RV 50 MK I FX loop fix ideas?

[whiteyanderson]

I know this has been discussed in the past. I used to partake in those discussions myself. But back then my RV 50 MK I head (which I have since sold) didn't have the issue of a massive volume drop/ tone loss when plugging anything into the FX loop.

Fast forward to now and my current MK I head, which is a beauty, DOES have the issue. Anything in the loop causes a perceived volume drop. Maybe it's a loss of tone in reality. Anyway, whatever it is, volume or tone/treble, it's a pretty big one and a night and day difference you can hear just by taking a cable in and out of the loop.

Mr. Neil Oler built me a nifty little buffer back in the day, I had wanted one in case my old head ever developed the issue. Call me paranoid. Luckily I kept it and it works wonders on this head and brings it right back to it's normal tone/volume.

I'm just wondering if there's an easier, or rather, less conspicuous fix or "mod" for this. For now, I'm using an M13 in the loop, but it isn't the M13 causing the issue. It is caused by even inserting a simple patch cable from the send to the return even.

Loop tube has been swapped, etc.

I think I'll eventually go to standard pedals, the M13 is more a convenience over anything else although it does sound "decent". I know I could get a Boss or something that has a buffer built in, but I'm not swapping to a standard board anytime within the next 6 months. So just wondering if anyone had any ideas on a more permanent way to have this issue sorted on a more permanent basis.

[OU818]

I always just ran a decent buffer at the start of the chain, like a Boss TU-2 or something.

Never had a problem with it.

[whiteyanderson]

That's actually a pretty damn good idea. And something I'd never thought of. I have a pitchblack, I'm going to assume it doesn't have a buffer. Maybe it's time to say bye-bye and get a Boss? Any other tuners with a good buffer built in?

[OU818]

I've only ever useed the Boss Tuners. Most Boss pedals have hi/lo buffers, as do Strymon pedals.

[jason41224]

i don't like boss's bypass buffer. and i'm by no way a true bypass snob. just don't like how it colors the tone THAT much. you'd be better off getting a polytune (or keeping your pitchblack) and getting a quality standalone buffer.

[whiteyanderson]

I do have a nice buffer, however I'm trying to see if there is a more permanent/less hasssle way to use something else in it's place. In other words, one less pedal/switch/thing. I'll figure it out.

[jason41224]

what about something like this?

http://jhspedals.com/jhspedals/Little_B ... p_Box.html

[Wendigo]

I can only tell you that I have never had any problems with the loop on mine, and I have a boss giga delay in there as well as a small stone.

[whiteyanderson]

Yeah id never had issues with my first head either and no boss. I will have to investigate this boss thing further I suppose.

[shardy]

Well I have to say that there IS as noticable VOLUME drop but not
tone degradation. You think that buffers help? Do I need a buffer at
the beginning and the end or just the beggining? ...
Tnx guys.

[a.hun]

Well I have to say that there IS as noticable VOLUME drop but not
tone degradation. You think that buffers help? Do I need a buffer at
the beginning and the end or just the beggining? ...
Tnx guys.

Yes buffers help. Having one at the beginning of the chain is the most important thing.


Andy.

[whiteyanderson]

Well I have to say that there IS as noticable VOLUME drop but not
tone degradation. You think that buffers help? Do I need a buffer at
the beginning and the end or just the beggining? ...
Tnx guys.

OH YES, a buffer brings it right back. I was just hoping that possibly there was a way to permantly have it fixed or modded. I have my Oler Audio buffer that I just plug directly from the send of the FX loop into and set it on the cab behind the head. Definitely fixes it right up. Just wondered if anyone had ever come across a permanent fix for it. Sometimes the buffer, which is really tiny, like as small almost as a 1/4 of cigarette box, vibrates off the back of the cab. I suppose I could verlcro it to the back of the head or cab though. Still I'd like something permanent. Maybe I'll check into a tuner with a built in buffer.

I think as long as it's in there somewhere it will help.

[shardy]

which buffer would you reccomend?
something DIY perhaps (cause its chepaest) or something allready done?

[a.hun]

which buffer would you reccomend?
something DIY perhaps (cause its chepaest) or something allready done?

If you scan the thread again you'll see that Boss Tuner pedals are fairly (but not universally) popular.

Two of many threads on Boss buffers:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... p?t=332069" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... p?t=330268" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Andy.

[whiteyanderson]

which buffer would you reccomend?
something DIY perhaps (cause its chepaest) or something allready done?

As I mentioned, I had my buffer built by a fellow forum member years back by the name of Neil Oler. He is still on the forum. I don't want to put price quotes in his mouth, but I think I paid him $50 for him to build mine. Very tiny. And it works very well.

I would contact him, like I said though the $50 price was a few years ago, so it might be a bit more, but very reasonable I would imagine and he can configure it how you wish. Mine is so small that it would barely take up like a 3" square space of real estate on a board. I no longer use a board though, I'm using an M13 that I eventually hope to do away with. I suppose it's small enough that I could velcro it to the side of the M13 though. Hmmmm.

Anyway, he's a good guy. Look around in some of the threads or search by member name (if you can) and contact him. He's pretty active on here so finding a thread he's posted in won't be too hard. Actually, I think he posted in the Mercury Magnetics power cord thread recently which is on the first page still.