Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

[67Mopar]

I don't understand why Soldano would place the effects loop AFTER the master volume. Why not just put it between the tone-stack and the master volume? With the loop placed after the MV, I would need to adjust my effects input to accommodate this increased volume. Many builders had stopped doing this as far back as the late 1980's. Is there something I'm not getting, or is this accurate? I'm seriously thinking about buying one, but not if adjusting the master volume is going to increase the effects loop send signal.

At time marker 2:53, Mike Soldano describes the loop...

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

No one?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

Maybe you should buy a different amp instead, then.

 

[Sirion]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

I'll have a look at it as soon as I can. From what I've understood the HR25 is supposed to solve the problems with the original loop design, so if there are still problems with it, that is disappointing.

Maybe you should buy a different amp instead, then.

Sancta simplicitas!

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

Maybe you should buy a different amp instead, then.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

You're never wrong if you only state the obvious.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

Been interested in this amp for a while and just watched the video. Since i run time based effects in my loop your question was one i also had on this amp. For reference right now I'm running several rigs and one is the Sooldano designed Jet City JCA 22 H Custom head.
The loop with the level being varible and post master would be an issue running like i do. You would need to get the level set on the loop to match your rack unit and pedals but since that level varies with the master level that is an issue for me. Run the level to low and you have weak effect tone + noise to high you clip the effect so the loop on this amp is not usable for my needs. The Jet City head i have however does have a very pedal friendly loop with a set level and i don't understand why he didn't design the Hot Rod 25 with the same. Hope this answered you question bro.
PS still looking at this amp as it's a wicked little beast!!

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

Been interested in this amp for a while and just watched the video. Since i run time based effects in my loop your question was one i also had on this amp. For reference right now I'm running several rigs and one is the Sooldano designed Jet City JCA 22 H Custom head.
The loop with the level being varible and post master would be an issue running like i do. You would need to get the level set on the loop to match your rack unit and pedals but since that level varies with the master level that is an issue for me. Run the level to low and you have weak effect tone + noise to high you clip the effect so the loop on this amp is not usable for my needs. The Jet City head i have however does have a very pedal friendly loop with a set level and i don't understand why he didn't design the Hot Rod 25 with the same. Hope this answered you question bro.
PS still looking at this amp as it's a wicked little beast!!

Thanks. It sounds great, but a post-MV effects loop is a total deal-breaker for me.

Proper post tone stack/pre MV loop placement:

 

[Sirion]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

It sounds like you've understood correctly: it is explicitly stated that it goes after the master volume, and there is no preamp volume, so the narrator didn't just misspeak. Is it line level or instrument level? With the latter, you could probably get away with it.

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

I recall discussing the SLO loop issue with Mike back in 1992. I sort-of understand why Mike left the SLO as is, but the Hot Rod 25 is relatively new amplifier. To be honest, I'd rather have the SLO loop vs the HR 25. If the HR 25 uses MM iron, it wouldn't be difficult to employ a pre MV loop in a clone build.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

I recall discussing the SLO loop issue with Mike back in 1992. I sort-of understand why Mike left the SLO as is, but the Hot Rod 25 is relatively new amplifier. To be honest, I'd rather have the SLO loop vs the HR 25. If the HR 25 uses MM iron, it wouldn't be difficult to employ a pre MV loop in a clone build.

Why did he made it as he did?

How does the MM iron affect that?

 

[Sirion]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

I recall discussing the SLO loop issue with Mike back in 1992. I sort-of understand why Mike left the SLO as is, but the Hot Rod 25 is relatively new amplifier. To be honest, I'd rather have the SLO loop vs the HR 25. If the HR 25 uses MM iron, it wouldn't be difficult to employ a pre MV loop in a clone build.

If you buy one through the Blues City guy, who is a good friend of Mike, you might ask if there is more to this, or even request that the loop be moved. As you say, fixing it might be a simple mod in itself.

 

[devastone]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

The HR25 loop is in the same place as most amps (to the best of my knowledge), the loop on the SLO is kinda weird, it's before the tone controls too, so any tone adjustments you make will affect the effected signal also. May not make that big of a difference, but just doesn't seem like the best location to me.

*EDIT* After watching the video, the reason he put it where he did on the HR25 is so you could feed a bigger power amp directly from the preamp or you can feed an external preamp directly into the power section.

Again, this makes much more sense to me than the loop location in the SLO.

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

If you buy one through the Blues City guy, who is a good friend of Mike, you might ask if there is more to this, or even request that the loop be moved. As you say, fixing it might be a simple mod in itself.

There is a video where Mike and Blues City describe the loop mod to the SLO 1OO. As I recall, it included a secondary volume on the rear. I assume the HR25 is an updated version of this? Whatever... If the clips are an accurate representation, the HR25 is a beast! I miss those 8O's "metal" tones, but I don't need a 1OO watt amps to get back there. The more HR25 clips I hear, the less concerned I am with the loop.

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

The HR25 loop is in the same place as most amps (to the best of my knowledge), the loop on the SLO is kinda weird, it's before the tone controls too, so any tone adjustments you make will affect the effected signal also.

Most loops (per my experience) are pre MV. The Silver Jubilee loop is placed post tone stack / pre MV. No issues whatsoever. Easily as good as a Cornford loop, which IMO is the best loop implementation ever. An effects loop should work exactly like a rack system... The main power amp controls output volume.

After watching the video, the reason he put it where he did on the HR25 is so you could feed a bigger power amp directly from the preamp or you can feed an external preamp directly into the power section.

I can do the same with my Cornford and Marshall SJ amplifiers.

 

[devastone]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

I agree that post tone stack/pre MV seems like the best location, most of the amps I've used it was Post MV (at least that I remember), including most of the Marshalls I've used IIRC.

FWIW, the SJ loop is pre tone stack, looks like some of the Cornfords are too, harder to find schematics on those.

 

[67Mopar]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

I agree that post tone stack/pre MV seems like the best location, most of the amps I've used it was Post MV (at least that I remember), including most of the Marshalls I've used IIRC.

FWIW, the SJ loop is pre tone stack, looks like some of the Cornfords are too, harder to find schematics on those.

Sorry, I meant to say pre tone-stack. The Cornford is post tone-stack, Marshall is pre tone-stack. Still, I don't have any issues with the Marshall SJ tone-stack location. As a matter of fact, the ability to use the tone controls with the power section has proved mostly beneficial.

 

[devastone]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

The most important thing is what works best for the user.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

Can anyone open up a bit what positive sides there are adding fx loop after MV?

Because I can't figure out any, but if Soldano is doing it there must be some I guess...

 

[Sirion]

Re: Soldano Hot Rod 25 post MV effects loop... What's the deal?

There is a video where Mike and Blues City describe the loop mod to the SLO 1OO. As I recall, it included a secondary volume on the rear. I assume the HR25 is an updated version of this? Whatever... If the clips are an accurate representation, the HR25 is a beast! I miss those 8O's "metal" tones, but I don't need a 1OO watt amps to get back there. The more HR25 clips I hear, the less concerned I am with the loop.

It is my dream amp, but unfortunately one I will never own. The best-sounding amp I've ever tried "in the flesh" was a HR50+ (I've never had the pleasure of cranking an SLO), and getting that sound in a 25 watter seems like a dream come true. They are, however, rather expensive, and Soldano has, for some time, been neglecting the European market, so finding one used now that Mike is retiring isn't likely to happen.