A/B/Y Box Parallel Amp Questions

[Unrepresented]

Not sure if this would be more appropriate for the Amps forums, but I thought there'd be a better knowledge base in this forum.

I'm currently having fun experimenting with running two rigs in parallel. One is dry, one is wet. I've been getting by (read: not quite getting by) using my Rust Ride as a glorified A/Y Box, but I'd really like to have the option of running either amp independently.

There's a few different manufacturers out there, and I want this to avoid any unnecessary tone loss and volume output drops, but I also want to avoid wallet loss.

Lehle makes something that I'm sure would be perfect for this, but I don't even want to look it up because I'm sure MSRP is offensive to my sensibilities.

I'm kinda leaning towards Radial, who has a few different models with varying levels of bells and whistles and corresponding price points:

• Twin-City ABY Amp Switcher sounds like it'd work perfectly, but I'd love to avoid crossing into the triple digit budget realm if avoidable.
  
  
• Bigshot Aby Guitar Amp Selector Box: is roughly the same as above but with an all passive signal (and a 50% lower price tag)

Basically, I'm looking to be talked into or out of a passive selector box. Upsell me or downsell me as you (and ideally the data) see fit.

[JonnyAngle]

I have an a and or b box made by t1m. It has one input with 2 outs and 2 switches. Each switch turns its respective output on or off. It works great for me. It was like $50

[RickenBoogie]

Thing is, those Lehle products are actually worth the price tag. Top notch in every regard.

[Exploiter8]

I use this:

Morley Pedals - ABY Switching/Routing

Morley ABY Selector Combiner Footswitch Pedal

[MingusBass]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Thing is, those Lehle products are actually worth the price tag. Top notch in every regard.

+1! If you want it to work right and last a long time on gigs...the Lehle is worth it.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by MingusBass

+1! If you want it to work right and last a long time on gigs...the Lehle is worth it.

The Little Dual switcher should have everything I need, right? I'm really just trying to avoid cutting into my next bass fund...

[Electricblue]

When it comes to simple switching pedals, the best option is to make one. Homemade pedals always bring joy to me

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Thing is, those Lehle products are actually worth the price tag. Top notch in every regard.

+1

[MingusBass]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

The Little Dual switcher should have everything I need, right? I'm really just trying to avoid cutting into my next bass fund...

Should work great!

[cchorney]

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I use this:

Morley Pedals - ABY Switching/Routing

Morley ABY Selector Combiner Footswitch Pedal

+1

I use this too. I like that the battery is only used to light the led. If the battery fails or if you have no battery, the switch still works just fine, just no light.

[Unrepresented]

So, anyway I went with the Lehle Little Dual amp switcher. Figured I'd write up my initial reactions.

• Solid construction. Probably capable of doubling as a hammer in a pinch.
• Power adapter jack is larger in diameter and deeper inset than standard "Boss" sized barrels. This results in a really loose fit that cuts connection every.time.I.step.on.it. Anyone else had similar problems? Remedies?
• Two amps. Two switches. One switch per amp? Of course not. Switching is counter intuitive in that one switch controls the use of a single/dual signal and the other controls which amp is solo. Unfortunately there's no display to remind you which side is soloed. This will invariably result in accidentally soloing the incorrect channel at some point.
• Does what I need in that it offers the ability to select between A/B/Y and without any perceived tone or volume degredation.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by cchorney

+1

I use this too. I like that the battery is only used to light the led. If the battery fails or if you have no battery, the switch still works just fine, just no light.

Lehle's all true bypass, and works without power (I know because the ******* power jack keeps coming out) with the exception of the hum-killing transformer which is really nice if you, like I, don't like a nasty ground hum.

[Jazz Ad]

Boss LS-2 as usual.
Lehle boxes use relays. They can NOT work without power.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Boss LS-2 as usual.
Lehle boxes use relays. They can NOT work without power.

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Lehle's all true bypass, and works without power (I know because the ******* power jack keeps coming out) with the exception of the hum-killing transformer which is really nice if you, like I, don't like a nasty ground hum.

[Jazz Ad]

"The signal is automatically routed to A and B if the Lehle Dual is not energized"
http://www.lehle.com/about_Lehle/dow...ual%20V4.1.pdf

A safety measure allows you to play but the pedal won't work.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

"The signal is automatically routed to A and B if the Lehle Dual is not energized"
http://www.lehle.com/about_Lehle/dow...ual%20V4.1.pdf

A safety measure allows you to play but the pedal won't work.

The switches still work to select and deselect the independent channels when unpowered.

[RickenBoogie]

The Lehle can also be programmed to do whatever you want. Look into that, too. For instance, I'm using 2 Lehle's, the D Loop, and a 3@1 switcher. I can program both of them to switch however I want, like stepping on one switch on the 3@1 to select input C and Loop A on the other pedal, at the same time.

[Jazz Ad]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

The switches still work to select and deselect the independent channels when unpowered.

Which model do you own?

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Which model do you own?

The Little Dual amp switcher.

I still would love to hear recommendations on how to keep the barrel of the power supply from breaking contact anytime the pedal's moved even slightly.

[RickenBoogie]

I'm using a OneSpot for both my Lehle's, and the plugs stay put. I have used the patch cables to go over the top of the power plug, and cable tied the 2 together, for security, but I've not had any issues with the power plug coming loose.