2 amps or 1?

Ken Thompson · From: Great Falls, Montana, USA

I see some of you use two amps on stage. I use one N112 and we run through our system all the time.

Please let me know it what instance that you use two amps.

Are you using stereo?
Doesn't running one amp through the system, thereby, speakers on each side of the stage accomplish the same thing?

Are your settings different on each amp?

Thanks in advance for your imput. I am really interested to hear all your thoughts on this.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I've been using 2 amps with effects that have independant Left and Right outputs to create a lush "surround sound" at my vantage point.
IMHO, it blows away the one amp expierience.

I only mic' one amp, as what's happening in the mains is typically out of my control anyway.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I used to use two amps but switched to a rack system with stereo pre's, amps, etc. and then to two speaker enclosures.
Erv

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I use a rack system myself which gives me better control over the stereo effects etc. Only time I use a single amp is in small club type venues where there is limited stage space.

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I don't think it matters how many amps it takes! If you get a good sound with just one, then that's all you need. If it takes (2)-amps to satisfy your tastes, then you need (2).

Way back when I had (2) Peavey Stereo~Chorus Amps. I actually had the equivalent of (4) seperate Amps.!

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“Big John” Bechtel
’04 SD–10 Black Derby w/3 & 5 & Pad
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence
web site

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

The stereo effect from using 2 amps is lost as far as the audience is concerned. You may want to use it for your own amazement.

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www.phelpscountychoppers.com/steelguitar

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

When I used two amps (speakers) it was so that the musicians on the far other of the stage could hear me and we could coordinate out input. There may be other reasons that I am not aware of.

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www.genejones.com

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

two..many times..but it is dictated by Stage size..

General thinking is to have one amp kinda behind me as a sort of monitor and the second offset between me and the Tele' bad boy...aiming out at the minions...

But I do feed them both with the Stereo out of the Peavey Profex...Stereo Delay is awesome, even if the dancers and listeners can't tell it's Stereo Delay....but from where I sit I love it !

Nashville 400
Session 400 Limited
Fender Hot Rod Deville 2 x 12

those are the 3 I get to choose from.....

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I have a rack "stereo" system but it mostly sits at home. It's been at least a year since I've used it. Although it does tend to add to the steel's sound, I'm in a "downsize" mode right now and since I got a NV112 back in February that's all I've used. I did try two NV112's in stereo last Saturday at our club's steel show, and it added a little to the sound, but not enough to make me want to have two 112's.

Alan Harrison · From: Murfreesboro Tennessee, USA

I use two 112's with a profex II and get a great sound. I know it may not get past the front of the stage but if it sounds good to me, I guess I have a better attitude and play better.

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Emmons LeGrande II.D-10, 8 & 5, two Peavey 112's, Profex II and Hilton Pedal.

T. C. Furlong · From: Lake County, Illinois, USA

For almost thirty years, I have been a "one amp guy". For a variety of reasons, I have been opposed to the idea of using a stereo steel rig. About two years ago, I decided to put in the time and go on the search for tone nirvana and to make a long story short....I have ended up with a stereo rig now and I am loving the tone. It does take a lot of adjustment time when you first are setting it up. The distance between speakers, the coupling of the low frequencies, the phase cancellations from having two sources, the parameters of the reverb, whether or not you use a modulator, echo, all contribute to the tone. It's a lot of trouble but when you hit the sweet spot, oooooh it's nice. Last night I was listening to one of the all time greats playing live with his stereo rig and it was just magnificent sounding.

TC

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I split my signal early and run through two sides of a stereo rack rig. One side goes through a B.K. Butler tube overdrive unit and the other side ends up going through a Lexicon delay/reverb unit. It's not too important to me whether the final signal comes out of two sides or it's recombined (I can do it either way). What is important is that the overdrive and delay functions are separated because I don't think overdrive sounds best through reverb, and certainly not vice-versa.

Rich rock star guitarists (with roadies and soundmen) have almost all gone to multi-amp setups, even three or four, with different amps having separate purposes. They control them with A/B switches, pan pedals, or train the aforementioned soundman to turn board channel levels up and down at appropriate times. Fortunately there are a lot cheaper ways to do the same thing.

James Cann · From: Phoenix, AZ

Interesting thread. I've been thinking about a rack system and would like some comment on amplifiers by brand. What's out there that will work well with steel?

thanks.

[This message was edited by James Cann on 04 October 2005 at 09:23 PM.]

Duane Dunard · From: Troy, MO. U.S.A.

I've resisted the temptation to use two Nash-112's for a long time. I didn't see the need, as one has alway's worked so well for me, but two weeks ago, I tried the two amp system at a local VFW hall. It was a large hall where you can turn it up and enjoy yourself. I was impressed with the tone and even the band said it sounded much better. However, the single amp system is best for all other smaller vinues.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

James,
There are quite a few different brands of rack setups but I have had good luck with the Tube Works stuff. They got bought out by Genz Benz some years ago but there is quite a bit of used stuff on the market. Herby Wallace is a Tube Works user and you know how good Herby sounds.

Erv

Jim Peters · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.

One NV112, I am just tired of carrying stuff. JP

George McLellan · From: Duluth, MN USA

This weekend I'm going to try the two amp system. I don't play with any band regularly, I only do sub work. Too many times I've heard the comment that they can't hear me well enough on the "far side" of the stage and sometimes miss coming in on the intros.

I'm thinking they can set the volume on "their side" to what level they need. If that doesn't work it's back to one amp.

Geo

Andy Zynda · From: Wisconsin

I went to two amps a few years ago, and I'll never go back to a single setup. Any single amp sounds thin after hearing two, and I dont even run stereo. Dual Mono.
My band was asked to play a tribute set to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and for that gig I used three amps. A Vibrolux, A Super Reverb and a Steel Stringer Dumble clone.
It was huge without being too loud.
(that was for regular 6 string, for Steel I use a MusicMan HD130 and a Vibrolux reverb.)
-andy-

[This message was edited by Andy Zynda on 06 October 2005 at 09:35 PM.]

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

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