FX loops on your amp - Bust or Must?

RVA

RVA

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I was checking out a certain amp that I would not mind having. Then I noticed it did not have an FX loop and that no amp by this manufacturer had one. So I did some digging only to find that there is controversy over whether they are necessary or even whether they are tone suckers. I always assumed they were a huge bonus when using time based effects or for a complex EQ and that anyone would want one if offered, but there are many who do not like them.

So what do you prefer?
 
They're a must for me. Actually getting an amp with one made a difference in how I think about them.

So, for me, I look for a multi-channel amp with FX loop.
 
FX loops make most sense on hybrid amps, where they can follow along after the PA modelling and be introduced before the linear SS power amp.
 
DonP said:
FX loops make most sense on hybrid amps, where they can follow along after the PA modelling and be introduced before the linear SS power amp.
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That makes sense. So will you buy an all valve amp without one?
 
The FX loop has caused me as much inconvenience as it has benefit, maybe more. I have some amazing effects in my loop that cannot be shared via my a/b/c/w box (I just made up that "w" part - it seemed like the right substitute for "y" when adding a "c"). I even communicated with Lehle. The share option required 4 of their pedals. Radial twinline now has a solution, albeit expensive and a bit tedious

Radial Twinline™ - Dual Amp Effects Loop Interface
 
Not really a "loop" as such.....but my go to amp used 99% of the time is the Marshall Valvestate 20 with reverb and gain ---and frankly thats all I need for bedroom amp duty.

I LOVED my Mustang by Fender amp--- which had a full array of techno tools and downloadable models and IF I score another one day for cheap----I will be happy

The Kustom you have RVA has some very nice effects built in (shoulda kept that one to damn it) but alas space and the need for knowledge on what OTHERS sound like have lead me down a different rabbit hole......

So--- I say ---- again -- IF YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE AMP---- it would be one with effects........certainly

been looking at one of these ----a former member has one and it seems VERY nice with loads of features for not a ton of $$$
Boss Katana-50 50-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo Amplifier | SamAsh
 
I'd say the question of whether an FX loop is necessary has no definitive answer. As is so often the case, these things really come down to personal practice and usage. One person may not use effects in such a way as to feel the need for a loop. Others may just have a different taste.

For me, I do find that the rule of thumb about putting time-based and modulation effects in the FX loop works best. And, I've gotten compliments about my sound. Anyway, I've tried it both ways. I often will use a dual delay effect (such as dotted eighth + sixteenth) with multiple repeats and mixed fairly wet. To me, this sounds better in a loop, especially when using the distortion channel of my amp. For those who just use a hint of delay or reverb, or for those who don't play with much distortion, it may not make much of a difference.
 
^^^Thanks.

That's similar to other things I've read. I was hoping to have read something new!

Ha!

Oh well...I think it bears mentioning that not all loops are made the same. I suppose some can "suck tone" (whatever that means), whereas others are rather transparent. I still say it comes down to you, your rig, and how you use your effects.
 
In my case the effect loop is not needed.
I put a small pedal board in front of a good sounding clean amplifier
and get all my Dirt, modulation, ambience etc. from the pedals.
The main advantage is I can get "my sound" at any volume
and in any size room.
 
I consider them a must (except on a practice amp). I prefer modern high-gain channel-switching amps, and it's no bueno putting delays or other temporal effects in front of them. I won't even consider a tube amp that doesn't have an effects loop.

As far as tone sucking, I guess it may depend on how the loop is designed and what you are putting in it. One of my amps has a loop that can be switched out of the signal path, and guess what? It sounds better with it switched in even if there are no effects in it...but that is a tube-buffered effects loop and extremely well designed. On the other end of things I have owned amps that sounded funky using the loop unless there was a buffer added also (even a pedal with a built-in buffer, like a Boss), so I guess you have to do some homework to choose the amps and effects wisely for your needs.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I have one on both my DSL40C's and I've never used it...what's the advantage????
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My partial and semi-correct answer - anything in fhe FX loop is after the preamp but before the power section. As such, it is not affected by all the tonal effects of preamp tubes
 
On a multi-channel amp, that I may use an onboard distortion channel...like my Laney, or Dual Rec...it's a must...if I'm going to use reverb, or delay etc.
Anything I'm going to use as a cleanish platform for dirt from pedals...there is no need for one(for me).

I keep my pedalboard set up so that it's easy to swap between the different configurations.
 
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Thatbastarddon said:
On a multi-channel amp, that I may use an onboard distortion channel...like my Laney, or Dual Rec...it's a must...if I'm going to use reverb, or delay etc.
Anything I'm going to use as a cleanish platform for dirt from pedals...there is no need for one(for me).

I keep my pedalboard set up so that it's easy to swap between the different configurations.
Click to expand...

All I have ever used is a CS-3, 7 Band EQ, DD-3 and NS-2. Never, ever anything else....may not make a difference.
 
smitty_p said:
If you don't use time-based or modulation effects, there may be no discernible advantage.

But, if you do use such effects, the FX loop generally yields a preferable sound.
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I thought most of us rock types used dealy and reverb at least. Plus, there are a good amountof chorus junkies out there.
 
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