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2 Amps through 1 bass guitar

T

Topas

Guest
Jul 19, 2014
6
0
31
#1
Hey guys,

I've been thinking about buying 2nd amp for rehearsals, because 1 isn't enough. I have GK 200w 12'speaker amp, and thought 100w 15' would be ideal for second one ?

I would run overdrive/distortion/octaver through 12' amp, and clean through 15'. I have Boss LS-2, it's like A/B box right ?

My questions
1. Is 2nd amp as 15' good idea ? 100w would be enough ?
2. Is it possible with Boss LS2 A/B box ?
 
#4
You can split your signal with the LS2 or a number of other options.
The question is what to do with the two signals.
Clean and dirty can be cool.
Biamp is usually more trouble that it's worth in my experience.
 
#7
Topas said:
Why it will be drowned ? Can you elaborate ?Even if I match the sound of 2 amps ?

NYCbassist why so ? Isn't 15'better for low end ? it seems like 12' doesn't have that deep low sound, atleast in my amp.
Click to expand...

Clean low end needs much more power to be heard. Distorted signal will always "sound louder" so it should go through the lower power amp. Speaker size means very little to low end, a 12" speaker can be deeper sounding that a 15" and it happens all the time.
 
#8
Topas said:
Why it will be drowned ? Can you elaborate ?Even if I match the sound of 2 amps ?

NYCbassist why so ? Isn't 15'better for low end ? it seems like 12' doesn't have that deep low sound, atleast in my amp.
Click to expand...
I would think that the 100 watt 15 would be getting overpowered. 2 12's would definitely have a ton more bottom than just one. There's a lot of threads about mismatching speaker sizes.Most people recommend keeping the drivers the same size/type etc....
That's not to say you might not get lucky.
 
#9
It's funny this question came up today because I was wondering almost the same thing where you mention running the overdrive/distortion through one amp and clean through another. I have a Fulltone Drive 2 that I like the sound of for the most part but it losses to much of the bottom end and the old Fulltone Bass Driver is to expensive. At first I was thinking of doing the same thing you mentioned but didn't want to get another amp. I'm going to pick up a used Boss Ls2 today in hopes that I can can use the Fulltone in loop A and run a cable only for loop B. I'm hoping I can adjust the levels of loop A and B via the knobs to add back in the clean bottom end i.e. loop B and get the sound I want. I don't figure I'm loosing much this trying it this way as I can always use the LS-2 on my guitar pedal board if it don't work.

As for the LS-2 running to two separate amps I suppose in a poor man setup you might be able to run a cable from the sends of loop A and B to each amp but why not just add another cabinet or will your amp not support that.
 
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#10
FunkHead said:
There's a lot of threads about mismatching speaker sizes.Most people recommend keeping the drivers the same size/type etc....
Click to expand...

True, but that's usually in the context of running two cabs off the same head. It's not as bad using two separate amps if you can EQ them separately. Basically a "poor man's crossover" setup, cutting lows from one and highs from the other.

That said, it's a lot of trouble for maybe not a lot of benefit. He'd be better off adding a 2x12 extension cab to the amp he's already got if it has a speaker output, or lining out into a power amp and 2x12 cab so he can have one preamp controlling the whole stack.

OP: It's one bass through two amps. Signal does not go from the amps to the instrument.
 
#12
Topas said:
Hey guys,

I've been thinking about buying 2nd amp for rehearsals, because 1 isn't enough. I have GK 200w 12'speaker amp, and thought 100w 15' would be ideal for second one ?

I would run overdrive/distortion/octaver through 12' amp, and clean through 15'. I have Boss LS-2, it's like A/B box right ?

My questions
1. Is 2nd amp as 15' good idea ? 100w would be enough ?
2. Is it possible with Boss LS2 A/B box ?
Click to expand...

I'm only guessing there is a language barrier here or clumsy phone typing.

Can you clarify "GK 200w 12' speaker amp" what model GK are you speaking of. They make combo amps and they make powered speaker cabinets. Depending on what specific gear you have you may be able to just run a cable between the two or get an extension cabinet
 
#14
Topas said:
I've been thinking about buying 2nd amp for rehearsals, because 1 isn't enough.
Click to expand...

You say that it isn't enough. If you want louder, save your nickels and buy a louder amp (or trade up your current rig). IME, two amps has always been more trouble than anything else. Unless your sound requires the "bi-amp," it might just be time for an upgrade. If combining two smaller amps is just a means for volume, it's not worth it (unless second amp is given to you for free or something).
 
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#15
Here's what I have:
Acoustic B600H into a GK 410B
Lidovox 1500 (about 80 watts) into a DIY 212 cab

Here's what I do with it:
Bass -> Acoustic B600H passive input -> GK410B
Acoustic B600H active input -> (optional distortion box) -> Lidovox 1500 input

When I'm running both clean, the 212 plays all the highs and the 410 plays all the lows.
When I'm running distortion, the 212 gets reduced lows and the 410 gets reduced highs.

This way, I can just adjust the volume of each amp to get the right balance of each. The reason it works is because the active and passive inputs of Acoustic are wired in parallel inside the amp (slightly noisier than usual though that could be the older amp). This setup isn't practical in the least and I don't think I'd consider taking both amps and cabs anywhere. I just do this at home. Oh, and they're vertically stacked.
 
#16
if you currently think you need more power for "rehearsal" ... what will be required for actually 'playing out' ..

i would aim for the 'playing out' rig ... as you can always turn that down for rehearsal ...

maybe a 500 watt combo for clean , and the current 200 watter for dist ..?!??

guitarists use multi amp setups frequently ... i've built many multi amp models in my Line 6 HD ProX ...

i went down the bi-amping setup path a couple decades ago ... it is kinda a pain ... multi amps or stereo power amp, multi cabs , crossover , .... seems much more trouble than it's worth ... and really didn't sound any better ... i'd leave the biamping to the PA ..!
 
#17
Hm, I was wondering lately is there a difference between splitters like Boss LS2 A/B box and something like this:
89737.jpg

Anyone knows why people does not use it for bi-amping and buys A/B boxes?
 
#18
Topas said:
Hey guys,

I've been thinking about buying 2nd amp for rehearsals, because 1 isn't enough. I have GK 200w 12'speaker amp, and thought 100w 15' would be ideal for second one ?

I would run overdrive/distortion/octaver through 12' amp, and clean through 15'. I have Boss LS-2, it's like A/B box right ?

My questions
1. Is 2nd amp as 15' good idea ? 100w would be enough ?
2. Is it possible with Boss LS2 A/B box ?
Click to expand...

Get a Rickenbacker and use the Rick-o-sound ...
 
#19
I just recently started using two amps. I've got an Ampeg PF500 through a PF210HE, and I just recently added a Fender 15 watt Super Champ XD through a 12" Yorkville PA monitor. Right now I'm just using a buffered splitter, but I'll be building the splitter into a Wah pedal housing so that I can sweep between the two amps with my foot. I'll also be wiring it so that you can keep either amp fully on from the splitter and just use the volume pedal to blend in the second amp.
 
#20
Drzejzi said:
Hm, I was wondering lately is there a difference between splitters like Boss LS2 A/B box and something like this:
89737.jpg

Anyone knows why people does not use it for bi-amping and buys A/B boxes?
Click to expand...

The switch would be the main difference I think.

As for biamping, technically that means you use an active electronic crossover and send highs/mids to one cab and lows to another.
 
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