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Post subject: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 6:40 am
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Can anyone tell me the best way to play through 2 amps at the same time? I have a 68 Dual showman & a 68 Bandmaster.
I was told that if I play through both together it will create an overdrive/crunch sound.
1. Does that make sense?
2. How would they be interconnected?


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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:56 am
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The easiest and safest way to accomplish this is by means of an A/B/Y switch used on your pedalboard. I use the Radial Tonebone which has a selectable isolation transformer to minimize ground-loop problems and spurious noise. Make certain that the power cables of both amps are correctly polarized and plug them into the same power strip.

Oh......and wear ear protection.

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:19 am
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Hey Arjay: RE: interconnecting amps.
What can I expect to achjieve by playing thru both amps, other than more volume?


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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:25 am
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Different tones, plus you get a wider soundstage.

I do the same with my Bandmaster and Dr. Z amp with Radial's less expensive ABY switcher - has the transformer iso as well.

Helps if your 2 amps have different tones.

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:31 am
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Well I often play two amps separated by eight to twelve feet and use my Radial Tonebone to "bounce" between amps via the unit's footswitches. It yields a quasi-stereo effect on stage.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:44 am
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OK, thanks. I just priced one at $100. not bad.
I'll pick it up tonight.
Thanks again!


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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:46 am
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Check Ebay first, Bob.

I picked up my Radial Tonebone there for $75 (and that included free S&H).

Best seventy-five bucks I ever spent on a stompbox.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:03 am
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Thanks, I'll try the Bay


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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:23 am
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You can also use the Tonebone for channel-jumpering a single dual-channel amp. That affords the option to set the channels for different tones which you can patch between "on the fly".

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:41 pm
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I also used the Radial ABY, sounded huge with my DRRI and SR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yug5ejQN7ZM

I had a ground issue when running both amps and using the built-in transformer really affected the 2nd amp, made it sound very muddy. The workaround was to introduce a "buffer" in front of it. I use a BB Preamp, since it's a true bypass pedal I had to keep it on at all times and that took care of the problem.


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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:40 pm
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I recently bought the Radial A/B/Y. I intend to use it to set up my 55 watter for clean tones and my 20 watter for grind and simply switch between amps. Prior to this I usually tended to run a channel switching amp or a single channel amp with FX boxes. Upon commencing reworking my pedal board the thought occurs I may opt for another A/B/Y to set up different FX patches before the amp selection A/B/Y. The more I ponder this the more complicated my board is starting to look so I might just toss the whole idea because I usually set up my gear with the notion that simpler equals better when it comes to FX but for now my mind is reeling with the sheer number of options I can dream up.

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:50 pm
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I bought one of the Radial Tone Bones after reading Arjay's comments a year or so ago,money well spent.
I'm not gigging right now,but when I get back into it I'm going to seperate the two amps at a distance to see how that works....way back when,I would use a stereo chorus and it sounded good but it bit the dust.


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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:33 pm
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cedarblues wrote:
I also used the Radial ABY, sounded huge with my DRRI and SR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yug5ejQN7ZM

I had a ground issue when running both amps and using the built-in transformer really affected the 2nd amp, made it sound very muddy. The workaround was to introduce a "buffer" in front of it. I use a BB Preamp, since it's a true bypass pedal I had to keep it on at all times and that took care of the problem.

If you have the BigShot ABY, there's ground lift, phase and transformer isolation switches - if you have that Radial box, none of the switches worked? I haven't found muddy on either of my amps with it connected, sounds same as running direct.

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:12 pm
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I've heard other anecdotal reports of problems with the Big Shot version. The less-complex (and cheaper) Tone Bone seems to have none of these issues.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: interconnecting amps
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:54 am
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The Bigshot is the cheaper one with no AC, and retails for <$100. The Tonebone has relay switching (I believe) and status lights plus a drag control.

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Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


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