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Forums :: Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

Kalamazoo 2-??

2 replies [Last post]
Thu, 02/11/2016 - 23:17
dsaccucci
dsaccucci's picture
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Joined: 11/12/2015

Hello Skip, 

I was wondering why the two input jacks on my Kalamazoo 2 sound different.  Jack 1 gets a lot louder and more sensitive and jack 2 is not as loud?  what would be the difference?  

Thank you.  

 

David Saccucci

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Fri, 02/12/2016 - 11:34
#1
Expert Skip Simmons
Expert Skip Simmons's picture
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Joined: 01/18/2010
Why do the two input jacks sound different from each other?

Hello David- Almost all vintage amps have more than one input jack.  Believe it or not, amps were expected to be able to handle more than one instrument at a time.  That's right, the whole band would plug in to the same amp!

Your Kalamazoo also uses another little trick. There is a network of resistors connected directly to both jacks.  These resistors cause the "input impedance" of the two input jacks to be different from each other, creating a "high-gain" input (#1) and "low-gain" input (#2). Presto!  Use whichever one sounds best to you!

 

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Fri, 02/12/2016 - 11:45
#2
dsaccucci
dsaccucci's picture
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Level 5
Joined: 11/12/2015
Awesome

Alright that's great.  thank you!!!

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