| Author |
Topic: playing both guitar and steel |
Grayson Flynt
From:
Hueytown Alabama
|
Posted 28 Dec 2024 6:45 pm |
|
first of all Sorry Ive been on the forum like crazy asking a lot of questions. But im wondering if there is a better way of playing both guitar and steel on the same song with out having two separate amps
_________________
frakentele
Shobud/marlen d10 7x4
boss katana mk2
assortment of pedals
My Email- Flyntgrayson@gmail.com |
|
|
 |
Colin Boutilier
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
|
Posted 28 Dec 2024 9:20 pm
|
|
I run my steel and guitar rigs into each of the channels of my Twin Reverb.
_________________
Carter Starter, Austin dobro, B/G Bender Telecaster, '75 Twin Reverb, '75 Super Reverb 1x15 |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
|
Posted 28 Dec 2024 9:36 pm
|
|
FWIW, I use a component rack system with a separate power amp and a Roland modeling preamp. With a system like this, you can use one amp. Set up presets and patches each for steel and guitar in the multi fx/preamp unit then use an A/B unit to switch between instruments.
Lots of players have abandoned rack systems, I know, but this is the simplest set up for me. Old school tech....slick and easy with many options for sound selection. |
|
|
|
Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
|
Posted 28 Dec 2024 10:10 pm
|
|
Peavey Vegas. Twin. Quilter Aviator. Acoustic Image.
Several options. |
|
|
|
Barry Yasika
From:
Bethlehem, Pa.
|
Posted 29 Dec 2024 6:46 am Guitar an Steel
|
|
| I've tried several but the Quilter, Aviator Mach III works really well for spitting up two instruments. It has two seperate inputs with two sets of EQ for both. You set up Channel 1's eq for one change up the EQ for Channel 2. Quilter has a foot-switch for a little more money that make the changer seamless. Definitely can handle the output requirements with a 200 watt capability. |
|
|
|
Bobby Martin
From:
Virginia, USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2024 12:17 pm steel/guitar
|
|
I play Tele/Steel through a Fender ABY splitter box into the reverb channel of my Deluxe Reverb and Vibrolux. Just push a button to select.
_________________
Retired my "Flying Pro III" playin' gigs with the "little bud" in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. |
|
|
|
Michael Hill
From:
Arizona, USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2024 1:17 pm
|
|
| I use a pedal board with a switcher that switches a Radial pedal with a 'Drag' control in and out. Drag in for pedal steel and out for 6 string guitar. I've also tried the Sarno Freeloader in place of the Radial and it worked fine but needed to be unplugged to power it off. This was too inconvenient for me. |
|
|
|
Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2024 1:59 pm
|
|
| Colin Boutilier wrote: |
| I run my steel and guitar rigs into each of the channels of my Twin Reverb. |
Same here. Mine is modded with reverb and trem on both channels. |
|
|
|
Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
|
Posted 31 Dec 2024 5:17 pm
|
|
These work great…adjust your guitar volume at your pedal board, set it and forget it.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
|
|
|
Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2024 5:38 pm
|
|
I use a Fender Twin Tone Master. Steel into a Holy Grail reverb pedal into the Normal Channel and Tele into the Vibrato Cchannel. Works for me.
_________________
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
|
|
|
Tim Rose
From:
Missouri, USA
|
Posted 31 Dec 2024 7:14 pm
|
|
Been using a Headrush MX5 (in front of various amps) Guitar in main input and steel in the fx loop (in) of the mx5. Can shape how you want the guitar to sound separate of the steel. Also have these pick holders for quick changes. Solo on one right into the other instrument. Its a challenge.
Keep the ideas coming. Always looking to improve. Now I just need an amp that does tele, steel, baritone, and upright bass all in one.  |
|
|
|
Bob Sykes
From:
North Carolina
|
Posted 2 Jan 2025 9:25 am
|
|
I run my guitar and steel each into its own channel on an old blackface Fender amp. Usually a Deluxe Reverb or Bassman 50.
My guitars have radically different tones and output levels, so having separate tone/vol controls on the amp is a must. I also use separate pedal boards for the same reason.
_________________
Carters Starter, D10 8+7, SD10, Chandler RH-2, Rogue RLS-1
ISO Sustainus Ad Infinitum |
|
|
|
Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
|
Posted 2 Jan 2025 10:18 am
|
|
My two current faves are a Twin-Reverb head through a '64 Bassman cab with 2 D-120F's and a combo Milkman PS-300 1-15". I like lots and lots of headroom...
Been able to kludge up six-string and steel through the single-channel Milkman by EQ-ing it for steel and compensating with a GE-7 on the six-string pedalboard.
