Best way to hook up steel to amps,etc.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 8 Jun 2005 1:47 pm

I'd like to get a few opinions on the best way to hook up your steel to your amp(s). Which input do you use on the front of the amp and how does someone use a second amp as a speaker? I go from my guitar to a delay. From delay to the high gain input on a NV-1000. From the line out on the back of the 1000 to the line in on the of a FSK. I get a good sound with this set up. I'm also looking to improve my tone anyway I can. Thanks!

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 15 Jun 2005 2:37 pm

Well Billy, I'll take a shot at your ? since noone else has. Back in the "olden days" when a lot of us first started using 2 amps, you may remember this config. that Jeff Newman and a few others came up with using Peavey 400's. Clean amp/dirty amp.

Vol. pedal to input #1 of the first amp with just reverb. Come out of input #2 of the first amp [as an output] to the mono input of your off-board fx units with chorus and delay. Mono out of your fx unit to input #1 of amp #2.

This way, you could use more of your fx on amp #2. The slight "out of tuneness" of the chorus gave you a bigger, thicker sound while keeping amp #1 clean for the pure steel sound. Then you could blend in amp #2 volume for the best overall sound. Worked pretty good. Still does. This was before a lot of discrete stereo gear was available.

You might try hooking up this way if the 1000 has 2 inputs and see what you think, if you haven't already.

Although some guys say that chorus is passé, I still like it, but I'm no pro...so what do I know?

[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 15 June 2005 at 03:59 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 15 Jun 2005 5:27 pm

Another thing you might try is using a Boss RV5 pedal. It has stereo ins and outs and some decent reverbs. The great thing about this particular pedal is - no noise and no discernable tone loss. Boss has finally done it. With 2 amps the stereo reverb is great!
I also use a Boss DD6 Digital Delay pedal - just as clean. Here are some pics of that setup . .

RA[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 15 June 2005 at 06:29 PM.]

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 16 Jun 2005 7:26 am

Come out of input #2 of the first amp [as an output] to the mono input of your off-board fx units

You're saying an amp's input jack will work as a low-level output?

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 16 Jun 2005 8:04 am

Dave - That is correct. The second input on the amp is connected internally to the first input.

Lee, from South Texas

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 16 Jun 2005 12:45 pm

Dave - That is correct. The second input on the amp is connected internally to the first input.

Hmmmm. Interesting.

The Operating Guide for my N1000 says about the second input that it has 10dB lower gain than the 1st one, but I guess that assumes it's being used as an "input".

Wonder how it acts when it's used as an "output". I'll have to try it sometime.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 16 Jun 2005 1:59 pm

Those #2 inputs are essentially wired in parallel to the #1 input but with a resistor inserted to reduce the sensitivity. As an output it functions in the same way, same signal, some loss in gain, which can be made up at the preamp of the unit being driven.

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 16 Jun 2005 2:05 pm

OK. So I guess I could use Input 2 to drive a tuner without the signal loss that's been discussed here when it's in series with the guitar on Input 1?

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 16 Jun 2005 2:41 pm

I've used the second out on my volume pedal to a second amp. It worked ok, at least it seemed ok to me.

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Sierra Session D-10
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Byron Walcher · Post by **Byron Walcher** » 16 Jun 2005 8:26 pm

Billy, I would try using the pre amp of the Steel King to drive both amps instead of the Peavey. It has a more flexible EQ section and better sound in general. My opinion only but maybe worth a try.
Byron

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 17 Jun 2005 5:13 am

Dave - I guess you could run a line out from Input #2 to a tuner, but you couldn't tune silently.

Lee

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 17 Jun 2005 11:57 am

Byron, actually about a week ago I switched the amps around using the FSK as the #1 amp. You are correct it does sound better. Not a major difference in sound but I can tell it as can the others in the band.