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Post by guitarboy02451 on Aug 1, 2006 13:15:29 GMT -7
I guess this is a good dilema to have. I have two Z's and one pedal board. I already have an a/b switch, but the A/B was engineered for my SR and a Marshall. For loop effects, I used the loop of the Marshall.
Now I have a Sr. and a Ghia.
Should I just build two small pedal boards instead of one giant mess?
Plus the more pedals I use, the more signal loss I incur. But for some songs (my band does over 40 covers) I need some of that stuff.
Yikes... I need help. It's a total mess and I'm stuck.
What I need is some help. I can provide detail about my board as well as a photo. (I think there is one in the maz38 section).
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Post by foxx on Aug 1, 2006 16:12:38 GMT -7
Are you running a stereo rig or just a/b? If a/b just use two seperate chains, even if they are on the same board. Some guys here have discussed bypass boxes. Only the effect you want on is in the chain, not all of the pedals. If you are just going the a/b route just use some pedals for the Ghia and some for the Sr. Which ones would be determined by what you want that effect to come out like. Maybe, the Ghia sounds better with a certain pedal etc...
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Post by jwr on Aug 1, 2006 16:59:38 GMT -7
I agree with Foxx. I put my pedals that I want to use with all my amps in front of the switcher, then break out of the switcher to specific pedals to specific amps. Invest in some quality cable and connectors and build your own patch cables. This will definitely help with the signal loss. I really like the Canare or Starquad cable from procablesnsound.com My sound has improved tremendously with these cables, especially when using lots of pedals. I use there cable for everything now. Think through your most complicated night with the band, and set up all the pedals you'll need to get through it. Try to give each amp a "job". Ghia cranked for mild gain and the SR for cleans. Then pedals in front of each to manipulate those settings. That's just an example but you get the drift. Xotic just came out with a box called a X-Blender. It might be something you would be interested in, they have them at musictoyz.com I would do just 1 big pedal board, it will be cheaper in the end and you won't be at a gig wishing you had that pedal that's on your other board. Jason
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Post by John on Aug 2, 2006 4:40:02 GMT -7
I don't put any pedals on my board unless they are true bypass or go through a true bypass switcher. Some people think this is a bit obsessive, but if I've spent this much money on such a responsive amp, it's worth the effort. I just received a true bypass switcher box...dang, I can't remember who made it. (I'll check and get back) But the main thing I remember is they make multiple switcher boxes. (mine is two) I remember a 4 or 5 box true bypass switcher. Hook up all your tone sucking pedals to this switcher...and when you play, all you do is step on the switcher box, not the pedals. (the pedals are always 'on', but the switcher box controls if they are in the chain or not.)
For anyone who's worried about pedals sucking tone, this is a great box. However, if it sucks tone while engaged, I can't help you. My Line 6 DL4 drops a bit in volume when engaged, so I'll probably have to pony up for the Keeley mod.
With a switcher box like this, you could 'mix & match' pedals depending on the type of gig.
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Post by jwr on Aug 2, 2006 7:55:56 GMT -7
Let us know how you like the box, I think I saw it on music toyz web site and am interested how well it works. I'm pretty obsessive about that too for the exact same reasons you stated above. I got the Keeley mod done to my DL4 and it solves the volume drop problem for sure. Jason
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Post by John on Aug 2, 2006 10:42:21 GMT -7
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Aug 2, 2006 11:52:46 GMT -7
This concept is interesting. What I have is a a or b rig... Not into the stereo thing.
There are some pedals before the a/b box that would effect both amps... But from there, things get very different. The pedals before the a/b box are: 1. Morley Wah 2. Sparkle Drive 3. Microvibe
The A side goes to a comp, zendrive, then trem,flange,phase,chorus,delay/reverb then to the amp.. This is where I get signal loss
The B was intended for my Marshall Head which just had a Real Tube Pedal and a Ts9. Delays and verbs came from my G-Major which went through the loop of the Marshall. THe Marshall is now replaced by the Ghia. Which doesn't have an effects loop. The Sr does have an effects loop but the G-Major sounds like crap through it.... So, the Gmajor is going by way of ebay.
So, I like all the stuff that's on the A side for both amps... Thats the problem. nothing on the B side I'm into any more... Plus I'd like to add an RC boost to the mix. But there are times if you switch amps you don't want to have to toe tap.. Ya know switch amps, then have to turn something that was on, now off...
I mean, the TS9 and Real tube sound good... I just really dig the Zendrive now. Plus I have all those loop type effects (chorus, verb, trem, delay etc) on the A side.
Very complex. I wonder if the looper would fix this.
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Post by jwr on Aug 2, 2006 12:08:09 GMT -7
Paul, check out the Carl Martin Combinator 2. From what I understand it can turn on and off multiple pedals with a single footswitch. Lot's of info at carlmartin.com I think this would be one way to resolve your problem. Jason
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Aug 2, 2006 14:41:25 GMT -7
Yeah, I don't know if that will do what i'm looking for. THanks though. I guess I have two separate amps, that I'd like to share the same effects for both. I want the best for both worlds! :-) I just don't want end up buying two zendrives, two sets of loop effects (rev, chorus and such).
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Post by steveinnashville on Aug 2, 2006 16:50:09 GMT -7
I had WOBO cook up this unit for managing stereo inputs, assigning input & output for effects and Loop Station to stereo amps (and some other stuff): That only cost $300, and it was a ridiculous order, WOBO can cook up whatever you want... shoot them an email with what you need (sounds like you'll need a buffer up front as well from your post). www.woboge.com
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