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Author Topic: ABY Pedals  (Read 8582 times)

Dmoney

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ABY Pedals
« on: March 13, 2011, 07:46:44 AM »
Yo

I've been looking at running some ABY goodness to get 2 amps on the go.

I'm not sure what would be best.
do totally passive ones have noise issues? I think the Morley ABY is passive right?
Also, I think I might need one output with a phase switch, since I may use 2 heads into a stereo cab I'd want to be able to avoid potential phase issues.

So i guess I could go with passive pedal with a phase switch, or something with noise reduction.

A friend of mine uses a Morley ABY into a Ampeg V4 and JCM800. I quite like the look of the Whirlwind Selector.
I don't want to spend mega bucks, so I don't need things with gold plated contacts etc.

just looking for some good value suggestions, that won't add noise to my business end.

HTH AMPS

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2011, 11:47:18 AM »
ground loops will be your biggest challenge using two amps.

bite the bullet and get one with transformer-isolated outputs - or make one, you're a bit handy with a soldering iron I recall.


Dmoney

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2011, 11:50:56 AM »
I could have a go if i could find a schematic.
The main trouble would be drilling out a case I guess. I only have a battery powered hand drill. nothing too powerful. and a reamer.

I found a few schematics for passive pedals that look easy, and then way more complex active ones.
What does a transformer isolated one do? I'm guessing it has a couple of little transformers in it? how do they work?

38thBeatle

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2011, 12:04:31 PM »
I recently bought an A/B pedal to use 2 guitars- I know it isn't the same but......

I stumbled upon this guy and he made one for me to my spec. Very reasonable, very fast.

Whether he does amp switchers I don't know but maybe worth an ask.

http://www.brightonion.co.uk/

 
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Dmoney

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2011, 12:48:21 PM »
did that used to be Red Onion or something?
lots of useful looking pedals on that site and not at crazy prices!

It reminded me I need to put my loop switcher into a metal case rather than the plastic on it's currently in. That also needs a brighter LED.

If you mean Amp switcher like a radial headbone or whatever, that isn't what I'm after. When I mentioned two heads into one cab, I meant using the 8ohm stereo inputs on my cab, so both heads would always be connected, but i'd just switch my guitar to either or both amps inputs.

I'll might have a look for a schematic along the line of what HTH has suggested. Radial Bigshot seems like a good product. The Whirlwind Selector seems to get mixed reports. building my own solid ABY would be nice though. team it up with my loop select pedal too, or maybe move that into the same case as the ABY to save floorspace?


This just reminded me that two different friends of mine recently shared me some rig tips. once was to use one head and two cabs (single guitar band) and use an A/B pedal as an on/off switch for one cab, so you can fill out the room more or less with single guitar... BAD idea!
the other is similar, but rather than use an A/B, I got told to use a delay pedal with minimal delay between the head and one cab... VERY BAD idea!

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2011, 01:11:58 PM »
i found a schematic for you & pcb

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/projects/15-boostersrouters/16-amp-aby-switcher-box

also check out diypedalkits.co.uk

if i recall correctly they do some amp switchers for about £25-30

HTH AMPS

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2011, 03:26:56 PM »
i found a schematic for you & pcb

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/projects/15-boostersrouters/16-amp-aby-switcher-box

also check out diypedalkits.co.uk

if i recall correctly they do some amp switchers for about £25-30

that is the very ABY project I had in mind, you'll get all the parts from Small Bear Electronics if you decide to go it alone, or alternatively just buy the kit from GGG.


Dmoney

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2011, 08:37:24 PM »
cheers guys.
That site recommends building a passive one and trying that first, but it looks like a neat project.
thanks for finding that for me!

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2011, 09:18:10 PM »
No problem it helped pass away some of my sunday :)

Denim n Leather

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2011, 11:43:17 PM »
I use the Radial ABY. It's great.

Dmoney

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2011, 11:55:22 PM »
The bigshot?
It has a few handy switches on it that might be useful... is it totally passive or does it include a buffer or circuit to keep the signal level the same when driving 2 outputs.

That GGG kit isn't available or at least the PCB isn't.

I found another option.
http://www.tube-town.net/diy/tt-aby/tt-aby.html

there is a simple schem but the upgraded schem looks interesting. still basic.

murraymurray

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2011, 06:05:06 AM »
a mate of mine has the radial big shot and likes it a lot, i think there is some signal loss but he runs into an ampeg v4 and 800 so boosts the front end of both so probably brings the level back enough

i recently saw these available locally for a decent price
http://www.roadrageprogear.com/aby.html
think i might get one now that i have multiple amps again

This just reminded me that two different friends of mine recently shared me some rig tips. once was to use one head and two cabs (single guitar band) and use an A/B pedal as an on/off switch for one cab, so you can fill out the room more or less with single guitar... BAD idea!
the other is similar, but rather than use an A/B, I got told to use a delay pedal with minimal delay between the head and one cab... VERY BAD idea!

those are both good ideas with 2 heads and cabs, but are they suggesting to put the pedals between the head and cabs?

Transcend

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2011, 06:21:42 AM »
i completely forgot about road rage

vibe-o-tronic is the uk distributor for the kits & built pedals they only appear to have a/b in atm but i've always found emailing them brings back favourable results

Transcend

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2011, 06:39:44 AM »
Also i just found this whilst looking at small amp kits for a friend

http://www.musikding.de/product_info.php/info/p1105_A-B-Y-Switch.html

Dmoney

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Re: ABY Pedals
« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2011, 07:04:11 AM »
a mate of mine has the radial big shot and likes it a lot, i think there is some signal loss but he runs into an ampeg v4 and 800 so boosts the front end of both so probably brings the level back enough

i recently saw these available locally for a decent price
http://www.roadrageprogear.com/aby.html
think i might get one now that i have multiple amps again

This just reminded me that two different friends of mine recently shared me some rig tips. once was to use one head and two cabs (single guitar band) and use an A/B pedal as an on/off switch for one cab, so you can fill out the room more or less with single guitar... BAD idea!
the other is similar, but rather than use an A/B, I got told to use a delay pedal with minimal delay between the head and one cab... VERY BAD idea!

those are both good ideas with 2 heads and cabs, but are they suggesting to put the pedals between the head and cabs?



Yes, that is what someone suggested to them... im guessing the same idiot, though I don't know.

Do we both know people that use a V4 and an 800 in parallel? surely that isn't a common set up!