Radial BigShot ABY Owner`s Manual

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www.radialeng.com

Radial Engineering
1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

BigShot ABY
Owner’s Manual

True to the Music

Radial Engineering is a division of C•TEC (JP CableTek Electronics Ltd.)
Radial BigShot ABY users guide Sept. 2005, V1.0 - Part #: R870 1120 00
Subject to change without notice

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BigShot ABY User Guide

Radial Engineering

RADIAL LIMITED THREE YEAR TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY

Radial Engineering - a division of JP Cabletek Electronics Ltd. warrants this product to be
free from defects in material and workmanship to the original owner and will remedy any
such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial Engineering
will repair or replace at its option any defective component(s) of this product, excluding the
fi nish, the footswitch (footswitch is warranted for 90 days) and wear and tear from normal
use, for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase. In the event that a
particular product is no longer available, Radial Engineering reserves the right to replace
the product with a similar product of equal or greater value. To make a request or claim
under this limited warranty, the product must be returned prepaid in the original shipping
container (or equivalent) to Radial Engineering or to an authorized repair centre and you
must assume the risk of loss or damage. A copy of the original invoice showing date of
purchase and the dealer name must accompany any request for work to be performed
under this limited warranty. This limited warranty shall not apply if the product has been
damaged due to abuse, misuse, misapplication, accident or as a result of service or
modifi cation by any other than an authorized repair centre.

THERE ARE NO EXPRESSED WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THOSE ON THE FACE
HEREOF AND DESCRIBED ABOVE. NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL EXTEND
BEYOND THE RESPECTIVE WARRANTY PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE OF THREE
YEARS.

RADIAL ENGINEERING SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY SPE­CIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS ARISING FROM THE
USE OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS,
AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY DEPENDING ON
WHERE YOU LIVE.

BigShot ABY User Guide

Radial Engineering

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INPUT jack connects the cable
from your instrument.

TUNER jack common output
that can be used for an elec­tronic tuner. It is always on.

OUTPUT-A jack connects to
your main amp.

OUTPUT-B jack connects to
your second amp.

TOGGLE footswitch selects
between output A or B.

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BOTH footswitch turns outputs A
and B on at the same time.

ISO switch engages the internal
isolation transformer on output B
to eliminate ground loop hum.

180º switch reverses the phase
on output B. This switch only
works when the ISO transformer
is engaged.

LIFT switch disconnects or ‘lifts’
the ground from the cable shield
on output B.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

The Radial BigShot ABY is a passive switcher that is specifi cally designed for use
with amplifi ers with proper electrical safety grounds that have been approved by
nationally recognized electrical authorities such as UL in the United States, CSA
in Canada and other similar bodies in countries around the world.

It is further understood that due to the unpredictable nature of connecting any
number of different amplifi ers and pedals together, using the ABY can pose a
potential for electric shock, and as such, the user is completely responsible for
any and all consequences as these are beyond our control.

This means that you are completely responsible to ensure the safe and proper
use of the BigShot ABY and to clearly understand that using the BigShot ABY
confi rms you have taken full responsibility. If you are not 100% sure of your ac­tions, please consult a qualifi ed technician for advice before using this device or
connecting any of your equipment to it.

CAUTION: PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT NOTICE ON
THE BACK COVER BEFORE USING THE BIGSHOT ABY

FEATURE AND FUNCTIONS

Part # R800 7200

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of the Radial BigShot ABY. The Radial BigShot ABY
is a foot-controllable device that allows you to toggle your guitar signal between two amplifi ers
or have them both play at the same time. The ABY is completely passive to ensure 100% true
bypass performance.

To add greater versatility, the BigShot ABY incorporates an audio transformer that may be
inserted into the signal path between the guitar and OUTPUT-B. This is used along with the
ground lift switch to help eliminate buzz and hum caused by ground loops, a common occur­rence when connecting two amps together. A 180º polarity reverse switch can also be engaged
that lets you play both amps in phase. Finally, a third tuner output is provided that is always on
to allow you to monitor your guitar for on-the-fl y tuning. Although primarily intended for guitars,
the Radial BigShot ABY may be used for all types of instruments in applications where you want
to feed two amplifi ers from a single source.

