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Post subject: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 6:08 pm
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Has anyone played with an A/B Selector or Switch pedal to plug into two amps at once?

If selecting both amps at once... such as my Super-Sonic and Blues Junior (both new acquisitions for me;) would you get a "stereo twin amp" effect or does it just not work that way?

Also, what recommendations as to a good A/B selector for such purpose?

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 8:13 pm
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I've been using the Radial Big Shot A/B/Y footswitch for several years -- it was the best $75 I ever spent on a pedal. You can switch between two amps for stereo effects *or* switch between inputs of a vintage two-channel amp to create independent signal chains.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:12 pm
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+1

I use the Radial Twin City and really like it for exactly the same reasons Arjay mentioned.

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:57 pm
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I can appreciate how an ABY switch is great for switching between two amps without disconnecting the input cable etc.

But if you are using the Y feature to play through two amps at once - such as my SS22 and BJr, say both on their nice fender clean sound at same volume... should I expect the glassy goodness of a stereo twin amp? Or would two amps tend to mess with each other tonally or with hum interference etc.?

I've never tried playing through two tube amps before!

I have a Radial Big Shot ABY and Whirlwind Selector ABY both for sale locally at very reasonable prices... which to choose?

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:07 pm
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Playing two amps simultaneously will not alter the tone of either -- you'll hear the amps just as you've configured their tone and drive controls.

I'm not familiar with the Whirlwind device but the Radial pedal includes switchable phase reversal for one of the outputs (useful when playing both channels of a vintage or re-issue reverb-equipped Fender combo whose channels are wired out of phase with one another) and a switchable isolation transformer and ground lift to prevent ground loops when using two discreet amps in tandem. The latter features are a must in the interests of personal safety and noise-free operation.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:27 pm
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I have the radial twin city....I use it to switch a,b, or y for my Marshall amp and my Fender DRRI. It's awesome! Talk about the best of both worlds!


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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:28 pm
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Radial BigShot on the way... it was the only ABY that I could find YouTube demonstrations that proved that it could cancel floor loops.

Ironically, the best BigShot demo is from a fellow who ordered the Fender ABY first... sounded like an alarm going off!

Now I will be able to transform my Fender amps into a 2x12 twin! Along with a Corona and Flashback I should be able to get some good glassy tones!

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Profile
Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 1:06 pm
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Radial is definitely one switch I will look at. I have a TCH vocal/guitar pedal going to my mixer/pa, and I have my Fender amp. I want both the TCH and my amp to be connected with my Strat at all times. It's a PITA to connect and disconnect. I don't have to use the guitar with the vocal pedal, but it's an option that I can choose.

My Soundcraft mixer has Lexicon effects that include effects designed for vocals, and/or instruments (one effect at a time, however). I have yet to use the guitar with these effects and, while I can use the TCH to send the guitar to the board without a DI, it could be a cleaner signal to use a DI rather than the TCH.

So,my question is has anyone connected the guitar to 3 sources where you could play a combo of any two of the three at the same time?

My example: TCH/guitar and amp/guitar, or Mixer Lexicon PA/guitar and amp/guitar all connected without having to remove or install the instrument cord.

I want to experiment with the variations, and it would make things easier if I didn't have to connect and disconnect as the A/B/Y allows. Not needing a separate DI would be preferable and my budget is limited, accordingly. So is there a 3 sources unit that has (preferably) or hasn't a built in DI? My board is an EFX 8.

I realize 2 ABYs may be one option, and, perhaps, other concerns may fall into my scenario. (Example: Any difference from connecting the switch to the board (aside from a DI) versus the amp?).

Your thoughts and/or experience? TIA.

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 4:06 pm
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I built one from a Build Your Own kit. It uses isolation transformers with switches so you get no hum or grounding issues and has dead silent switching. You can switch from one to the other or run both amps at once. The Radial is also great. They make great, solid and reliable products. I just enjoy building my own gear.

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 8:47 pm
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63supro wrote:
I built one from a Build Your Own kit. It uses isolation transformers with switches so you get no hum or grounding issues and has dead silent switching. You can switch from one to the other or run both amps at once. The Radial is also great. They make great, solid and reliable products. I just enjoy building my own gear.

Thanks for your reply 63Supro. I'm pretty handy around the house and car and have been successful inside PCs, TVs, tape decks, home and auto stereos etc. That was before parts were just discarded. Today I leave it to the Pros.

However, I once tried to repair some expensive headphones, and although the initial soldering spot was fine, the unregulated iron fried a hairline wire rendering them useless (I know that heat can also be directed away from the wire) . . . but $&@! happens.sometimes. :(

I've been solder gun shy ever since :lol: Then again I don't give up easily. Never say never, right? I'll keep your suggestion in my back pocket 63Supro :D

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 6:54 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
63supro wrote:
I built one from a Build Your Own kit. It uses isolation transformers with switches so you get no hum or grounding issues and has dead silent switching. You can switch from one to the other or run both amps at once. The Radial is also great. They make great, solid and reliable products. I just enjoy building my own gear.

Thanks for your reply 63Supro. I'm pretty handy around the house and car and have been successful inside PCs, TVs, tape decks, home and auto stereos etc. That was before parts were just discarded. Today I leave it to the Pros.

However, I once tried to repair some expensive headphones, and although the initial soldering spot was fine, the unregulated iron fried a hairline wire rendering them useless (I know that heat can also be directed away from the wire) . . . but $&@! happens.sometimes. :(

I've been solder gun shy ever since :lol: Then again I don't give up easily. Never say never, right? I'll keep your suggestion in my back pocket 63Supro :D


In that case, I'd go with Radial. I have a Radial Texas Tone Bone and it's a great sounding pedal that built like a tank. I've borrowed their A/B/Y box and it's great.

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 11:45 pm
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Do you have to use two valve amps with these pedals? Or can you use a valve and solid state.?
For instance I have a Marshall jcm 2000 TSL valve stack and a Marshall MG 100 stack, I was wondering if those two could be matched, or not.

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 12:33 am
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An A/B/Y device doesn't care where its output signals are sent.

The only caveat when using it with multiple amps is, beware of ground-loop issues.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 12:45 am
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Thanks Arjay, I was just wondering because I've been looking around and everyone seemed to be using valve amps. so it got me wondering about a combination of those two I mentioned. Thanks again.
Rhumba

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Post subject: Re: A / B Selector or Switch Pedal
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 6:25 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
An A/B/Y device doesn't care where its output signals are sent.

The only caveat when using it with multiple amps is, beware of ground-loop issues.

Arjay


+1 The kit I made has dual isolation transformers so ground-loop issues are non-existent. You need to be safe when running two amps.

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