ABY pedal & DI box

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ikan

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Guys, need some help :(

I have a Schecter C1 E/A guitar, it's the older model with 2 output jacks: 1 for the mag p/u and another one for piezo p/u. The piezo is powered by a 9V batt. Not like the newer model, I can still play this guitar without the batt (on mag only) . Since the electric & acoustic signals are wired separately, the signals can be used individually or blended by controlling their respective volume knobs.

Anyway, I have a problem when jamming in a studio with only one guitar amp and the amp has only one input. With the current setup, I need to choose either one and de-plug the other :confused:. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think this problem can be solved by having an ABY pedal. Any recommendation guys?

Another thing is I'm also thinking of getting a DI box so that I can run the signals directly to the PA. I came across with a BBE DI-100X (with Sonic Maximiser!). Will this unit serve the purpose? Any other recommendations?

Oh another thing, do I need to get active or passive units for both?
 
Radial makes a bunch of A-B/preamp/DI stomp boxes, but I'm sure if they have combination modes for both channels. I've used a Boss LS-2 pedal for years to combine a dry signal with my distortion, or to share an amp with another instrument, or to use to swich between two insturments. It's very versatile, and has level adjustments for each A and B inputs. You can, of couse, use any DI you want after the LS-2, but it's two separate pieces.
 
FYI, my nick, "ikan" is a Malay word for "fish" :). And i always use this fish bone sign: <;))))< . Thanks for helping your own species, Whale Bone :D

When using the LS-2 in "blend" mode, do you experience any signal loss between the two signals? On the DI, should I get an active or passive unit?
 
You could probably just get a "y" cable that will take your peizo and mag signals and combine them into one. Then you just blend with the volume knobs and you are set. Radio shack should have them for like 5 or 10 bucks or something. Or you could always make your own.
 
Glad to help. (I almost used Lapulapu)

No signal loss with the LS-2. The level controls can both cut and boost. It's got a 1M Ohm input which works well for my passive and active basses and my piezo-like upright pickup.

The nice thing about the LS-2 is that it has many modes - straight-through (bypass)/A; bypass/B; A/B; bypass/A/B; A+B/bypass; selectable output (1 in, up to 3 out). And something in the main signal path, i.e. not in the A or B loops, will be acted upon by the level of an unused A or B loop, so you can use it as a volume switch. The manual explains all the permutations well.

It's been a really pedal for me.
 
Ripthorn said:
You could probably just get a "y" cable that will take your peizo and mag signals and combine them into one. Then you just blend with the volume knobs and you are set. Radio shack should have them for like 5 or 10 bucks or something. Or you could always make your own.
Click to expand...

That's another option that I haven't explored. Thanks Ripthorn. I need to either DIY or ask a guitar shop to make one for me. No Radio Shack in my area (I'm not in the USA). The cable should be 2 X 1/4 mono ----> 1/4 stereo TRS rite?
 
Whale Bone said:
Glad to help. (I almost used Lapulapu)

No signal loss with the LS-2. The level controls can both cut and boost. It's got a 1M Ohm input which works well for my passive and active basses and my piezo-like upright pickup.

The nice thing about the LS-2 is that it has many modes - straight-through (bypass)/A; bypass/B; A/B; bypass/A/B; A+B/bypass; selectable output (1 in, up to 3 out). And something in the main signal path, i.e. not in the A or B loops, will be acted upon by the level of an unused A or B loop, so you can use it as a volume switch. The manual explains all the permutations well.

It's been a really pedal for me.
Click to expand...

Cool. I guess I'll settle for an LS-2 & a y-cable. Will let you guys know of the outcome. Thanks a lot guys! :)
 
Ripthorn said:
You could probably just get a "y" cable that will take your peizo and mag signals and combine them into one. Then you just blend with the volume knobs and you are set. Radio shack should have them for like 5 or 10 bucks or something. Or you could always make your own.
Click to expand...

That might work, or it might not. It won't hurt anything to try it, but the output impedance of your piezo preamp might load down your mag pickups and cost you a lot of signal strength from them.
 
ggunn is right about the impedance issue, but a cable is cheaper than an aby box usually. But in that case, the aby box might not even completely work (unless there is one with some sort of impedance matching transformer?).
 
Ripthorn said:
ggunn is right about the impedance issue, but a cable is cheaper than an aby box usually. But in that case, the aby box might not even completely work (unless there is one with some sort of impedance matching transformer?).
Click to expand...

Most ABY boxes buffer the inputs separately, so when "Y" is selected the two guitar outputs are not shorted together as they would be with just a Y cable adaptor.
 
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