Second input on Ruby Amp

[chieljan]

Hey! Just finished my Ruby amp, and it works great! Except for this one thingy: I'd like to add a second input, so two guitars at once can be plugged in at the same time. So I thought, if I wire another stereo jack to the original jack in the same way it should work. Wish it was so simple! Result: BIG loss of tone and volume when the second guitar is plugged in.

So, here's my question: How to add a second input to the ruby amp? Anyone who has done this, or has an idea?

Thank you in advance! Chieljan

[QSQCaito]

While at guitar class, i used to use that 2-in-1 Sockets. We didn't experience any kind of volume loss(kind of). The thing was that, if you lower the volume of one guitar, the same thing would happen in the other. You couldn't alter your volume, without changing the other guitar's volume. But if the two guitars were at max, no volume was loss. About the tone loss.. clueless to that..

bye bye

hope it helps

DAC

PS: Gotta use the search function, see if you find something

Edit: A/B/Y box maybe.. A/B/A+B.. In the first, A+B in parallel, in the second, in series, right?

[Seljer]

I think you could try copying the entire input buffer section (the JFET and all the things below it) for the second input, probably all the way up to the volume control (or just up to the 47nF cap, and keeping the single volume control)

[TheBigMan]

Maybe build one of the simple mixer designs that are around (GEO/GGG IIRC) and plug the guitars in there?  Mixer is a useful thing to have anyway.

[MetalUpYerEye]

I'd try wiring them in series and see what happens...

The again...

I'm really dumb and I try retarded things. 

[chieljan]

I think that's what I've done, wiring them in series... I found this amp schematic, http://www.ceriatone.com/images/layoutPic/fenderLayout/deluxe_5e3_layout.gif , seems like I'll have to copy the input buffer section like Seljer says. As soon as I'm starting a new build I'll order some extra buffer-section components and check it out...

For now, thank you all for your replies, and if in the meanwhile someone has another idea, I'd like to hear it!

[RaceDriver205]

Most straightforward way is to use this:

No tone sucking or volume interference should occur. Use a TL071 opamp.
Hope this helps

[chieljan]

Well thank you! Looks very good! I'm a complete noob on schematics, but I'll find out how this works... but, gotta go to college first... next holiday, I'll try and check things out. Thanks!!!