ABY switches for cabs

[BassFaceKillah]

My goal is to use an ABY switch pedal to isolate or combine my two bass cabs. I hope that I can clearly define the sounds that come out of my 4x10 and 1x15.

Has anyone tried this before? Would a standard ABY switch work with the output of a 300w head or would the circuitry blow up?

 

[BassFaceKillah]

All the descriptions for these pedals have them described as going from a single instrument to two different amps. I know there is a reason why they sell instrument vs speaker cables

 

[Blue]

I think you could do it with little fear ... but only for a "test" not for any protracted time - as in let it become your standard ... because I would expect transients to whip back to your amp that could over time do harm.

CAVEAT: I really don't know nor do I have a basis for saying the above.

 

[Dave W]

The wires that are inside of a standard ABY box are not stout enough to deal with wattage from an amp. You'd fry them in a no time.

 

[Blue]

The wires that are inside of a standard ABY box are not stout enough to deal with wattage from an amp. You'd fry them in a no time.

ehhhhh .... for the same reason they say don't use instrument cables as speaker cables ... but in a pinch you can get away with it/

 

[Dave W]

I'm not sure why anyone would be in a pinch to where they needed to switch between two different cabs via footswitch.

Also, if you're using a tube amp and you melt the wires...buh buy tube amp.

 

[enjoi1018]

I've always wanted to do this, but I will never even dream of putting a mechanical, passive foot switch after my power amp. I think you'd be stepping on a bomb! (CLICK!!!!!!!)

I think you have to have a power amp to cab connection that is only interrupted when the amp is unplugged from the wall. That means a two channel power amp, or two separate power amps/heads.

 

[BassmanPaul]

the combination of a 4x10 and a 1x15 is bad enough. Why would you want to switch between them??

 

[EastCoastThump]

You can use the Radial Cab-Bone for A/B cab switching. It uses a timer IC to keep the output load constant as the amp switches its output b/w cabs.

It seems a spendy way to go to get two different tones, but YMMV.

 

[BassFaceKillah]

Thanks derrico1. I knew someone else had to have thought this.

 

[Baird6869]

You can use the Radial Cab-Bone for A/B cab switching. It uses a timer IC to keep the output load constant as the amp switches its output b/w cabs.

It seems a spendy way to go to get two different tones, but YMMV.

These Radial guys think of everything... They must be Canadian.

I have one of their Hot Shot amp switchers and it works great for 1 amp and 2 basses as well. I wouldn't trust it between an amp and speakers though.

The CabBone looks great, but is super pricy.

 

[walterw]

the regular cabbone only handles 120 watts of amp power; there's an "EX" version that apparently deals with more, but i saw no specs on it. i still suspect it to be made for guitar more than bass.

the way to do this with bass is a signal (not speaker) level A-B box going into two sides of a stereo power amp, each pushing its own cab.

 

[oinkbanana]

if all you want to do is compare your two cabs, why don't you plug them both in at the same time, don't stack them but place them near each other put pointing in different directions. moving your body to stand in front of one or the other should give you a ball park idea of what's coming from each cab.