Got no loop, what should I do?

[murraymurray]

Yo, my new amp doesnt have an effects loop. I dont use loops much anyway so its not a huge deal, but for some parts i do like having a bit of delay and boost in the loop.
If need be, im thinking of getting a metroamps loop kit, my mate got one and it seems sweet, but its a bit pricy for the amount of loop i use.
my other thought was can i get it sounding good if i run things in the front? If i get some highish gain pedal and put them in front, then into the delay and maybe an eq for boost and fed that into the amp reasonably clean would i be able to get a close representation of a loop? or should i just get a loop?

edit, typos everywhere. sounded like i was trying to be technical, talking about liking to use dealy's

[Adam.M]

People were using effects infront of the amp way before effects loop were even invented. Course you can!

I've never really bothered with a loop, its always too much of a farse.

[hamfist]

Personally I think putting delay before distortion sounds absolutely arse, so I think you are on the right lines.
  If your distortion comes from a pedal, into a clean amp, then you will not need a loop, as you just put the delay pedal after the distortion pedal (all in front of the amp).
  If you need convincing about the better order of delay and distortion effects, then go to a shop and ask to try a delay and a distortion pedal into a clean amp. Try them first with the disto pedal first in line, and then with the delay pedal first in line.

[Twinfan]

my other thought was can i get it sounding good if i run things in the front? If i get some highish gain pedal and put them in front, then into the delay and maybe an eq for boost and fed that into the amp reasonably clean....

That's the way I do it - works fine for me!

I also run my delay into the front of a dirty amp and it works OK, but you have watch your pick attack and what you're playing.  It can end up a right mess!  Works fine for slow singing lead lines though.

[jerry]

I don't use the loop on my Vintage /Modern head , just into the front , tuner , overdrive , delay . I assume your amp has a master volume ; set it up just on the edge of breakup and take it from there . IMO loops suck the life out of tone .

[_tom_]

I dont really like using distortion pedals if the amp has a good overdrive, seems like a waste!

I dont think using a boost in front of a distorted amp will give you much of a volume boost, just more distortion. But if its in front of a clean amp you should be able to get a bit but it'll distort slightly as well I think?

[Twinfan]

You're right Tom.  I can get a volume boost out of my JTM45 if I set it clean enough to start with using a booster pedal, and I get gain too if I push it past the breakup point.

[jerry]

Spot on ; in a live situation with a loud band you need less distortion than you might think if the sound is to cut through . A good tube amp cranked with a little help from a pedal for solos works for me . And back to the original question about effects loops , less is more at a live gig , and a couple of well chosen pedals into the front of the amp will be enough rather than faffing about with extra leads and effects that are going to get lost anyway once the drummer starts up !