Anyone move the loop on their SLO?

[Mesa\Kramer]

The loop on the SLO has never been an issue for me. I only use effects sparingly though. You guys who don't like it, how are you running it? What I mean is, are you running delay, chorus, etc through all the time? I can see how if you use effects a lot, the loop might bug you. I guess I don't get it.

Hardwire DL8 in the loop

On the overdrive channel you can not here your delay spapbacks "while" playing like you can with any other amp with an effects loop
With the SLO you can only hear the delays during quick stops

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

It can be added with no effect to the tone at all, no holes drilled in front or back. It can be a pedal level loop if needed, I have done a few of them.

How much does this Mod run?

 

[Jack Luminous]

I had a tech move the loop post-master in my rackmount SLO some years ago. He did it for about $200. Well worth the money IMHO. He added a pot in the back (in an existing hole) for return level. Now the two masters (normal/overdrive) act as loop send level. The tone didn't change at all to my ears and the loop is much more usable now. I'd recommend that mod to any SLO owners but the tech has to know what he's doing.

 

[Crunchity]

The loop on the SLO has never been an issue for me. I only use effects sparingly though. You guys who don't like it, how are you running it? What I mean is, are you running delay, chorus, etc through all the time? I can see how if you use effects a lot, the loop might bug you. I guess I don't get it.

Same here. No problem at all with the SLO loop and my trusty old MPX 550. Like you, I'm not a big coloring effects guy either though, minimalist at heart...hint of delay, verb...done.

 

[Racerxrated]

I disagree that a loop has to be a tone sucker. If setup properly the circuit I use does not change the tone at all. I have been down this row with many picky people with blind tests and there is no tone change... Now what you put in the loop could change your tone for sure, I do agree the best is a wet dry or wet dry wet configuration. The latter is not always feasible for people though.

Maybe its my Intellifex then? Kinda weird because it sounds transparent through my '87 Jubilee, no change in tone whatesoever. Although it didn't until I got a pair of short balanced TSR cables....maybe SLO guys should try a pair of those first. I know it shouldn't make a difference unless all inputs/outputs are balanced but there it was..improved fx loop on an 87 Marshall. My previous cables were short instrument... Generic.

 

[jape23]

I've tried a TC Nova Repeater and a PCM 42 in the loop of my SLO, and neither have any negative impact whatsoever on the tone of the amp. No issues achieving unity gain either. It really does depend on the unit you use. The only issue is, because of where the loop is located in the amp, the delays are not as pronounced while you're playing. The delay is still somewhat there; it's just not as evident.

 

[godgrinder]

Well, I think you would go send or slave out, into fx, into a separate power amp, but then you'd need a separate cabinet for that.

A high-ish wattage solid state combo would do the job, Roland Cube 80, ZT Lunchbox etc.

The slave out from Soldano is a tap from output transformer so it captures the power tube sounds as well. I found it sounding better through a flatter solid state power section than a tube power section. I tried running the slave out from my HR50+ through my Mesa 2:90 and didn't sound too great.

 

[Rdodson]

I used the loop in the SLO and it was fine for me. I also think that Dave doing the Metro loop is probably the best solution. I have an old Bogner Ecstasy and I wish it had the Metro loop. It sound better with the loop out.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

I've thought so much about doing this to mine.
If there was some one local (Soldano wont do it) maybe I would

I bought a BadCat Unleash which is basically an SS version of the Power Station, but it just changed the tone too much as the SLO Power section has a lot to do with the sound also.

I just ordered and received a Suhr Minimix 2 which is supposed to help the SLO loop a lot
Will report back after i try it out

Finally got to try out the mini mix at band practice tonight

Just having it connected to the loop with out any effects some how improved the overall tone of the amp a little bit

After adding the DL-8 into it, I would say that it improved the effects loop by about 50%.
I can now somewhat hear the delay slapbacks while playing were before you could hear none on the higher gain settings.
Mid Gain and lower, greatly improved results. (75%)
Also no more tone loss using the loop

Though for the $250 i spent on the unit, for a hundred or so more probably could have just had the loop moved for a 100% improvement

 

[Mr. Willy]

I've thought so much about doing this to mine.
If there was some one local (Soldano wont do it) maybe I would

I bought a BadCat Unleash which is basically an SS version of the Power Station, but it just changed the tone too much as the SLO Power section has a lot to do with the sound also.

I just ordered and received a Suhr Minimix 2 which is supposed to help the SLO loop a lot
Will report back after i try it out

Finally got to try out the mini mix at band practice tonight

Just having it connected to the loop with out any effects some how improved the overall tone of the amp a little bit

After adding the DL-8 into it, I would say that it improved the effects loop by about 50%.
I can now somewhat hear the delay slapbacks while playing were before you could hear none on the higher gain settings.
Mid Gain and lower, greatly improved results. (75%)
Also no more tone loss using the loop

Though for the $250 i spent on the unit, for a hundred or so more probably could have just had the loop moved for a 100% improvement

Awesome. Thanks for the report. You saved me about $250. I don't have a huge issue with the SLO loop, but I might've wanted to try the mini mix just to hear it for myself.