Amp effects loop (Verellen Meatsmoke Preamp)

[yaksonator]

So, I've been playing through several different heads since I started playing bass almost 20 years ago. Mostly name brand giants: ampeg, hartke, fender, aguilar, etc... I'm not to big on the "my tone is this amp" thing. If it can do bass guitar well I'll use it. My main head is a fender super baseman 300 (which im trying to sell) secondary is an aguilar tonehammer 500. Love both for different reasons. Ive never used an effects loop, did not really know what they were and I didn't care... UNTIL... I bought a verellen meatsmoke preamp pedal a few months ago and started experimenting with it in my Aguilar effects loop. Holy cow! I mean my fender bassman cant really do what this combo does. I know they're different animals but I've never heard Angel's singing from my cabinet til now. Overreaction. Lol

Saying all this to say, I think I've found "my sound" in an amp. I don't play heavy rock or metal, mostly clean classic rock tones.
The meatsmoke is where it's at yo. Now I need to sell a kidney to buy an all tube meatsmoke...

 

[BassmanPaul]

An effects pedal is designed to go in front of your amp and not in the Effects Loop which generally has levels more suitable for rack effects.

 

[yaksonator]

An effects pedal is designed to go in front of your amp and not in the Effects Loop which generally has levels more suitable for rack effects.

K. Thanks.

 

[HenningSB]

Meatsmoke can be used in both ways, as a preamp pedal or a regular "front" of amp pedal.
You have the ability to switch the output (high/low), and by using it in a effects loop or preamp / poweramp config, you'll basically just use the volume (poweramp section) of the amp, while the Meatsmoke is all preamp (eq, gain, dirt etc).

No problem with playing like that - You'll probably find alot of info on Verellen's website.

 

[Dave W]

An effects pedal is designed to go in front of your amp and not in the Effects Loop which generally has levels more suitable for rack effects.

Knowing the product in question would help.

The Meatsmoke Preamp can do instrument level or line level.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Knowing the product in question would help.

The Meatsmoke Preamp can do instrument level or line level.

No matter I still think the best place for pedals is in front of the amp.

 

[yaksonator]

No matter I still think the best place for pedals is in front of the amp.

I guess I'm confused, if a person has a poweramp and a pedal that can drive it, how would your logic work. Not trying to be confrontational but the meatsmoke does not sound better in front of the amp at all, and its WAY louder in the return of the effects loop than in the front of the Aguilar tonehammer. I cant afford a the meatsmoke amp so this is close and more usable for me.

 

[BassmanPaul]

So you are bypassing the front end of the Aguilar and just using it as a power amp?

Edit: I use a pre/power set up myself. I don't often use effects but when I do they are in front of the pre-amp's input.