5E3 Channel Selector

Enjoying my 5E3, I usually have 2 guitars plugged in at the same time, and they both can play at the same time... well, of course, two open channels.

But can you put an A/B footswitch and switch channels with one guitar? I would guess that's not a problem, but can you damage the amp? Would there be a pop or click?

I was looking at this BOSS AB-2 (http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=478) and thought it would be a nice way to switch rhythm/lead.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7614785360_20a680f205.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/charisjapan/7614785360/)

I built my own A/B switch. It was super easy, is durable and works great. A switch, 3 jacks, a box and some wire. I used a hammond enclosure like this one here:
http://www.multimediamayhem.net/P046.JPG

I never tried using it as an A/B in my 5E3, but I am sure it would work. I mostly used it to put one guitar into 2 amps. My Bandmaster for loud cleans, then stomp into my tweed for crunch. There are many uses. Dead-ending into a tuner, muting your signal between songs or sets, etc...Build one! It's fun and one more feather for your cap.

No power required, unless you want LEDs.

http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/ABSwitches/AB_Simple.gif

I use something similar to what Keith describes going into my Airline 2x6v6 amp. I used a larger box and a second stomp switch to add a jumpered input option with a passive effects loop.

It works great with time based effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc) and makes a small amp sound huge.

OF course, with the 5E3 you have interactive channels. So, the volume setting on one channel affects the sonics when you are playing through the other cahnel. I dont' know if this holds true if there is a cable plugged into each channel, though. I have never tried anything like that with a 5E3. I plug into the Bright channel and know where I want that other channel set for the sonics that I want out of the amp.

And....with an amp like the 5E3, for me at least....going from rhythm to lead and back is as simple as adjusting the guitar's volume and/or my pick attack....clean to scream with not much effort at all....or clean to 'hot clean' if you don't want that singing overdrive....adn it is all at the saem volume due to the compression.

go for an ABY switch -- using both channels of a 5E3 is truly a wonder to behold. But get a quality one to avoid ground issues --I use a Radial Twin City but they also make a good less expensive one (Big Shot ABY).

But can you put an A/B footswitch and switch channels with one guitar? I would guess that's not a problem, but can you damage the amp? Would there be a pop or click?


Humm, well, if you can run 2 instruments thru the amp, then you should be able to a/b the 2 channels. The only issue might be humm, but should not damage the circuit.

I use a morley a/b box but then I use 1 guitar to 2 amps. The advantage of the morley is that it does A/B/ A&B so I can play thru 2 amps at once . . .