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Topic: A-B Box |
Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 21 Nov 2004 10:50 am |
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What's a good brand of A-B box to get? I want to hook two non pedal steels into the same volume pedal. Is there a brand I should not get for whatever reason?
Thanks! |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Nov 2004 11:11 am
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I use the Startouch
A/B/Y box and likw it alot. Very solid, noiseless, and no loss of tone.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 21 Nov 2004 5:03 pm
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http://www.loooper.com/
I like this guy's products, I've had good dealings with him, and his prices are good. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 22 Nov 2004 8:29 am
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Moved to Electronics from No Peddlers.
------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Joe Miraglia
From:
Jamestown N.Y.
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Posted 22 Nov 2004 8:37 am
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| Jeff, I use a Signal-Flex with my Carter D10 and my 8 string Cat Can lap steel. Joe |
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Bruce Meyer
From:
Thompson's Station, TN
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Posted 22 Nov 2004 7:47 pm
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| I have used a Whirlwind A/B Selector, the same unit, for going on 7 years. It is either battery or ac powered, but the batterly lasts forever. It has LEDs for the activated branch (one or both). It's totally noiseless in my amp. Just bought my second one to use at home. It's pricey at around 90 bucks, but worth every penny. |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 22 Nov 2004 7:51 pm
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I like the Boss LS-2.
Available at most music stores. |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2004 11:03 pm
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I too have the BOSS LS-2.(line selector) Gives you lots of instrument & amp choices and combinations. I run my steel and mandolin into my GP-Webb using this. Works well for quiet, easy switching especially in church  |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2004 1:47 pm
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I kind of have my eye on the Startouch. Steiner you mentioned that it has no loss of tone. Is tone loss typical of A/B box units? Just curious...what does the "Y" mean on A/B/Y?
I have neck selector switches on the guitars, so my goal is to find a unit (with no tone loss), that I can leave both A and B on at all times, and control on/off with the neck selector switch. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Nov 2004 2:23 pm
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The "Y" means both A & B "on". In other words just splitting the signal into two. A/B without the Y option means either/or. A/B/Y means either/or/or both.
I'm not clear on the signal loss reference either. An A/B box does not affect the signal. However a passive, unbuffered unit would result in a lower output signal in the Y position, same as if you have both necks on with a twin neck guitar, as opposed to turning off whichever neck you are not using. Perhaps this is the reference? |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Nov 2004 2:42 pm
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Errh.. actually, what I was thinking of when I mentioned that it had no loss of tone, was some very bad experiences I've had with cheaper mini mixers (2 or 4 in - 1 out). I've tested several of those since I wanted the option of adjusting the varying outputs from different guitars. Some of these both introduce noise and cuts the treble, but of course that's not a concern with a simple passive A/B/Y box....
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Nov 2004 3:03 pm
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| Aha! And yes, I know exactly what you are talking about with degraded signal from cheapo little mixers. |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2004 5:30 pm
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So, would a $40 dollar ABY box be considered cheapo? I think the brand is "Rolls"...
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-RLL-ABY32.html
I'm ordering a couple of other things from them anyway, and this was the only ABY that came up when I searched. So if you guys think this unit would be good, I'll probably go with it. Otherwise, I can step up to another brand/model.
The item description mentions two guitars into one amp...but, I want to put two guitars into the same volume pedal (then one cord from the volume pedal to my amp). I assume the unit would serve this purpose as well?
Thanks!
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Nov 2004 7:21 pm
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No alarms going off at the back of my mind when I looked at it,- I'm sure it will do the job. And it will also work as you wish, bringing two guitar signals into the same volume pedal. It also seem to have an extra output that can be used for a tuner, for example.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 23 November 2004 at 07:22 PM.] |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Jan 2005 12:12 am
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I need to switch quickly and smoothly between guitar and steel, often in the same song. I ordered a Startouch AB pedal after seeing this thread. I had previously tried several other brands of pedals. Most had unwanted noise and signal degradation and ultimately proved unreliable.
The Startouch AB pedal turned out to be the perfect solution - noiseless, no signal degradation, and reliable. It is also the best looking AB pedal on the planet, and the finish is extremely durable (I got the blue one).
So thanks Steinar for the recommendation - and thanks Tony Chostner for building a killer pedal!
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Rick Alexander
57 Fender Stringmaster T8, 69 Strat, Rickenbacker BD6
Music Man & Peavey Amps
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 3 Jan 2005 2:48 am
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The Startouch looks remarkably the same as the MORLEY and sells , imagine this, for the same price !
I believe I picked up my Morley at Guitar Center for $50 and they will bargain a tad if you have it in ya..ZZ has them for $44..( link below)
All of these AB/Y Pedals are in the same price range so if you are thinking one is way better than another..you may want to rethink that..
The Morley uses a Battery if you want, only for the LEDS, exactly like the Startouch..otherwise just step on the button of choice and go crazy !..!
I don't find the one I have noisy at all..I'm thinking some of these low cost passive items are good, some real good and some NOT...probably made in China so the consistency is probably not the best..if it is noisy take the bottom off and resolder the ground conncetions, it's probably just a cold solder joint anyway..
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MLYABY
t
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 03 January 2005 at 03:01 AM.] |
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