Unlock a Whole New Level of Creativity and Depth in Your Guitar Playing With a Wet/Dry Guitar Rig
Are you looking to elevate your guitar tone to the next level? In the world of guitar amplification, the wet/dry rig is a game-changer. In this installment of the Gibson Gear Guide, Dinesh Lekhraj’s video tutorial unveils the secrets of using two amps with one guitar. But first, what is a wet/dry guitar rig? Simply put, it involves using two amplifiers—one processes the ‘wet’ effects like reverb or delay, while the other keeps your ‘dry’ or unprocessed signal in the forefront. The end result is an experience where your tones feel creatively enhanced but with no compromise on punch because of the totally dry amp. While any genre can benefit, bands that rely heavily on atmospheric and layered sounds, such as post-rock, shoegaze, and indie/alternative music, may find it particularly advantageous.
Why should you care? The answer lies in the level of control. This setup allows you to blend effects with precision, offering a richer and more dynamic sound than a single amp can produce. It’s not just about volume; it’s about clarity, definition, texture, and dimension.
Understanding Multi-Amplifier Guitar Rigs
Multi-amp setups might seem complex, but they’re more accessible than ever. They’re especially popular in live performances, where guitarists seek to captivate their audience with impeccable sound quality.
To start, you’ll need an ABY box—a simple pedal that splits your guitar signal into two paths. Then, choose two amplifiers. They can be identical or contrasting, depending on the sound you’re aiming for. There’s nothing wrong with mismatched amps; in fact, they may offer a pleasing uniqueness to your overall tone.
How Do I Set Up a Wet/Dry Rig?
Setting up is straightforward. You’ll connect your guitar to the ABY box, then connect each output to a different amp. One amp (the dry) will have no effects, while the other (the wet) will have your desired effects. Grab your pedalboards, kids, and enjoy all those years of collecting pedals in a new way.
Dinesh also highlights the beauty of modulation and time-based effects in stereo. Imagine the swirl of a chorus or the echo of a delay bouncing between two amps. The effect is mesmerizing and adds a professional sheen to your sound.
It’s not all fun and games, though. Dealing with technical challenges like phase cancellation and ground loop hum issues is crucial. An ABY box with phase inversion and ground lift options can be a lifesaver, and, as with any sophisticated equipment, your rig requires regular maintenance. Keeping connections clean and checking for wear and tear ensures longevity.
Let’s Talk About Amp Stacking
Amp stacking isn’t just about power; it’s about tonal variety. Combining two 25-watt tube amps, for instance, can yield a rich and nuanced sound. Stacking amps for a signature tone or experimenting with stereo sounds opens a new realm of sonic possibilities. It’s where creativity meets technology.
In a live setting, this setup allows for unparalleled control over your sound. It’s about making your guitar sing in a way that fills the room yet retains clarity. Many legendary guitarists have harnessed the power of wet/dry or wet/dry/wet rigs. Their performances are testimonies to the effectiveness of this setup.
Think Alex Lifeson, a big fan of Les Paul guitars, and Eddie Van Halen (by 1983, Kramer was the only guitar company offering Original Floyd Rose® tremolos stock on their production guitars thanks in large part to Ed’s innovative needs as a player). Let’s not forget the swathe of shoegaze guitarists who rely on texture to fill out their roles in the band, either.
The UK’s Curve, a seminal alternative/indie outfit with dynamic mixes, certainly put the stereo field and effects to great use in their studio productions, carving out just the right space for Toni Halliday’s mesmerizing vocals. Sometimes, getting your guitar tone sorted is all about making sure other people in the band have the spotlight at the right moments. Creativity abounds in those situations, with it being less about ego and more about the overall audience experience.
The journey of mastering the wet/dry guitar rig is as rewarding as it is challenging. It’s an adventure in sound that can redefine your musical expression. Dive in, experiment, and let your creativity lead the way.
Many renowned guitarists have embraced the wet/dry signal chain or the related wet/dry/wet approach to enhance their sound, each bringing their unique style and preferences to this setup.
Some of these guitarists include:
The Edge (U2): Known for his extensive use of delay and other effects (and that famous Gibson Explorer), The Edge often employs a wet/dry rig to create his spacious, echo-laden soundscapes. Of course, he’s perfectly happy running a pedalboard-into-amp patch, and being versatile seems to be his main approach.
Joe Bonamassa: A modern blues-rock titan and tone-chaser, Bonamassa uses a multi-amp setup (and his volume and tone controls) to get a clear, articulate tone that doesn’t lose the grit essential to his music.
Eric Johnson: Known for his meticulous attention to tone, Johnson often uses a creative setup to achieve his distinctively rich and harmonically complex sound.
John Petrucci: The Dream Theater guitarist is famous for his technical proficiency and tone—and the JP2C head. He has been known to use a wet/dry/wet setup, adding even more depth to his sound. The man loves a big clean tone, too, though he’s more well-known as a high-gain player.
Scott Henderson: A notable figure in the fusion genre, Henderson uses a wet/dry setup to blend his clean and overdriven tones, ensuring clarity and punch in his playing.
Carlos Santana: Santana’s smooth, sustained lead tone is partially a result of his use of multiple amplifiers, separating effects for a clearer, more defined sound.
Brad Paisley: In the country music scene, Paisley uses an intricate multi-amp setup to achieve a clear, articulate tone, ensuring that his fast-paced, intricate picking comes through cleanly. In 2010, his tech, Chad Weaver, related that during live shows entire amp rigs are switched for various drive tones, with up to six available at once.
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd): Gilmour has experimented with various setups over the years, including wet/dry configurations, to create his signature atmospheric and emotive sound.
Steve Vai: A true virtuoso known for his experimental approach, Vai has used wet/dry setups to create a wide soundstage and maintain clarity amidst his complex effects.
Ultimately, it’s still dandy to run a traditional rig. Guitar into pedals (or not) straight into an amp with or without an effects loop is a tried-and-true method that works for a lot of great players. Joan Jett, Tom Morello, Susanna Hoffs, Tony Iommi—wildly different tonal and effects choices there, but generally a mono amp setup.
Alternatively, you can lean into virtual rigs such as the one The Warning’s Daniela Villarreal Vélez favors because she can use the same amp profiles that are on the album. There’s nothing wrong with consistency like that, and you can get true stereo for anything you’re willing to add to the digital chain. The guitarist Guthrie Govan drifted in this direction, too, for his live rig and for unusual gigs like his tour with Hans Zimmer, where he needed not only volume management—so that the orchestral players could be miked up properly without his amp bleeding into their signal—but also for out-of-this-world patches that don’t even sound like guitars.
