Non-Passive A/B/Y

**Adam Barkley** · #1 09-13-2007, 05:41 PM

I've researched these pretty extensively the last couple of days. I've basically narrowed it down to either the Lehles, the Swtichbone, and the Framptone amp switcher.

Lehle P Split:
Pros: cheapest option, small
Cons: no actual switching, i.e. A and B aren't selectable, it's always Y-d. That is probably the kiss of death for this pedal.

Lehle Dual Switcher:
Pros: ?
Cons: Most expensive (almost 400),

Radial Switchbone:
Pros: Most features (selectable boosts)
Cons: Possibly complicated? I'm reaching there.

Framptone Amp Switcher:
Pro: Simple. I've got a soft spot for momentary switches
Cons: Tall, almost three inches. That's ticky, but it I want to be totally happy with a 200+ dollar switcher.

Does anyone have experience with comparing these units? Doubtful I know, but all I've been able to find are people who bought one and were totally happy with that one.

Opinions?

Sir Edward V · #2 09-13-2007, 06:11 PM

...I didn't know the mods were allowed to ask for help...

Sir Edward V · #3 09-13-2007, 06:15 PM

...anyways...

Quote:

Originally Posted by abark000

I've researched these pretty extensively the last couple of days. I've basically narrowed it down to either the Lehles, the Swtichbone, and the Framptone amp switcher.

Lehle P Split:
Pros: cheapest option, small
Cons: no actual switching, i.e. A and B are selectable, it's always Y-d. That is probably the kiss of death for this pedal.

Lehle Dual Switcher:
Pros: ?
Cons: Most expensive (almost 400),

Radial Switchbone:
Pros: Most features (selectable boosts)
Cons: Possibly complicated? I'm reaching there.

Framptone Amp Switcher:
Pro: Simple. I've got a soft spot for momentary switches
Cons: Tall, almost three inches. That's ticky, but it I want to totally happy with a 200+ dollar switcher.

Does anyone have experience with comparing these units? Doubtful I know, but all I've been able to find are people who bought one and were totally happy with that one.

Opinions?

Lehle P: don't understand how it works, are there two switches or just one?

I'm always inclined to go with the cheapest solution that does what I find necessary.

**Adam Barkley** · #4 09-13-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

...anyways...

Lehle P: don't understand how it works, are there two switches or just one?

I'm always inclined to go with the cheapest solution that does what I find necessary.

Zero switches. Plug in bass and it gives you two outputs.

**Adam Barkley** · #5 09-13-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

...I didn't know the mods were allowed to ask for help...

I bet you also didn't know that I'm allowed to use my mod powers for evil.

niftydog · #6 09-13-2007, 07:02 PM

...that comment seems to fit your avatar!

Sir Edward V · #7 09-13-2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abark000

I bet you also didn't know that I'm allowed to use my mod powers for evil.

uh oh...

and in the des. for the lehle, I thought you said ARE selectable

I would say don't get it, selecatability is pretty necessary IMO

**Adam Barkley** · #8 09-13-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

uh oh...

and in the des. for the lehle, I thought you said ARE selectable

I would say don't get it, selecatability is pretty necessary IMO

Yeah that was a typo, sorry.

Sir Edward V · #9 09-13-2007, 07:34 PM

what are you going to use it to do?

edit: nevermind, I assume your going to be switching amps

**Adam Barkley** · #10 09-13-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Edward V

what are you going to use it to do?

Which ever I choose will be used to switch between two amps. I'm using a Mesa D180 as a dirty channel and my older rack setup as the clean channel. I tried the Morley ABY and wasn't pleased with it so I wanted to try a switching unit type over the passive style like the Morley or Radial Bigshot.

Sir Edward V · #11 09-13-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abark000

Which ever I choose will be used to switch between two amps. I'm using a Mesa D180 as a dirty channel and my older rack setup as the clean channel. I tried the Morley ABY and wasn't pleased with it so I wanted to try a switching unit type over the passive style like the Morley or Radial Bigshot.

well my vote is either the lehle or the framptone, unless you specifically want the boost function, but it sounds like you will be running effects after this, so unless you want that boost to drive your pedals more... which can be cool, but i like a boost at the end of my chain best...

I kinda like the lehle switches

Jazzdogg · #12 09-13-2007, 08:01 PM

I'm looking for an inexpensive way to split my guitarist's post-effects signal to feed both his tube amp and our PA mixer.

A/B/Y or DI?

Sir Edward V · #13 09-13-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I'm looking for an inexpensive way to split my guitarist's post-effects signal to feed both his tube amp and our PA mixer.

A/B/Y or DI?

that is essentially the idea behind having a DI

you could use one of those lehle P things, but there are cheaper ways to do it

see if his amp has a DI, if not, you can mic it

Niff · #14 09-13-2007, 08:32 PM

i was always recommended radial for that job. but i don't know if they were just trying to sell me the product or actually giving me advice.

niftydog · #15 09-13-2007, 08:44 PM

I was expecting someone to chime in and mention the Boss LS-2, but I guess that someone has turned out to be me.

bongomania · #16 09-13-2007, 08:49 PM

+1 to using a DI to split between guitar amp and PA, that's what they're for.

I just picked up a used Lehle 3@1, and it's pretty cool. I think it may have been abused by the seller, but the switches have a nice smooth feel, the indicator lights are large, and the switching is quiet. The newer version on their site has gain knobs per channel, so you can adjust the levels per instrument as well. I'm not sure if it's "worth" the new price, but it will do the job quite nicely.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #17 09-14-2007, 08:06 AM

I've owned a Switchbone- it's not complex at all. Really great little box- noiseless switching between amps with no load issues at all and it's got a tuner mute on it to boot.

Zeemno · #18 09-14-2007, 06:05 PM

What about Wobo Loopers? Did you rule them out? Here is the ABY:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRUE-BYPASS-WOBO...QQcmdZViewItem

The box is 12 cm x 8 cm x 4cm, so it's less than two inches tall. They use nice feeling momentary switches. You can add a tuner mute if you like. And they're build though!

But if you want to use it for switching between two amps, then having something similar to the Lehle P-Split is really good, because one of the two outputs is isolated by a transformer. This avoids ground loops and possible safety hazards from ground failure. So don't rule that one to fast!

Cheers,
John

Jazz Ad · #19 09-14-2007, 06:12 PM

Wobo and Lehle are both passive. No buffer.
They use active switching though.
A Boss LS-2 will do the job just fine. As usual.

Zeemno · #20 09-14-2007, 06:34 PM

Ah, is by "non-passive" a buffered Loop meant? If so, I'd vote for Framptone - has all the useful features. Or you could ask Wobo to do a custom - they have a buffer in their pedal, combining it shouldn't be a problem. I am not sure if they got transformers in their offer.

And no, I am not afiliated(sp) with Wobo in any way. I am just from the same country and have two product from them.