Anyone use the second input of your amp?
- Thread starter tap4154
- Start date
spellcaster
Tele-Holic
When I first bought my old Twin, I'd use the second input as a way to tame the volume a bit. However, I've since discovered that I like using both jacks....One to the guitar, and the second to feed my Peterson StroboFlip tuner. One advantage is that if I flip the amp switch to standby, it mutes the amp output, but still feeds the tuner so I can tune without having to adjust the amp's controls.
Last edited:
Mowgli
Tele-Meister
If I recall correctly...
In J1 alone, the two 68k Resistors are in parallel so their effective Resistance is 34k.
In J2 alone, one of the two 68k Resistors is tied to ground so the input signal is no longer in parallel (rather, it is in series with the one 68k Resistor) and the effective Resistance is 68k. Twice that of J1 alone.
Therefore, J1 alone is louder because there is less resistance, 34k ohms (34k is less than 68k), to the input signal in the parallel circuit feeding the V1 input grid.
The 1 Meg Resistor that is tied to ground is placed in the input circuit to help establish the high input impedance similar to other electrical devices like many of the Volt-Ohm meters where 10 Meg Resistors are placed at the positive terminal test jack input.
But when both J1 and J2 are plugged in at the same time, each has its own 68k Resistor in series (no longer in parallel). In essence, this makes them both the same level as J2, not J1, because each is offering 68k ohms of Resistance in each input.
In other words, if both J1 (Hi) and J2 (Lo) are used at the same time they are at the same J2 (Lo) level.
If my memory is incorrect or my explanation is incorrect please correct me with a detailed explanation.
In J1 alone, the two 68k Resistors are in parallel so their effective Resistance is 34k.
In J2 alone, one of the two 68k Resistors is tied to ground so the input signal is no longer in parallel (rather, it is in series with the one 68k Resistor) and the effective Resistance is 68k. Twice that of J1 alone.
Therefore, J1 alone is louder because there is less resistance, 34k ohms (34k is less than 68k), to the input signal in the parallel circuit feeding the V1 input grid.
The 1 Meg Resistor that is tied to ground is placed in the input circuit to help establish the high input impedance similar to other electrical devices like many of the Volt-Ohm meters where 10 Meg Resistors are placed at the positive terminal test jack input.
But when both J1 and J2 are plugged in at the same time, each has its own 68k Resistor in series (no longer in parallel). In essence, this makes them both the same level as J2, not J1, because each is offering 68k ohms of Resistance in each input.
In other words, if both J1 (Hi) and J2 (Lo) are used at the same time they are at the same J2 (Lo) level.
If my memory is incorrect or my explanation is incorrect please correct me with a detailed explanation.
Here's what Mesa has to say about input 2 on the Blue Angel: INPUT 2 may be used to obtain a "cleaner" sound as it has a sensitivity pad built into it. This pad also slightly alters the higher frequencies making them a bit breathier and hollow. I will need to give it another try!
AngelStrummer
Friend of Leo's
On my old Roland JC, always. To my ears it sounds sweeter and it'll be loud enough, believe me.
On my tone master I use the first channel with single coils and humbuckers
Although it does add quite the ooommpphh! With The humbuckers
Although it does add quite the ooommpphh! With The humbuckers
PoorNoodle
Tele-Meister
2nd/Low/standard = fender/Marshall/Vox is for the pedalboard to go into (for me at least). Especially OD and Dist. Using input one I would only ever use a boost or EQ…well maybe a fuzz. Talking gain stacking that is…mod/delay/reverb is a whole other story…
tap4154
Doctor of Teleocity
I posted the schematic of my Super 210 jacks above, and I'll add it again to this post, but I just did an experiment. I turned the amp on with the guitar plugged into #2. I strummed it and let it ring as I plugged a cord into input #1, and the volume immediately increased. So in this amp if both inputs are being used, they appear both act like input #1.
Alcohen
Tele-Meister
This is fascinating, because I've never even noticed input #2. Plugging into #2, you'd turn the volume on the amp up a little and get a little more preamp gain, and/or add gain to the inputted signal to equal the volume you'd get using input #1. But the power amp would see the same level of signal coming out of the preamp. So you conceivably get a little more preamp distortion but, at the same output volume, you would not get any more power amp distortion. Do I have this correctly?
39martind18
Friend of Leo's
With my new old Vibrolux Reverb, to get to volumes I can use on my Assisted Living gigs, I have to turn the amp down to a little less than two using the #1 input with my Sheraton. Using the #2 input, I can get about another notch on the volume knob, with a corresponding enlargement of sound- but no real increase in volume. I'll update after my gig this afternoon.
muscmp
Friend of Leo's
continually! why do you think they gave you two inputs?
play music!
play music!
kafka
Friend of Leo's
On my Maz 38, yeah, all the time.
tap4154
Doctor of Teleocity
What you said makes sense to me. In any case, it would vary from guitar to guitar and pickup to pickup. Just try both inputs and see what sounds best to you.
Mowgli
Tele-Meister
Another way to look at it is to view the two 68k Resistors as part of a voltage divider with the grid input placed between these two equal value resistors. They are often referred to as "Grid Leak" resistors.
Regardless, when both J1 & J2 are plugged in together, each jack tip will see that 68k Resistor, not the 34k Resistance that was created when the 68k Resistors were in parallel. Just Saying.
Regardless, when both J1 & J2 are plugged in together, each jack tip will see that 68k Resistor, not the 34k Resistance that was created when the 68k Resistors were in parallel. Just Saying.
With my Telecasters I use the #1 input if I use pedals most
of the time.
If I go straight in I use the #2 input and turn it up all the way.
I ride the volume control as well. I think Keef does the same.
I do this with my Tweed Champ,Victoria 5112,and Regal.
If I go straight in with a Tele on the #1 and crank it up it
gets a little harsh. I feel like I have to turn the tone contol
more than I like.
I like to go direct as much as possible. Sure I could use a pedal
and just turn down the 1st input and sometimes I do.
of the time.
If I go straight in I use the #2 input and turn it up all the way.
I ride the volume control as well. I think Keef does the same.
I do this with my Tweed Champ,Victoria 5112,and Regal.
If I go straight in with a Tele on the #1 and crank it up it
gets a little harsh. I feel like I have to turn the tone contol
more than I like.
I like to go direct as much as possible. Sure I could use a pedal
and just turn down the 1st input and sometimes I do.
Yup. Most of the time actually.
mad dog
Friend of Leo's
Depends on the amp. Most of them, I don't. On the Magnatone Varsity non-reverb, I sometimes do use the second input. On the Evans SE150 1x15, I always plug into #2. Sounds better, and no lack of power there, so a few dB down doesn't matter at all.
