dp:
dude
350 days ago
Bango_Rilla:
Shout Bananas!!
305 days ago
BillyBlastOff:
See you kiddies at the Convention!
289 days ago
GDW:
showman
240 days ago
Emilien03:
https://losg...
162 days ago
Pyronauts:
Happy Tanks-Kicking!!!
155 days ago
glennmagi:
CLAM SHACK guitar
141 days ago
Hothorseraddish:
surf music is amazing
121 days ago
dp:
get reverberated!
71 days ago
Clint:
“A Day at the Beach” podcast #237 is TWO HOURS of NEW surf music releases. https://link...
5 days ago
No polls at this time. Check out our past polls.
No contests at this time. Check out our past contests.
May Birthdays
Splitting to both amp channels, one dry , one wet
Joined: Nov 21, 2012 Posts: 151 Montreal 
|
Posted on Jul 12 2017 02:17 PM
Hey all - I've read that some guitarist (like Dick Dale, for example) use 2 amps live: one with lots of reverb and hooked up to a reverb tank, the other amp set up with completely dry signal. Instead of using two amps, has any tried using a 2 channel amp (Twin, for example) and a splitter so the guitar outputs to both channels instead? Does it give the same effect? —The Men in Gray Suits (Montreal, Canada) |
Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222 
|
Posted on Jul 12 2017 03:59 PM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:41:34 |
Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19337 Des Moines, Iowa, USA 
|
Posted on Jul 12 2017 08:42 PM
I think Dick's setup is wireless unit -> reverb unit -> splitter box -> 2 Showman heads. —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2778 Atlanta, GA
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 12:01 AM
If you tried splitting channels using a vintage Fender amp with onboard reverb you would have to build a special Y-cable adaptor (or such) with one leg set up to reverse signal polarity as the reverb channel on the tube amps (and maybe others as well) has an inverted signal from the normal channel due to the additional reverb stage per Gerald Weber at Kendrick Amplifiers. I've tried patching two channels before and it sounded lousy. As I remember there were places on the volume control settings where the phase cancellation between the two channels was really noticeable. Remember that if you feed two amps from one guitar, there will be a loss in signal presented to the two amps. To really do it right you'd need a splitter with additional gain. I know Dave Wronski has multiple amps dialed into perfection, maybe he'll chime in with some ideas. I prefer the "K.I.S.S." principle myself, I have enough trouble with one guitar and one amp. Reverbs, ed —Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? |
Joined: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 1424 Wellington, NZ 
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 02:42 AM
You need a proper (powered) ABY splitter as well. It either needs good signal buffering, or tweakable gain in each separate signal line. —He who dies with the most tubes... wins |
Joined: May 04, 2014 Posts: 734 
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 04:17 AM
Did you mean something like this? Because this works fine.
|
|
Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 05:21 AM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:41:20 |
|
Joined: Jul 11, 2017 Posts: 4 
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 08:39 AM
I've done it several times with Marshall and Vox amps. It works fine because you can send the wet signal to the bright or the normal channel and adjust the volume of the effect with the channel volume. |
Joined: Jul 17, 2016 Posts: 103 Sacramento
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 09:04 AM
Been dabbling with this idea myself, so thank you everyone for posting your input! Based on the feedback, looks to be pretty straightforward. —The Me Gustas |
|
Joined: Nov 21, 2012 Posts: 151 Montreal
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 09:57 AM
Thanks all so much for your input! Seems like I have to pick up an active splitter with volume controls for both lines. SWEET! —The Men in Gray Suits (Montreal, Canada) |
|
Joined: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 1424 Wellington, NZ
|
Posted on Jul 13 2017 09:22 PM
Yes an active splitter is best. Passive splitters tend to be 'lossier' in terms of signal bandwidth and strength. Note when I say 'powered' I mean a splitter where each output is buffered (either through a transistor collector/emitter follower, FET source follower, or virtual earth mixer with unity gain), or has a gain stage that allows for tweakable output volume so you can blend signals into both amps for extra intense effect. —He who dies with the most tubes... wins Last edited: Jul 13, 2017 21:29:24 |
Joined: Oct 08, 2014 Posts: 1073 Northern Ohio
|
Posted on Jul 14 2017 06:48 PM
Da Vinci Flinglestein, The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube |
Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 521
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 02:49 AM
I usually run two Super Reverbs for outside jobs, and have tried different ways to split the signal. A passive "Y" box definitely seemed to cut the signal strength and change the tone for the worse. Something with stereo outputs like the "Magicstomp" will do the job. I have found that for keeping your tone intact this is what has worked best for me: https://reverb.com/p/radial-tonebone-switchbone?gclid=CO6UguLlitUCFZmFswodW8ML4g&hfid=5667 Last edited: Jul 15, 2017 02:51:01 |
Joined: Jan 09, 2014 Posts: 620 Vancouver BC
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 03:39 AM
At least for a Canadian, Radial units will be somewhat affordable. I recommend checking out this smaller active unit. Works very nicely. https://www.long-mcquade.com/7541/Guitars/Guitar_Effects/Radial/Bones_Twin-City_ABY_Amp_Switcher.htm I see that there are currently no units available in your area. Go to Long & McQuade and ask them to transfer one to your local store. At least you have 30days satisfaction guaranteed. If you don't like it, 100% return. Lorne |
|
Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 521
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 08:26 AM
I bet the smaller Radial unit above has the same basic circuit as the one I suggested, and sounds just as good. When I bought mine I don't think the smaller one was available - the larger one does have a boost feature that I occasionally use. And I like the polarity switch; sometimes it can make the amps sound a little like the in-between position on a Strat. I have found all Radial products to be top quality and completely reliable. Last edited: Jul 15, 2017 08:29:08 |
|
Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2778 Atlanta, GA
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 10:09 AM
Casey your outdoor set-up reminds me of trying to run four Super Reverbs at the same time in the late 60's. I owned two and another guy in the band (who preferred to play sax) had two and well....... I think I tried that twice. It was around the same time I trying to play a Telecaster. One crushing defeat after another. We were able to cascade the preamps successfully on the Thomas Organ built Vox Super Beatle type heads. —Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? |
|
Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 521
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 10:22 AM
What didn't work out with the 4 Supers, Eddie? Last edited: Jul 15, 2017 10:23:23 |
|
Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 521
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 10:24 AM
Running a pair of Super Reverbs. Not really that loud, the sax is not even going through the PA. Last edited: Jul 15, 2017 10:25:21 |
Joined: Jul 13, 2012 Posts: 490 San Diego CA
|
Posted on Jul 15 2017 12:18 PM
I use one amp live for simplicity . But I have several amps in my rehearsal studio and almost always use some combination of them via a custom powered splitter . BUT I have the tank run to both amps .Ive tried using onboard reverb on one amp and the tank on the other which is not bad bit I prefer the tank on both amps . |
|
Joined: Jan 09, 2014 Posts: 620 Vancouver BC
|
Posted on Jul 16 2017 12:49 AM
jimbones wrote:
Re: vol controls...doesn't your Twin already have independent vol controls? —Lorne |
Please visit our friends in the surf music community:
Contact Us • About Us • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Colophon
SurfGuitar101.com © 2004 - 2025 by Brian Neal. All comments and user contributed articles are property of the posters.
Thanks to all the surf bands, past and present. And thanks to all the fans who care about and keep surf music alive.
