Depth or not to depth -- SLO!

[nevusofota]

How does the fx loop take pedals?

Depends on the pedals. Some pedals that takes line level signal well like TC or Eventide ones work fine. The ones that were designed for instrument level only not so much.

But there are more gain stages after the loop since its weird placement, so the effects in your loop will still get clipped. Might be the best to run a dry/wet system with the line out, if you have a spare SS combo or something.

 

[nevusofota]

What's up with the croc/alligator tolex? It's not offered as an option on the Soldano page. Does that mean it's aftermarket?

 

[jdel77]

How does the fx loop take pedals?

As godgrinder mentioned, the Send of the SLO FX loop is +4db, which is Line level, so it will distort the input of a lot of pedals.
I use a TC Electronic G System with mine and the SLO loves it.

 

[nevusofota]

How does the fx loop take pedals?

As godgrinder mentioned, the Send of the SLO FX loop is +4db, which is Line level, so it will distort the input of a lot of pedals.
I use a TC Electronic G System with mine and the SLO loves it.

I mainly just use a Timeline for delays but I don't think it's made for Line level.

 

[godgrinder]

I mainly just use a Timeline for delays but I don't think it's made for Line level.

You should be fine:
http://www.strymon.net/faq/do-your-dsp- ... ne-levels/

Just remember that the loop is in between the preamp gain stages so it might not sound like what you usually expect.

 

[Dale B]

I'm looking to close the deal locally on an amp I have wanted for decades. It's a 2006 SLO with fx loop, no depth mod, and is covered in black croc.

Two question:
I'm wondering if I should hold out for one with the depth mod. Do I need it and how much is it to have it added?

What's the recent market like on these? It comes with an ATA case but no foot switch.

TIA

I've owned 2 with the Depth Mod. Other than to tinker around, I never used the Depth Mod.

 

[mrcak]

Had many SLO's since the early 90's. Some had the Depth mod, but I never used it. IMO it's not needed but nice to have. Same w/ the Warren Haynes mod. Never used it but it was cool to have.
Coolest SLO I had was factory ordered with KT-66's.

 

[sahlomonic]

If you're talking about gig volumes, in my opinion the Depth control is not needed. If you're playing at home and at more moderate volumes, it makes a huge difference and honestly there are some amps that need it - Soldano style amps being one of those amps.

FourT6and2 - I don't think putting it on zero takes it out of the circuit (like a dimed PPIMV for example) - or at least the Depth controls I've installed on my amps or amps that have them stock. There are a few slight variations of achieving basically the same goal with Depth controls, but on zero it cuts out a lot of bass that was naturally there before the mod (in my experience at least)

 

[mikey]

I like having it. I didn't use it initially, you know, everyone says you don 't need it ad nauseum. But I like the results running the bass down a bit and the depth up a bit.

 

[Rayneman]

Lots of different opinions here! I've had two SLOs. One with, and one without. The one that had the depth mod, I never used it, I thought it made the amp sound strange, like it was trying to be something it wasn't supposed to be...I know that sounds stupid, but I didn't like it. I doubt I will ever get another but if I did, I would skip the mod.

 

[SavageRiffer]

Some people say never buy and SLO without it. However, I had a 2012 SLO without the depth mod and never felt like it was needed. It sounded phenomenal.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

With a good cab the depth Mod is not needed

I have either a Mesa 4x12 traditional cab with V30's or an early 80's 800 cab with the very early 12-t75's. I'm thinking it should have plenty of thump with the Mesa.

The Mesa cabs should have plenty of low end.

I use (2) Soldano 2x12 cabs

When I first got the head it didnt have the depth mod and i was using a Marshall 1936 2x12 and the SLO didnt thump with it so i had Mike install the Mod.

Shortly After the Mod was installed i picked up the 2 Soldano cabs
No longer any need for the mod.

I typically set the depth on "2" just for prosperity

 

[IntenseJim]

And there you have it! The question is answered.

 

[FourT6and2]

FourT6and2 - I don't think putting it on zero takes it out of the circuit (like a dimed PPIMV for example) - or at least the Depth controls I've installed on my amps or amps that have them stock. There are a few slight variations of achieving basically the same goal with Depth controls, but on zero it cuts out a lot of bass that was naturally there before the mod (in my experience at least)

I would call Mike Soldano and tell him this. See what he says. (206)-781-4636. I'm obviously not an expert.

Is the Depth circuit you've installed (or had on stock amps) the same circuit as the one in the SLO? SLO uses a 100nF cap in series after the NFB resistor, to a 1M Log pot, with a 4.7nF cap across its lugs, to the 4ohm tap. Pretty much a standard Depth/Resonance control you see in a lot of amps. It's nothing novel.

 

[PlayAndersons]

As mentioned SLOs like Soldano cabs and as far as the FX loop goes I recently picked up a Lexicon PCM 80 and it sounds really good through it.

 

[Rdodson]

Run the master at 4 or above and a 1m volume pedal in the loop for volume control and it isn't needed. I ran a line6 HD500 with the line pads for fx and it sounded great.

 

[nevusofota]

Run the master at 4 or above and a 1m volume pedal in the loop for volume control and it isn't needed. I ran a line6 HD500 with the line pads for fx and it sounded great.

Good to know. My board has the Timeline and a volume pedal, both in the loop. I'll give it a try.

 

[nevusofota]

Also, I've heard that removing two of the four power tubes, to scale it down to 50 watts, helps to thicken the tone without the earth shattering volume.

Does this work well, or do you lose some other qualities of the amp?

 

[sahlomonic]

FourT6and2 - I don't think putting it on zero takes it out of the circuit (like a dimed PPIMV for example) - or at least the Depth controls I've installed on my amps or amps that have them stock. There are a few slight variations of achieving basically the same goal with Depth controls, but on zero it cuts out a lot of bass that was naturally there before the mod (in my experience at least)

I would call Mike Soldano and tell him this. See what he says. (206)-781-4636. I'm obviously not an expert.

Is the Depth circuit you've installed (or had on stock amps) the same circuit as the one in the SLO? SLO uses a 100nF cap in series after the NFB resistor, to a 1M Log pot, with a 4.7nF cap across its lugs, to the 4ohm tap. Pretty much a standard Depth/Resonance control you see in a lot of amps. It's nothing novel.

Oh I'm not discrediting you at all; just stating what I hear on my amps. That's what I've done with my Depth mods except I don't use the 100nf cap in series, and usually put it on the 8 ohm tap (some of my amps don't have a 4 ohm tap). Like I said I've seen a few variants of wiring a depth control, maybe the one I use cuts the bass out more than where it was stock when the control is at zero? I'm definitely no expert either.

 

[SpiderWars]

I think the 100nF cap is just to make the controls less scratchy/noisy. It should be passing all frequencies of interest, I think my Splawn used a .22uF in that spot. It's not necessary and shouldn't affect the tone. The Depth control I do is just like 46and2 spelled out and as long as that 1M pot goes to 0 (or damn close) then essentially that .0047uF cap is bypassed by a wire and the whole thing should be out-of-circuit. But that's the only Depth mod I've done, maybe there are others that cut bass when off.