Thinking of dumping my TSL

[GodWentPUNK]

While playing around with my TSL, I came upon an issue that has me thinking about dumping my TSL.

I had just put in some new preamps/power tubes, rebiased everything and with just my guitar and cable, did some tone testing. After about an hour or so, I got all 3 channels working to a point where I was very happy. I then started to introduce back into the mix my BBE/Gmajor/Wireless. Well, to my disappointment, my gear sounded like CRAP--very muddy. To my amazement, it appears that the TSL's have an 'issue' with their effects loops in that when running in seriael mode, that you loose a bunch of your tone. I use the Gmajor almost 100% of the time so my FX loop in always in use. Over the last year I been searching on how to improve the tone of my TSL but I fear that my TSL may be the root of my problems.

So I'm looking to get some recommendations from you guys.What systems are out there do NOT suck your tone when using the FX loop? I'm interested in 3 channel systems (either head or preamp).

thanks in advance for your input!

joe...

[BrutalityIsLaw]

my peavey XXX sounds awesome with a maximizer running through the loop and it has 3 channels...i love it.

[Dave L]

A traditional rack set-up will give you the opportunity to not use a loop at all... output from preamp into effects, and then on to the power amp. Maybe a JMP-1 would be a good place to start if you like the tone of the TSL.

[pagemalicious]

I've never liked the TSL's. I thought they were good for Blues/soft rock tones, but for anything heavier than that, the tone is just fizzy and lacks any 'oomph'

How about looking into the ENGL Powerball? 3 or 4 channels with a decent FX loop.

[overdriven]

slightly OT

I don't know how you guys do it with these heads and half stacks, I just stick to the good ole' POD for home practice. I get all the versatility I need, I couldn't imagine being stuck with just a Marshall sound, I want a Soldano and a 5150 in my arsenal. Plus cabs are too loud.

[surfreak]

Not everyone just practices at home.

[Guitardude86]

Loud is good! Definitely improves your playing because you get all excited and think you're Van Halen or something when it's loud!

[hippietim]

i'm not a tsl fan. but...

if it sounds good until you introduce the g-major then i'm not so convinced you are changing the right component. the g-major is not a super clean/transparent piece of gear compared to some other things. i would try something else like a rocktron intellifex/expression or something. can you borrow something else? or go buy an expression at GC and if it doesn't improve things just return it.

[Dave L]

A tubedriven stack is in many cases too loud for using at home, yes, but like surfreak said people do play out sometimes. I use modellers at home, but at rehearsal, playing live and in the studio I prefer an actual amp pushing plenty of air.

[Twisteramps]

Some gear just doesn't play well with others. HippieTim had a good suggestion. One other thing is that if you're looking for another 3 channel head with a good FX loop, the Peavey JSX could be what you're looking for. I'm not a fan of the XXX personally, but the JSX is, in my opinion, a really good amp regardless of the price. I've run everything from stompboxes to rack fx through mine, it's done well both ways.

Also, the JSX has an fx loop bypass footswitch, so you can compare the 'tone suckage' from bypassed to fx'd. It's been minimal in my experience, but sometimes you have to play with the send and return levels on the loop controls. If you have the time and a music store nearby, you could also take your rack gear in there and try some of their heads. But I really recommend a look at the JSX.

Pete

[GodWentPUNK]

I've been doing alot of reseach the JSX and it has gotten some good reviews. I guess some of the earlier models had some problems but the newer ones are performing betters.

This amp would be used with a band and we do gig (about twice a month).

My issue is mainly with the FX loop. If I hook a cable from the send to the receive and using my footswitch, go from loop on/off , you will hear a completely different tone. With the loop off. perfect Marshall tone...with the loop on, I'll lost about 10% volume and about 50% in clarity...to a point where the tone is no longer Marshall. So, which I understand the Gmajor will introduce some tone changes, my base starting tone is already less that par.

I am very open to rack systems... I guess for those systems it would be like this: preamp->effects->poweramp??? Correct? I thought preamps had an effects loop...

I've looked at the ENGL products (about 1 year ago) but I was not too impressed with their preamps or their powerball. I might have to revisit this again.

I've thought about the JMP, but if I do decide to go rack mount, while I like the Marshall tone, I'm not married to it. I'd be willing to look at other options at that point.

joe...

[Dave L]

Preamps have effect loops, but in most cases there really is no need to use them. As you have noticed some loops suck tone bigtime, and if you have the opportunity not to use a loop you might as well take it. If you use your outboard gear in serial mode now you´ll be just fine hooking the outputs of the preamp to the FX, and from there to the poweramp... ignoring the loop.

[jgcable]

I think the TSL has a fairly friendly useable loop. If you put the G-Major in the loop and do a hard bypass on it does it still color your sound?
Mine doesn't.
I will agree 100% though that the TSL loop isn't the best out there.

[hippietim]

BTW, I forgot to mention the G-Major sounded like canned ass with my Randall RM-100. My Boss VF-1 works great with the Randall. But I only use it for reverb.

[GodWentPUNK]

I think the TSL has a fairly friendly useable loop. If you put the G-Major in the loop and do a hard bypass on it does it still color your sound?
Mine doesn't.
I will agree 100% though that the TSL loop isn't the best out there.

Again, just hooking up a 1 single cable from the send/return will suck the tone from my amp when I engage the FX loop from the footswitch. I do have the FX knob turned all the way to right (full series).

Q: Do any of the preamp tubes drive anything in the effects loop?