How to properly share a pedal board with your backup amp

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SonicPulverizer

SonicPulverizer

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Let's say I've been running two stiletto ace combos live (one for backup). I've only made use of a delay and a tuner up until now. New material has me throwing on multiple delays, a harmony man, a wah, etc etc. and now im left wondering how i would quickly and appropriately switch my pedal board signal from stiletto A to stiletto B in case of a failure. Any thoughts? My intuition is telling me that a a/b box or something similar is going to come into play. Surprisingly, I couldn't find any info on how to do this properly. Any help is appreciated.

Edit: I have pedals running both from the front and in the loop.
 
Are you running all your pedals in front of the amp?

If so just an A/B box will work. I made a few A/B boxes, if you want me to find the website on the schematic and how to make them let me know. Radial has a nice ABY and there are many other options. http://www.tonebone.com/re-bigshot-aby-detail.htm
 
It's half and half. I'd love the info on how to make one. Im guessing itll take something different to work around the stuff in the loop? Thanks for your reply.
 
Here is the link, its the 2nd one down. that will open the PDF. http://singlecoil.com/fx.html

Since you have an effects loop, there are some amp switchers out there that will take that into account. I am not that familiar with them, but I am sure someone else with chime in. I think this might work for the loop. http://www.tonebone.com/tb-loopbone.htm

I am using the passive A/B box that I linked above and a 2nd box that switches the effects loop. Its not the most elegant solution, but it works.
 
If you want to go the DIY route, you can use the AB box design I linked to before and then order this from BYOC http://buildyourownclone.com/tblooper.html. I forgot I had the BYOC True bypass looper, but it will work with your effects loop between amps. I use a home built box to switch my effects loop, very similar to the BYOC True bypass looper.

With this solution, you will then have to switch both boxes when switching between amps. The only tweaks I did to the AB box and true bypass looper were adjusting the values of the resistors on the LEDs to more evenly match brightness. To power the AB box and true bypass looper you can just use the power supply you are using to power your other pedals.

As another option you could buy 2 BYOC true bypass loopers and make one an AB like the DIY design and one for the effects loop, this would save having to source the parts yourself, I got my stuff from Small bear.

Hopefully others will chime in on some ready made off the shelf solutions that will only require you to tap one button when switching between amps. I know of the CAE amp switcher, but that seems very overkill in this case. Loop Master probably has what you need. http://www.loop-master.com/
 
yeah, I had checked out stuff by CAE and also the RJM gizmo products. like you said it seems like overkill. So if I'm following: I should be running both the FX sends > A/B box 1 > pedals > A/B box 2 > both of the FX returns-- And then do the same thing with a single A/B box for the stuff out front? Would splitting the loops create any sort of additional/unwanted noise?
 
Trying to switch loop effects between two amps effects loops will be more trouble than it's worth for a backup solution. Use an A/B and switch the effects before the next song.
Why not run in stereo btw, it's a shame having one amp sitting there unused. :)
 
I have the same setup.

All pedals go to both amps and all FX in Loop go to both amps.

Just be sure to any set Left/Right FX in the Center and not panned either way.

I use a Radial ToneBone JX-2. I select either or both amps by simply pushing a button.

It is literally that easy!
 
SonicPulverizer":3vpvsb08 said:
yeah, I had checked out stuff by CAE and also the RJM gizmo products. like you said it seems like overkill. So if I'm following: I should be running both the FX sends > A/B box 1 > pedals > A/B box 2 > both of the FX returns-- And then do the same thing with a single A/B box for the stuff out front? Would splitting the loops create any sort of additional/unwanted noise?
Click to expand...

That is basically what I am doing, except for the effects loops I have one box that does the switching. The BYOC true bypass looper for example will do that in one box. I haven't had any noise issues, but that is a possibility, since you have 2 of the same amp, I think the chances for that are minimized.

I do like the stereo idea. I personally haven't done that much since I am trying to keep the volume down at home and I have run into some issues with splitting the signal for stereo. It is a good option to consider though....
 
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