One cab for all the guitars?

[Mudloop]

This might be a terrible idea, but I'm trying to make our rig a bit smaller for small bar gigs, and I was thinking about getting either a 2x12 cab and feeding two separate guitar amps into that (for the rhythm and lead guitarists), or finding/making a cab that can house two guitar speakers and a bass speaker, and have a single cabinet for all the guitars.

I'd imagine there are many problems, like bleed when mic'ing, and it could be hard for the individuals to hear what they're playing. But maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I'd think for small gigs? Or maybe just for rehearsals (we don't have a dedicated rehearsal space)?

Less hauling, but the downsides might be too big. Would love some opinions on this idea.

 

[PauFerro]

I like the concept. I have as many as three different basses I use at gigs (piccolo, electric and upright). I use a separate amplification system for each for reasons I won't go into.

I have long wished I could have three inputs into my amplifier going out to the same cabinet. Keep pushing for the best way to do this without duplicating something already out there that is heavy and bulky to cart around...

 

[charlie monroe]

This might be a terrible idea, but I'm trying to make our rig a bit smaller for small bar gigs, and I was thinking about getting either a 2x12 cab and feeding two separate guitar amps into that (for the rhythm and lead guitarists), or finding/making a cab that can house two guitar speakers and a bass speaker, and have a single cabinet for all the guitars.

I'd imagine there are many problems, like bleed when mic'ing, and it could be hard for the individuals to hear what they're playing. But maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I'd think for small gigs? Or maybe just for rehearsals (we don't have a dedicated rehearsal space)?

Less hauling, but the downsides might be too big. Would love some opinions on this idea.

You guys should switch to an IEM and full PA solution.

I have long wished I could have three inputs into my amplifier going out to the same cabinet

You should be using a four channel mixer into one full range cab. Passive board and powered speaker is probably the easiest shlep.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

It doesn't sound like a good idea, but if you decide to experiment, realize that you can't run two amps parallel into one speaker circuit. You'd need to wire each 12" speaker to s separate jack.

 

[PauFerro]

After I posted I figured I could get a little 4 channel passive mixer with EQ, and just plug everything into that (all three basses). then do a line out to the bass amp head. Then do a line out from the bass amp to the PA system. 3 basses, one amplification. I don't have a powered bass cab. I don't like to go into the main mixer because for the smaller gigs, the low end tends to really drive and distort my speakers.

 

[JRA]

OP: three small amp/cabs (or combos) will sound better and pack easier, IMO.

good luck!

 

[Mudloop]

You guys should switch to an IEM and full PA solution.

Sounds expensive. We're a very new band, so while we might do this down the line, it's not for now.

It doesn't sound like a good idea, but if you decide to experiment, realize that you can't run two amps parallel into one speaker circuit. You'd need to wire each 12" speaker to s separate jack.

Yes, I realize I'd have to do some wiring, and possibly make a custom panel. I don't have a ton of experience with this, but I've tinkered a bit in the past and think I should be able to do this.

three small amp/cabs (or combos) will sound better and pack easier, IMO.

good luck!

You're probably right... Though I just realized we have a keyboard player too, so a single 4 speaker cab would logistically be ideal, but in terms of sound and monitoring it might not be.

Could be useful for rehearsals though, and a fun project. So I'm on the fence about giving it a shot anyway.

 

[sean_on_bass]

You'll be in for mud city. this is not a good idea, sorry. Smaller amps is the answer, or a PA.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Two amps into one cabinet = magic smoke:

unless you wire each driver to separate unconnected jacks, and even then if there's not a good baffle between the speakers it will sound horrible

 

[JRA]

So I'm on the fence about giving it a shot anyway.

each instrument's speaker would/should have its own 'chamber' in the larger box --- each chamber tuned and ported for the particular instrument = a large cabinet powered by four different amps/EQ's/EFX/etc.

it sounds like a mess to me....but: if you do this = we must see it! thanks.

 

[Mudloop]

Two amps into one cabinet = magic smoke:

View attachment 2803302

unless you wire each driver to separate unconnected jacks, and even then if there's not a good baffle between the speakers it will sound horrible

I was planning to wire them separately, so smoke wouldn't be an issue.

each instrument's speaker would/should have its own 'chamber' in the larger box --- each chamber tuned and ported for the particular instrument = a large cabinet powered by four different amps/EQ's/EFX/etc.

it sounds like a mess to me....but: if you do this = we must see it! thanks.

