Smallbox 50 order (small mods..?!?)

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I am planning to order a Smallbox 50 through one of the european dealers. Ideally I would need one with a switchable effects loop (I could live without that) and a second master volume for the plexi channel (I couldn't live without that, I desperately need a second master volume for my live shows :( )

The response from the dealer is that the switchable loop is not available because of the design and that the second plexi channel master volume is "not available right now"

I've tried to email Friedman twice, never got an answer.

Any ideas? Is a second master volume a mod that a good amp tech can do? (honestly I would hate to have someone outside Friedman moding a brand new amp)

I know that I could live with a non-footswitchable effects loop (I could use a delay on top of the amp controlling it with a midi pedal to my pedalboard) but placing a boost to my loop (as a second master volume) makes me nervous, I don't want to have two 30 foot cables going in and out the loop...
 
i use a an mxr boost/line driver in my loop as a solo boost and have no tone loss. its fine! fx loops on the friedmans have no tone suck
 
Two things you can do ! 1-Tech 21 delay boost, works great, but you may end up with long cable runs
2-Eventide H9 - you can set this on top of the amp, then switch with midi or even a 1/4 for bypass, you can do delay boost as well
 
Thanx for the great ideas :)

I would love to have an answer from mr. Friedman.. If the mods are not possible it's ok, I just want to hear it from him and not from some distributor that I don't completely trust.
 
switch":2ybs383a said:
I am planning to order a Smallbox 50 through one of the european dealers. Ideally I would need one with a switchable effects loop (I could live without that) and a second master volume for the plexi channel (I couldn't live without that, I desperately need a second master volume for my live shows :( )

The response from the dealer is that the switchable loop is not available because of the design and that the second plexi channel master volume is "not available right now"

I've tried to email Friedman twice, never got an answer.

Any ideas? Is a second master volume a mod that a good amp tech can do? (honestly I would hate to have someone outside Friedman moding a brand new amp)

I know that I could live with a non-footswitchable effects loop (I could use a delay on top of the amp controlling it with a midi pedal to my pedalboard) but placing a boost to my loop (as a second master volume) makes me nervous, I don't want to have two 30 foot cables going in and out the loop...
Click to expand...

I have a Smallbox and have similar issues as you. First of all let me say for sure you won't be dissapointed by an amp itself since it's best thing I spend my money recently although it was quite a blast for my budget;). Regarding the second master I don't have a problem but I guess you could solve it with a booster in a FX loop. I prefer to boost Plexi channel with BB preamp, for my taste still get more natural tone than on a BE channel although great channel for high gain, but bothers me that still it is a bit different voiced as a plexi and I like to have a "red line" in my sound. On the FX loop I got response from Dave that it can be done by him, but can't afford to ship it to US. Unfortunately didn't get any response how to do it so my local tech could do it. I wanted to use the existing footswitch with another switch button added for Loop, but I guess some relays would need to be added. There is no problem with signal itself, but my Delays are tone sucking and would really love to put the Loop chain out when not used. I might consider some Loop switcher like Harley Benton FXL8 Pro, but I am a bit afraid that low budget looper like that could be tone sucking by itself. If anybody has got some experience with it would appreciate some feedback.
 
I have a Smallbox too, and just had it modded for the same reason. Now both channels and the FX loop are switchable via a normal 2 button Marshall switch. I have an EP boost in the loop, so I can lift the volume a little when soloing. Both my delay and EP booster are on top of the amp, the only cables are to the amp input and the switch input.Works like a charm!
 
kips1963":19bcsyfu said:
I have a Smallbox too, and just had it modded for the same reason. Now both channels and the FX loop are switchable via a normal 2 button Marshall switch. I have an EP boost in the loop, so I can lift the volume a little when soloing. Both my delay and EP booster are on top of the amp, the only cables are to the amp input and the switch input.Works like a charm!
Click to expand...

Got any schematics, that you could share how you made FX Loop switchable ? Did you use relays ? How do you control Delay tempo with it not being in pedalboard ? Could you share some pictures ?
 
wahoo":2r8ov7c2 said:
kips1963":2r8ov7c2 said:
I have a Smallbox too, and just had it modded for the same reason. Now both channels and the FX loop are switchable via a normal 2 button Marshall switch. I have an EP boost in the loop, so I can lift the volume a little when soloing. Both my delay and EP booster are on top of the amp, the only cables are to the amp input and the switch input.Works like a charm!
Click to expand...

Got any schematics, that you could share how you made FX Loop switchable ? Did you use relays ? How do you control Delay tempo with it not being in pedalboard ? Could you share some pictures ?
Click to expand...

Didn't do it myself, had it done by my regular amp tech. I have to ask him about any schematics that he used.
All I know is that apparently you need an external 9V adaptor to get enough power for the 3 relays to switch. Drawing current from just the tubes themselves isn't quite enough, apparently. I sacrificed my Line Out output for inserting the adapter.
 
No offense but your guy doesn't know what he is doing then. The heaters in the amp are regulated 12 v dc and would power extra relays with out a issue. What did you have done?
 
I guess it's best to leave the amp as it is and solve the problem with a Loop switch to put the delay out of chain. Since I am quite unhappy with my Boss DD-6, which delay would you suggest I heard some good things about Hardwire DL-8 shouldn't there be any signal loss although it is not buffered with 2 x 6 meters loop cables ?
 
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