tone loss (and recovery) in mark series

[Fronzil]

I run a small pedal board..2 delays in FX loop, then guitar >tuner>OD pedal> OD pedal amp..all true bypass..after deciding cut it down to 1 overdrive, and just use my BB preamp, i was pleasantly surprised... with the removal of just one 6 inch connector cable and a true bypass OD pedal, the amp all of a sudden had much more high end sparkle, tighter low end and just felt overall more expressive and alive again. not sure if I always noticed this kinda thing, but after sticking to the same rig for so long, I noticed it immediately. just thought I'd share

 

[giorikas81]

Not only mesa's but many amp's loops are notorious for tone sucking. One would expect that a loop should be transparent but that from experience does not always seem to be the case. At least yours is hard bypassed which means that disconecting it gives your tone back!!!

Still no delay? Damn. Maybe the slave out or fx send to another amp for wet but this complexes micing it for live use.

Orange just announced that the new thunder 30 got a "10x times more transparent than before loop!" which is great but I dread to imagine the before situation.

It is also worthy of note that some amps benefit from the loop being ON rather than off. Perhaps the way it colours the sound/interacts with the tube or solid state buffer or another unknown reason. One is the peavey valveking. Also my f-30 really benefits in low volume conditions but I don't find any differences in high levels anyway not one I can personally track.

 

[Fronzil]

I don't notice any loss with the loop engaged..I was talking about taking an overdrive out from in front of the amp, I actually have the loop engaged even when I'm not running FX, I dig the slight color it adds to the amp.