running two amps with ABY switcher

  • Thread starter Thread starter rabies
  • Start date Start date
rabies

rabies

New member
Just bought a Radial passive ABY switcher. Planning on using it with my Mesa Stiletto stage 2 (leads) and my Rivera S120 (low-end); idea being to run it in all three combinations. Has anybody tried this switcher? Reviews were mostly favorable on MF although some recommended Voodoo Labs switcher (4 way) or the Mesa switcher which I'm sure are both more expensive. I'm just wondering how much it alters the signal/tone. I guess I'll find out.

I bought a couple of 8 ft Mogami 2524 instrument cables to use with the output from the box (Planet waves or Mogami going in). Guessing the total length should not be much more than 20 ft (and immediately for me it will be around 28 ft total).

The following guitarists use[d] multiple amps:

1) Adam Jones
2) Dean Deleo
3) John Frusciante

anybody know what they used?
 
I have the radial bigshot ABY. Great ABY. Only alteration in tone you will see is a slight reduction in signal level from straight to amp since it is passive and splitting the signal. In terms of tone degredation, there is none.
 
I have that ABY box (BigShot) and it's great. I can't remember if it was playing both amps at the same time or one or the other, but one would sound noticeably weaker. Putting my Boss tuner before the Bigshot fixed that. It just needed some sort of buffer which the tuner has. I don't hear any tone loss using it.
 
bubbastain":3gv5cpvl said:
I have that ABY box (BigShot) and it's great. I can't remember if it was playing both amps at the same time or one or the other, but one would sound noticeably weaker. Putting my Boss tuner before the Bigshot fixed that. It just needed some sort of buffer which the tuner has. I don't hear any tone loss using it.
Click to expand...

don't tell me that's your (or your brother's) pic. that's badass.
 
I use the VooDoo Labs Amp Switcher & zero complaints--also extremely flexible.
 
rabies":80pxra50 said:
Just bought a Radial passive ABY switcher. Planning on using it with my Mesa Stiletto stage 2 (leads) and my Rivera S120 (low-end); idea being to run it in all three combinations. Has anybody tried this switcher? Reviews were mostly favorable on MF although some recommended Voodoo Labs switcher (4 way) or the Mesa switcher which I'm sure are both more expensive. I'm just wondering how much it alters the signal/tone. I guess I'll find out.

I bought a couple of 8 ft Mogami 2524 instrument cables to use with the output from the box (Planet waves or Mogami going in). Guessing the total length should not be much more than 20 ft (and immediately for me it will be around 28 ft total).

The following guitarists use[d] multiple amps:

1) Adam Jones
2) Dean Deleo
3) John Frusciante

anybody know what they used?
Click to expand...
Adam Jones does not switch amps ... he runs them all ~ all the time and does not switch channels. He controls the sound mostly from the guitar controls ~ mostly the volume. A lot of people that use more than one amp do this.
 
Deleo splits stereo signal from a chorus pedal, at least his old rig was this way. Not sure what he is doing now since Friedman rebuilt his rig.

Jones splits as well and doesn't switch amps. He used to use a studio splitter made by Systematic Systems. Not sure what he used last tour.

The best buy on a passive splitter is a Lehle P-split, in my opinion. Inexpensive and high quality with a ground lift and phase reverse. I have two just in case I lose one! They don't have any annoying buffers that you are stuck with either.
 
In my experience passive pedals suck tone too much. I've found I get best results with Radial JX-2. Guys at Radial really know everything about switching. Their JD7 rack switcher is awesome too.
 
::fred::":2f8oypyo said:
In my experience passive pedals suck tone too much. I've found I get best results with Radial JX-2. Guys at Radial really know everything about switching. Their JD7 rack switcher is awesome too.
Click to expand...

Try a Lehle. You won't be able to tell the difference through the splitter. I have tried them all.
 
I use the lehle too. Works perfectly. The radial is very similar. Make sure it has
Phase shift and ground lifts. An isolated output is the key to a good switcher.
 
Lehle is expensive but great stuff. I personally LOVE my Snarling Dogs A/B/Y but in the wrong setup it hums like a bitch--no polarity switch. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top