single footswitch for two separate amps

Help?

I've got two different marshall heads that I want to run at the same time. Both are 'channel switchers' from the same era (jcm800 + artist 3203). I would like to be able to switch channels on both at the same time.

I have limited electical knowledge, and I've tried Y cables and even building a splitter box, but everything I do only ends up switching one of the amps. Someone in the amps forum suggested a DPST(?) switch might do the trick.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I would think a double pole switch would work - assuming the amps run Okay with a common ground. If you're taking your guitar inputs in though a regular Y splitter that should be providing the common ground already, but if you're going through some kind of active processor, umm, I don't know? Worst case, you might have to use a 4 pole switch that would keep both the hots and grounds isolated.

edit: One other consideration - there seems to be a common assumption that every amp ever made puts a ground on the switch line to operate it. I just don't know that that's always the case. I'm not arguing the point, because I don't know otherwise - just not certain that every amp out there operates that way.

Most amps do, but not all. I don't know about those in particular, but what I can tell you is that they don't work the same way. Maybe if you open them up and post some pics of the guts we might be able to come up with a solution for you.

Relays are easy if you have adequate power.