A/B Switch + Head + Combo

[Mllerrin]

Say I have a head, and a combo. I run the head using the combo as a speaker cab. If I use an ABY Switch, can I still switch between both amps?

Also as a side question, say the combo has an effects loop, while the head doesn't. If I have the ABY switch set for both amps combined, will the effects loop work?

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Robert S.]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

I wouldn't do it. When you switch the amp off from the speaker there will no longer be a load applied to the power amp. A power amp with no load is a bad situation that can cause serious damage to your amp.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

Radial Tonebone Headbone:
http://www.tonebone.com/tb-headbone-vt.htm

(This one is for two tube amps, you can get one for two SS or one of each) The loop would work for the one amp, but not the other obviously. Of course if you got a 2X12" for the Head you could just use a standard ABY pedal very safely.

 

[Bludave]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

Be careful............. Roberts right, once you switch the speakers off of one power amp you are ultimately going to fry the power supply. Get yourself a speaker cab for the head and then A/B/Y should work fine!

 

[Mllerrin]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

So even with the Headbone VT it would be a bad idea?

Cool, thanks a lot for the help guys!

I'm trying to get my dream setup together and no one amp has exactly what I want. Well, an Orange Rocker 30 is, but no effects loop. So I figured switching it between an Ac30 Combo with an Effects loop would be sweet. But I guess I'll have to buy a seperate cab for the head too if I do it.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

Unless it provides a load to the amp that is not running through speakers then you may blow something. Not a good idea.

 

[devastone]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

The Headbone will work fine, that's what it's designed for. Since it puts each amp is in its own loop, it removes the input to the amp when it switches the speaker cabinet. A tube amp is fine without a load as long as it has no input, once you start feeding it a signal to amplify without a load that you can blow it up.

But, if I understand one of your questions corretly, you can't use both amps at the same time into the same cabinet. Doing that would basically tie the outputs of the amps together, which will smoke at least one of them rather quickly.

 

[Mllerrin]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

So switching between them would be fine, but combining them wouldn't?

Or are you saying I can't use the combo's speakers with the head, and then switch it to just the combo?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

The Tonebone provides a load to the non active amp, so it's fine. Since you can't connect two amp's outputs together, even in parallel, all the tonebone will allow you to do is select amp A with speaker A (combo) and amp B with speaker A (head with combo speaker). You cannot use them together. If you want to do that you need a second cab and a standard ABY.

 

[Mllerrin]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

Sweeeet, thank you very much!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

WAIT!!! I just reread my post, I'll edit it next. You CAN NOT connect amp outputs in parallel! Sorry for my mistype.

Of course, call Radial just to confirm the product will work with your specific amps.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: A/B Switch + Head + Combo

Radial Tonebone Headbone:
http://www.tonebone.com/tb-headbone-vt.htm

(This one is for two tube amps, you can get one for two SS or one of each) The loop would work for the one amp, but not the other obviously. Of course if you got a 2X12" for the Head you could just use a standard ABY pedal very safely.

this for sure is my kind of thing!!!! i'll have to invest in one of those.... I have been useing an HS2 made by www.axess-electronics.com for ages....