Complicated fx to 2 amp mixing - advice needed

[Dafydd Jones]

Ok so this might be a little complicated but here goes.

I have come up with an idea that I think will work, but I have thought of a potential problem.

I am in a three piece and switch between bass and guitar (often tuned very low). The idea is to have two amps - one bass and one guitar. Whilst playing bass, I would like to have an octave up sent to the guitar amp, and opposite when playing guitar. The other issue is that I have a big effects chain that I would like to effect both the dry signal and the octave-shifted signal.

So plan was IN -> fx chain -> octave (pog seems best) dry -> a/b (a -> merger 1 / b -> merger 2) OUT 1
-> octave signal-> compresser -> a/b -> (a -> merger 2 / b-> merger 1) OUT 2

...hopefully that makes sense.

The problem I though of is: does a merger need 2 signals? I.e What I don't want is for the signal to be like 50% as strong or something

would I need something like a line selector or does any one know of something that would definitely work?

I am looking at the Palmer DUETTO but I want to be sure before I commit to the plan.

Thanks for your help

 

[High Camp]

That's pretty complicated!
I can't help you with the difficult stuff, but regarding the amp(s):
What about 1 amp that sounds great with a bass and a guitar?
For instance, the Fender Bassman.
Maybe this can simplify things for you a little bit.
Just a thought.

 

[Dafydd Jones]

Funnily enough, I actually have a Pearl Vorg Bass 101, which is a transistor copy of a Fender Bassman. I'd love an original Fender Bassman, but prices I have seen are super high.
I am using a Fender 4x12 cab, but I am looking at trying to find an 8x10 or maybe a 4x10 1x15. I think that would certainly improve the situation, but I think something with guitar voiceing to fill the sound out would make it special in a way. I have my mind set towards a single channel amp, something like a JCM 800, Super Bass or Petersburg P100 or like a Laney AOR. I would eventually actually like the bass side being powered by an AD200B

 

[seanm]

Why not use a really clean bass amp and a full range bass cabinet or two? Then run both the guitar and the bass though the same signal chain... tweaking as needed. Something like a radial bassbone will help with any volume difference.

A good full range bass cabinet will handle guitar no problem (many are advertised as being good for acoustic guitar).

 

[Dafydd Jones]

Why not use a really clean bass amp and a full range bass cabinet or two? Then run both the guitar and the bass though the same signal chain... tweaking as needed. Something like a radial bassbone will help with any volume difference.

A good full range bass cabinet will handle guitar no problem (many are advertised as being good for acoustic guitar).

Just got an Ampeg 610 so I am going to test this approach with that and see how it goes.

 

[tshapiro]

If the merger pedal is buffered you will have no signal loss (volume). Downside is buffers can suck tone so using a pedal known for it's buffer quality is important if you're picky about tone and feel.

 

[Dafydd Jones]

If the merger pedal is buffered you will have no signal loss (volume). Downside is buffers can suck tone so using a pedal known for it's buffer quality is important if you're picky about tone and feel.

Nice! That is really helpful, I think then Palmer might be a good option then but I'll check around.