Questions On Running Two Amps

Alan Tanner · From: Near Dayton, Ohio

Hello...I see a lot of pickers are going to the two amp idea using NV112's or the like. My question is...how are you setting them up? Are you using a stereo output from an effects and feeding each amp individually, or feeding one amp from the other? If you are using a stereo type input to the amps...do you set the tone shaping controls the same on both, or set one with, say, more highs and the other with more lows. I have two 112's and am going to probably run them together and would prolly "figger it out" sooner or later, but it's a lot easier to ask you guys who have already done the "lernin'". Thanks....

Jack Ritter · From: Enid, Oklahoma, USA

Alan

Come from the "Line Out" on the #1 amp into the "POwer Amp" input on the #2 or slave amp. This basically makes the #2 a powered speaker with the #1 amp. Hope I got this right----Jack
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Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Jack - Does that cause a ground loop/hum when you hook them up that way?

Jack Ritter · From: Enid, Oklahoma, USA

No, Lee, it didn't. I did it this way using a N1000 and slaved the n112 and it worked and sounded great.
Years ago when I played a session 500 and session 400 in stereo I had to lift the ground on the 400 to keep from getting a bad hum, tho.
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Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I'm sure that several players do use the stereo outputs of an effects device to drive the two amps. I used to do this at one time. Can't really remember how the amps were setup (20 years ago is a long time).
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Ken Fox · From: Nashville GA USA

An time you connect two amps together with a guitar cable you can and will get ground loop hum. The shield of that cable connects the two amps together and grounds them to each other. If the amp had a true balanced output with a ground lift you would not have that issue. Ground loop hum is caused by an amp having two paths to ground.

Use a Hum-X by Ebtech on the AC power cord of one amp to eliminate that.

Sam Lewis · From: Conway, Arkansas, USA

I use two amps a lot - most times a SteelKing and Nashville 112 (sometimes two SteelKings) and I run the 112 from the ProFex and the SteelKing straight from the Goodrich pedal with no reverb or effects. Works for me. Either one of the amps would do the job but I like the full rich tone that I get using this setup.
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SL D-10, SL U-12,SL SD-10, Custom Tele w/B bender, Steel King, TC300 Effects, Goodrich H-10K pedal, Fender V/T Pedal, Hilton Pedal Elite seat.

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I use the Stereo-Output from my Alesis QuadraVerb~Plus External~Effects Processor into each of my Peavey Nashville–112's and set each Amplifier Identical. If I wasn't using an Effects~Unit with Stereo-Out, I would use each of the 2-outputs on my Volume-Pedal into the 112's and place any effects box either before the volume-pedal for both amps or patch into the rear Effects-Loop of just one amp. I still always set #1 & #2 EQ's the same.
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<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

What Ken said - and with 30 exclamation points.

Otherwise you WILL battle mysterious hum at times and put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. I've normally used a stereo effects pedal (a cheap one where I don't want the effect) or a good quality A/B A+B switch, but still have had grounding problems.

I've put off buying the Hum-X and this thread reminded me to order one - twice I've been on stage using two amps and had a well-meaning but critically wrong "sound engineer" put a ground lift on one of my amps without telling me, and had my a$$ knocked across the stage when I touched a mic stand.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Jeff Hyman · From: West Virginia, USA

I use a Webb with a 15" JBL and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with a 12" Fender.

I have one 4-space rack that handles it all. Mono in the entire loop till I get to the stereo out of effects (TC350). In the rack is a StroboRack, TC350, Monster 1200 UPS, TUBE-EQ... which is only 1/2 space. I use the final 1/2 space for three 1/4" jacks. Center is input from the PSG pedal... the left and right are outputs to the amps.

I will typically turn off effects and get the tone I like from each amp... then... turn on the effects and fine tune the tone and the effects combined from the TUBE-EQ then the TC-350. I only use reverb and some delay. I like my tone, and I would not have it unless I was running in stereo.

Concerning hum.. I don't get any as a result of A/C. I use my own 6-foot heavy gauge extention cord that I make sure I plug into its own wall outlet. The Monster-1200 was the final magic for me.

Robbie Daniels · From: Casper, Wyoming, USA

I have used two amps for years. I currently run through two Evans amps. I generally find the best results using a DigiTech with two outputs and use a Hum-X on one of the amps.
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Carter D12, MSA S12, 12 String Custom Made Non-Pedal, Evans FET 500LV, Evans SE200, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King

Alan Tanner · From: Near Dayton, Ohio

Thanks for the tips guys. My 1000 is just getting too heavy, and I sold my twin because I couldn't handle it any more. I wonder if gravity is increasing logarithmically with the increase in global warming because things are sure a lot HEAVIER than they were a few years ago, even me. I am going to order a ground lift device today. Thanks again....

Jonathan Shacklock · From: London, UK

I've used a Behringer Hum Destroyer to split to two amps. Seems to work very well, it's tiny and it's dirt cheap. There must be a down side but I haven't found it.

Marty Holmes · From: Magnolia ,TX USA

I went and bought a Ebtech hum x after reading this,and must say it was by far the WORSE piece of equipment i ever bought.I paid $75.00 for twice the hum loudness i already had.I strongly advise against it.Hey Ken thanks for the mention of the Hum x,but in my situation it just intenseafied it ,and made it worse

Buck Dilly · From: Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.

There are a variety of devices that enhance your stereo field. Most of these are time based: echo, reverb, chorus, flange, Rotary device, etc. They have stereo outputs and will make the sound more lively. Otherwise you will just get better coverage and overhead. I use a Hughes and Kettner Roto-Sphere last in the chain and a POD XT before that. I love stereo! Doesn't always make it off the stage, but where I sit it sound great. When it sounds great to me, I play better.

Ken Fox · From: Nashville GA USA

The Hum-X has worked for myself and many others. However if you have more than two paths to ground you have a problem it will not fix. I see a lot of two amp sets ups and effects that have a grounded AC cord! Now you have three paths to ground.

Having worked in and been a designer for pro audio systems I have a good understanding of grounding schemes. This device works well in a two amp scenario for ground loop hum. I will not solve single coil pickup hum, that's a whole different problem.

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