Running stereo on stage

bluez

Joined: Jul 11, 2010
Posts: 135
Norway

Posted on Jul 06 2017 06:28 AM

What are your opinion on running a stereo setup on stage?

Using two amps, speakers, and a stereo reverb. Or using different reverbs or different settings on each amp?

Top

Reverbenator

Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 261
San Diego, Ca
26 Security Pins

Posted on Jul 06 2017 08:43 AM

I've run a stereo rig before, but not for Surf music.

I ran a Fender amp on one side of the stage, with the emphasis on the low and high frequencies, and a Marshall on the other, with the emphasis on the mids. I think something similar would work well for Surf, perhaps using a little less reverb on the amp emphasizing the mids, in order to help retain the clarity. I'd use a different type of reverb, as well.

YMMV

—

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

Top

TheFintastics

Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 474
Wichita Falls, Texas
United States

Posted on Jul 06 2017 07:43 PM

This is a great question. My surf band is now a three piece. Me being the only guitarist. I have been trying to think of ways to thicken the guitar sound live on stage. (Not so much at band practice). I have a great Marshall amp and 4 x 12 cabinet that I can use along with my Fender amp and Fender 4 x 12. Question is, will it add to the mix or make it worse? Since my Fender amp has stereo capability, I can add another cabinet for a L + R sound stage but is it better doubling the same sound rather than having a different tone added in? Curious to know if any "single guitar" bands have experimented with setups like that.

—

_

Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.

https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics

Top

montereyjack66

Joined: Jul 23, 2014
Posts: 646
LA -ish
United States

Posted on Jul 06 2017 08:04 PM

It DOES make a difference, but more subtle than night and day - for the audience anyway. It requires experimentation. Try to put together something flexible as room sounds may vary and you have to adapt, not the other way around. Also, keep in mind that when you double your amplifiers you risk doubling your volume (coolfor out door venues, not so much for a 50 seat bar). Then you have to ask yourself about your feelings re headroom, break up settings etc. My present guitar player goes stereo. Initially, he used Bandmasters and he wasn't always able to get the sound he wanted because they were too loud at times. He later switched to 2 Deluxe Reverbs - which got him where he wanted to go. On the other hand, at our rehearsal studio we had access to a Twin reverb which he would run along with a Deluxe. Sounded quite lovely, but too loud for a small bar. Go forth and experiment!

—

mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/
https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/

Top

Squid

Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1019
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
18 News Pins

Posted on Jul 06 2017 11:06 PM

I typically use a stereo setup for my lead guitar when playing live, especially outdoors or in large clubs. I use stereo delays and stereo reverbs and avoid overdrive. This gives my guitar a large clear spatial image. With my wireless connection, when I step in front of the stage I hear that my guitar sounds enormous. I use two amplifiers, each with its own speakers, usually a 500 watt bass amp and a 200 watt lunchbox amp. In very large venues I use two bass amps, and in small ones two lunchboxes.

—

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

Last edited: Jul 06, 2017 23:08:26

Top

stratdancer

Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
United States

Posted on Jul 07 2017 05:30 AM

For practice I use stereo all the time. Duel reverb tanks fed by my El Cap in stereo. It's fantastic. Another trick is to put a separate echo on one of the amp feeds. I just have not found a reason yet to set that up on stage because of venue size and the work that goes into hauling another amp to a gig. Someday!

—

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Top

Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Jul 07 2017 04:30 PM

-

Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:42:06

Top

Pablomago

Joined: Mar 23, 2017
Posts: 85
Fort Collins, CO/Moonstone Beach, CA
United States

Posted on Jul 20 2017 05:06 AM

I have a Rivera S-120-210 stereo tube chorus amp. I often run a TC G-Major 2 in the loop for all the time based stereo effects and modulation. I've also used a Roland Space Echo and a TC Alter Ego V2 in the loop.

The amp has two preamps each voiced differently (mono) feeding two 60 watt power sections running EL34's. I've used it with a 2 x 12" cab with JBL K-120's wired with separate inputs for each speaker.

The internal spring reverb is a short tank so it isn't as surfy as others. It's good enough for most things.

I'd like to use it with a second amp that is more overdriven using an A/B box to switch the amps, or a panning pedal to mix the two. LOts of good options there.

The S and M series Riveras are unfortunately no longer made. I've seen used ones selling from half the original list price to twice list. They were built like tanks and were sold as heads, 2 x 10 and 2 x 12 combos. The post-Lowell George Little Feat used them and their roadie once told me that he never had to use a backup amp. He'd change tubes before a tour and off they'd go.

Try one if you can find one.

—

All opinions expressed by this poster are well thought out and based on actual experience and/or scientific experimentation, except for those which are knee-jerk reactions or good sounding fantasies.

