I'm two amp crazy!

capncal · #1 08-01-2011, 08:12 AM

Ok so i got this radical idea for our upcoming show this weekend. I'm thinking about picking up an AB switch and running two amps. my trusty Fender Bassman 25 as well as a fairly mundane but loud and deep Kustom 200 watt 15.

I'll run my American Standard P into the AB box, then into the Bassman and Kustom. Then run DI out of the Kustom into the board. My Bassman doesn't have DI or I'd do that.

Is this overkill? Or just good fun?

madmatt · #2 08-01-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capncal

Ok so i got this radical idea for our upcoming show this weekend. I'm thinking about picking up an AB switch and running two amps. my trusty Fender Bassman 25 as well as a fairly mundane but loud and deep Kustom 200 watt 15.

I'll run my American Standard P into the AB box, then into the Bassman and Kustom. Then run DI out of the Kustom into the board. My Bassman doesn't have DI or I'd do that.

Is this overkill? Or just good fun?

I can do the same thing with my Digitech GNX3000. It has two outputs, I run one to my GK 700RB/2x15 stack and the other into my Hartke HA2500/2x10. I set them so the volume is equal between them, then if I want distortion I use my VT Bass in line with the Hartke's input and run the GK clean. It sounds awesome.
Little bit of over-kill, but it is nice to know I can do it.

capncal · #3 08-01-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

I can do the same thing with my Digitech GNX3000. It has two outputs, I run one to my GK 700RB/2x15 stack and the other into my Hartke HA2500/2x10. I set them so the volume is equal between them, then if I want distortion I use my VT Bass in line with the Hartke's input and run the GK clean. It sounds awesome.
Little bit of over-kill, but it is nice to know I can do it.

yeah man! i just love the sound of the bassman it's just not very loud. and i loves me some fuzz on there too but hate losing that meaty pure bass sound of my Fender P.

i think this will be fantastic.

MNAirHead · #4 08-01-2011, 04:49 PM

An ABY bass..

your DI is the first signal before the ABY box.

sounds like you need a bigger amp -- multiple amps have multiple issues (that I won't bore you with).

MNAirHead · #5 08-01-2011, 04:50 PM

There are some modelling boards like a X3 that will split and model for 2 amps too.... some di boxes do this...

without a budget, we can't help you wiht more than "I like my"

capncal · #6 08-02-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

There are some modelling boards like a X3 that will split and model for 2 amps too.... some di boxes do this...

without a budget, we can't help you wiht more than "I like my"

i'm totally balling on a budget. and i'm not going to take 2 amps to a gig. that would just be for screwing around at home. all i take to gigs these days is my fender bassman 25 and a DI box. that is it.

capncal · #7 08-02-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

An ABY bass..

your DI is the first signal before the ABY box.

sounds like you need a bigger amp -- multiple amps have multiple issues (that I won't bore you with).

yeah, a bigger amp would be nice. i've a 300w ashdown that is at the moment kaput. but i have no cab for it anyway. all i'm doing is taking the bassman 25 and using it as my onstage monitor and going DI.

Precisionb87 · #8 08-02-2011, 01:42 PM

yea, DI the bass before the AB box. That way when you switch to your bassman, the signal to the PA doesn't drop out.

testing1two · #9 08-02-2011, 08:16 PM

Always have a sonic goal in mind. If you need the sounds of both amps at various points in your live show then it's not overkill at all (Guitards go to far greater lengths to chase their illusive tone dragons). However, if there's no sonic purpose it's just technical wankery.

That said feel free to experiment at home. Never at the gig. Your gig setup should be tested and reliable.

capncal · #10 08-03-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

Always have a sonic goal in mind. If you need the sounds of both amps at various points in your live show then it's not overkill at all (Guitards go to far greater lengths to chase their illusive tone dragons). However, if there's no sonic purpose it's just technical wankery.

That said feel free to experiment at home. Never at the gig. Your gig setup should be tested and reliable.

werd.

runmikeyrun · #11 08-07-2011, 05:32 PM

If you feel like moving everything, then do it. Using 2 amps is fun.

Adam Bomb · #12 08-11-2011, 06:33 AM

I'm in a similar sitch. Been playing through a pair of GK MB210s for a while, feeding them signal from the two outs from my pedal board. But in my new band I am playing dry, and aren't using my board.

Any recommendations on ABY boxes?

--Bomb

ThrIpd · #13 08-12-2011, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

Always have a sonic goal in mind. If you need the sounds of both amps at various points in your live show then it's not overkill at all (Guitards go to far greater lengths to chase their illusive tone dragons). However, if there's no sonic purpose it's just technical wankery.

Two amps would help me achieve my sonic goal of monitoring a clean signal at all times, rather than a wet/dry mix. My idea is to bi-amp the lows to an onstage cabinet, and highs line-level back to the effects chain then to an onstage combo. Some growly overdrive will kick in when needed but the gut-thumping lows won't quit. Relying on the DI probably won't be as important. Haven't tried this yet, love to hear from someone who has....