Soldano built SLO-100 Effects Level Loop is on the way.

[JLB BCM]

Thanks all so much for the detailed responses on this issue. When I get back in country soon, I'll hit Mike up with what you've suggested. In the end it's all up to him, his baby, but I think he'll develop something that works very well. Keep the comments coming, I'd appreciate it. Peace..

LB
BCM

 

[JLB BCM]

I've also asked him since it was MY IDEA, that I get an exclusive on it for a while.
LB
BCM

You seem like a very nice dude, but this statement really rubs me the wrong way. I could be misreading what you mean. Guys on this forum have been talking about modding the SLO loop for years. I actually got an email response last week from Mike in which I asked him if he would mod the SLO loop to HR25 specs. Here's his response:


"It would be a pretty involved mod, but it is doable. I’d have to add a little auxiliary circuit board in addition to rewiring all of the loop circuitry. I haven’t done this mod before, so I don’t know exactly how long it will take, but I’m guessing that it will probably cost you around $300 to $400, plus shipping.



Best Regards,




Mike"

I started a thread about this a couple of days ago but had it nuked because I didn't want deciminate any information publicly that maybe Mike didn't want out there. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean by having the "exclusive" on it. If you mean that the only place people get new SLOs with this mod is through you, then I guess I can understand that. But Mike will mod used SLOs to HR25 specs per his response above.

I chuckled at the "MY IDEA" quote too but whatever.

Ok, nice dude? Not really sure what that has to do with anything, but thanks I suppose.

Yes, you are correct, I asked Mike if I could get a short exclusive on it for NEW SLO's. I mean I flew there, spent money to hang out with my bud, engaged him about this issue, and he's working on it now. Same way when I launched the BCM 44 amp. I had an exclusive on that for a long time and still do with some versions. Thanks my friend.

LB
BCM

What it has to do with it is that the way you worded it came off as taking credit for something that MANY people have been discussing for years, and several people have already modded the loop on their own or had others to do it. It came across as like you were the first guy to think of it.

I've seen your demos online. I judge by them that you seem like a nice guy, so that's why I said I'm sure you didn't mean that comment the way it was coming across. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt.

Congratulations on being the first guy after years and years of people asking him to do the mod to change Mike's mind. New SLO owners owe you a debt of gratitude.

Thanks buddy. It's not about me, it's about the customer. Just trying to help. I run 3 personal SLO's and won't change anything, but I can sure see others digging a more pedal friendly loop.

FYI, Mike built a 50 watt Lucky 13 clean channel only amp with the stock analog reverb tank, AND a killer loop for the pedal guys. Nashville session players have asked for this and Prince himself played the 100 watt version. Mike built him 3 amps. Amp is called the Little Luck. Available ONLY DIRECT from Soldano.

Thanks,

LB
BCM

 

[Mr. Willy]

Bottom line, Mike finally deciding to do this is awesome. I've been gigging my SLO heavily for the past year. At home I can run it in ways that work around the loop issue, but when I gig it's just impractical with our pa to run a wet/dry rig. It's simply easier to slap one mic on my cab and go with it. This loop mod is a big deal. I'm stoked.

 

[cecilbag]

Bottom line, Mike finally deciding to do this is awesome. I've been gigging my SLO heavily for the past year. At home I can run it in ways that work around the loop issue, but when I gig it's just impractical with our pa to run a wet/dry rig. It's simply easier to slap one mic on my cab and go with it. This loop mod is a big deal. I'm stoked.

Same here. I've been using a Fractal fx8 and it helps but this could be awesome

 

[Beam Tetrode]

It's super easy to make any old SLO loop instrument level. Simply wire a 25K audio taper pot as a volume control between the FX Send and your pedals. Turn up your Master Volumes to set your return levels.

Heck, you could even use a 25K Ernie Ball volume pedal instead of the pot.

 

[nevusofota]

Are we going to see a bunch of original SLO's up for sale now? It sounds like we aren't going to be able to send current amps to him for the mod for some time, if ever.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Are we going to see a bunch of original SLO's up for sale now? It sounds like we aren't going to be able to send current amps to him for the mod for some time, if ever.

See my post above. I emailed him last week about it. I just have to send it to him and he'll do the mod. Mine's a '92.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

I get the idea of you getting the exclusive on new SLO's with this loop option but
Does this also apply to People like me who already own an SLO and would like their amp modded by Mike with the Loop upgrade?

As of right now, Mike is coming up with the design and costs to see how to proceed, but I truly think it is a go. I'll let you guys know what he comes up with, but I've also asked him since it was MY IDEA, that I get an exclusive on it for a while.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I get the idea of you getting the exclusive on new SLO's with this loop option but
Does this also apply to People like me who already own an SLO and would like their amp modded by Mike with the Loop upgrade?

