Is there a box that allows me to connect my cabinet speakers to 2 bass amp heads and switch back and forth between them?
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Switching Between 2 Heads
- Thread starter mattyrudes
- Start date
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,850
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Not safely, not for modern bass heads.
To the OP...I don't know the reason why you want to do that.
To agedhorse...Couldn't a simple two way switch at the input jack allow for the jack to accept the input from either one or the other?
Label the switch Amp 1/Amp 2. Wouldn't it just be the same as unplugging the cab from one amp and plugging it into the other? Provided it actually disconnected the unused amp when the other is used.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,850
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Definitely not.
There needs to be 100% isolation between both terminals of both amps and the switch must be break before make or expensive damage will be the result.
(Edited for error correction)
Last edited:
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,850
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Don't worry, I've got your backUmmm, yup. Ugh
If the amps have an effects loop or preamp output/power amp input, it's probably easier to just switch between the preamps of both amps but only use one of the amps's power section connected to the speakers. There are a few different loop switchers around that can do this. For the amp where you're not using the power amp, if it's solid state you shouldn't need any speakers connected to it, but if it's tube then it needs a load. I use older NUX PML-2s which can be controlled with footswitches. You would only need 1 loop switcher, but I use a couple PML-2s to switch between 3 preamps or the amp's preamp section and then run into the amp's power amp.
If the cab is designed for it with an A/B box between the bass guitar and the heads.
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devnulljp
Supporting Member
If they're tube heads, won't this do the job?
www.radialeng.com
But it won't work for SS heads though right?
Headbone VT - Radial Engineering
The Headbone VT is a specially designed switching device that lets you toggle between two different tube amp heads while using a single speaker cabinet.
But it won't work for SS heads though right?
Radial, the ones who make the Tone Bone and other devices, makes a tube head switcher box. Whoa you posted while mine was processing! Yes, the Headbone.
The Headbone is 100w max.
It's meant for switching tube guitar amps.
Most of the gear I've seen to do this over the years is designed for guitars.
It's meant for switching tube guitar amps.
Most of the gear I've seen to do this over the years is designed for guitars.
I suspect the problem is a head that has no load on it is what the problem might be. What 2 specific amp heads are we talking about here ? Perhaps there is something in the owner's manual that indicates a false/ghost impedance load for a protective circuit that the manufacturer of the amp head could confirm/verify would protect the amp head without a load for an AB box of a switch for the cab ? Would be a different situation if both amp heads didn't share the same cab and the ABY box ahead of the amp input was selecting which amp head was active for receiving the signal. I wouldn't even try it with tube amps for a single shared cab, but solid state amp heads ? I'd ask that question, with the manufacturer thru their support contact. Better is just have 2 rigs separate & ABY the bass guitar for input. The loads are there for the speaker end of it, inputs for each amp aren't a requirement, it's each amps outputs that may need impedance loads.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,850
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Almost all modern bass heads are fine unloaded, the issue is an internal connection between amp 1 and amp 2 (usually on the sleeve side). This is for sure the case with the 1/4" jacks while plugging in, but also when switching there can be momentary cross-conduction which is fine for tube amps, but not good for solid state amps.
The switching would also need to be capable of handling the power of a modern bass head, all commercial units I have seen so far are not.
How about this thread with the cab switcher but connected in reverse, assuming both heads are solid state?
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diy-cab-switcher.1666016/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/diy-cab-switcher.1666016/
Just buy another matching cab and take two rigs to your gig and use an A B splitter box between the two rigs.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,010
- 5
- 220,850
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
You need another speaker. Even if it is just guitar, I'd rather have 2 speakers if I need 2 amps. I've only used 2 amps for a stereo or no compromise wet dry sound. For bass it seems more practical to use pedals and preamps if you need 2 distinct base bass sound
Morley makes a few pedals that would do that, including the ABY switcher. Guitarists do this all the time. I sometimes use a Morley 3-in-1. I keep three basses plugged in and switch between them when necessary. It's a simple on/off switch.
