one would like

That doesn't seem credible to me; the pickup is already being loaded with a 500k vol // 500k tone. Plug into amp A @1M, would bring the total pickup loading to 200k, plug into amp A&B, both @1M, would reduce that to 167k. That doesn't seem a significant difference to me.
Consider the tubescreamer, I'm not aware that it has a reputation as a tone sucker (at least when switched to bypass); they have a 500k input impedance.
Of course if plugged into either / both amp's 'low' inputs @136k input impedance, the situation would be different.
But anyway, my perception is that most guitarists have at least one pedal with a buffered output between guitar and amp.
Pete

[ampgeek]

I didn't mean to imply that it wouldn't work at all and should have said that plugging into two amps *might* not perform as one would have expected due to the additional loading.

It really depends on the specific set-up (pick-up type, amp input impedance, etc..etc..etc..) employed as Pete implies and what one is looking for in the end. Sorry if I was misleading.

So...by all means...try it straight into both amps sans buffer or other booster and see how it sounds! You can't do any harm in that.

I am not familiar with the Micro Amp or volume pedal circuitry so I don't know for sure. But...again..I can't imagine any harm done in trying them.

Rock on!
Dave O.

[Toppscore]

I didn't mean to imply that it wouldn't work at all and should have said that plugging into two amps *might* not perform as one would have expected due to the additional loading. It really depends on the specific set-up (pick-up type, amp input impedance, etc..etc..etc..) employed as Pete implies and what one is looking for in the end. Sorry if I was misleading. So...by all means...try it straight into both amps sans buffer or other booster and see how it sounds! You can't do any harm in that. I am not familiar with the Micro Amp or volume pedal circuitry so I don't know for sure. But...again..I can't imagine any harm done in trying them. Rock on! Dave O.

Dave O. Thanks for the clarification.

How about this minimal configuration ~ I'll locate a "Y" cable soon.

Stock Stratocaster guitar out to "Y" guitar cable to:
1) 1954 4x10 Bassman and to
2) 1964 2x12 Twin Reverb.
Set each amp's volume settings to desired levels.

Play both amps together via the split Y cable, but are typical Strat pickups
powerful enough for its guitar signal to be split yet still received well by each amp?
Should I think about a power boosting pedal or a volume pedal?
That's one setup I am thinking about ~ only with an ABY switch box.

Another option that I'm worried about is using an AB(only) box to achieve:
1) "A" to clean channel on one amp and
2) "B" an effects signal chain to the same amp.
Either using the same Normal Channel input jack for both AB options,
OR the BIG QUESTION . . . . .
have the AB Box's "A" go to Normal Channel input #1
and the AB Box's "B" go to Normal Channel input #2
Both inputs will have guitar cables installed simultaneously ~ just not active at the same time.

Seems like most anything will work . . .
just some options will sound better or stronger. Right?
Or are there potential electronic problems with two input jacks utilized
~ similar to having two guitarists using one amp together.

[vibratoking]

Toppscore. There are a lot of potential problems and potential solutions involved with what you want to do. You won't damage anything. I would recommend hooking it all up and listening. Feeding two amps through a Y will load your signal if you are not using buffers in the path or active pickups. Set it up, put it in Y mode, and turn the volume all the way down on amp B. Switch back and forth so that you are either feeding amp A alone or both amps at the same time, but only hearing amp A. You will hear a difference IMO. Simple and easy. You really have to wired it all up and experiment. When you find what you feel is a problem, make a post and you will get more answers than you can stand. There many potential sound problems, but only you can decide which are a problem for you.

[M Fowler]

I always run a 4x12 stereo with two amp heads using a Radial Big Shot A/B/Y pedal. No problem running both amps at same time each see's 2x12's.

Mark

[Reeltarded]

Most cases splitting signal gives you a 6db signal drop.

[Toppscore]

I always run a 4x12 stereo with two amp heads using a Radial Big Shot A/B/Y pedal. No problem running both amps at same time each see's 2x12's. Mark

Mark. Does the Radial Big Shot add any boost to sustain the original
input's signal to the output spec?