Can one Fender HRD run another one?

You've got a speaker-out, which is useless since it will mute the first one, and an FX loop. You could put the FX-out of the first amp into a A/B box and double into both FX-in inputs.

Yeah, I think Arjen's on the right track for the simplest/cheapest approach. Use the FX send (output) from one amp to drive both FX loop returns (inputs). You can probably do this with something like a Morley ABY box that also has an "A and B" (Y) setting to split the signal. If you use FX in the FX loop then the output of the last effect in that chain is what will be split to drive both amps' FX returns. The other option is to buy an active buffer to split your guitar's signal to drive both amps. Here's a Voodoo Labsplitter.

Downsides: The Morley pops (someone must make a better version) and the Voodoo Lab switcher is pricey.

One more suggestion: There are DI boxes (Behringer and the like) that will take speaker output signal and attenuate this to line level. This does not load the speaker output (leave the speaker connected and operating). Use the line out of the DI to drive either the second amp's input or its FX return input.

Hi Dennis

Seems to me you could simply go out of the Pre-Amp Out on amp #1 into the Power Amp In on amp #2.

Amp #1 will control everything, volume, tone, etc.... Any effects used on amp #1 will also be sent to amp #2.

If you've ever experimented with the effects loop on the HRD (this is the Pre Amp Out and Power Amp In) you will find that it completely bypasses all controls before it (Volume, Drive, the Tone Stack).

This will get you the same identical tone, volume, effects on both amps at once. If you want different sounds coming out of each amp you might have to configure it differently. But for the same sound this should work.

Your going to find everyone will have a differnt idea's when it comes to connecting the two together. I can think of a half dozen. It comes down to what tone you want to achieve doing this, along with what effects your using before the amp. Slaving or Cascading amps can get a little tricky sometimes, unless the amps have slave jacks on them. You need to know what the ins and outs of the amp as far as being line out and/or 1volt. Those are the only two that I'm happy and feel safe about pluging to other amps inputs or other units.

If its that cranked tube amp tone is what you want, ideally would be to insert an attenuator that has a line out, in conjunction with the speaker jack or use a full dummyload with a line out. The line outs will allow many different configurations.

Joe

You guys are great! And I worried that nobody would be reading my post. I'm a happy cat.

Yea, I guess I really didn't explain why I'd even want to run two HRD's at a time. Well, for one, I figure if I have two of them it would be fun. It's not like I'd have the Fender Blues jr. (15 watt-10” speaker) running with the HRD (40 watt-12” speaker). They'd be the same amp. I've seen local players play a Fender 4 x 10” Bassman amp and I always (and still do) wonder how that's different from running one 10” speaker. Similarly, the Fender DeVille runs 2 x 10” speakers and people buy those. I know a guy who runs 8 x 12” (Marshall full stack) but he's in a speed-metal band.

So, at this point, I'm not trying to have the second amp have a different sound or effect. Just another speaker pointing out into the audience. What effect will it have if I run both amps (amp 1 powering amp 2) compared to only running one amp. Also, will breakup occur earlier by running two speakers with one amp?

Finally, the HRD I bought last year has a special speaker in it made for rock and supposedly breaks up faster (Wes, do you remember what speaker it is? C12 alnico or something like that?) If I buy that stock HRD tomorrow it'll have the stock speaker hence normal breakup. Will my original HRD powering the slave HRD make the slave HRD break up at roughly the same volume?

I've never messed with in or out jack on the amp. Wes, you were right. I found a manual for the HRD online and it said:

“Pre Amp Out / Power Amp In—Multiple Hot Rod Amps. Connect preamp out on the primary unit to power amp in on the auxiliary unit. The primary unit is used to control all auxiliary units, except for REVERB and PRESENCE which remain active on each unit…Use standard cables with TS (tip-sleeve) plugs for connections.”

It's interesting the HRD I may buy has three mods. One is a speaker Weber Ceramic Texas 12" speaker "Loud, early breakup, very crunchy, aggressive, more headroom than the AlNiCo version" is what was on the listing. The tube were swapped withSovtek KT66.

I just got off the phone with the guy and he made one other swap I don't get. He's a harmonica player and wanted to have less feedback when playing loud so he took one of 12 tubes out of the pregain? He said it drops the gain from 100% of what was in there to 40% so he could spin the master volume up to like 6 or so and have more "control." Anyone know about this stuff?

Here's a couple of thoughts on the subject. The first one has the guitar into a multi-effects, into a equalizer, then stereo into each HRD. Then use an attenuator on each HRD to cut -4 or -8 dB's off the speakers to allow you run them hotter and still keep the volume in check. The second way has the guitar going into an Equalizer, then into the first HRD, with an attenuator, the line out from the attenuator into the effects unit, then into a equalizer, equalizer into the second HRD. Another attenuator to give you control of the seciond HRD.

HRD Signal Chain

Another thought would be to use a full dummyload on the first HRD, then use a line out from the dummyload into an(effects optional), equalizer then into the second HRD. Attach the attenuator on the second HRD and run both speakers (one from each of the HRD's). These setups will add some cost to your setup but the tone will be worth its weight in gold. Sometimes this is what it takes to achieve great tone. By searching around you could both eq's and attenuator's for less than $150.00. The full dummyload like I use, was a custom built by Rivera amps and came with a healthy price tag.

Hope this gives you a couple more idea's to think about.

Joe

Joe, I read your description then saw that diagram you made. Very cool! That will entertain my brain for awhile since I've always just played from my guitar to multieffects box to the amp. I'll print what you said out and read it a few more times.

Well, at 9am I won the amp on Ebay. I'll be driving an hour south to pick it up Friday night. Now my next attack is to get an attenuator or two. I don't positively need one at band practice with No Trace but I do need one for practicing with GI3. I've been reading some stuff in a recent post about attenuators so I'll hop over there and review.

Dennis

Another option is simply an extention speaker cabinet. For some reason Fender does not make a cab for the HRD.

I bought a 2 X 12" cab from Avatar. I got the one with Celestion Vintage 30's (G212H Special Dual Vin 30) 8 Ohms. I really like it. Check 'em out. They get fantastic ratings.

Avatar Speakers

Click on Guitar Cabs at top.

My HRD has black tolex with a silver grille, so I was able to get an exact match (the wheat grille is available too). They look great together.

Oh, the stock speaker for the HRD is the Eminence 125 speaker. You can read all about it here.

Eminence Speakers