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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Splitting to both amp channels, one dry , one wet

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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)
Facebook: The Men in Gray Suits
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:41:34

I think Dick's setup is wireless unit -> reverb unit -> splitter box -> 2 Showman heads.

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

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?

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

Surf Daddies

Did you mean something like this? Because this works fine.

image

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:41:20

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.
If you don't want to loose some db from your signal you'll need an active splitter or just put a buffer right before a passive splitter. You can do this even with the Zvex Super Hard On with its two outputs.
If you use a Fender amp you'll need a splitter that inverts the phase, like the Lehle P-Split or the Barber Launch Pad.

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
https://themegustas.com

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)
Facebook: The Men in Gray Suits
Instagram: The Men in Gray Suits

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

Surf Daddies

Last edited: Jul 13, 2017 21:29:24

Puke

Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest

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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

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
http://www.tonebone.com/twincity.php

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.
Active and having a polarity switch is worth the cost over a cheaper unit.

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

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

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?

What didn't work out with the 4 Supers, Eddie?

Last edited: Jul 15, 2017 10:23:23

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

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 .
I use on board trem quite a bit and usually only run it on one amp at a time which is very effective ; Ive tried different speed trem on each amp which is also cool if you get the speeds right .
But never clean on one amp and reverb on the other...doesnt sound right to me.

jimbones wrote:

Thanks all so much for your input! Seems like I have to pick up an active splitter with volume controls for both lines. SWEET!

Re: vol controls...doesn't your Twin already have independent vol controls?

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

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