AMPEG SVT channel patch question

[(((MODE)))]

This may have been discussed before but after scrolling through 25 pages of forum, I have not found anyone talking about it.

So, I have recently acquired an AMPEG SVT-VR. The VR, like the older SVTs, has 2 different input jacks for 2 channels to equal 4 total input jacks. My question is, I see more often than not, bass players plugging their bass into the normal channel 1 jack AND have a patch cable connecting the bright channel 1 to the normal channel 2. What is this doing?

I assume it is so that both channels can be used and played through at the same time. It seems when I see people doing this, they have a very overdriven tone. I have attempted it with my amp, but not at a very high volume.... since I didn't know what I was doing and didn't what to blow anything up.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[JimmyM]

it's called "jumping channels," it's perfectly safe to do so, and yes, it can result in a dirty sound, though it doesn't always have to. back in the old days before you could get amps with separate gain and master, and before effects pedals became so easy to find, guitarists would do that in order to get distortion at lower volumes. also, many guitarists and bassists would do it in order to use more than one amp.