Running two amps
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
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Running two amps
Just curious. When running two amps, do you generally run one with all your FX and one completely clean and fairly dry? Any suggestions?
Robbie Bossert
Robbie Bossert
Emmons LeGrande III Pedal Steel. '54 Gibson lap steel, Peavey Nashville 1000, Nashville 400, Telecaster,Banjo, Peavey Power slide Lap Steels ,Effects, and other assorted crap.....
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Thanks Donnie. I just tried it with FX going to one and Dry to the other. To my ear it sounds pretty mid rangey, or honky, I'll try FX in both..
Robbie
Robbie
Emmons LeGrande III Pedal Steel. '54 Gibson lap steel, Peavey Nashville 1000, Nashville 400, Telecaster,Banjo, Peavey Power slide Lap Steels ,Effects, and other assorted crap.....
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What Drew said. OR add an extension speaker cabinet of the correct impedance. The added square inches of speaker cone improves dispersion and "fills out" the sound. It's very rare that two amps are needed unless you specifically want to run in stereo or prefer the sound of lower-output amps cranked up, in which case you probably ned at least two amps to cover various venue sizes/configurations.
Two amps have to be checked for speaker polarity and proper AC wiring polarity as well. Speaker polarity issues are when one cone (or set of cones) moves forwards and the other set are reversed, not only because o speaker wiring but sometimes use (vs not using) effect loops can reverse the polarity. random, unexplained volume dropouts or thin tone can occur.
AC wiring issues usually occur in amps that have been serviced and power cords rewired or replaced. There's a specific way to wire hot and neutral wires, and if they are not both correct ground issues and shock danger can be present.
Accordingly, I don't recommend a dual amp setup unless somebody qualified has checked it all out and it's absolutely necessary.
Two amps have to be checked for speaker polarity and proper AC wiring polarity as well. Speaker polarity issues are when one cone (or set of cones) moves forwards and the other set are reversed, not only because o speaker wiring but sometimes use (vs not using) effect loops can reverse the polarity. random, unexplained volume dropouts or thin tone can occur.
AC wiring issues usually occur in amps that have been serviced and power cords rewired or replaced. There's a specific way to wire hot and neutral wires, and if they are not both correct ground issues and shock danger can be present.
Accordingly, I don't recommend a dual amp setup unless somebody qualified has checked it all out and it's absolutely necessary.
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
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
- Rich Upright
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I always run 2 amps with a DD-3 stereo delay. I send the dry signal (with reverb) to 1 amp, and ONLY the delay note to the other amp (which can be a smaller practice amp). It gives you a very big "wall of sound" sound, where you can hear the delay without it being overpowering. Can't do it on gigs where the steel is mic'ed through the PA, obviously.
A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.
- Jerry Overstreet
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When we started doing this back in the '80's the thinking was to keep one amp pure with just some reverb and put all the other effects in the second amp. Mixing the volume of the two amps gave us a stereo effect, or the presence of two different sounds at least. I did this for several years until I began using rack rigs and satellite speakers.
The only problem I know of is the ground loop hum you get from wiring two amps together in this way. You need to find a way to lift one of the amp grounds or find a hum eliminator device that's made for that purpose. Many of us did this for several years without any other problems save the hum issue...at least of the people I know and know of including many of the Nashville pros and other pro players around the country.
The only problem I know of is the ground loop hum you get from wiring two amps together in this way. You need to find a way to lift one of the amp grounds or find a hum eliminator device that's made for that purpose. Many of us did this for several years without any other problems save the hum issue...at least of the people I know and know of including many of the Nashville pros and other pro players around the country.
get the sticker from Scott Murray
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proud appalachian american
those of you who think you know everything annoy the he!! out of those of us that do.
never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience-Mark Twain-
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There are those that run a single amp.
Those that run two amps in either wet-dry or wet wet.
Then there are those that run three amps wet-dry-wet.
Run what makes you happy and works.
Rich Upright wrote: "Can't do it on gigs where the steel is mic'ed through the PA, obviously."
Why not?
If you had a separate mic on each cabinet, and had the sound man who understands the principle pan/mix them properly......
Those that run two amps in either wet-dry or wet wet.
Then there are those that run three amps wet-dry-wet.
Run what makes you happy and works.
Rich Upright wrote: "Can't do it on gigs where the steel is mic'ed through the PA, obviously."
Why not?
If you had a separate mic on each cabinet, and had the sound man who understands the principle pan/mix them properly......
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Rob, that tone problem might be a speaker phase issue. Try temporarily reversing the speaker wires on one of the amps, and see if that sounds any better!Robbie Bossert wrote:Thanks Donnie. I just tried it with FX going to one and Dry to the other. To my ear it sounds pretty mid rangey, or honky, I'll try FX in both.
Regarding ground loop hum - that does not occur in most circumstances. If it's suspected and lifting the ground on ONE amp quiets the hum great - but only as a temporary solution.
Because if it does happen it indicates a wiring problem in one amp, one AC source or outboard gear connected to only one of them. Permanently using a ground lift as a solution is not a safe way to "solve" the problem - all it does it relieve a symptom and the problem still needs to be dealth with
Because if it does happen it indicates a wiring problem in one amp, one AC source or outboard gear connected to only one of them. Permanently using a ground lift as a solution is not a safe way to "solve" the problem - all it does it relieve a symptom and the problem still needs to be dealth with
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
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
- Olli Haavisto
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The solution for ground loop and phase problems that may occur with a two amp set up safely:
https://lehle.com/EN/Lehle-P-Split-II
https://lehle.com/EN/Lehle-P-Split-II
Last edited by Olli Haavisto on 12 Sep 2018 10:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
Olli Haavisto
Finland
Finland
- Olli Haavisto
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