zaphod_phil wrote: ↑Sun 05/24/20 9:36 am
Since an 18W amp's real distortion is created in the power stage, I really don't see the point of an FX loop. I just plug any FX straight into the input jack and it sounds great!
Bieworm wrote: ↑Sun 05/24/20 11:53 am
That's not always true ZP. I found out that the noise level of digital effect pedals is being amplified too much in front of an 18 watt. In the loop it's way better ... waaaaayyyy better. That's why I have the loops in both my 18'ers. Sorry for the comparison, but none of my fender amps suffer from that noise ... both of the18 watters do
I know the theory but I tend to think that it gets somewhat over-exaggerated, as the classic 18W doesn't have much real signal gain.
And what's the use of feeding weak-sounding preamp distortion into your FX boxes?
And keep in mind that if you add an FX loop, you no longer have a true Marshall 18W, but some kind of a hybrid Frankenamp.
If you want it to sound good, then probably the best approach would be to tap some signal off of the speaker/OT connection and feed that into your FX chain.
crgfrench wrote: ↑Sun 05/24/20 12:10 pm
Phil, what FX do you typically use straight in to the front end?
Jimi used to run a Vox Wah, RM Octavia, Arbiter Fuzzface (later RM Axis Fuzz), and a Univibe straight into the front end of his plexis.
Good question !
Wish I was like Jimi
I try to keep it fairly simple, because I want to mainly have the sound of the guitar and amp coming through, with just a little FX flavour added.
So I use my own tweaked version of a Range Master, a Boss CE-2 chorus (original "analog" version), a Boss DM-2 analog delay and a JMP wah (made by our very own Josh).
They sound good when playing live, and i don't find any significant noise problems. I also have a Joyo TS808 clone, but like many others around here, I don't find Tube Screamers particularly useful with 18W type amps.