1 Topic by Jlowther (edited by Jlowther 2011-07-03 16:44:14)

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Topic: 2 amp setup

Hey guys and girls

Just want to make sure I've got this right because it seems a little too simple when you draw it on paper. Basically I want to have a 2 amp setup (dsl401 and vox ad30vt) and I was wondering if my signal path is correct so I know how many cables I need

Guitar > A/B box > Wah/Blackstar overdrive/Ts808 > DSL401
                       > Chorus/Delay/Reverb (all in effects loop) > Vox AD30VT

+ 1 cable going directly from A/B box to the Vox

Anyone see any problems here?

Thanks!

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: 2 amp setup

If you plan to run both amps at once you will need A/B/Y box. Make sure that your outputs are isolated.

3 Reply by helrazr84 (edited by helrazr84 2011-07-03 17:25:52)

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: 2 amp setup

You probably want to go Guitar into Wah then into AB box.

Other than that the signal path should be fine.

Are all your effects going to be external?  In other words, will they be stomp boxes fastened to a pedalboard?  Obviously the drive pedals will be, but will your chorus, delay and verb be in pedal form too?  If so, make sure you leave them spaced away from the other pedals on your board so you can plug and unplug the 2 long cables that will go to the SEND and RETURN of the effects loop.  I'd suggest 20ft cables with one end straight and the other angled to go into the pedals.  You can leave them "plugged in", wrap up the excess cable and lay it on top of the pedalboard but then your knobs get messed up.

4 Reply by Jlowther (edited by Jlowther 2011-07-03 18:35:00)

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: 2 amp setup

helrazr84 wrote:

You probably want to go Guitar into Wah then into AB box.

Other than that the signal path should be fine.

Are all your effects going to be external?  In other words, will they be stomp boxes fastened to a pedalboard?  Obviously the drive pedals will be, but will your chorus, delay and verb be in pedal form too?  If so, make sure you leave them spaced away from the other pedals on your board so you can plug and unplug the 2 long cables that will go to the SEND and RETURN of the effects loop.  I'd suggest 20ft cables with one end straight and the other angled to go into the pedals.  You can leave them "plugged in", wrap up the excess cable and lay it on top of the pedalboard but then your knobs get messed up.

Hi Wharris...yes it is an A/B/Y box so I can select both outputs at the same time:) but what do you mean isolate the outputs?

helrazr84...any particular reason why the wah should go first? And yes my pedals will be attached to a very primitive pedalboard (piece of MDF and double sided tape (; ) I don't quite understand why the reverb, chorus and delay pedals must be away from the overdrive pedals though..

Thanks for both your help:)

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: 2 amp setup

Jlowther wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:

You probably want to go Guitar into Wah then into AB box.

Other than that the signal path should be fine.

Are all your effects going to be external?  In other words, will they be stomp boxes fastened to a pedalboard?  Obviously the drive pedals will be, but will your chorus, delay and verb be in pedal form too?  If so, make sure you leave them spaced away from the other pedals on your board so you can plug and unplug the 2 long cables that will go to the SEND and RETURN of the effects loop.  I'd suggest 20ft cables with one end straight and the other angled to go into the pedals.  You can leave them "plugged in", wrap up the excess cable and lay it on top of the pedalboard but then your knobs get messed up.

Hi Wharris...yes it is an A/B/Y box so I can select both outputs at the same time:) but what do you mean isolate the outputs?

helrazr84...any particular reason why the wah should go first? And yes my pedals will be attached to a very primitive pedalboard (piece of MDF and double sided tape (; ) I don't quite understand why the reverb, chorus and delay pedals must be away from the overdrive pedals though..

Thanks for both your help:)

I'm sorry, I meant it is a good idea to keep them tethered together with patch cables, a couple inches away from the rest of your pedals so you have enough room to plug in your long cables to run them to the effects loop. If they are too close you will have difficulty getting the cables in and out.  As far as the Wah being first, you want to have the wah on your overall tone, not just the Marshall's tone.  Some AB boxes have isolated outputs to eradicate ground loops.  Mine doesn't and I never had any problems but it's definitely plus.  If you already have one then don't worry about it.  You can also use a 3 prong into 2 prong adapter for one of the amps power cables if you find buzzing or humming with the both running simultaneously.  And finally, since you are now running a larger rig it's a good idea to invest in a power conditioner with isolated outlets to keep everything quiet.  You can plug everything into it.  I finally did about a year ago and it was one of the best things I ever bought along with the pedal power 2.

