Buffers and Effects Loops

[BoatRich]

I recently picked up a JCM 900 SLX and I’ve been using the effects loop for my delay/reverb/etc... I’ve been thinking about picking up an Empress Buffer+ or similar because I get some loss of high end with the loop, but I can’t figure out if I can use it as a buffer/true bypass switch/boost for all of my ambient parts?

If not, would a true bypass switch and a buffer in the loop solve the same issue?

[rfurtkamp]

To save you the $$$ straight off if the looper will fix the problem.

Run a known good cable in the effects loop. NOTHING else there.

Play.

If you have a loss of anything, it's the loop's coloration, not the pedal.

I'd also check to see if it's intended for line level effects (as many of the older big amps were).

[goroth]

I have the Empress Buffer+ and it is rad as shit. But it is not a bypass looper.
It is more like an I/O for your guitar. You plug your guitar in, and then out to the amp. There is then a send an return. The input buffer is on the send, and the output buffer is after the return, I think.
The boost comes after the loop.

[retinal orbita]

I had a 100w 900 SL-X for years as my main guitar head - it’s a pretty solid Marshall and gets a bad rep compared to the 800s. But holy shit I sold it and the guy I sold it to was able to dial in the wildest fucking Jeff Hannemann tone within 5 seconds of playing it.

I never really used the effects loop so I’m just chiming in for no reason.

[BoatRich]

To save you the $$$ straight off if the looper will fix the problem.

Run a known good cable in the effects loop. NOTHING else there.

Play.

If you have a loss of anything, it's the loop's coloration, not the pedal.

I'd also check to see if it's intended for line level effects (as many of the older big amps were).

It has an adjustment on the back for pedal to line level but it’s on a weird screw like knob and I’m not quite sure how it works honestly? The send and return volumes seem to work inversely to each other.

The TB Loop is mostly just to make a chain of Pedals in the loop all turn on at once without buying like an ES-8 or something.

[BoatRich]

I had a 100w 900 SL-X for years as my main guitar head - it’s a pretty solid Marshall and gets a bad rep compared to the 800s. But holy shit I sold it and the guy I sold it to was able to dial in the wildest fucking Jeff Hannemann tone within 5 seconds of playing it.

I never really used the effects loop so I’m just chiming in for no reason.

Dude it definitely does the Slayer thing in spades! The band I play guitar in is somewhere between 90’s hardcore and crossover and it’s literally the perfect amp for what I need it to do. People who shit talk them probably just haven’t played one at anything resembling a decent volume.

[rfurtkamp]

Look up the manual - it probably has adjustment for line or pedal, and that WILL make a difference.

[retinal orbita]

I had a 100w 900 SL-X for years as my main guitar head - it’s a pretty solid Marshall and gets a bad rep compared to the 800s. But holy shit I sold it and the guy I sold it to was able to dial in the wildest fucking Jeff Hannemann tone within 5 seconds of playing it.

I never really used the effects loop so I’m just chiming in for no reason.

Dude it definitely does the Slayer thing in spades! The band I play guitar in is somewhere between 90’s hardcore and crossover and it’s literally the perfect amp for what I need it to do. People who shit talk them probably just haven’t played one at anything resembling a decent volume.

I should also mention the dude I sold it to drunk dialed me a year after I sold it to him to thank me. He picked up, didn’t lowball and then a thank you call? Maybe the best Craigslist transaction I’ve ever had.

[goroth]

If you give me your number I can drunk dial you.

[rfurtkamp]

Worse, we can sober dial.

All the bitterness, no random fun.

[goroth]

I'm down!