AB Box Output Possibilities ~ Will ONE Wreck an Amp?

[Reeltarded]

Nope. I use three ABY, 2 are that same Radial. There is compensation for a small drop off of B on both those after the switch in my rig because of who knows what. I have a lot of problems with the sliding switches. Lots.

Best switcher is still a 30 year old Countryman, and a pair of $19 jobbies made by Art something that don't drop.

[pdf64]

Most cases splitting signal gives you a 6db signal drop

I can't see how that would happen, unless trying to drive input impedances that are too low for a normal voltage bridging connection to work anyway?
Pete

[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

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

Not that I'm aware of, I don't notice any db drop and the lift controls work well to remove any hum since your connecting into two amps.

[Toppscore]

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.

Thanks, Vibro. Good info. I have located an ABY switch box I'll probably
purchase today. Just a bit more in cost than an AB passive switch.

It allows for two amps to be played at once, or one amp and an effects loop.
Bottom line is two signals can go through.

Also, if I read you right, sticking two guitar cables into one Normal amp channel
that has the typical two inputs will not cause a problem for the chassis electronics.
My thinking it's the same as having two guitarists plugged into one amp.

Thanks again. I will post a picture or url of my purchase. Good info.

[Toppscore]

Thanks for previous TAG forum contributions and input

After searching and reviewing AB switch boxes, comparing manufacturers,
specifications, features, pricing, size, metal (versus) plastic, etc.
and . . . .
passive (versus) 9v battery (versus) 120v/9v wall adapter.

I decided to get an ABY box that was passive, but had four (4) guitar cable ports:
1) two ports for either A or B, back forth switching to amps or effects
2) two parallel ports for both A & B playing at the same time

Being passive meant no extra plug adaptor off my pedal board's daisy chain
of adapter plugs/ports and no extra adapter or wall plug socket to manage.
This ABY Switch is all metal with metal plug connectors.
Cheaper AB and ABY switches have plastic all over and
Most ABY switches I saw only offered guitar-in and two amp-out ports.
This ABY switch has guitar in and four (4) amp out ports (major feature).
MOST ALL OTHERS have one guitar-in and only two out-ports.
The battery option is only for the LED, and not needed at all for switching.


CHECK IT OUT. GREAT PRICING . . . . . .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180917756128?ss ... 1439.l2649

Hope this info helps someone out.


.

[rogb]

A good price that's true. I made a similar one for my AB763 to switch channels and flip the vibrato on and off, probably cost more than that lol.

However for switching between 2 amps there could be ground loop related hum problems which is why I have a Radial Bigshot with phase reversal, lift and isolating transformer options.
This is for my #102 and JCM800 rig, hopefully which will be running later this week....

Good luck with your ABY, hope it provides the solution.

[Toppscore]

A good price that's true. I made a similar one for my AB763 to switch channels and flip the vibrato on and off, probably cost more than that lol.
However for switching between 2 amps there could be ground loop related hum problems which is why I have a Radial Bigshot with phase reversal, lift and isolating transformer options.
This is for my #102 and JCM800 rig, hopefully which will be running later this week....
Good luck with your ABY, hope it provides the solution.

Thanks. I've read about the ground loop issue. I'll be all ears.
One ABY box for sale has it's own transformer to manage
the hummmm and its output signal strength. Very cool.

No solution desired (yet) ~ just experimentation with sounds, tones, etc.

If this ABY is humming, I'll return it.
Just cannot wait to play two amps in parallel.
Thank you, again
Toppscore



.

[angelodp]

Hey Mark, I have that same box and I do find some drop in volume and tone with it. It also find it a tad confusing without the leds. Have heard great things about the Lehle stuff. I have used the Switchhazel from D13 and its pretty good.

[M Fowler]

Angelo if you and Miles say it drops volume and tone I believe you and more then likely my unit does too.

I just don't remember having problems on my gigs that made me go gosh darn that damn pedal is a tone sucking bastard

Mark

[Toppscore]

Angelo if you and Miles say it drops volume and tone I believe you and more then likely my unit does too.
I just don't remember having problems on my gigs that made me go gosh darn that damn pedal is a tone sucking bastard
Mark

Mark and other TAGers.
I posted above the photo of the ABY box I purchased.
It does not have a dedicated "guitar" input jack.
I'll be testing the box this weekend.

Seller states if I use the A-B Switch, put the guitar jack in one of the two parallel ports.
If I use the two parallel ports, but the guitar jack in one of the two A-B ports.

This does not seem good. I'll soon find out, but wondering if two A-B ports and
two parallel ports with no dedicated guitar input is a set-up anyone has seen??


My bigger questions:
will there be volume reduction?
will there be a hummmming?

[M Fowler]

Topper the only difference with mine and yours is I have isolation and can switch out hum issues.

Yours is for running two guitars into parallel jacks and Amp A and Amp B or both Y.

[vibratoking]

You will lose signal and some highs when driving two amp inputs at the same time, unless your box is active and has buffered outputs. Do the test I suggested in a previous post. You can't miss it.

[Toppscore]

Topper the only difference with mine and yours is I have isolation and can switch out hum issues. Yours is for running two guitars into parallel jacks and Amp A and Amp B or both Y.

Hopefully, just the opposite . . . .
Mostly for switching between amp A and amp B with only one guitar-in.
On ocassion, both amps running simultaneously with only on guitar-in.

Still think the same as your comment? PLMK. Thank you very much.

[Toppscore]

You will lose signal and some highs when driving two amp inputs at the same time, unless your box is active and has buffered outputs. Do the test I suggested in a previous post. You can't miss it.

Absolutely, Vibro.
I will test this "good looking ABY Box" and see if it
works as pretty as it looks

But, I will certainly double review your suggested commemnt.
Very much appreciated. Thanks and take care. Toppscore

[rogb]

A good price that's true. I made a similar one for my AB763 to switch channels and flip the vibrato on and off, probably cost more than that lol.

However for switching between 2 amps there could be ground loop related hum problems which is why I have a Radial Bigshot with phase reversal, lift and isolating transformer options.
This is for my #102 and JCM800 rig, hopefully which will be running later this week....

Good luck with your ABY, hope it provides the solution.

Just to let you know I finally fired up the 2 amp rig this afternoon for the first time together. Now I haven't got my final tubes in them yet, but with the BigShot ABY box I was able to take a tone from the D style and add to it with the Marshall. switching it in and out as needed. The combinations seem infinite

Now the first thing I did was V-king's tone suck test but unless my ears are shot I could barely detect a difference, in fact I think I was wanting to hear a difference that wasn't there. Maybe the Dlator has something to do with the summed impedances, I dunno.

All I can say is the BigShot is a great and simple piece of kit but I will be adding LEDs as I dont know where I am most of the time if one amp is set kind of similar.

I also fitted a set of Dovers to the Strat courtesy of Mr David Allen and they sound excellent with the Dumble and the Marshall. I have to recommend these if you have a nice ash/maple guitar along with a neck/bridge blend pot and no load tone.

I am really happy today after beginning this project going on for a year ago.
When the NOS tubes get here, then I hope I will be able to do some recording with this outfit.

Did some pics this afternoon for the build threads too.