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: 2 amp setup

helrazr84 wrote:
Jlowther wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:

You probably want to go Guitar into Wah then into AB box.

Other than that the signal path should be fine.

Are all your effects going to be external?  In other words, will they be stomp boxes fastened to a pedalboard?  Obviously the drive pedals will be, but will your chorus, delay and verb be in pedal form too?  If so, make sure you leave them spaced away from the other pedals on your board so you can plug and unplug the 2 long cables that will go to the SEND and RETURN of the effects loop.  I'd suggest 20ft cables with one end straight and the other angled to go into the pedals.  You can leave them "plugged in", wrap up the excess cable and lay it on top of the pedalboard but then your knobs get messed up.

Hi Wharris...yes it is an A/B/Y box so I can select both outputs at the same time:) but what do you mean isolate the outputs?

helrazr84...any particular reason why the wah should go first? And yes my pedals will be attached to a very primitive pedalboard (piece of MDF and double sided tape (; ) I don't quite understand why the reverb, chorus and delay pedals must be away from the overdrive pedals though..

Thanks for both your help:)

I'm sorry, I meant it is a good idea to keep them tethered together with patch cables, a couple inches away from the rest of your pedals so you have enough room to plug in your long cables to run them to the effects loop. If they are too close you will have difficulty getting the cables in and out.  As far as the Wah being first, you want to have the wah on your overall tone, not just the Marshall's tone.  Some AB boxes have isolated outputs to eradicate ground loops.  Mine doesn't and I never had any problems but it's definitely plus.  If you already have one then don't worry about it.  You can also use a 3 prong into 2 prong adapter for one of the amps power cables if you find buzzing or humming with the both running simultaneously.  And finally, since you are now running a larger rig it's a good idea to invest in a power conditioner with isolated outlets to keep everything quiet.  You can plug everything into it.  I finally did about a year ago and it was one of the best things I ever bought along with the pedal power 2.

OK I understand much better now! I'll definitely have a look at a power conditioner for my rig, I've heard they come in useful and do the job

Thanks for your help:)

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: 2 amp setup

Yeah a power conditioner is the ticket.  I run 2: 100w amp heads, a pedalboard out front and a few pedals on a rack shelf (each with a separate power source), and a wireless system ALL into mine and it's dead quiet.

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: 2 amp setup

The way I run mine is

Guitar > tuner > fuzz face > wah > ts9 > pork loin > mxr flanger > phase 45 > ABY box > Ceriatone Jubilee and Fender Bandmaster with a DD3 in the fx loop of the Ceriatone

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: 2 amp setup

helrazr84 thanks I will seriously consider buying into one:)

JBFan1 Interesting that you run most of your effects before the ABY box..any reason for this?

Thanks

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2011-06-23
  • Posts: 72

Re: 2 amp setup

you want to run all your distortions and wah before your a/b/y/ box so that they will effect both your amps simultaneously.  If you want to effect only one amp then run them after.

Mine Goes:
Guitar> Tuner>Whammy> Wah> Tremelo> Phaser>Sparkle Drive Full Drive> Rat > OCD > Noise Suppressor > A/B/Y > Marshall JCM 800/ Vox AC30

Marshall FX Loop:
DD3> Axle Grease> Chorus> Rotary> Reverb

Here are a few demo's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyy6w77o2Ds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwpC_77L … re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EBPkVTB … re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfQIayNm … re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy5b2Gky … re=related

Amps: Marshall JCM 800, Marshall 1987 X Plexi, Vox AC-30, Ceriaton ODS HRM, Fender Bassman
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul's(Standard, Classic, and Studio)Es 125 T, Fender Strats, Telies, Wasburn Idol Pro
FX's: BOSS TU-2, Ibanez TS-808, TS-9, Dunlap 535Q Cry Baby, Fulltone OCD, Full drive 2, Supa Trem, Rat, Whirlwind Phaser, MXR Micro Chorus, Digatech Whammy, Line 6 DL4, Holly grail 2,Wampler Ego,Pinical
  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: 2 amp setup

Schrom pretty much nailed it on the head.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee