What is the best ABY pedal for a two-amp guitar rig? The right choice depends on whether the setup needs simple switching, transformer isolation, an active buffer or separate inputs for stereo routing.
An ABY switcher routes an instrument-level signal to output A, output B or both. It does not create a new guitar effect by itself, but it can make two different amplifier sounds much easier to use together.
These five ABY pedals take different approaches to that job. Compare the routing controls and limitations before choosing a switcher for the actual rig.
Top 5 Best ABY Pedals:
Radial Twin-City ABY Switcher (Editor’s Choice)
The Radial Twin-City remains the overall pick for a two-amp rig that needs more than basic routing. Its active buffer and Drag control give it a useful combination: the buffer drives the outgoing cables, while Drag adjusts the loading presented to passive pickups so the response can be tailored to the guitar.
The Both footswitch adds the second amplifier, while Toggle selects between the individual outputs. Output B has transformer isolation, a signal-ground lift and a polarity-reverse switch. Those features address different problems: isolation helps with ground-loop hum, while polarity reversal can help when two amps sound thin together.
The trade-off is that the Twin-City needs power for its active circuit and handles a mono instrument signal rather than two independent stereo inputs. Choose it for a permanently wired dual-amp setup where cable driving and isolation matter. It offers useful tools for managing a rig, not a promise to remove every source of noise.
Pros
- Active buffer with adjustable Drag loading
- Transformer-isolated output B with polarity and ground controls
- Separate Both and Toggle footswitches
Cons
- Requires power for the active circuit
- Mono input rather than a two-input stereo routing system
Lehle Little Dual Amp Switcher
The original Lehle Little Dual is the most flexible routing option here for an instrument with two separate signals or the two outputs of a stereo effect. Its second input can feed a separate path, giving it a role beyond simply duplicating one mono guitar signal.
The LTHZ transformer isolates output A from output B, with phase and ground controls to help integrate two amplifiers. In normal dual-amp use, the left footswitch brings both outputs in together and the right alternates between them. Audio switching is passive; an external supply powers the status LEDs.
That passive design does not provide the Twin-City’s active cable-driving buffer. It also takes more thought to arrange two-input routing correctly than a simple mono split. Choose the Little Dual for its isolated path and flexible inputs. This is the original model, so the programmable modes and TRS-input switch of the Little Dual II should not be assumed.
Pros
- Two inputs support appropriate stereo or dual-source routing
- Transformer-isolated output A
- Passive audio switching with powered status indication
Cons
- No active buffer for long outgoing cable runs
- Routing depends on which input jacks are used
Radial BigShot ABY Passive Switcher
The Radial BigShot ABY is the straightforward choice for players who prefer a passive signal path but still want useful tools for combining two amplifiers. It switches between A and B or sends the instrument to both, without putting an active gain stage in the audio path.
Output B includes switchable transformer isolation, a signal-ground lift and polarity reversal. Its polarity switch operates when transformer isolation is engaged. These controls make the BigShot more adaptable to a dual-amp rig than a bare splitter. A dedicated tuner connection is also useful when the tuner needs to receive the instrument independently of the selected amp path.
The limitation follows from the passive design: it does not buffer long cable runs, and inserting the transformer can introduce a tonal difference that may need balancing at the amp. It also has no Drag control. Choose it for uncomplicated passive routing with isolation options rather than expecting the same cable-driving behavior as the Twin-City.
Pros
- Passive audio routing with A/B and A+B operation
- Switchable isolation, ground lift and polarity controls on output B
- Dedicated tuner connection
Cons
- No active buffer or Drag control
- Transformer use can introduce a tonal difference
Electro-Harmonix Switchblade+
The Electro-Harmonix Switchblade+ is a simple way to choose between two signal paths or run them together. It is useful when the main requirement is switching, rather than a larger set of isolation and pickup-loading controls.
The audio path is fully passive, with one switch choosing A or B and the other engaging A+B. The tuner output is hardwired to the input, so it receives the instrument regardless of the switching state. A battery or suitable adapter powers the status LEDs; the passive audio routing can operate without that power.
The compromise is what it leaves out: there is no transformer-isolated output, phase switch or active buffer. The tuner jack is a direct output, not an effects return, so a signal sent from it does not come back into the switching circuit. Choose the Switchblade+ for a straightforward setup with clear routing needs.
Pros
- Passive A/B and A+B routing
- Always-connected tuner output
- Audio switching does not depend on LED power
Cons
- No transformer isolation or polarity switch
- No active buffer or effects-return input
MXR M196 A/B Box
The MXR M196 takes a different switching approach: each output has its own footswitch. That makes it useful when independently turning two paths on or off feels more natural than using one switch to alternate between them and another to combine them.
Both outputs can be active together, and the Thru jack supplies a constant signal for a tuner or another suitable destination. The audio switching is true hardwire, while a 9V battery or compatible supply provides power. Its compact die-cast enclosure keeps the controls simple and leaves little to interpret on stage.
The M196 does not provide the isolated output and polarity controls found on the Radial and Lehle designs. It is therefore a good fit for uncomplicated routing, rather than a complete solution to ground-loop problems in every two-amp rig. Choose it when independent output switches and a permanent Thru connection are the features that matter most.
Pros
- Independent footswitches for outputs A and B
- Both outputs can run together
- Constant Thru output and true-hardwire switching
Cons
- No transformer-isolated output or polarity control
- No active buffer for long cable runs
Comparison of ABY Pedals
Buffering, isolation and bypass describe different aspects of a switcher. Comparing them separately makes the choice clearer.
Active Buffer Pedals
A buffer presents a suitable input impedance to the instrument and a lower output impedance to the outgoing cable. That can help drive longer cable runs, but it does not remove every source of interference or automatically provide transformer isolation. The Twin-City adds both a buffer and an isolated output.
Passive True-Bypass Pedals
Passive routing avoids an active gain stage in the audio path. The trade-off is that pickup loading, cable capacitance and the connected amplifier inputs can still affect the result. There is no universal cable-length limit that applies to every guitar pickup and rig.
Transformer isolation can help break a signal-ground loop, but a passive transformer may also change the tone slightly. A polarity switch addresses a different issue: the way the two amplified signals combine. Neither feature should be confused with a guarantee of noise-free operation.
Choosing a Good ABY Switcher
Start with the routing the performance needs. One mono input feeding two amps is different from keeping the left and right outputs of a stereo effect separate. A useful switcher makes that routing clear and provides the right controls for the connected guitar amps.
Features of the Best ABY Pedals
- Switching layout: decide whether A/B plus Both or independent A and B switches will be easier during a performance.
- Isolation: an isolated output is useful when the two-amp connection creates a signal-ground loop.
- Polarity control: helps when the combined amp sound is thin because the signals oppose one another.
- Buffering: useful when the outgoing cable run or loading requires active driving; a passive box does not add this by itself.
- Inputs and Thru outputs: check whether the setup needs stereo inputs, separate pickup signals or a constant tuner feed.
- Power and indication: distinguish power for an active audio circuit from power used only for LEDs.
Use these devices between an instrument or suitable effects output and amplifier inputs, not between a power amp and its speaker cabinet. A signal-ground lift is not permission to remove an amplifier’s protective mains earth. Follow the switcher’s instructions when connecting two tube amps or other equipment.
The Radial Twin-City remains the overall recommendation for its combination of active buffering, Drag adjustment and an isolated output. The Lehle is the flexible two-input option, the BigShot suits a passive isolated setup, and the EHX and MXR provide simpler switching layouts. The best ABY pedal is the one that solves the rig’s actual routing problem with controls that are easy to use on stage.