CONNECTING AND TESTING

The BigShot ABY is a passive device. This means that it does not require any power supply
whatsoever to make it work. It is recommended to begin testing the system without a tuner
connected. Add the tuner to the setup when you are sure the BigShot ABY and both amplifi ers
are working properly. Before connecting the BigShot ABY, make sure your amplifi ers are
unplugged from AC power, turned off and the volume controls turned all the way down.

1. Begin by connecting the 1/4” guitar cables. Connect your guitar to the BigShot’s INPUT. Con­nect the BigShot’s OUTPUT-A to your main amplifi er and OUTPUT-B to your second amp.

2. At this point it is important to read the caution statement on the back cover and en-
sure all your equipment is properly grounded. If your equipment meets all electrical safety
requirements, you may connect the amplifi ers to an AC power outlet.

3. Turn the amps on and begin testing at a low volume level. Confi rm that both amps are working
with the A - B toggle footswitch. Try depressing the BigShot’s BOTH switch to test for ground
loop hum. If you encounter a loud hum or buzz, fi rst try lifting the ground by engaging the LIFT
switch. If the noise persists, try engaging the isolation transformer with the ISO switch. If pos­sible, test the system with more than one guitar. With some pickups, engaging the ISO switch
can causes a change in the sound. See the section “USING THE BIGSHOT ABY” further on in
this manual for more information. If all sounds OK, you are now set to turn your amps up.

4. Test your amps for phase. Depress the BOTH switch so both amps are on. Turn the ampli­fi ers up until you can see the loudspeakers move in and out when you play. For correct phase,
confi rm the loudspeakers in both amps are moving in the same direction. It helps to have the
amps side by side and to play a sharp staccato note while observing loudspeaker movement.
If one amp is out of phase, it’s loudspeakers will move in the opposite direction from the other
amp. If this is the case, engage the 180° and ISO switches and confi rm that both loudspeakers
are moving in the same direction.

BigShot ABY User Guide

Radial Engineering

BigShot ABY User Guide

Radial Engineering

BigShot ABY User Guide

Radial Engineering

USING THE BIGSHOT ABY

Using the BigShot ABY is simple. It is designed to allow you to toggle between two amps or play
both amps at the same time. Because it is 100% passive, the guitar signal is switched directly
for true bypass performance. This also means that when you are driving more than one amp,
you will notice a slight drop in volume because the signal is split to drive more than one input.
This is normal as there is no preamplifi er or buffer in the BigShot ABY circuit. The drop in level
can be more noticeable with lower output pickups. If a buffer or preamp is placed before the
BigShot ABY in your signal chain, the drop in level when driving two amps is often inaudible.

The BigShot ABY is equipped with an isolation transformer that is designed to eliminate noise
by isolating OUTPUT-A from OUTPUT-B. If you are using the ISO switch to eliminate ground
loop hum, you will also notice a slight tonal shift on OUTPUT-B as the signal passes through
the transformer. This is easily compensated for by adjusting the tone controls on the amp con­nected to OUTPUT-B. Placing a buffer or preamp before the BigShot will minimize this effect.

The BigShot ABY is also equipped with a 180 degree phase reverse switch. This switch only
works when the ISO transformer is engaged. It reverses the polarity on output-B to allow you to
phase match your amps. As there is no standard for amp polarity, you have to test and listen.
You will know when your amps are in phase when the sound becomes centered and richer. Out
of phase amps will sound hollow and unfocused, especially in the low and mid registers. Make
sure you have the BOTH footswitch depressed and both amps ON to test for phase.