Top

Toneschaser

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
59 Calendar Pins

Posted on Jul 31 2017 09:32 AM

I do!

Top

bluez Joined: Jul 11, 2010 Posts: 135 Norway	Posted on Jul 06 2017 06:28 AM What are your opinion on running a stereo setup on stage? Using two amps, speakers, and a stereo reverb. Or using different reverbs or different settings on each amp? Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 261 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Jul 06 2017 08:43 AM I've run a stereo rig before, but not for Surf music. I ran a Fender amp on one side of the stage, with the emphasis on the low and high frequencies, and a Marshall on the other, with the emphasis on the mids. I think something similar would work well for Surf, perhaps using a little less reverb on the amp emphasizing the mids, in order to help retain the clarity. I'd use a different type of reverb, as well. YMMV — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Top
TheFintastics Joined: Jul 28, 2008 Posts: 474 Wichita Falls, Texas	Posted on Jul 06 2017 07:43 PM This is a great question. My surf band is now a three piece. Me being the only guitarist. I have been trying to think of ways to thicken the guitar sound live on stage. (Not so much at band practice). I have a great Marshall amp and 4 x 12 cabinet that I can use along with my Fender amp and Fender 4 x 12. Question is, will it add to the mix or make it worse? Since my Fender amp has stereo capability, I can add another cabinet for a L + R sound stage but is it better doubling the same sound rather than having a different tone added in? Curious to know if any "single guitar" bands have experimented with setups like that. — _ Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics. https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics Top
montereyjack66 Joined: Jul 23, 2014 Posts: 646 LA -ish	Posted on Jul 06 2017 08:04 PM It DOES make a difference, but more subtle than night and day - for the audience anyway. It requires experimentation. Try to put together something flexible as room sounds may vary and you have to adapt, not the other way around. Also, keep in mind that when you double your amplifiers you risk doubling your volume (coolfor out door venues, not so much for a 50 seat bar). Then you have to ask yourself about your feelings re headroom, break up settings etc. My present guitar player goes stereo. Initially, he used Bandmasters and he wasn't always able to get the sound he wanted because they were too loud at times. He later switched to 2 Deluxe Reverbs - which got him where he wanted to go. On the other hand, at our rehearsal studio we had access to a Twin reverb which he would run along with a Deluxe. Sounded quite lovely, but too loud for a small bar. Go forth and experiment! — mj bent playing for benter results Do not attempt to adjust your TV set. https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/ https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/ Top
Squid Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1019 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers	Posted on Jul 06 2017 11:06 PM I typically use a stereo setup for my lead guitar when playing live, especially outdoors or in large clubs. I use stereo delays and stereo reverbs and avoid overdrive. This gives my guitar a large clear spatial image. With my wireless connection, when I step in front of the stage I hear that my guitar sounds enormous. I use two amplifiers, each with its own speakers, usually a 500 watt bass amp and a 200 watt lunchbox amp. In very large venues I use two bass amps, and in small ones two lunchboxes. — Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Last edited: Jul 06, 2017 23:08:26 Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2537 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Jul 07 2017 05:30 AM For practice I use stereo all the time. Duel reverb tanks fed by my El Cap in stereo. It's fantastic. Another trick is to put a separate echo on one of the amp feeds. I just have not found a reason yet to set that up on stage because of venue size and the work that goes into hauling another amp to a gig. Someday! — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Jul 07 2017 04:30 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:42:06 Top
Pablomago Joined: Mar 23, 2017 Posts: 85 Fort Collins, CO/Moonstone Beach, CA	Posted on Jul 20 2017 05:06 AM I have a Rivera S-120-210 stereo tube chorus amp. I often run a TC G-Major 2 in the loop for all the time based stereo effects and modulation. I've also used a Roland Space Echo and a TC Alter Ego V2 in the loop. The amp has two preamps each voiced differently (mono) feeding two 60 watt power sections running EL34's. I've used it with a 2 x 12" cab with JBL K-120's wired with separate inputs for each speaker. The internal spring reverb is a short tank so it isn't as surfy as others. It's good enough for most things. I'd like to use it with a second amp that is more overdriven using an A/B box to switch the amps, or a panning pedal to mix the two. LOts of good options there. The S and M series Riveras are unfortunately no longer made. I've seen used ones selling from half the original list price to twice list. They were built like tanks and were sold as heads, 2 x 10 and 2 x 12 combos. The post-Lowell George Little Feat used them and their roadie once told me that he never had to use a backup amp. He'd change tubes before a tour and off they'd go. Try one if you can find one. — All opinions expressed by this poster are well thought out and based on actual experience and/or scientific experimentation, except for those which are knee-jerk reactions or good sounding fantasies. Top
Toneschaser Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 462 Ohio!	Posted on Jul 31 2017 09:32 AM I do! Top

SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Running stereo on stage