Tuning and porting chambers I know nothing about, so this would probably be the biggest hurdle, possibly even a showstopper. Oh well

I got the idea because someone I know has a guitar rig which also has a mic input, I don't know how well this works, but I figured, if two "instruments" can be combined, why not all of them?

 

[JRA]

I got the idea because someone I know has a guitar rig which also has a mic input

i a lot of amps/combos have inputs for various other things/devices (how about those 1/8" female trs inputs for your iphone?!), but they are mainly for low volume/temporary use while practicing.

what you are imagining is doable, but the final result might not be as practical as what you are thinking.

 

[Downunderwonder]

OP: three small amp/cabs (or combos) will sound better and pack easier, IMO.

good luck!

with the accent on small.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

This might be a terrible idea, but I'm trying to make our rig a bit smaller for small bar gigs, and I was thinking about getting either a 2x12 cab and feeding two separate guitar amps into that (for the rhythm and lead guitarists), or finding/making a cab that can house two guitar speakers and a bass speaker, and have a single cabinet for all the guitars.

I'd imagine there are many problems, like bleed when mic'ing, and it could be hard for the individuals to hear what they're playing. But maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I'd think for small gigs? Or maybe just for rehearsals (we don't have a dedicated rehearsal space)?

Less hauling, but the downsides might be too big. Would love some opinions on this idea.

If this was a good idea, a lot more people would be doing it.

Do you really want to practice that differently from how you gig?

 

[pcake]

this would end up being huge and sounding inferior. i'd also go with smaller amps rather than this, and these days you can get some quite good smaller amps for decent prices. when hauling, you could put two or three on a single cart using some bungies, so only one trip to and from the car for amps.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

PauFerro gave the perfect solution. Small mixers are dirt cheap used. (Get an 8 channel instead of four). You will need a DI for each guitar. Powered speakers allow you to scale up or down, depending on the size of the venue. Bigger room, bring two, or four. Use a couple for monitors. Dont cheap out on the powered speakers. 15 inch two way EV, or QSC would be my choice. You could even add a sub. As a sound man, I get the best results with bands that go direct, (no amps).

 

[smogg]

This might be a terrible idea, but I'm trying to make our rig a bit smaller for small bar gigs, and I was thinking about getting either a 2x12 cab and feeding two separate guitar amps into that (for the rhythm and lead guitarists), or finding/making a cab that can house two guitar speakers and a bass speaker, and have a single cabinet for all the guitars.

I'd imagine there are many problems, like bleed when mic'ing, and it could be hard for the individuals to hear what they're playing. But maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I'd think for small gigs? Or maybe just for rehearsals (we don't have a dedicated rehearsal space)?

Less hauling, but the downsides might be too big. Would love some opinions on this idea.

IMO doesn't strike me as you've thought this all the way through. You will still need an separate amp for each player. Who gets to stand in front of the speaker box? Who has to stand off to the side and not hear themselves well? How & who controls the mix?

You will still need PA for vocals. You don't need mega gear for small gigs but you still need control over the mix. Just my 2 cents.

 

[duff beer]

The guitarist in one of my bands doesn't even take an amp to a gig...he just plugs his pedalboard into a DI which goes into the PA.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

PauFerro gave the perfect solution. Small mixers are dirt cheap used. Get an 8 channel instead of four. You will need a DI for each guitar. Powered speakers allow you to scale up or down, depending on the size of the venue. Bigger room, bring two, or four. Use them for monitors when using a full PA setup at the bigger gigs. Dont cheap out on the powered speakers. 15 inch two way EV, or QSC would be my choice.

Some of Allen & Heath Zed series mixers have instrument inputs.
I'm ordering one for work, so haven't tried it yet and can't comment on them yet.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

Some of Allen & Heath Zed series mixers have instrument inputs.
I'm ordering one for work, so haven't tried it yet and can't comment on them yet.

Many mixers do. We have that feature on a few of our mixers, but we don't use them. I prefer the DI box. We usually put two 8 channel mini-snakes on stage to get the signal to the board for small setups. We don't use powered speakers, but if I was starting from scratch, I would go that route.