running two bass heads together

sethawesome · #1 09-03-2010, 09:44 AM

Hey I need help on this
I currently have a Hartke VX3500 combo and I love the way the head sounds with all the controls on it. The only problem is I want another cabinet along with my 4x10 maybe a single 18 or 2x15 but the combo head only has one speaker out and i was wondering if I got another head like the Hartke LH500 because of its simple eq and I could get one for a good deal. Could I set it up by going bass-petal-VX3500-LH500-both cabinets would this be bad? I am not trying to get 850 watts out of it more like just more power and another output but keep the sound that comes from my VX3500.

Ferret · #2 09-03-2010, 09:54 AM

I have done it myself using a splitter. No different than if you say had a Ricky and ran it stereo. I have Boss GT-6b and split it there running out the the left and right outputs into the amps. It is not true bi-amping but does allow you to eq the cabinets (more highs in one, more lows in the other).
Just a quick opinion, others may I am sure disagree

JimmyM · #3 09-03-2010, 12:47 PM

it can be done a number of ways...a y splitter, an aby pedal, a pedal with two outputs, a tuner out from the back of one amp, etc. lots of people do it.

babebambi · #4 09-03-2010, 01:14 PM

Tuner out --> instrument input

sethawesome · #5 09-03-2010, 01:53 PM

okay thank you I will now go a head and try

craig.p · #6 09-03-2010, 02:21 PM

You'll need to factor in each amp's polarity. A very common but commonly-ignored stumbling block. Discussed here. Get an authoritative answer, preferably from the amp/amps' engineering department(s), and assume nothing.

BassmanPaul · #7 09-03-2010, 02:26 PM

A caveat, if I may. Running two amps side by side sounds like a good idea but you may run into problems. Using two cabinets even, with one amp, requires that they be in phase. If they're not cancellations in the audio spectrum can occur. This is easily checked with a simple 9V battery. The other problem that can arise is that some amps will reverse phase input to output (inverting), others don't (no-inverting). If the cabinets are in phase the former example will work fine. The second will produce the same cancellations.

Once set up you should try reversing the speaker connections to one cabinet and see if that reinforces your sound or cuts it. Use the connection that sounds best.

Paul