2 Amp Question

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 30 Mar 2006 3:56 pm

I have a Fender Stage 100 amp that I sometimes use in stereo with my Nash 112. I run the pre-amp out into the pwr-amp in on the Fender. The problem is, the Fender is 100 watts, and the Nashville is 80 watts. How can I fix it where the Fender isn't louder than the 112? I thought about putting a vol. pedal between the two, but I'm afraid it would cut the signal too much. So, what can I do?
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"The Kid"
D-10 Fessenden, Nashville 112, Session 500, BJS, Goodrich LDR

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 30 Mar 2006 4:45 pm

If you have a compressor pedal handy, it can make a nice master volume control between the two amps! Just set for little to no compression and adjust the gain pot for the desired amp level.

You are gonna get hum with a two amp setup, read this link for some help there:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum11/HTML/008618.html

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 30 Mar 2006 4:56 pm

Tyler,,
When I used to use to amps, I never tied them together. I ran them both separate into my volume pedal. I don't quess that's a stereo mix, but they still sounded great! Two Sessions 400's one clean, one with E/F.

Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 30 Mar 2006 8:07 pm

The Boss RV-5 or DD-6 pedals are a great way to use 2 amps and get real stereo - at least real stereo reverb. Both pedals have stereo ins and outs, and pack some tasty verbs/delays. Roland has found a way to eliminate the crosstalk problems that often occur with using 2 amps. These pedals cause no discernable signal loss or degradation, and they produce no unwanted noises.

You can just run your VP into the Boss pedal and then out to your amps. If one amp is more powerful than the other, turn it down until the levels are balanced. You'll be in reverb heaven . .

RA

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 30 Mar 2006 9:25 pm

This may be a dumb question, but if you run two chords out of your volume pedal, does it cut the signal in each in half? If not, how is that possible?

And if the signal going into each of two amps is cut in half, wouldn't that be about the same volume as one amp getting the full signal? On the other hand, if you run the full signal into one amp, how do you connect that to a second amp to double the volume? Inquiring duffuses want to know.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 30 Mar 2006 10:36 pm

David;
I'm electronics illiterate, but; all I know is when you send a signal from your v/p to (2)-amps it's still the same signal and is not diminished in strength! If you send water into a (Y) hose, the pressure is still the same in both hoses!

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
n.t.s.g.a. #90
’05 D–10 Derby
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15”
Current Equipment

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 31 Mar 2006 1:30 am

I think we somewhat drifted from the original question! He wants to use the Fender as a power amp, to reproduce the preamp sound of the Peavey amp.

However, in the case of using the input of two amps there is some voltage loss, not much. Take for example a pickup with an output impedance of say 10K ohms into an amp with a 100K ohm input impedance. It will deliver 0.9 volts to the amp's input; 0.1 volts will be dropped across the internal resistance of the pickup. Two amp inputs in parallel will yield an input impedance of 100K in parallel with 100K thus resulting in a 50K ohm load. 0.8 volts will be yielded on each amp's inputs, 0.2 is dropped across the winding of the pickup. This is using DC based math, not considering the effects AC or capacitive and/or inductive reactance. Close enough for the idea we are discussing.

In the case of a true stereo output, driven from seperate op-amps or other solid-state or tube outputs the above would not apply.
[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 31 March 2006 at 03:48 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 31 Mar 2006 5:09 am

Well the way I read it was that Tyler wants to play in Stereo..but is using 1 preamp out fed to another amp..that would be MONO would it not ?

The short simple answer is to use a stereo feed from an effects unit..or if the volume pedal has two outputs use them both , one to each amp.

Set the max volumes of the amps to be similar. Probably bring the gain down of the 100 watt amp.

My rig is a Nashville 400 and a Session 400, both fed from a Stereo delay unit..sometimes I do have to adjust the amp gains to be approx..

it just takes a bit of foolin but at least in this case both amps are very close in total gain.

Using two amps that are really not closely matched brings up some new issues. Sounds like some experimenting is in order.

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TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite


[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 31 March 2006 at 05:10 AM.]

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 31 Mar 2006 2:59 pm

Sorry guys. I was in a hurry when I posted. Normally, I do run in stereo, meaning I run two outputs on my volume and running each amp seperate.

However, this is different. The tone of the little Fender amp STINKS, but when you use just the power-amp in, it sounds fine. So, what I do is use the pre-amp of the 112 into the Fender, and use the Fender power amp. I'm not worried about running stereo. I just want to know how to keep the Fender from being louder than the 112. The Nashville is 80 watts, the Fender is 100 watts.

This isn't my serious gig setup. Normally when I play in stereo I use a Session 500 & a Heritage 212. I run my effects in both amps, but I use stereo effects. Sounds real nice.

Anyhow, I'm going to try a volume pedal between the amps. Thanks guys.

Bob Tuttle · Post by **Bob Tuttle** » 31 Mar 2006 3:38 pm

Have you tried turning the master gain up on the Nashville 112 and turning the pre-gain down? If your master gain is on 5 or 6, you're not getting the full output from your power amp, whereas the Fender is running wide open

Brett Habben · Post by **Brett Habben** » 1 Apr 2006 6:56 pm

If using Bob's approach still doesn't balance the 2 power amps, you could pad the output with a pot (which is what your original question was). Depending on what volume pedal you have and how it's wired, it could do the trick for you. I don't think it would hurt anything to try it.

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 2 Apr 2006 8:59 am

I play it with the master on 10. But the 112 is still to quiet. I haven't tried the volume pedal yet, but I'll let you know how it works.
Thanks guys.
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"The Kid"
D-10 Fessenden, Nashville 112, Session 500, BJS, Goodrich LDR