• From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Topic: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

Hey guys and gals I'm hoping somebody here can help me out. I'm looking into getting a Jety City JCA20 head and cab for some small jams and gigs so I don't have to haul my Ceriatone to places where I can only have it on like 2. But the only thing holding me back is it doesn't have an fx loop. Is there a way to run delay through an amp with no fx loop without it sounding like total garbage?

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-02-14
  • Posts: 318

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

look on their site, if you go for the jet city; they are already selling those amps with a fx loop!

http://www.jetcityamplification.com/

I don't charge for mistakes. - Joe Bonamassa
  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

If buy that model I won't be able to buy the cabinet..... Damn I'm gonna have to save up a little more cash.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

Yeah the modded heads with FX loops sound cool and they even offer different colored face plate instead of blue, but they charge tax and shipping..I hate paying both! -S

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

JBFan1 wrote:

Hey guys and gals I'm hoping somebody here can help me out. I'm looking into getting a Jety City JCA20 head and cab for some small jams and gigs so I don't have to haul my Ceriatone to places where I can only have it on like 2. But the only thing holding me back is it doesn't have an fx loop. Is there a way to run delay through an amp with no fx loop without it sounding like total garbage?

When using a delay in front, it always seems that the first repeat is very loud then the rest are manageable.  I also think it sounds a little better if the amp is clean and you go first into an overdrive pedal, THEN into a delay then the amp.  I have been using an MXR carbon copy in front lately, it sounds fine.  -S

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

Actually I just tried my JCA20H with the DD3, no effects loop and it sounded fine? I don't find that it sounds bad but then everyone's taste differs.

I could have bought the one with the effects loop but then I would have lost out on savings.

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

I've always put my Digitech DD3 in front of my Dr Z and it always sounded fine.  I think I tried it in the loop once but it didn't sound better and it was easier to leave it in the chain w/ the other pedals.  Maybe I'll try the loop again, it's been ages.  What do you mean by "total garbage?".

My music & music blog: https://vincedickinson.home.blog/
New prog/rock album "Atlantis" available everywhere, including:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/atlantis/1411523163
https://open.spotify.com/album/3InrPujiALJCslZqp9V6e2

ZeyerGTR's Website

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

ZeyerGTR wrote:

I've always put my Digitech DD3 in front of my Dr Z and it always sounded fine.  I think I tried it in the loop once but it didn't sound better and it was easier to leave it in the chain w/ the other pedals.  Maybe I'll try the loop again, it's been ages.  What do you mean by "total garbage?".


That was probably a poor choice of words. It just doesn't sound as smooth at least in the amps I've tried it with it in front of the amp. Could anybody on here record a video or a clip of you running it in front of a dirty amp?

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

JBFan1 wrote:
ZeyerGTR wrote:

I've always put my Digitech DD3 in front of my Dr Z and it always sounded fine.  I think I tried it in the loop once but it didn't sound better and it was easier to leave it in the chain w/ the other pedals.  Maybe I'll try the loop again, it's been ages.  What do you mean by "total garbage?".


That was probably a poor choice of words. It just doesn't sound as smooth at least in the amps I've tried it with it in front of the amp. Could anybody on here record a video or a clip of you running it in front of a dirty amp?

If you've tried it already with poor results, maybe you should just stick to an FX loop and perhaps another amp that has one.  The Egnater Tweaker has one.  If you search youtube, the Wampler Plexidrive videos from wampler show an OD into a delay into the front of an amp and it sounds good.  Maybe if there is a guitar center nearby you could try some different amps with a delay in front there.  -Seth

  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 24

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

helrazr84 wrote:
JBFan1 wrote:
ZeyerGTR wrote:

I've always put my Digitech DD3 in front of my Dr Z and it always sounded fine.  I think I tried it in the loop once but it didn't sound better and it was easier to leave it in the chain w/ the other pedals.  Maybe I'll try the loop again, it's been ages.  What do you mean by "total garbage?".


That was probably a poor choice of words. It just doesn't sound as smooth at least in the amps I've tried it with it in front of the amp. Could anybody on here record a video or a clip of you running it in front of a dirty amp?

If you've tried it already with poor results, maybe you should just stick to an FX loop and perhaps another amp that has one.  The Egnater Tweaker has one.  If you search youtube, the Wampler Plexidrive videos from wampler show an OD into a delay into the front of an amp and it sounds good.  Maybe if there is a guitar center nearby you could try some different amps with a delay in front there.  -Seth

I've always ran my delay in front too. My Twin Reverb doesn't have a loop, and I much prefer my effects in front. YMMV.

11 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2010-12-30 07:34:41)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

JBFan1 wrote:
ZeyerGTR wrote:

I've always put my Digitech DD3 in front of my Dr Z and it always sounded fine.  I think I tried it in the loop once but it didn't sound better and it was easier to leave it in the chain w/ the other pedals.  Maybe I'll try the loop again, it's been ages.  What do you mean by "total garbage?".


That was probably a poor choice of words. It just doesn't sound as smooth at least in the amps I've tried it with it in front of the amp. Could anybody on here record a video or a clip of you running it in front of a dirty amp?


Here's my DD-3 ran in front of a hot and bothered Super Reverb with a TS808 and Fulltone '70 fuzz.  Seems to work okay for me...  smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … f4w#t=288s

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
JBFan1 wrote:
ZeyerGTR wrote:

I've always put my Digitech DD3 in front of my Dr Z and it always sounded fine.  I think I tried it in the loop once but it didn't sound better and it was easier to leave it in the chain w/ the other pedals.  Maybe I'll try the loop again, it's been ages.  What do you mean by "total garbage?".


That was probably a poor choice of words. It just doesn't sound as smooth at least in the amps I've tried it with it in front of the amp. Could anybody on here record a video or a clip of you running it in front of a dirty amp?


Here's my DD-3 ran in front of a hot and bothered Super Reverb with a TS808 and Fulltone '70 fuzz.  Seems to work okay for me...  smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … f4w#t=288s


That sounded wonderful. You have some really nice and get great EJ/JB like tones. I'm gonna have to plan a trip to Guitar Center and try out the amp with a DD3 in front of it.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: How do you run delay through an amp with no FX Loop?

Thanks!  You just have to watch your level and feedback on the delay.  What I kinda dig about running delays up front is that when you have the amps cranking and there is some natural compression going on you get this wonderful "ducking" effect with the echo.  You don't hear it a whole lot when you are playing (especially faster runs) but when you slow down or stop between phrases the echo kinda swells up behind the note.  For the $$$ of a new DD-3 or DD-7 I would also check out the MXR Carbon Copy for a slightly warmer echo if that's your bag.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.