• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: Amps with no FX loop

Hey everyone...

I am looking to put together a small practice rig with two 20 watt amps (6v6 and and EL-84). Both are Dr Z, and neither of them have FX loops. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • Registered: 2009-07-16
  • Posts: 105

Re: Amps with no FX loop

Logo33 wrote:

Hey everyone...

I am looking to put together a small practice rig with two 20 watt amps (6v6 and and EL-84). Both are Dr Z, and neither of them have FX loops. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!
Logan


That's cool- dual Z28s would be rad..A good solution for this is wet/dry rig. Takes a little work but it's a cool option. Robben ford runs a set up like this sometimes.  Or- get a loop kit. Super easy to install.

I like the way 6V6s take OD vs. EL84- then again those cathode biased amps just need to be turned on 10 to get 'em moving.

  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Amps with no FX loop

Logo33 wrote:

Hey everyone...

I am looking to put together a small practice rig with two 20 watt amps (6v6 and and EL-84). Both are Dr Z, and neither of them have FX loops. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!
Logan


Ummmm- put your fx at the front end. Simple.

I don't get the FX loop man love. I've never really bothered with them.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Amps with no FX loop

jakey wrote:
Logo33 wrote:

Hey everyone...

I am looking to put together a small practice rig with two 20 watt amps (6v6 and and EL-84). Both are Dr Z, and neither of them have FX loops. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!
Logan


Ummmm- put your fx at the front end. Simple.

I don't get the FX loop man love. I've never really bothered with them.

Yep, all my reverbs, delays, chorus, and drives are up front.  You have to be really careful with the reverbs and delays because some of them just REFUSE to behave well in front.  I highly recommend a Line 6 DL4 for delays because I believe it was designed to run that way.  I love running my old echoplexes up front because they were made back in the day before effects loops.  Try telling Eric Johnson he should use an effects loop....

'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.
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Amps with no FX loop

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
jakey wrote:
Logo33 wrote:

Hey everyone...

I am looking to put together a small practice rig with two 20 watt amps (6v6 and and EL-84). Both are Dr Z, and neither of them have FX loops. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!
Logan


Ummmm- put your fx at the front end. Simple.

I don't get the FX loop man love. I've never really bothered with them.

Yep, all my reverbs, delays, chorus, and drives are up front.  You have to be really careful with the reverbs and delays because some of them just REFUSE to behave well in front.  I highly recommend a Line 6 DL4 for delays because I believe it was designed to run that way.  I love running my old echoplexes up front because they were made back in the day before effects loops.  Try telling Eric Johnson he should use an effects loop....


Justin-

+ David Gilmour!!

I have all sorts of shite into the front end- rack 'verbs, MXR delay, Digitech IPS33B- they all are fine if you buffer and balance properly.

Re Delays- the best one I have heard and used (other than total hand made exotica like the TES and DDL) are the Replica and the Empress- both are fine in the front end, esp the TRex.

(in the same way I'd never buy a Nissan Skyline over a Porsche, I realise the Line 6 is amazing technology and does things brilliantly, but I am old school ;-) )

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.

6 Reply by Billion81 (edited by Billion81 2010-08-26 19:28:25)

  • Registered: 2009-07-16
  • Posts: 105

Re: Amps with no FX loop

Try telling Eric Johnson he should use an effects loop....

Yeah- but look at how complex his rig to get a delay set up, so that's not really a fair comment. Those Memory Man/EPlex boxes are run post mic through the Mackie monitors just to provide delay..

So- if you think about it. [He] has a VERY complex Delay environment when all he really needs.....Is a Loop.

http://www.ericjohnson.com/pictures/newtrick.jpg

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

Re: Amps with no FX loop

Billion81 wrote:

Try telling Eric Johnson he should use an effects loop....

Yeah- but look at how complex his rig to get a delay set up, so that's not really a fair comment. Those Memory Man/EPlex boxes are run post mic through the Mackie monitors just to provide delay..

So- if you think about it. [He] has a VERY complex Delay environment when all he really needs.....Is a Loop.

http://www.ericjohnson.com/pictures/newtrick.jpg

Touche, that is how he runs it now mostly.  I'm referring more to the old school late '70s-'80s EJ stuff when he just kinda plugged everything up front.  I dunno why he goes through the trouble of all the post mic stuff now when IMO his old tone was so much better.  I like the coloration of some pedals up front ESPECIALLY the old EH Memory Mans and Echoplex.  I guess the most cost effective solution would be the Xotic X Blender that is essentially an effects loop/mixer for running in front of non MV amps.  OP, check 'em out because that's what Joe used during the recording sessions for the Ballad of John Henry album.

'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.
  • Registered: 2009-07-16
  • Posts: 105

Re: Amps with no FX loop

I opened for EJ at the Bayou in DC in '90. I couldn't make heads or tails of that rig and how it all worked. I talked to Kyle Brock for awhile about his set up and he noted that his favorite EJ tone was in the Emagnets, Hawaiian Punch era. No Delay or Reverb at all!! I still had my Dumble back then.

I'm with you about all the hassle for delay in that rig. The Xblender sounds cool for the non-loop rigs. That's why I liked the Cat 5 as it had the loop. I guess there's a DAG/Metro JTM45/100 with a loop. I say screw it, slam the front with whatever.

ted

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Amps with no FX loop

Maybe get a local Tech to add an EFX Loop to the Amp?

Or, get a Hick's Mender II.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Amps with no FX loop

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
jakey wrote:
Logo33 wrote:

Hey everyone...

I am looking to put together a small practice rig with two 20 watt amps (6v6 and and EL-84). Both are Dr Z, and neither of them have FX loops. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!
Logan


Ummmm- put your fx at the front end. Simple.

I don't get the FX loop man love. I've never really bothered with them.

Yep, all my reverbs, delays, chorus, and drives are up front.  You have to be really careful with the reverbs and delays because some of them just REFUSE to behave well in front.  I highly recommend a Line 6 DL4 for delays because I believe it was designed to run that way.  I love running my old echoplexes up front because they were made back in the day before effects loops.  Try telling Eric Johnson he should use an effects loop....

I doubt EJ would put up much of a fight.