Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
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- mr_sooty
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Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
When I was looking at the Fender Deluxe Reverb ri, the guy showed me how you could run a patch cable from input 2 of the normal channel to input 1 of the vibrato channel with your guitar going into input 1 of the normal channel. This way you were running through both channels simultaneously, and you could mix them to get the slightly darker tone of the normal channel with a bit of reverb mixed in from the bright channel. It sounded real fat, and it was kind of a clincher for me towards deciding I wanted that amp.
I've since read on the net that channel jumping on Fender Blackface amps doesn't work well because of some kind of reverse phase situation, and that you need some kind of pedal, such as the Barber Lift Off, to correct the phasing and make it work properly. But this is all just what I've read, and I don't understand what it means. When I tried it, it sounded cool.
Anybody else know anything about this and why these guys reckon it doesn't really work?
I've since read on the net that channel jumping on Fender Blackface amps doesn't work well because of some kind of reverse phase situation, and that you need some kind of pedal, such as the Barber Lift Off, to correct the phasing and make it work properly. But this is all just what I've read, and I don't understand what it means. When I tried it, it sounded cool.
Anybody else know anything about this and why these guys reckon it doesn't really work?
- Rog
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
Used to work fine in the '70s...
He hit a chord that rocked the spinet and disappeared into the infinite ...
- Ironbird13
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
Rog wrote:Used to work fine in the '70s...
but that was then...



Hurdy Gurdy.... some how... and I'm not entirely certain how mind you, an instrument that sounds like someone has shoved a nest of angry hornets into a goose with a kazoo bill and is randomly slapping the poor creature with an accordion.... Sounds amazing.
- Rog
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
LOL - so true.but that was then...
However channel patching was normal operating procedures then...
He hit a chord that rocked the spinet and disappeared into the infinite ...
Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
Well yea, it is true they are out of phase, but if you like it who cares? Not going to damage anything
- mr_sooty
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
I'm just wondering what this means and why it's perceived my most to be a negative.ant wrote:Well yea, it is true they are out of phase
Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
When signals are out of phase if they are perfectly identical, they would cancel each other out completly.
Generally the signal is not identical, so you get partial cancellation and a thinner sound/reduced volume.
Generally the signal is not identical, so you get partial cancellation and a thinner sound/reduced volume.
- Rog
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
As far as I can recall, it gave great sounds and incredible tonal variation possibilities.
I also split the pickup on my Precision Bass and ran into different channels or even different amps for extra sounds. All a complete waste of time, money and effort of course, 'cos I was the only one who noticed the difference.
Part of that exercise informs my considered opinion that chasing tone is a very silly thing to be doing - 'cos
a) only you know the difference (I once thought that was the most important thing - grew up)
b) it costs a LOT (once I didn't care - grew up)
c) the punters would probably notice/cheer more if you used a tea chest (hmmm, must try that)
d) you run the risk of being thought of as a tone snob and a total wanker (been there - grew up)
e) no-one in the band cares a damn (so true)
f) no-one in the audience cares a damn (they just wanna get pissed/laid or both)
g) you make the music shops richer and you poorer ...
h) you get a very poor return on your investment (go back to a)
I also split the pickup on my Precision Bass and ran into different channels or even different amps for extra sounds. All a complete waste of time, money and effort of course, 'cos I was the only one who noticed the difference.
Part of that exercise informs my considered opinion that chasing tone is a very silly thing to be doing - 'cos
a) only you know the difference (I once thought that was the most important thing - grew up)
b) it costs a LOT (once I didn't care - grew up)
c) the punters would probably notice/cheer more if you used a tea chest (hmmm, must try that)
d) you run the risk of being thought of as a tone snob and a total wanker (been there - grew up)
e) no-one in the band cares a damn (so true)
f) no-one in the audience cares a damn (they just wanna get pissed/laid or both)
g) you make the music shops richer and you poorer ...
h) you get a very poor return on your investment (go back to a)
He hit a chord that rocked the spinet and disappeared into the infinite ...
- mr_sooty
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
C'mon Rog, while you're absolutely correct, if we only cared what the audience thought we'd all play PV Transtube Bandits and Squiers. We could 'grow up', but where's the fun in that?
Last edited by mr_sooty on Sat Nov 01, 2008 10:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Rog
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
LOL - reality has to kick in at some point - otherwise we'll all end up like Keef!!
He hit a chord that rocked the spinet and disappeared into the infinite ...
- Bg
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
sounds good to me - where do I sign up for the liver transplant and blood transfusion?Rog wrote:LOL - reality has to kick in at some point - otherwise we'll all end up like Keef!!
Its not enough that we succeed, we still need others to fail
- Rog
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Re: Jumping channels in Fender Blackface amps?
Riffles!!
You have a slight problem with the emulating Keef bit.
You can actually play guitar and sing!!
You have a slight problem with the emulating Keef bit.
You can actually play guitar and sing!!

He hit a chord that rocked the spinet and disappeared into the infinite ...