Q:
Why are there no LEDs on the BigShot ABY?
A: Our goal was to make the BigShot ABY as compact
as possible for pedal board users and keep costs
down. When it came to setting priorities, we felt
that having an isolation transformer to eliminate
noise, polarity reverse to phase align amps and
solid construction for added durability scored
higher than having lights and a battery holder.
Q: Can I use the ABY backwards
as an instrument selector?
A: Yes. Just make sure the isolation transformer
is switched out.
Q: What is the difference
between the BigShot ABY and those offered by Morley,
Whirlwind and others?
A: Those other ABY boxes will work fine in many
applications. The BigShot ABY simply adds more
functionality with the isolation transformer that
helps eliminate ground loops and the polarity
reverse that solves the phase problems that occur
when using two different amp brands.
Q: Will switching the transformer
into the circuit change the tone?
A: Yes and no. It depends on how you are using
the ABY. If you are connected directly from your
guitar, then the tone will have to be adjusted
to compensate on the isolated amp. If you are
connected through a buffer first, then the tone
will be pretty much unaffected. Always use a high
quality buffer like the BigShot PB1 or equivalent
as this will ensure the tone of your guitar is
maintained.
Q: Will adding a tuner
affect my tone?
A: It can. This depends on the tuner. Most will
draw some current and therefore load down your
pickups. This can cause the tone to change slightly.
Q: Some tuners cause noise
– what can I do to solve this?
A: The best way to solve clicking caused by the
quartz timers inside tuners is to buffer the guitar
signal before it hits the tuner. Always use a
high quality buffer like the BigShot PB1 or equivalent
as this will ensure the tone of your guitar is
maintained.
Q: Will the ABY introduce
pops into my guitar signal?
A: Yes and no. It depends on your amp and how
much gain (overdrive) you are using. The higher
the gain, the more sensitive the input and therefore
the higher chance of getting clicks and pops when
you switch the unit. This of course is the downside
to true-bypass switching. If you want to eliminate
any pops, you should consider the Switchbone.
Q: Is it possible
to change amp channel and insert effects with
a Big
Shot pedal? If answer is yes, what model?
A: Yes... but it depends on your amp.
If you have a two channel amp and would like
to switch from channel 1 to channel 2, the BigShot
ABY will do this very well. The isolation
transformer can help eliminate buzz and hum problems
and allows the phase to be inverted as some amps
have different phase on each channel. We shipped
3 ABYs to Sheryl Crow's band for this very application.
To insert effects through a loop, the BigShot
EFX will do this with two separate loops. So the
best solution is of course to get one of each.
If however you are looking for a single pedal
to do both tasks, the EFX may work. You could
use the main guitar output for channel-1 on your
amp and loop-2 for channel-2. Loop-2 would be
used to insert your effects. The EFX is not equipped
with an isolation transformer or phase reversal
so it will not be as flexible as the ABY but likely
be OK.
If you intend to replace the amp footswitch with
one of our pedals, then you would likely have
to use a Switchbone or Loopbone to do this as
they are equipped with the Slingshot remote system.
Unlike the Tonebone Switchbone or Loopbone that
are active, the BigShot pedals are passive. This
means that they do not have any type of powering
inside. As such, to perform tasks like remote
switching amp channels, this task can possibly
be done by having a technician make up special
adaptor cables, this would only be possible with
certain amps that utilize simple contact closures.
You would have to consult a qualified technician
to have him set this up for you.
So for a basic setup, you can try the EFX on its own. Next
step would be to have the EFX and the ABY. To go all the
way, the Loopbone may be the solution. It all depends on
your amp setup.
Q: When using two amps, will
the original guitar signal be half
strength to each amp or will each amp receive full signal
from the guitar?
A: with passive devices like the BigShot ABY, the signal
strength from
the guitar will basically be reduced by 3dB which technically
means half the power. The up side is that instead of having
one amp playing you have two which should compensate nicely.
For those that do not want the level to go down, but want
more of a wall of sound... products like the Radial
Bones Twin City and the Radial
Tonebone Switchbone employ a buffer to retain
the level so that it is maintained.
Q: My TS9 is messing with my tone.
Will the ABY help?
A: No. You would be better off using the BigShot EFX to
active thte
TS-9 when you need it. The EFX is basically a loop controller
that is true
bypass. This will take the noisy TS9 buffer our of the circuit
when not in
use.
Q: Can I safely use the BigShot ABY
to run three amps - using the tuner output always on to
go to my main amp and using the AB switching for the other
two amps?
A: Safety is always a good question. This really depends
on the quality of your amps and your willingness to deal
with issues such as buzz and hum and in the rare case when
using old vintage amps, potential shock. This is not
to scare you, but to tell you what you can be up against.
The BigShot ABY like all other hard-wire ABY boxes will
not isolate the amps, only tie them together. The more amps
you run, the more likely you will have noise problems. The
best bet would be to test at low volumes and better yet,
bring your rig to a shop that has a qualified tech on hand
to have him check. Chances are good that you will be fine,
but the last thing we can (legally) tell you is that you
will be 100% ok. This is just not accurate and anyone that
tells you so, is fabricating. This is why we also offer
high-end switchers like the Radial Switchbone and JX44 that
are 100% safe, quiet and unfortunately, more expensive.
Q: Can I use the BigShot ABY to switch
between two amp channels on amps such as Vox,Fender,or Marshall
18 and 20 watters that have two seperate channels but no
switching?Also,can it be used in Y mode to the same effect
as jumpering the two channels?
A: Yes!
Q: Where in the chain do you
connect mono guitar pedals in a stereo rig?
A: These would be connected before the BigShot ABY
or other ABY box.
Q: I have a Whirlwind ABY
box connected to a Fender and a Vox and am getting huge
hum. What do I do?
A: This is a common problem with ABY boxes that do
not have isolation. You can use the BigShot ABY and turn
on the transformer isolation circuit ('ISO' switch) or for
even better results, we recommend a buffered ABY such as
the Radial Bones
Twin City or the Tonebone
Switchbone.
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