Close to the Perfect Rig...Still Tweaking

[jalevinemd]

When the Little Bear finally arrived, I quickly became disappointed with my solid state Marshall. I initially wanted to avoid lots of stomp boxes in an attempt to remedy the situation, so I tried a couple of different 'effects processors.' The Digitech RP300A was an absolute piece of crap. Next I bought a POD XT, with the hopes of trying to get a tubeless to sound like a tube amp...no such luck. Plus, while the POD had some excellent sounds, I found it VERY confusing to use. I finally went out and bought an all tube Marshall JCM 2000 and found the warm, classic tone I'd been looking for. I then decided to scrap the whole multi-effects thing and began piecing together my own pedalboard. I almost have all the sounds I'm looking for...almost. I'd like to find out about setting up an effects loop, but I'm not sure where to start. Any thoughts?  

 

[lbpesq]

Jonathan:
 
In my experience, stomp boxes don't work in the usual effects loop found on combo amps (between preamp & power amp) as the line level or impedance or something like that doesn't match.  (I'm sure some of the denizens of this site can explain it more technically and accurately - bottom line though - it won't work too well).  
 
I guess you could get a built-in effects loop (ala Jerry/Further/Tribute) installed, if you don't have one already.  By the way, I was looking at the pics of Little Bear to see if you have 1 or 2 jacks (2 jacks = effects loop) & didn't even see one.  Is it mounted on the side?
 
I use a cordless (Nady 201 Diversity.  I've had it for almost 20 years - fixed once.  You can pick them up on e-bay for $50-$75 usually).  The receiver, at my feet, goes into my pedal board.  I leave my guitar volume on 10.  The last link in my pedal board - before going to my amp, is an Ernie Ball volume pedal.  This way my effects always see the same volume signal and I can adjust volume on the fly with my foot without having to take my right hand away from playing.  I've had this set-up for about a year and a half now, and it works very well.  I get basically the same effect as the Further/Tribute effects loop, while still remaining cordless.  In fact, I am having the effects loop left out of the custom Further I'm getting.
 
As for amps:  Tubes Rule!!!!
 
Bill, tgo

[hollis]

Hi Jonathan,
 
I see you're using Planet Waves cords.  How do you like them?
 
Also, nice rig.  Tubes do indeed rule.  It's been so long since I've used stomp boxes (with the exception of an old Morley power wah and a Mesa V-Twin), that I can't help you with your set up...
Sure looks impressive...

[palembic]

Hi Hollis,
 
I use the Planet Waves cables on the Rob Allen bass and really like it a lot. Super-handy when changing basses.
Mmmmm ...now I need a bass where I can change to.
 
Paul the bad one

[hollis]

Brother Paul,
 
Thanks for the report.  I picked up a couple yesterday, I really like the shut off swith in the plug.  It sure makes disconnecting a breeze.

[hollis]

Besides, the name is just too cool......

[jacko]

I really like the idea of being able to change basses without disabling the amp. Are the circuit breakers on both ends of the cables and is there any noticable difference in sound putting extra hardware in the way of the signal?
 
graeme

[hollis]

Mine are only on the angled plug.  There's a push switch that simply interupts the signal.  I notice no loss.  I'm not sure about the specs.  They make them with and without the switch, so it's important to specify.  
 
They have an expanded metal sheath on the plug that's there to hold the plug in place.  It seems to me that that feature doesn't really work all that well.  I have to make sure that I've got about six inches of slack between the plug and my strap or else the plug seems more likely to pop out of the jack than when using Monster cables.  
 
All in all though, it's very handy.

[valvil]

There is another company, Spectraflex, that makes good quality cables with the so-called silent plug. I believe they might have been the first. I have used a few for years and still have not had one fail on me; even if one did they are covered by lifetime warranty. One thing some folks sometimes do not like about them is the fact that often they are wrapped in pretty garish nylon: purple, orange red, blue, you name it.
 
Valentino

[jalevinemd]

Hollis,
 
Sorry for the delay. I've been out of town. I love the planet waves cables. Best thing about them is being able to customize the lengths yourself for the pedalboard etc... The cutoff switch is also nice for switching instruments. I guess that annoying click, in addition to being hard on the ears, is really bad for the tubes.
 
 
Regards,
 
Jonathan

[palembic]

There is although 1 inconvenience with those Planet Waves cables: they don't fit in deep-placed side ,ounted jack input. Some guitar constructors use them and they could be made by Schaller or Neutrik I don't know.  
 
Paul the bad one

[hollis]

Hi Jonathan,
 
How's the search for big sound coming with Little Bear?

[son_of_magni]

Cords with disconnect switch:  
   
Actually what the switch does is short the signal to ground before it loses contact in the instrument (or whatever it's plugged into).  I have one made by Hot Wires that I have had for a long time, maybe 20 years.  It still works fine.  
- SoM  
 
... I just took a look at the Planet Waves cable and I guess you have to push a button to short the signal.  And they call this fail safe?  The Hot Wires cord is automatic since the button is on the end of the housing next to the plug, so it pushes against the instrument jack to activate the signal.  I can't find any info on the Spectraflex connector, even their own website doesn't seem to provide any details.
 
(Message edited by son_of_magni on November 23, 2004)