Replacement Leslie 2101 Mk 2 (because of bad tube circuit)

Recorded: Sat, Mar 19, 2022
Edited: Wed, Mar 23, 2022
Rendered: Wed, Mar 23, 2022
Uploaded: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
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The first Leslie I received on Jan 29, 2022; the overdrive system didn't work. I tested the tube and that was not the problem. Technical support advised it was most likely the tube circuit that was bad, so they said they'd send me out a replacement unit.
The replacement arrived on Fri, Mar 18, 2022; so I discussed it the following evening.

[@DBBDDS]

Thanks for the reply...it was very helpful😊

[@B3burner]

You’re welcome. Glad I could help.

[@georgebarabas]

Enjoy your new Leslie! I also don't use the tube preamp in my 3300W.

[@B3burner]

I will, and yes, I’m wondering in what situations I’m actually going use overdrive out the speaker. But despite this, I’m glad it works.

[@moogy77]

It's like a Marshall amp. You can turn it up to 11 and you'll hear hum, but if the guitar volume knob is on 2 you won't hear any noticeable distortion. Turn the knob to 10 and WA-LA HENDRIX!!

[@B3burner]

Thanks. That makes sense. Both you and 'MrBuzzthecat' suggested similar things. I've since tried it, and it is much better-- overdrive w/o the hum... or at the very least, less of it.

[@moogy77]

Thanks for getting back.
I'm thinking of going for the 2120, question, since you've now had the unit for some time now, are you as happy as when you first got it, less, or MORE?
Looking forward to hearing back.
Just for shits and giggles, I use to play in a band called RAINBOW with Ritchie Blackmore.
Thanks.

[@DBBDDS]

Do you honestly think the 2101 mark 2 sounds SIGNIFICANTLY ( worth the $1800 and 50 lbs) better than the xk5 internal leslie sim?? I have an skpro73 and 2 Roland KC550's and am considering a 2101mark 2.THANKS!

[@B3burner]

Hi and thanks for watching. Okay, this is what I've noticed in the year since I've had it:
The 2101's "Power Amp Overload" red warning light on the back, comes on at a much lower volume than you might hope for. I too have a Roland KC550, and the 550 can indeed go much louder than this Leslie can. For that one reason alone, I would not recommend this Leslie for it's weight and price.... UNLESS... you...
1. Mic it with a Shure SM-57 and either send it to the PA or through the KC550,
2. Plan on using it in an area where it will be relatively quiet, and hitting the peak light will probably be of no concern... such as jazz or a quiet church service.
3. The simulated bass rotation on the 2101 can be sent to the KC550, and really helps bring up the bass via the 550, without having to put too much additional load on the 2101.
That being said, do I notice a sonic difference between the internal sim of the xk5 vs. the 2101? Yes... the Leslie is better. I don't know how it compares to the Neo Ventilator, and I've heard the internal Leslie sim on the SKpro is better than that on the xk5... so if you're using an SKpro, you may be better off using the internal sim after all. Or the Neo which I believe is less expensive than the 2101.
Let me put it to you this way, if you want to mic a Leslie, and you don't want something that takes up too much space, or weighs over 100 lbs, then I would say the 2101 is worth considering. However if you want a Leslie, and don't want to have to mic it-- in other words, it's plenty powerful on its own-- then you can't beat a 122, 147, 145, etc. And some of those you may be able to get for under $2,000 in some cases, but most of the time, expect to spend more.
If you're happy with the internal Leslie sim on the skpro and you love your KC550, then I would say no the 2101 is not worth the investment.
I hope I've given you enough various scenarios to consider, without throwing in too many additional variables, to the point where I've made this more confusing than it's worth.

[@MrBuzzthecat]

try running the oegan master volume much hotter 7-10 then you can turn the Leslie's volume down. see if that creates more overdrive and less hum?

[@B3burner]

Thank you for the suggestion- I’ll give it a try.

[@B3burner]

MrBuzzthecat >>> Your idea worked! Thanks. I tried it several weeks ago but forgot to tell you.