Best A/B/Y for least dinero?

Shroom · #1 05-23-2008, 12:22 PM

I wanna start by apologizing for bringing up a topic thats probably been run into the ground. The search won't let me look up "A/B/Y" though.

On to the point! I've been planning on buying a Boss LS-2 for a long time, but I recently found out that it has problems like bleeding, and more importantly, it can't do A<>B<>A+B, which is a must for me. So now I'm interested in finding out about the world of less talked-about A/B/Y boxes to find something that'll do what I need! Also, it's not necessary, but I'm hoping for something with individual volume knobs for each channel like on the LS-2

One pedal thats got me interested is this one, which for the price seems great but it lacks the volume knobs and I feel kind of uneasy about ordering something that I haven't heard much about. A couple Lehle products look good too, and they have the knobbehs, but I hear they're expensive.

So what do you guys think?

**TheMutt** · #2 05-23-2008, 01:13 PM

Why do you need a volume control on each of your channels? Wouldn't it just be easier to set the volume of your effects within the channels to unity/gain/whatever?
Also, the Loop-Master products are great! I've got a micro A/B coming to me in a few weeks.

Other companies you might look into:
Loooper (yes with 3 o's)
Radial Engineering
Morley
EHX switchblade (it's not an amazing pedal, but it works I'd assume)

Barge Concepts makes a blend pedal. but you can easily use it as an A/B or have them make a custom A/B with volume control.

RickenBoogie · #3 05-23-2008, 01:23 PM

I use the Morley, but not often. The Lehle's are great, and they've got several models to choose from. They do cost, but in this case you get what you pay for. I use the Little Lehle as a looper, it's fantastic.

Gintaras · #4 05-23-2008, 01:32 PM

not sure if it qualifies as a AB/Y but i use a Radial BigShot EFX

http://www.tonebone.com/re-bigshot-efx.htm

Basshappi · #5 05-23-2008, 02:13 PM

Loooper is no longer making pedals

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #6 05-23-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Loooper is no longer making pedals

And yet they're still recommended about every other day here at TalkBass

Passive ABY boxes can potentially be problematic depending on the amps, etc. I have a passive ABY from Loop-Master that worked great when I used it, as both of my amps were the same, but I'd probably use an active one again if I wasn't use similar heads. I used to own a Radial Switchbone, and it's a fantastic product- not the cheapest though.

Bjazzman · #7 05-23-2008, 07:07 PM

check out pedalboard junction. i had him make me a custom a/b box that can do either a or b, or a and b. he can customize your led's and where you want the power and switches and such. i think mine was less than $70 shipped. and it was true bypass. it took about less than a week to get it once i asked him what i wanted

**TheMutt** · #8 05-23-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Loooper is no longer making pedals

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

And yet they're still recommended about every other day here at TalkBass

Because you can still find em via ebay, or occationally on here.

Cmaddox13@ · #9 05-23-2008, 09:50 PM

I found this on Amazon randomly today. Looks cool.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Box?sku=150553

Shroom · #10 05-23-2008, 11:25 PM

I guess I can live without the individual volume controls, but it's a nice perk

. So far, for the price, the one I originally posted is in the lead, but what were you talking about when you said this stuff?:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Passive ABY boxes can potentially be problematic depending on the amps, etc. I have a passive ABY from Loop-Master that worked great when I used it, as both of my amps were the same, but I'd probably use an active one again if I wasn't use similar heads. I used to own a Radial Switchbone, and it's a fantastic product- not the cheapest though.

Also, how do I tell a passive pedal from an active one? Do passives work without a power supply or something?

scowboy · #11 05-23-2008, 11:29 PM

+1 for the Radial Big Shot. I think mine cost me $60 and it works as advertised and is built like a tank.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #12 05-23-2008, 11:40 PM

A passive ABY has no buffers in it. The problem that most passive ABYs have is there's no polarity reversal switch if you need it or no transformer to help isolate the outputs. You may not need either- kinda depends on the stuff you're using. Radial's Bigshot ABY is a good, inexpensive ABY to get if you want a passive box with those options for little money. Again though, you may not need them, and Loop-Master makes great products (I've purchase a half-dozen items from Brian at this point). Individual volume pots would be pretty redundant on an ABY in theory, but if you find yourself changing your amp volume regularly or your amp is usually far away, I suppose it could be helpful.

Shroom · #13 08-03-2008, 03:07 PM

So I hate to revive a dead thread, but it's better than making a new one.

I was just wondering, are there any A/B/Y boxes that, instead of having a switch for "A or B" and a switch for "A and B," have a switch for A, and a switch for B and either one or both can be activated at any time?

bongomania · #14 08-03-2008, 03:16 PM

Sure, that's easy. Two bypass switches in series.

Vic Winters · #15 08-03-2008, 03:18 PM

I know the Morley ABY can.

There is an A/B switch and a A+B switch. A/B switches between the two while A+B activates both. So you can go A to B, B to A, A to A+B, B to A+B, A+B to A, A+B to B. Also if you can keep your switching straight you can go A to A+B to B or B to A+B to A.