A/B-ing 2 amps?

[beggar_guitar]

How does this work? I know you use an A/B switch which sends your signal to the amp of your choice, or run them both at the same time.

Is this done with Combos or with Heads run into the same cab? How would I go about setting this up?

I ask cause I'm looking for purchase a Vox AC 30 or 15 (still undecided). Not quit sold on it's crunch. I'm sure it's capable, but I have a specific tone in mind. The Vox nails the clean tone I want hands down though.

Would I A/B 2 combos? Or 2 heads into the same cab? Or 2 combos into the same cab? How would this work for playing out? Of course in a smaller venue I may have to sacrifice and use just 1 amp.

Have my questions made any sense? Can anyone shed some light on the subject for me?

 

[Brow]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

It's basically switching between 2 amps: whether they're combos or heads/cabs is upto you

I'm contemplating (for future use) A/B'ing a Vox AC30 combo and my Orange AD30 head and cab.

Setting the Vox for pristine clean and the Orange for a little grit. I'll essentially be using both amps all the time, and will be 'mixing' their tones together instead of actually switching between the 2 amps.

I dunno if my reply has been of any use to you or not, but there it is nonetheless!

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

So you would be using both amp constantly? I get how I could run 2 amps into the same cab, but if I wanted to switch between amps would I need 2 a/b boxes? 1 between my guitar and the amps and a second between the amps and the cab?

 

[WhoFan]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

as far as A/B'ing 2 tube heads into a single cab besides Bradshaw stuff that i can't afford, i use the HS2 from www.axess-electronics.com


saddly the HS2 is discontinued....

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

FWIW, I've known a couple metal guys that'll have their 5150's and whatnot for their dirt, and then run a little Fender combo for their cleans. It's just guitar -> A/B box -> Amp A/Amp B

You can switch between the two for your clean/dirty, or you can do like some other metal guys do. They'll take two high gain heads, dial one in with the mids slightly scooped, for that "modern" thunk, and the other one with the mids boosted, for that old school thrash sound, and mix them to taste. The dichotomy of the two tones is awesome, if you've never heard something like that live.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

Checkout the Radial Tonebone line of amp and cabinet switchers...the Headbone and the Cabbone.

Bill

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

DANGER: Be very careful it you're going to A/B two heads into one cab. Each head needs to see some kind of load at all times when powered up. If you alternate between heads and don't have a device for loading whichever head isn't active, you'll blow that amp.

That's a general warning, but if you're looking at A/Bing combos -- or at least not looking to compare two heads with one cab -- you should be just fine using a typical A/B switch. I use an Ebtech Hum Eliminator to solve ground loop hum that's created when I A/B between my AC30 and Super Reverb.

- Keith

 

[WhoFan]

Re: A/B-ing 2 amps?

DANGER: Be very careful it you're going to A/B two heads into one cab. Each head needs to see some kind of load at all times when powered up. If you alternate between heads and don't have a device for loading whichever head isn't active, you'll blow that amp.

That's a general warning, but if you're looking at A/Bing combos -- or at least not looking to compare two heads with one cab -- you should be just fine using a typical A/B switch. I use an Ebtech Hum Eliminator to solve ground loop hum that's created when I A/B between my AC30 and Super Reverb.

- Keith

i should look into that Ebtech thing....


The HS2 head switcher unit i use was made by a guy that does pro rigs... some of his stuff is onstage with Rush, Van Halen, and Peter Frampton among others.... But the HS2 still makes me nervous.... it holds one head safely on standby while you switch to the other one... You can't use Delay based FX's with it as the delays carry on the standby head after you switch and can damage the head and switcher...

The HS2 is powered by a Boss adapter and i duct tape the power cords to it... as all it would take is the cord to come out and i have 2 heads without a load... I also ducted tape the Heads and Boss adapter to a power bar so nothing could be accidently unplugged.. unless the whole rig was unpluged which is OK.....

But besides extreme caution when using the device it works extremely well.!!!! Switching between the 5150 and a C50 head i have never had so many people say what an amazing tone i can get...

But i too also want a noise free switcher for switching combos....