Amp head switch

[sonicmojo]

I just got in a Tonebone Radial VT switch(2 heads, 1 cab switch) and after 20 minutes of trying different speaker cables(short ones,etc.) with a few of my D-Style amp heads, I could not get beyond really BAD squealing when both amps were connected. It works fine with only one amp connected.

Back into the box it went since i did not want to damage my amps/speakers nor get into specialized cable searches. Does anyone have a similar switch or have any suggestions for a better one. Maybe I just got a bad apple.

Thanks

[husky]

I just got in a Tonebone Radial VT switch(2 heads, 1 cab switch) and after 20 minutes of trying different speaker cables(short ones,etc.) with a few of my D-Style amp heads, I could not get beyond really BAD squealing when both amps were connected. It works fine with only one amp connected.

Back into the box it went since i did not want to damage my amps/speakers nor get into specialized cable searches. Does anyone have a similar switch or have any suggestions for a better one. Maybe I just got a bad apple.

Thanks

I have heard about this before especially with amps that have good gain.
Eventually we will make one but it will probably be 4 heads, 2 cabs assignable and a higher price.
The issue is you really need a healthy distance between the input switching and the speaker switching or they feed back on each other. The same is true for patch panels in racks, don't run high impedance low level guitar signal and Speaker level in the same box without good physical isolation. Some people get along with the Egnater version if you can find one. The design I did for Santana has no buffers and no ground loops but wasn't cheap and was for 2 heads into one cab. It was rated for his SSS though. Also I think on the Radial you are not supposed to have trailing echoes, ours is not a problem for the amps since we switch to a load. I could custom make another like Santana but they are around $800, I made 2 for Carlos and 1 for Sambora.

______
John Suhr
www.suhrguitars.com

[sonicmojo]

The issue is you really need a healthy distance between the input switching and the speaker switching or they feed back on each other. The same is true for patch panels in racks, don't run high impedance low level guitar signal and Speaker level in the same box without good physical isolation.

This makes perfect sense. Thanks for the explanation! Upon googling, it seems that it is hit or miss depending on the amps used with the Radials and the high gain scenarios appear to be more finicky. I'm not in dire need of this but it would be nice to have for the several heads that I do have. I'd for sure be interested in a 4 head/2 cab version even for a higher pricepoint. It seems the options for this are fairly limited out there.

[Structo]

Sounds like it may just be cheaper to buy another speaker cab or two than try to get the switching working.

A lot of people recommend the Tonebone but it seems like trouble to be switching high wattage amps between loads.

You may have experienced phasing issues or possibly feedback between the amps in the device.

I always thought that a device like that would be cool but if you take a look at pros rigs they generally just switch the inputs between the amps and cabs.

[selloutrr]

This will work as long as you use standby during switching.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

[dorrisant]

Why not use two heads into a 4x12 cabinet. Each head could have two speakers... then you could use an A-B switch.

If 2x12 for each isn't enough then Tom's idea its best.

Tony

[Gibsonman63]

To me, it is all about scaling down. Since the PA systems have gotten smaller, lighter and better, I try not to have to bring the trailer with the bigger PA to most of the club gigs. If you are doing a big production, an extra speaker cabinet in the trailer is no big deal.

Combine that with the fact that it easier for most of us to build good sounding single purpose amps than it is to build a four channel amp with every conceivable option, then it would be nice to bring a head for chrunchy rhythm and solos and another for clean, reverby sounds and have the best of both worlds. I am carrying a spare head anyway most of the time, so it would be nice to use it.

[Bob-I]

I use one of them all the time, no issues at all. I've even made mistakes and hooked mixed up ins and outs, no issues, just no sound but no amp damage at all.

I'd suspect a defective unit

[husky]

I use one of them all the time, no issues at all. I've even made mistakes and hooked mixed up ins and outs, no issues, just no sound but no amp damage at all.

I'd suspect a defective unit

I do know of some loud touring players who had to find different options since they did have squealing, the louder the signal the more it becomes a problem