SWITCHING A OR B and A PLUS B

The BigShot ABY is called an ABY switcher as it allows you to select or toggle between two
amps or have both play at the same time. The BigShot ABY is very easy to use. Depressing the
AB TOGGLE switch will select between amp A and amp B, while depressing the BOTH switch
will activate both outputs at the same time. Depressing the BOTH switch again will revert back
to A • B mode.

Although the BigShot is very quiet, it is not uncommon to hear a slight click when switching
amps. To totally eliminate switch noise you must use an active switcher that employs buffers and
opto-couplers. This type of switching is available on the more expensive Radial Switchbone™.

USING THE ABY ON YOUR PEDALBOARD

The BigShot ABY is normally going to be the last pedal in your signal chain before connecting
to your amps. This does not, however, mean that you cannot put pedals after the ABY. You may,
for instance, have an EQ or effect that you use in front of your B amp for soloing. Experiment
and have fun! There are no rules.

USING THE TUNER OUTPUT

Connect your electronic tuner to the TUNER output. Some tuners can introduce ticking (clock
noise) back into the signal chain when they are on. The BigShot ABY does not have any buffer
transistors to block this type of noise. This is why we recommend testing your system without a
tuner connected. Add your tuner to a properly working system to judge it’s effect.

USING THE ABY AS A TUNING MUTE

The BigShot ABY can also be used as a mute switch to allow silent tuning. This would be in lieu
of having two amps on stage. Simply connect your electronic tuner to output-B and you are set!
Now, when you hit the toggle switch, the sound going to your amp will shut off while diverting
your guitar signal to your tuner. By depressing the BOTH switch, you can tune on-the-fl y as both
the amp and tuner will be on.

FAQ

Can I use the BigShot ABY as a channel switcher on two channel amps?

Yes. Simply connect OUTPUT-A to the fi rst channel and OUTPUT-B to the second channel and
you are set to go! The ABY will now toggle between either channel seamlessly.

Can I use vintage amps that have a 2-pronged AC plug with the BigShot ABY?

Yes, but we cannot recommend this due to legal liability issues. Back when the fi rst tube ampli­fi ers came round, there was no safety ground or 3rd prong on the AC plug. Using old amps with
ABY switchers can be dangerous due to the likelihood of electrical shock. If you plan to use the
ABY in your system, have a technician check your system for ground potential and safety. By
connecting all of your equipment on a single power bar, you can often reduce shock hazards.

What is the difference between the BigShot ABY and the Tonebone Switchbone?

The BigShot ABY is passive while the Switchbone employs active buffering. The ABY is
designed for those that prefer a direct guitar-to-amp connection. The BigShot ABY is also
considerably more affordable than the Switchbone! The Switchbone is designed for those that
need to run longer cables, insist on eliminating all switching noises and do not want to deal with
loading issues.

Will the transformer change the tone of the second output?

Yes. You will hear a slight tonal difference as the signal passes through the transformer.
Because the BigShot ABY is a passive device, it does not employ buffering to counteract the
phenomenon. However, you can easily make up the tonal difference using the tone controls on
the amplifi er. The tonal shift of the transformer can be minimized by placing a buffer in front of
the BigShot ABY such as another effect pedal equipped with a buffered output.

Why are there no LED indicators on the BigShot ABY?

For LED indicators to be added, we would have to increase the size, add power and add cost.
We considered the options and felt that having channel ID lights would be nice, but would not
justify the extra cost or provide any form of sonic advantage. LED indicators, and many more
features, can be found on the Radial Switchbone.

I hear a slight clicking when I switch amps. Is this normal?

Yes. The BigShot ABY is passive and the click occurs as the switch selects between the two
amps. This type of clicking is usually only noticeable with high gain amps. This occurs with direct
switching ABY units like the BigShot ABY and relay-based switchers too. The only switchers that
do not click are the types that employ opto-couplers, like the Tonebone Switchbone.

BigShot ABY

Amp-2

Tuner

Output-A

Output-B

Amp-1