ABY & Switcher Pedals

ABY pedals (sometimes called splitter or switcher pedals, though not to be confused with full pedal switching systems) are incredibly useful tools for expanding your rig. They allow you to route one signal into two outputs, or blend two signals into one, opening the door to creative setups that go way beyond a standard signal chain.

Whether you want to run a single guitar into two amps, switch between rigs on the fly or experiment with complex stereo setups, an ABY pedal gives you simple control over your sound.

What does an ABY pedal do?

An ABY pedal lets you split your guitar signal so you can send it to two different destinations — most commonly two electric guitar amps. With the press of a footswitch, you can:

• Play through amp A.
• Switch to amp B.
• Or run both amps at the same time (the “Y” function).

Running two amps simultaneously adds serious depth and dimension to your tone. Whether you're chasing huge stereo sounds, rich layered textures or a classic wet/dry setup (one clean amp, one with effects), an ABY pedal is a cool way to unlock a much bigger sonic footprint.

Are AB and ABY pedals the same?

Not quite, here’s how they differ:

• AB pedals: Let you switch between two outputs (either A or B).
• ABY pedals: Allow you to select A, B or both at once (A + B).

That extra “Y” option makes all the difference if you want to blend tones or run dual-amp setups. But if you only need to toggle between two amps, an AB pedal will do the job.

Does an ABY pedal need power?

That depends on whether it’s passive or active. Passive ABY pedals don’t require any power — they’re simple, straightforward switches that route your signal to different outputs. Active ABY pedals require power (usually 9V, like most guitar pedals) because they include additional circuitry such as buffering, phase switching or isolation.

While passive units are great for simplicity, active ABY pedals are often better suited to more complex rigs. That’s because they help to maintain signal integrity and reduce noise when running multiple guitar amps.

Do ABY pedals work in reverse?

Yes, many ABY pedals can work in reverse — effectively acting as a way to route two inputs into one output. This means you could use one to:

• Switch between two electric guitars going into a single amp.
• Combine signals from different sources into one chain.

However, not all ABY pedals are designed equally. So, it’s always worth checking whether a specific model supports reverse operation or signal combining without tone loss or interference.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our Ultimate Guide to ABY Pedals.