tube buffered reverb as effects loop?

[lynchfan6]

I just bought a Soldano astroverb, and there are cables running to and from the reverb tank on the bottom of the combo cab. I was thinking,,,,what's to stop me from using this as an effects loop and putting a delay pedal in there instead? Would it work? It is a tube buffered reverb circuit, and just uses a simple send and return style hookup to the reverb tank. I'd have to buy some adapters or get the cables modded for the connectors (not guitar cable style as is) to and from the reverb tank,,,but other than that, I don't see why this wouldn't work. Any input? I just bought the amp for around the house, as I use my SLO exclusively for most gigs, and I also have a hot rod 25 which I adore. THis astroverb sounds amazing, and if I could get a delay in there, it would be band practice and small gig worthy. No clean channel, but it is not super high gain, but rather more JCM800ish , so rolling back the volume and turning off my overdrive pedal Zakk Wylde style works well. I'm not a huge reverb fan, so hence the question.

[Nightbat]

If the effect loop is line level you might have to check if your pedal can handle it

[lynchfan6]

so, maybe use my TC Gmajor 2 instead.....as that just works so flawlessly in my SLO loop.

[lynchfan6]

I just read some stuff about installing resistors to make it a loop....as the reverb tank is low impedance. But what about a line level rack unit over a pedal?

[DonP]

I think you should read more or take it to a pro.

A reverb is like a speaker at one end and a pickup at the other. You are saying you want to take a speaker output and put it into the effects input. Then you are taking the effects output and putting it into a pickup input. It might work, it might not. it might take out a tube or the transformer driving the reverb tank.

[lynchfan6]

Thanks...yeah...I will look more into it. I will leave it as is unless I can still contact the retired Mike Soldano to mod it into a loop for me, which I heard he has done many times. As is,,,I still love this amp so much!

[timtheshredder]

Did you ever get this fixed? I'm having the same type of problem. Just interested in hearing what you came up with.

[DonP]

The more I think about this, the more it sounds like it should work.

[lynchfan6]

I never did get it modded. I just run a tube screamer in front of it, and sometimes a boss delay with just a minimal effect...seems to work okay in front of an amp if really kept to a minimal effect. Most of the time, though, I just run the amp with a tube screamer in front for a bit of a boost and use a bit of reverb from the amp and I'm good to go. I do have an SLO and Hot Rod 25 for gigging,,,so this amp is more for small jams/around the house. I'll most likely leave it as is. Sweet amp, though. I'm happy to have the Soldano sound available in all sizes for any application

[DonP]

I think you can get by with a Chorus up front as well. Not ideal, but when I'm lazy and just want to jam some Maiden SIT or later stuff. I just slap a chorus after the TS-10.

[lynchfan6]

Funny you should say that.....as that is exactly what I'm gonna buy next. I used to have a boss ch1 but I sold most of my pedals when I got into the TC Gmajors. Now, I'm buying a couple of pedals again (delay, chorus next) for use with my astroverb. Should have never sold my collection.

[DonP]

After years of no effects I came really close to going the TC Gmajor route, but just recently got into pedals (last 6 months). For the most part I try to stick around the $40 range. I try to go for the usuals that my heroes used. I got a CH1 for under $40 in forums. I already had a CE-2 and a Warped Vinyl MKII but for the price I had to get it.

[lynchfan6]

which of those chorus pedals would you recommend if I am going to buy just one?

[DonP]

I'm sort of a pedal newbie, so I'd say it depends on which is cheapest. I got suckered into the Chase Bliss by watch a video on getting the ultimate Iron Maiden tone. I think it is way out of my league. A simple CE-2 works for me, but if you are the type (you did have a GMajor) that likes to mess with settings, it may be good for you.