Running 2 Combos off the Preamp of One

[Arranger]

I have a gig coming up on the 28th and want to wire two amps to operate simultaneously. The amps are identical. It's this Hartke Kickback 12 combo-
Hartke - Kickback 12

The amp has no pre-out or post(power amp)-in. The headphone out cancels the speaker output. The speaker actually has a 1/4" jack on its receiving end that plugs into the main out on the back of the top-mounted head. So the amp actually has a full out, but no way to tap off into a second amp.

I just want the same signal from my bass going into both amps without a loss of signal. My P bass has low output. So, I'm thinking that if I could tap off a pre-out (pre or post EQ) from one head and plug it into the power section of the second head, I'd have control of both amps from just one of them. I could bring wires out through a corner into a temporary jack for the moment and worry about making it pretty later.

Is this simple? It seems like it should be. Since the pre is off of a normal 120v/60Hz powered head I'm figuring that I wouldn't have an signal loss by splitting the pre out to two power amps. Sound right? If I tried a direct box or a Y-connect off my bass I think I'd risk losing impedence and also wouldn't have singular volume/tone control for both amps from just one. I'd have to control each amp seperately.

Any advice would help. I hope I don't need too much help and I'm glad to have someone with real experience behind me.

Thanks!

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by Arranger

a Y-connect off my bass

Not a Y.

"AB Y.", thats the way to go.


You're welcome

[RickenBoogie]

It would be much easier in this case to just buy either a stereo fx pedal, or an AB/Y switch, and run both amps stereo.

[Arranger]

Would I be dependent upon the battery in the AB/Y switch to keep my signal strength strong or would it be just as easy to use a Y connector and skip the switch altogether?

Thanks again.

[Arranger]

It almost looks like the Morley AB/Y only needs a battery to run the LED lights. If that means it only splits my instrument signal then it's pretty much a passive parallel circuit.

Still, these methods don't give me dual control of both amps by using the Pre of one amp into two others.

[Bassdirty]

Okay 1st, I reread your post, and I don't know of any way you can control both using the preamp of just one.

Now , onto the AB/Y bidness

I've heard you get a "signal drop" using just a Y.
Maybe someone whos used both can clear it up.I don't wanna be accused of spreading myths.

Ive used a splitter box with good results.
I've never just split with a Y.

[Arranger]

Thanks again, Bassdirty. Glad to have the advice. This might be the quick fix for my upcoming gig. It just seems like a little hard wiring would simplify it all.

Enjoy the day!

[1n3]

The simple way to do this is with a Y. Disadvantages:

1. The signal current from your bass is divided into two inputs (input impedance is halved). You might notice a change in level and/or tone, especially if your P bass pickup is weak, as you say.
2. You have to set volume and tone for each amp.

An AB box with a preamp/buffer will solve problem 1, but not problem 2.

I thought you might be able to use the DI out, but found that it is both pre-EQ and pre-Volume, so you still have problem 2.

Originally Posted by Arranger

So, I'm thinking that if I could tap off a pre-out (pre or post EQ) from one head and plug it into the power section of the second head, I'd have control of both amps from just one of them. I could bring wires out through a corner into a temporary jack for the moment and worry about making it pretty later.

If you've got the time and skills, this would be the ideal solution. But that's a lot of work for one gig. If you wanted to make it permanent, I see a problem: where would you put the jacks? I don't see any obvious space on either front or back panel, though you'd have to open it up to know for sure.