How do I get "True" stereo with two amps

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

From working with Stereo systems and a little recording, I understand the principle of stereo when it applies to a left and a right channel and panning different instruments left channel, right channel, vocals centered, etc. I understand if you have a stereo pickup (or two separate pickups) a stereo cord (or two cords) out of your guitar, then to a stereo volume pedal, then feed two separate amps, then in my mind, I see stereo.

Here is what I am having trouble grasping: I have two Peavey 112 Valve King amps. I am running one cord from my volume pedal to one amp and I have a jumper cord from the input on that amp to the input on the 2nd amp. I am running a mono Wet Reverb in the effects loop of one of the amps and the amp reverb in the other amp.

So I am running "dual mono" NOT stereo. What do I have to get to get true stereo?

I want to run my Wet Reverb through the effects loop of the amps. So if I hook up a stereo Wet Reverb pedal this way, am I now running "True" stereo?

1. Cord from volume pedal to the input of amp #1
2. Cord from unused input of amp #1 to the input of amp
#2.
3. Cord from the effects send of amp #1 to the #1 input
of the Wet Reverb.
4. Cord from the #1 output of the Wet Reverb to the
effects return of amp #1.
5. Cord from the effects send of amp #2 to the #2 input
of the Wet Reverb
6. Cord from the #2 output of the Wet Reverb to the
effects return of amp #2.

Will the stereo Wet Reverb pedal somehow through it's magic, now have me running in true stereo? And really the big question: Is it worth fooling with and spending the money for the Stereo Wet Reverb? Would there be much of a difference in sound, assuming it gives me stereo or would the difference between the dual mono that I am running now and the stereo sound difference just be subtle but not enough difference to justify the expense.

Thanks so much for helping me get all this processed in my brain.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

If you want "stereo" then you need to run each amp separately. From the guitar to the volume pedal to for example a reverb that has "stereo" outputs and you run one to one amp and the other output to the other amps. NO connections between the amps.

However, only you will know you have "stereo", the people in the audience will not hear any difference.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Thank you Jack. As always, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated and you are a real asset to the forum.

If there would not be a big difference in the sound, then I am going to just forget it and keep what I have. Including shipping, it would cost close to $250.00 for a stereo Wet Reverb pedal. For another $70.00, I could buy the Carvin BX 500. (free shipping) I think my money would be better spent going that route.

If I understand you, then running the jumper cable from the input of one amp to the input of the other amp is connecting them together. If I don't use the jumper and run a 2nd cord out of the 2nd output on the volume pedal to amp #2, are the amps now NOT connected? With my Goodrich 120 pedal, it seems to me like I would still be connecting the two amps together, just at the pedal instead of the amp.

So, would it take a stereo reverb pedal to prevent the two amps from being connected? One cord from the volume pedal to #1 input of the stereo pedal and a 2nd cord out of the volume pedal to the #2 input of the stereo pedal. Then out of the #1 output of the reverb unit to amp #1 and out of the #2 output of the reverb unit to amp #2?

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Unless you have different effects in each amp or different EQ settings, stereo is just silly. It is, as you pointed out, just the same thing in two channels.
For live purposes, it's almost as silly, since all those bodies will absorb and muffle the sound.
I'd only pursue stereo in studio, AND when you have a good idea how you want them to differ.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Thanks, Lane. As they say "That's what I needed to hear." I am running two identical amps with the EQ set the same. The Ruby reverb unit in the one amp sounds just about as good as the amp that uses the Wet Reverb. I actually think it may sound better by having one amp with the digital reverb and one with the spring reverb.

From what you say and what Jack said, I am abandoning the whole idea of running the two amps in stereo. I do like using two amps though. One band that I play with, I have to use both amps to get the volume that I need. The Valve King 112's are only 50 watt tube amps, but they are darn loud for what they are.

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