As of right now, Mike is coming up with the design and costs to see how to proceed, but I truly think it is a go. I'll let you guys know what he comes up with, but I've also asked him since it was MY IDEA, that I get an exclusive on it for a while.

Just email Mike about it!!

 

[R Weaver FX]

Personally I think if Mike would retrofit the loop that he has in the HR25, into the SLO, most folks would be happy. The loop in my HR25 is great!

 

[blackba]

Personally I think if Mike would retrofit the loop that he has in the HR25, into the SLO, most folks would be happy. The loop in my HR25 is great!

I agree the loop in the HR25 is great.

 

[R Weaver FX]

Personally I think if Mike would retrofit the loop that he has in the HR25, into the SLO, most folks would be happy. The loop in my HR25 is great!

I agree the loop in the HR25 is great.

Being that the current SLO loop is important to the tone of the amp, he can hardwire that internally and then just add the other loop. This way you retain the amp's original tone and you get a great loop. Okay maybe it's not that simple lol but I think the idea is sound.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

... and only about 25 years too late. Awesome. All the additional mods currently available are getting ridiculous. I say this as a current and past SLO owner. Not an amp I'd rely on if I was a heavy fx user. Many better options out there now. SLO tone aside.

 

[JLB BCM]

Personally I think if Mike would retrofit the loop that he has in the HR25, into the SLO, most folks would be happy. The loop in my HR25 is great!

It is a great loop but some guys want it in between preamp and output as well as after the tone stack. 25 loop works great as well.

LB
BCM

 

[JLB BCM]

It's super easy to make any old SLO loop instrument level. Simply wire a 25K audio taper pot as a volume control between the FX Send and your pedals. Turn up your Master Volumes to set your return levels.

Heck, you could even use a 25K Ernie Ball volume pedal instead of the pot.

Volume pedals sound mushy at lower volumes. Mike's Soundman Eliminator does the same type thing. Conrtols Output tranny.

LB
BCM

 

[JLB BCM]

This isn't a REVISION to the amp. It would be nothing more than an option for guys to decide +4db line level or -10db effects level loop. That is all that would change. I would have ZERO to do with current amps. That's between you guys and Mike. I've never even considered otherwise.

As for current amps, I definitely mentioned to Mike that he should consider that as well. Of course, it's all about what it would cost to do so. Case in point, adding a loop to a Lucky 13 almost mandates a complete reassembly from what Mike tells me. He's doing one now and it looks great, but won't be as inexpensive as having it added from day one.

LB
BCM

 

[Beam Tetrode]

It's super easy to make any old SLO loop instrument level. Simply wire a 25K audio taper pot as a volume control between the FX Send and your pedals. Turn up your Master Volumes to set your return levels.

Heck, you could even use a 25K Ernie Ball volume pedal instead of the pot.

Volume pedals sound mushy at lower volumes. Mike's Soundman Eliminator does the same type thing. Conrtols Output tranny.

LB
BCM

A 25K vol pedal will not sound mushy in the SLO loop circuit due to the impedances involved. Sure, you could use the Soundman Eliminator to control send level. Not sure what you mean by "Controls Output tranny."

The stock SLO circuit already utilizes a resistive pad to attenuate the send. The 2K2 resistor sets the level. You can drop the loop down to any level you want by reducing this value.

 

[Giga]

"Mushy" may not be the best way to describe the effect of cutting the signal in the loop of a stock SLO but doing so definitely has a tonal impact on the overall sound of the amp.
It decreases overall gain (or maybe distortion is a better word in this case) and (thus) smoothness of the amp.
Aparently the loop tends to overdrive the next tubes in line which are V4 and/or V5 (PI).
I'm not really sure which one it is but the effect is definitely audible. I tried....

Giga

 

[Beam Tetrode]

"Mushy" may not be the best way to describe the effect of cutting the signal in the loop of a stock SLO but doing so definitely has a tonal impact on the overall sound of the amp.
It decreases overall gain (or maybe distortion is a better word in this case) and (thus) smoothness of the amp.
Aparently the loop tends to overdrive the next tubes in line which are V4 and/or V5 (PI).
I'm not really sure which one it is but the effect is definitely audible. I tried....

Giga

What was the exact setup you tried?

 

[Giga]

I tried a passive and an active volumepedal in series in the loop and a passive volumecontrol from send shorted to ground. After that experiment failed I've opted for a pot parallel to the regular volumepots (switchable via a relay + footscwitch) which works much better; no tonechange whatsoever provided you're not at that 9 o'clock and below volumesetting to begin with.

Giga