Using a amp head as a preamp for pedal for another amp

[slaurent]

I wanted to put a switch splitter as the end of my chain one going to an older GK 400rb and use that as a dirty pre amp and have the direct out on the back going into a dual mono to single mono signal into another newer GK head. The other side of the splitter will work as a bypass going right into the new GK.

Will this damage either amp? Both are solid state. The older GK has a direct out and a send on the back both 1/4 jacks

 

[WayneP]

I’m assuming from the lack of responses that others are also having a hard time following your train of thought.

That said, as far as I can tell the 400RB does not have a back panel direct out. It’s a SPEAKER OUTPUT. Do not connect it to anything to it but a SPEAKER CABINET unless you intend to blow the amp!

As far as the second newer GK goes, it might not work to use the instrument input. That’s typically looking for a very low-level input from a guitar, and the signal from the RB400 may be too strong.

Your best bet is probably:
Use the EFX Send from the 400RB.
Use the EFX Return on the new GK.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

 

[Michedelic]

I wanted to put a switch splitter as the end of my chain one going to an older GK 400rb and use that as a dirty pre amp and have the direct out on the back going into a dual mono to single mono signal into another newer GK head. The other side of the splitter will work as a bypass going right into the new GK.

Will this damage either amp? Both are solid state. The older GK has a direct out and a send on the back both 1/4 jacks

It’s Sunday morning, I’ve been sleeping in, haven’t had my coffee, so I can’t quite yet comprehend what’s being proposed, but I’m conscious enough to suggest this…
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...rueger-plex-preamp-4-band-active-preamp-pedal

 

[Stylee Mousse]

If I understand this correctly then no.

The output line level from the 400rb will be MUCH higher than the instrument level. It will redline the new GK’s input stage at any setting that the bass direct in would be audible.

 

[slaurent]

Sorry I probably worded this badly. It was a late night drive idea.

Thank yall for the suggestions. That preamp pedal is basically the convenient way of doing this lol. I just don’t have $500 to buy another pedal and already have two amps.

I’m planning on using an A B Y fender switch and have it before my reverb pedal. I’ll have A going into the old GK head and use the send to go into my reverb. B will be the bypass and I’ll use a 2 mono 1/4 to single mono 1/4 cable to return to my chain. I’m not going to use the Y so I should be good.

Also I believe this is the direct out on the old GK. (Not gonna use it because it’s probably line level)

 

[slaurent]

It also has a -10 Db pad if the signal is too much

 

[abarson]

You mean there’s no pedal that would work that costs less than $500?

 

[slaurent]

You mean there’s no pedal that would work that costs less than $500?

The one linked above is $500. But yeah you’re right. There’s other options but I’m just trying to see if this is possible with stuff I already own and already like the sound of. The only thing I would need is the ABY and those are fairly cheap.

 

[HolmeBass]

You need to be more clear with the proposal. The one photo you show has the speaker out with a cable in it - that’s a no-no. Maybe annotate the photo or be super explicit about which “out” you intend to use.

Also I am totally unclear on the ABY and how you will eventually merge the two possible outs (one from your old amp for distortion, the other clean) into your final amp.

 

[slaurent]

You need to be more clear with the proposal. The one photo you show has the speaker out with a cable in it - that’s a no-no. Maybe annotate the photo or be super explicit about which “out” you intend to use.

Also I am totally unclear on the ABY and how you will eventually merge the two possible outs (one from your old amp for distortion, the other clean) into your final amp.

Sorry it was the photo I had already on my phone while it was plugged into a cab

I’m using the send from the fx loop.

As far as merging the ABY I was thinking of using one of these. Google Image Result for https://hosatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CYP-100-Full_RGB_1800.jpg

I won’t be using A & B simultaneously.

 

[Lenny JG]

 

[HolmeBass]

Sorry it was the photo I had already on my phone while it was plugged into a cab

I’m using the send from the fx loop.

As far as merging the ABY I was thinking of using one of these. Google Image Result for https://hosatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CYP-100-Full_RGB_1800.jpg

I won’t be using A & B simultaneously.

I think running two line level signals from different amps into the Y cable is a serious risk. The real purpose of those is to split one signal into two, not to mux two signals down to one.

I think @agedhorse or @Passinwind or someone with electronics know-how needs to chime in here.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

The best option would be to split your bass signal and run the 400rb into a cab and run it all dirty and run the other (presumably higher watt) GK with cleaner and deeper settings into another cab.

Then decide it’s all too much work and just run whichever head gets what u want.

The few times I ran dual rig setups live it sounded great but really wasn’t practical on the circuit we played.