Using two amps

Dan Hatfield · Post by **Dan Hatfield** » 9 Apr 2002 11:48 am

If this subject has been addressed before please forgive the duplication. I just recently decided to start experimenting with using two Nashville 400's, and would like to hear all the advice I can get on this configuration. Do you adjust the settings identical on both amps? Do you run delay on one and not the other? Do you set them side by side or spread them out? Do you like to have one pointed at your head (ear) and not the other? I'm sure there are many other questions I should be asking and just haven't thought about. Any advise from all you experts out there would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help. Dan

Post by **Joey Ace** » 9 Apr 2002 11:53 am

This belongs in ELECTRONICS.
Moved...

Post by **Joey Ace** » 9 Apr 2002 11:55 am

Great question. I'd also like to here comments on using different size amps together.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Apr 2002 12:55 pm

I used to use two Nashville 400s. I used them to get sort of a stereo effect. I use some chorus as an effect and you really need two sound sources to hear the chorus. I now use a rack setup and split the signal via the preamp in the rack. From the rack amp I go two speaker enclosures and get the same effect. My load is a little lighter in that I eliminate an amp. It works for me!
Uff-Da!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 9 Apr 2002 1:35 pm

When I had 2 amps, my Music man with two 12 inch speakers, and a Peavey LTD 400 with a 15 incher, I used to set them about 6 feet apart, and I had a stereo chorus and an analog delay on one line (after the split) set 100% wet, givng me a true stereo echo. The 2 units together were too much, I'd use either one opr the other, or neither, depending on the song.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 9 Apr 2002 2:01 pm

I use a Nashville 400 (with the mod), and a Peavy Mace with a 15" JBL, in large halls or on outdoor gigs. The sound is really fantastic and full. The settings on the amps are done, so that the amps sound compatible. The only problem is with the sound man trying to mike the setup. It's usually too overpowering and makes him crazy. For smaller gigs, I just stick to one amp (which ever one I feel strong enough to carry)A Boss DD-3 Digital Delay is the only effect I use.

Curt Olsen · Post by **Curt Olsen** » 9 Apr 2002 4:39 pm

Depeding on the size of the club we play, I use two 400's.I run the first one (with mod) dry and the second one with the effects.For the first one, I go from the guitar to a match-bro then to a 16 band EQ then to the amp.The second one I from the guitar to the match-bro then to a lexicon processor then to a second EQ then to the amp.Both amps are set to about the same tone settings.The sound from two amps is really hard to beat.

------------------

SCOTT TYLER · Post by **SCOTT TYLER** » 9 Apr 2002 6:33 pm

I use 2 Nashville 400's (w/the Peavey Mods)and I run in stereo from the left/right outputs of an old Korg A3 processor.I keep both amps set pretty much the same and I spread them about 12" apart and face them in a little directly behind me. I can hear the stereo seperation of delay or chorus very good but I'm sure you can't tell when you get away from my rig a few feet. I figure if it sounds good to me then it might make me play a little better.
P.S. I get my amps off of the floor w/2 QuikLoc amp stands.

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 10 Apr 2002 8:14 am

What do you throw a drowning guitar player?

His amp.

What do you throw a drowning steel player??

Both his amps.

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 10 Apr 2002 9:39 am

In the early 80's I used a Vegas and a Nashville. I got the settings from Buddy's amps. I'll have to dig around and find the settings. As I remember the amps were set quite differently. One was more mellow sounding and the other was more honky. Together the sound was incredible. If I can find them, I'll post them here.

------------------
My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Keith Murrow · Post by **Keith Murrow** » 10 Apr 2002 9:45 am

..[This message was edited by Keith Murrow on 26 October 2004 at 04:33 PM.]

Joseph V. Sapp · Post by **Joseph V. Sapp** » 11 Apr 2002 6:58 am

Well I guess that I'm the odd ball again. I dont play matched Amps, but use a Nashville, 400 and a Fender Twin. the Twin has 2 Fender 12's and the Nashville 400 has the 15 in it. I split the entire thing off my Profex ll, one side to the fender and the other to the Peavey. I keep them roughly 6 or 8 feet apart on each side of my Steel. all settings are close to the same but the twin seems to have abit of a warmer sound.
I've done a vidio of my equipment and what it all sounds like, and would gladly send one to whoever would like one. I'm not a pro player, and dont work with a band, but I am putting something special (solo) together
for local nursing homes and rehab centers. just send me your snail mail address, and I'll get a vidio off to you free.
hope this is some help. God Bless

Joseph
Derby SD-10 4X5 Profex ll
Nashville 400 Lexicon MPX 100
Fender twin Boss DR5 W/cooper program

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 11 Apr 2002 7:35 am

Joseph:
I'm glad to hear that you are going to be playing at some nursing homes. I am going to be setting up at a nursing home this Saturday afternoon. I have quite a bit of equipment. I use a couple of rack setups. One is for my pedal steel and the other is for my Band in the Box. I take the accompaniment off my computer and run in into an Alesis unit called the "Data Disk". It is stored on a 3.5" floppy for playback. From this unit it goes to a tone generator and then into a preamp, amp and then to 2 speaker enclosures. I don't think it sounds to bad even for a left-handed Norwegian.
Uff-Da! [This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 11 April 2002 at 08:38 AM.]

Dan Hatfield · Post by **Dan Hatfield** » 11 Apr 2002 9:27 am

Hey guys, total appreciation here for all the tips and ideas!!!!!! What a wonderful way to quickly get state of the art advise and, on top of that, the price is right !!!!!!!!!!! Dan

Joseph V. Sapp · Post by **Joseph V. Sapp** » 11 Apr 2002 10:13 am

Erv:
Well I've been blessed in many ways, and its just my way of saying thank you for giving me such wonderful blessings. The area I live in is a very "country" setting. Cumberland valley, and many nursing homes. I sat here one evening and it just hit me like a bolt of lightning !!! so many people with not much to do. I know they will appreciate it and shouldn't we be doing something special for the elders ? this is just a very soft spot for me. Thank you for the kind words.

Joseph

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 11 Apr 2002 8:33 pm

With 2 amps behind you, you are the only one on stage that hears stereo....image..and that is only if you have stereo imaging in your effects unit. If your FOH engineer is running stereo....they hear it in the house......near center. Side to side..one amp. Two amps make you feel better and louder, which is a good thing....but that's it. Running 2 amps with different EQ is not stereo.....big? Yes.

Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 12 Apr 2002 3:44 am

When I play out, I run stereo, into ultraverb II. Then into two Nashville 400 amps with sm57 mikes to the pa. This setup works extremely well for my needs. I use a delay program mostly. It sounds great on and off stage. I like the sweep between the amps and the pa speakers. Awsome. Of course you must be careful. Different venues will require adjustment to effect settings. Especially with two amps.

Thanks,
Wayne

------------------
Emmons Legrande d-10 w/8&5 Nashville 400, peavey ultraverb II.

[This message was edited by Wayne Baker on 12 April 2002 at 04:47 AM.]