2 Bass amp heads - how to get the best of both?

J3G2 · #1 11-25-2011, 10:19 AM

Hi there everyone. I've got a question about a possible rig setup. I have a Laney RB9 bass head which is completely solid state running 300watts @ 4ohms. It's sweet and works well with my two 8ohm cabs which are 150watts at 8ohms each.
I recently got a Laney B1 head, which can apparently push 1500watts via 2 solid state power amps, but the power is. It what I'm interested in at the moment. It has a tube preamp which I was hoping to use for my RB9.
My question is, how would I be able to use the B1's tube preamp with my RB9's power amp without causing any problems to my cabs? I'm pretty sure it's possible through using the fx ins and outs but I've never used them, as I dont use pedals.

Thanks to everyone who read this and I would really appreciate any advice you guys have.
Much peace!

christw · #2 11-25-2011, 10:27 AM

One of the B1's Preamp Out, Slave out, or effects send into the RB9's power amp in, slave input, or effects return respectively.

I'm too lazy to check the manuals for the best option right now, but if you'd really like, I probably can. (The miracle of the internets!)

J3G2 · #3 11-25-2011, 10:59 AM

Seems to make sense but could you have a look at these pictures of the back of each amp and direct me?

B1

RB9

What cables would I need also? Speaker or instrument?

Thanks again!

RickenBoogie · #4 11-25-2011, 11:04 AM

Instrument cables. Preamp OUT from one to Poweramp IN on the other. Preamp OUT = Effects SEND, Poweramp IN = Effects RETURN.

J3G2 · #5 11-25-2011, 11:10 AM

Absolute legends, the lot of you!!!
Now I just need another power lead to run them both at the same time.

Thanks for the input guys

J3G2 · #6 11-25-2011, 12:03 PM

Another question! Which amp should the bass go into?
Sorry for these simple questions but I just want to be sure to not mess anything up.
Thankyou

CnB77 · #7 11-25-2011, 12:17 PM

Bass goes into the one that has the preamp you're using, in this case the B1

J3G2 · #8 11-25-2011, 12:21 PM

And so it works!
The only thing is that I can't seem to control the volume via the RB9(power amp). I'm having to use the master volume knob on the B1 to change volume which is making me think that I'm using it's power amp. Am I being paranoid or is that not sounding right to you guys either?

LiamPodmore · #9 11-25-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3G2

And so it works!
The only thing is that I can't seem to control the volume via the RB9(power amp). I'm having to use the master volume knob on the B1 to change volume which is making me think that I'm using it's power amp. Am I being paranoid or is that not sounding right to you guys either?

This is right, the volume control on the preamp is the master volume, thats how its always been for me anyway.

Liam

J3G2 · #10 11-25-2011, 12:31 PM

Thanks for the Liam. Feel much more comfortable now.
It's been a good day, so thanks to everyone who posted in here!

walterw · #11 11-25-2011, 02:18 PM

why not just use the bigger head by itself, and retire the other one? what are you gaining by running its pre into the smaller power amp of the other head?

J3G2 · #12 11-25-2011, 04:24 PM

Old head puts out 300watts.
New was puts out 1500watts.

Cabs together can deal with 300watts. I felt that this would be the safest bet.

walterw · #13 11-25-2011, 05:50 PM

if you just run both cabs jumped together off one side of that B1, each cab will get about 225 watts.

keep your volume under control and that'll work fine (it'll sound a good bit better, actually).

J3G2 · #14 11-25-2011, 06:05 PM

I'll give that a shot tomorrow unless I want my street shouting at me when it's gone 1am here haha!
Thanks for the tip.

J3G2 · #15 11-25-2011, 06:16 PM

I'll give that a shot tomorrow at some point. Not wise to try this out properly at 1:15 in the morning unless I want some very angry neighbours haha!

Thanks for the tip