Question for Twin/Vibrosonic owners

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 8 Aug 2003 5:52 pm

Anyone use both channels together for steel? It seems a bit cleaner. Any comments or suggestions? Thanks, Steve

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 Aug 2003 4:31 am

In my own opinion, it doesn't work too well. The channels (due to the amp's design) are out of phase with each other, and tend to cancel out some of the power when both channels are driven with the same signal. If it makes your particular amp sound "cleaner", then you likely have some sort of problem in your amp.

These amps (unless pushed beyond their limits), are already notoriously clean-sounding.

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 9 Aug 2003 7:28 am

Thanks Donny. Thats what I need to know. I had hoped I could use all the power but less each channell to get a cleaner or better sound. I remember twin players going into and out of the normal channel, than plugging normal out to the next (vibrato) channell, but I wouldnt want that. Anyone else?

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 9 Aug 2003 9:16 am

I used an RV3 Stereo Delay/Reverb with a Twin, and had the cancelling issue.
You can either have the other channel rewired internally to be in-phase (usually a result of adding reverb to the non-reverb channel circuit), or, if you're not using the reverb, removing the reverb tube will put both channels in-phase.

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 9 Aug 2003 11:48 am

In my case I`m using the Vibrosonic. It has the reverb on both channels. It doesn`t sound out of phase. Would you set EQ the same on both channels? How bout Volume? Thanks again, Steve

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 Aug 2003 12:28 pm

Steve, the phase cancellation is instantaneous, so you won't hear it as a phase change. What you will hear is some very strange tonal changes as you change the tone controls on each channel. If it works for you, you can use the effect, but differences in every amp preclude me telling you how to set it for specific sounds. You're in strictly "experimenters" territory, here, but you can't lose anything by trying!

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 9 Aug 2003 12:44 pm

With reverb in both channels, this would be a 90's custom shop reissue, no? Is it possible that this updated amp has both sides in phase?
As to experimentation, as far as I know, there's no harm in linking the channels and dialing away. Who know? Even if the two sides are out of phase, maybe it's cancelling some freq's that were making your particular guitar sound muddy and if it sounds cleaner to you, maybe it is.

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 9 Aug 2003 1:00 pm

I agree with Jon: Beauty is in the ear of the beholder!

There are no right/wrong ways to do things; only results.

Go ahead, break a few rules.[This message was edited by Bob Metzger on 09 August 2003 at 02:02 PM.]

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 13 Aug 2003 2:42 pm

AHA!! Ken Fox has answered regarding the the two channels. They are not out of phase on the Custom vibrosonic. So...Anybody with a custom Vibrosonic use both channels at once? Any set-up tips? Thanks Steve

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 13 Aug 2003 3:21 pm

The steel channel is a might weaker than the guitar channel. With that in mind, if you want to daisy-chain the channels, plug the steel guitar into the guitar channel #1 input and then put a cable from the guitar channel #2 to the steel #1 input. The two jacks in the guitar channel will pad down the input to the guitar channel a bit. you are still splitting the steel signal, so a little weaker than normal signal will be going to the steel input. If you have volume pedal with two outputs, just run a cord to each channel. In that case, I would use the #2 (padded) input to the guitar channel, as this channel is hotter. The outputs on the most volunmes pedals are typically just in parallel, so you will not hear much difference this way, it is just one more option. It would be best to use a Hilton Digital Sustainer or a Matchbox before the volume pedal.

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 15 Aug 2003 11:27 am

My amp is 70's and had reverb in both channals. I have rarely gotten good result using two channals of the same Fender Amp. I have frequently gotten some sort of phase cancellation.