A Q for all you double-duty guys. Do you hold the 6-string on your lap while sitting at the steel or do you stand up to switch instruments? I stand up.  |
|
|
|
Bobby Martin
From:
Virginia, USA
|
Posted 2 Jan 2025 1:36 pm
|
|
I stand up to play Tele/Strat/Gretsch,leave thumb and finger picks on steel. Always a relief to move around after being trapped at your "what's that strange instrument called again?"
_________________
Retired my "Flying Pro III" playin' gigs with the "little bud" in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. |
|
|
|
Tim Harr
From:
Dunlap, Illinois
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 5:54 am
|
|
When I need to use a common amp for both guitar and steel, I use a Kemper Profiler and a JHS AB switcher. I change the profiler from a steel patch to a guitar patch and click the AB switcher. SUPER EASY.
_________________
Tim Harr
Mullen G2 D-10 (9p/5k), Fender Telecaster B Bender, Martin HD-28
Retired, US Army Band (Steel/Dobro/Guitar)
Kemper Profiler / LW 89 |
|
|
|
Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 8:41 am
|
|
| Almost any Fender black panel amp will serve, the pedal steel in the Vibrato channel for its reverb, and the six-string pedal board in the Normal channel for its great pedal handling. |
|
|
|
Fred Treece
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 11:46 am
|
|
| Larry Bressington wrote: |
These work great…adjust your guitar volume at your pedal board, set it and forget it. |
The Katana mkII has only one input. Before even thinking about anything else here, try the above suggestion first! If it works, then you can think about how to switch presets for each instrument if you want. If it doesn’t work, you’re out what, maybe 10 bucks. |
|
|
|
Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 12:42 pm
|
|
| Fred Treece wrote: |
The Katana mkII has only one input. Before even thinking about anything else here, try the above suggestion first! If it works, then you can think about how to switch presets for each instrument if you want. If it doesn’t work, you’re out what, maybe 10 bucks. |
There are a couple of major problems with using a "Y" adapter to plug multiple instruments into one input.
First the parallel pickups will drop the load impedance drastically, reducing volume and killing low end. If you have a 18000 ohm steel pickup and a 12000 ohm guitar pickup tied together the total drops to around 7200 ohms, less than half the load impedance of the steel alone, and this will severely wimp out gain and tone.
Also the steel's pickup and VP will load the guitar's pickup and the guitar's controls will affect the steel's pickup, as all of these represent alternate signal paths to ground with or without filters it becomes very messy very fast, and whatever you do neither instrument will sound as good as they would alone. Why amps have discrete channels by design. |
|
|
|
Fred Treece
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 1:39 pm
|
|
Dave, the last time I tried a Y cable (about 20 years ago), your description is a more technical way of how I would have said it sucked. Since Larry endorsed it, I thought maybe something had improved.
I also like the mixer idea. |
|
|
|
Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 1:45 pm
|
|
| Fred Treece wrote: |
Dave, the last time I tried a Y cable (about 20 years ago), your description is a more technical way of how I would have said it sucked. Since Larry endorsed it, I thought maybe something had improved.
I also like the mixer idea. |
Ha! Yes Fred, I am always happy to provide technical explanations for what sucks! 😎
The only thing that has "improved" in this regard is the buffering available in effects pedals that CAN greatly reduce the issues I mentioned, while increasing the likelihood of ground loops. |
|
|
|
Tom Jordan
From:
Wichita, KS
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 3:02 pm
|
|
I've been using a Morely A/B/Both box for years and it has never let me down or "colored" the tone.
Tom |
|
|
|
Fred Treece
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 3 Jan 2025 3:21 pm
|
|
Dave, I could keep you busy for a long time 😎
No one has mentioned a line selector pedal yet. I have never used one, so I am not sure what the advantages are over a simple AB switch other than an LS is more of a Swiss Army knife. This Boss unit seems like it would do the job the OP needs it to do.
 |
|
|
|
Tim Rose
From:
Missouri, USA
|
Posted 4 Jan 2025 11:04 am
|
|
| I keep both instruments live at all times switching fast from one solo right into the next (instrument) a/B switch is one extra thing to plug in...extra thing to push...and are tone sucker's .including my morly |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
|
Posted 4 Jan 2025 11:44 am
|
|
I use a simple A/B box that I built. It's just Switchcraft jacks X 3 and a mini 3 pos. center off switch. It clips on the leg of my steel and only takes a second to switch.
There is no tone suck with this box. I don't see how it could. I've built a dozen or so for other players here and I've never had anyone tell me if affects their tone in any way. YMMV. |
|
|
|
Tim Rose
From:
Missouri, USA
|
Posted 4 Jan 2025 1:02 pm
|
|
| Maybe just bad experience with the Morley for me...think it traumatized me..lol |
|
|
|
