? for Brad Sarno

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 19 Jun 2006 6:56 am

Hello Brad,

I started searching thru the many, many posts about "The Black Box"; of which I now have one as I'm sure you know.

I know the answer to my question is in that maze somewhere, but, GHEEEZ, quickly again -

Will the box work OK going thru the effects loop of an amp?

I've got a wedding gig coming up, and I have to switch between steel and guitar. I have a Morley A/B switching unit, but if I hook the BB up to the steel directly, I will not be able to get it's effect with the A/B switch.

I'm just trying to make life easy for myself, where I don't have to keep unplugging and plugging in cords all day.

Once again, thanks for your expertise and time. The BB is just a super device. Well done!

Chipper[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 19 June 2006 at 08:09 AM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 19 Jun 2006 7:50 am

Chip. The BB can handle pretty hot line levels, so it will generally work in most effects loops. However, remember that a major part of the BB's function is to be the very first active stage that a steel pickup sees. That's why it should generally go first in the chain. But since your A/B switch is passive, you could put the BB after the A/B box. That way both steel and guitar will see the BB as the first active stage. There should be no problem putting the A/B box before the SGBB. If I'm understanding your setup correctly, this ought to work just fine.

Brad

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 19 Jun 2006 8:39 am

Thanks Brad. I can set it up any old way, I guess, but I'll definitely do it as you recommend. I want to be able to get the 'max' that I can out of the BB. This will surely make for a smooth day.

Again, thanks so much for the quick response, and the great BB.

Chipper

Rob van Duuren · Post by **Rob van Duuren** » 19 Jun 2006 8:48 am

And I guess putting the volumepedal after the Black Box would even be better, right Brad?

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 19 Jun 2006 12:26 pm

I went ahead this afternoon and set my rig up as Brad mentioned, and it works just fine. The Morley unit is, as mentioned, a passive unit, and it did not cause any noticeable power loss or create unwanted noise.

So it went: Steel > VP > Morley A/B > BB > Evans FET 500. I use an EH Holy Grail Reverb unit that goes thru the effects loop on the Evans. The guitar goes into the other side of the Morley using a Fishman pickup and Fishman preamp. I'm also micing the guitar thru input 2 on the Evans, to round out the sort of harshness of the Fishman [regrettably].

After "wasting" a lot of $ on 3 Fishman piezio pickups plus the preamp plus installation charges, I've come to the conclusion that I like better the sound of an acoustic coming thru a good microphone.

Live & Learn, and pay.

A great sound to my ears. I'm satisfied.

[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 19 June 2006 at 01:28 PM.]

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 19 Jun 2006 1:09 pm

Chip to get the best from the Black Box you should hook up like this:
Steel > Black Box > Volume pedal > Ab box > effects > amp !!!
In order for the Black Box to see the pickup first it needs go between the guitar and the volume pedal.

Or if you want your guitar through the BB as well, then go Steel > AB box > Black Box > Volume pedal > effects etc ..
[This message was edited by Paddy Long on 19 June 2006 at 02:10 PM.]

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 19 Jun 2006 1:52 pm

Paddy,

On the last setup possibility in your post, it seems as tho the VP would be in the way of the guitar signal.

The way I mentioned how I got it set up [above] seems to work just fine. I'll give your method a try, tho. Why not? Just not tonite. I'll get around to it tommorrow, and see if there's any difference. I'll get back.

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.

Chipper[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 19 June 2006 at 02:54 PM.]

Lynn Stafford · Post by **Lynn Stafford** » 19 Jun 2006 2:14 pm

Chip,

I also play pedal steel as well as guitar, so I A/B them both using a homemade switch mounted inside the top of my rack, before going to the BB (mounted inside my rack) then back out to the VP then to my amp. I have a small patch bay on the side of my rack for all the in/out patches, including to/from the amp's effects loop. This works very well, and also allows the use of the VP while playing either instrument.

Lynn

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 19 Jun 2006 4:29 pm

Chip your welcome ....I also have the Revelation Preamp and the patching is the same setup (the BB is the first stage) ...guitar to input of the rev pre, then out to the VP.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 19 Jun 2006 5:37 pm

Lynn & Paddy,

Thanks fellas. It's been a long day. Both of your just recent posts, I can't fathom right now. I've had a few "pops", so I don't want to start gibberish, but simply to acknowledge your responses.

Thanks so much. I'll respond much better, tommorrow.

Ciao,

Chipper