• jayb
  • jayb
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  • From: Bundaberg Queensland
  • Registered: 2012-09-11
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Topic: A/B/Y box

I'm after an AB box that will not destroy the tone or the bank account. I note Joe uses the Whirlwind selector but I keep reading comments that it sucks the life out of the tone and you should steer clear of it. The only purpose for the box is to run 2 amps into my speaker cab and they will laways both be on...or at least that's the plan atm.

Firstly, does Joe have a mod for the pedal or are the other comments bs? Secondly do I need an AB box if both amps will be on? Can I run them together another way? I've traditionally used a Boss pedal (super chorus in the old days) to split the signal, but now that I'm older and wiser I'm using the fx loop for some pedals.

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: A/B/Y box

Like this?
http://www.tonebone.com/tb-headbone-vt.htm

Or both into a 4x12 which is split stereo and they are on all the time? Because I don't see a need for a pedal with that...
I'm not sure I understand what setup you have/want...

3 Reply by jayb (edited by jayb 2012-09-13 17:34:21)

  • jayb
  • jayb
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Re: A/B/Y box

Hey Dave,

Yeah both into the stereo cab, on all the time. My problem is getting my head around linking them together without a pedal, I know it can be done simply but I lack the knowledge. I'm guessing a splitter cable is needed?

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: A/B/Y box

I think you'd be best off getting one of these. Good price. Solid. Into both amps...either/or both.
Then link up each head as normal to each stereo input of the cab...making sure the ohms are good.

http://www.tonebone.com/bones-twincity.htm

You can eliminate many problems associated with two amps, such as grounding and phase issues. The Radial build is second to none. I wouldn't use a Y cable.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: A/B/Y box

If it was still 1968 I would suggest a Y cable, and maybe if your going into 2 of the exact same amps but Dave is spot on with this one.  The ability to reverse the phase of one amp is worth the price alone.  You want the amps working together and this is so much easier to flip a switch then it is to rewire a speaker cabinet to get the speakers moving in the same direction.

DaveWammbarro wrote:

I think you'd be best off getting one of these. Good price. Solid. Into both amps...either/or both.
Then link up each head as normal to each stereo input of the cab...making sure the ohms are good.

http://www.tonebone.com/bones-twincity.htm

You can eliminate many problems associated with two amps, such as grounding and phase issues. The Radial build is second to none. I wouldn't use a Y cable.

AD3THREE's Website

6 Reply by jayb (edited by jayb 2012-09-13 19:31:35)

  • jayb
  • jayb
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Re: A/B/Y box

Great stuff guys. Thanks for the info, that looks the business.

Another question if I may. I've searched around for the best deal on this unit. My local store has them for $260 but Amazon have them for $156 including shipping to Australia. Am I missing something here or is my local asking too much? I note the RRP at Radial is $200 US so I'm guessing Amazon just have the buying power?

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: A/B/Y box

I have to think about an ABY unit too.... was thiunk a Lehle..... but very very expensive!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: A/B/Y box

stefanhauk wrote:

I have to think about an ABY unit too.... was thiunk a Lehle..... but very very expensive!!

yes they are expensive but Palmer make great switchers also but expensive. Keep in mind you are paying for channel to channel isolation, low noise and the benefit of a phase reversal switch. I have the Lehle and the Palmer, they are worth every penny.
Most times you get what you pay for. my two cents

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: A/B/Y box

cindyron wrote:
stefanhauk wrote:

I have to think about an ABY unit too.... was thiunk a Lehle..... but very very expensive!!

yes they are expensive but Palmer make great switchers also but expensive. Keep in mind you are paying for channel to channel isolation, low noise and the benefit of a phase reversal switch. I have the Lehle and the Palmer, they are worth every penny.
Most times you get what you pay for. my two cents

Unfortunately being 16 I can't afford to pay for much!! HAHA!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: A/B/Y box

The big two...also that I've owned...are Radial and Lehle. Both bomb proof...but Radial are better value for money imo. Radial also have more options on their switchers...such as ground lifts and mid-boosts.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: A/B/Y box

DaveWammbarro wrote:

The big two...also that I've owned...are Radial and Lehle. Both bomb proof...but Radial are better value for money imo. Radial also have more options on their switchers...such as ground lifts and mid-boosts.

Lehle has ground lift also

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: A/B/Y box

jayb wrote:

I note Joe uses the Whirlwind selector but I keep reading comments that it sucks the life out of the tone and you should steer clear of it.

The reason most say to steer clear of these and "tone sucking" is that it makes your sound more dull and you lose high end from your sound. Joe doesn't use a lot of high end in his playing... people's ears are never bleeding after this shows, yet it's still plenty loud.... he calls it his "wall of dull." It's funny how people don't notice that the treble isn't up all the way and the tone knobs aren't stuck on 10 on his guitars.

I've been trying to use less ear piercing high end in my sound. It's weird when I play alone, but not noticed as much in a band setting. If I need to cut through the mix, I'll simply turn up the mids instead of the master cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • jayb
  • jayb
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Re: A/B/Y box

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

it makes your sound more dull and you lose high end from your sound.

Ah, now that makes a big difference. I'm also a fan of rolling the tops off and getting that early Clapton tone. The Whirlwind may be just what I'm after then. smile

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: A/B/Y box

For the price its a good start anyway!

AD3THREE's Website

  • DougH
  • DougH
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  • Registered: 2011-04-01
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Re: A/B/Y box

Also I might add I didn't know there was 2 different types of Lehle @3's
you have to watch out (little did I know) and they both sort of look like each other to make things worse
There is 1@3 that just switchs A/B/C with effects loop
then there is a 1@3 that can really switch between A/B/C

I am now looking for a http://www.voodoolab.com/ampselector.htm
This puppy can combine up to 4 amps for about $229usd

---------------

(If only I had 1% of Joe's guitar talent)
  • jayb
  • jayb
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Re: A/B/Y box

Me again with more questions. I found this comment on a forum discussing choices.

"What I would do? Buy a passive radial bigshot ($79.99), and a Boss TU-3 ($99.99). That will get you a nice buffer, a tuner mute, a nice ABY switch, no tone loss, and a flexible setup that runs on a single 9V battery."

Can anyone explain how I would achieve this and is it correct? I have the TU-3 so adding the bigshot would be a cheaper option. Is it simply a matter of having the TU-3 next the Bigshot in the chain or do you run it out of the Tuner slot on the bigshot?

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: A/B/Y box

I think what they meant was the TU-3 has 2 out so you can either let the signal pass through or you can mute the signal when your tuning.  Thats the mute.  The Bigshot is a good ABY I think it has a ground lift, so these have a tiny transformer to boost the signal to help reduce 60 cycle hum, and in return it buffers the signal... at least I think thats what it means.  Just like direct boxes they produce a little power to reduce signal loss or boost signals and they have ground lifts.  You could get a cheap A/B/Y and run a DI box in the signal if you think your loosing signal with the A/B/Y.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: A/B/Y box

I have the Radial Tone Bone,  Works fine, and I would NOT run two heads/amps with out one. To many issues if you take the cheap way out.