Solid State Guitar Amp Forum | DIY Guitar Amplifiers

Solid State Amplifiers => Tubes and Hybrids => Topic started by: Shogun1011 on December 04, 2008, 11:44:39 AM

Title: Using a small Tube amp as an effect loop??
Post by: Shogun1011 on December 04, 2008, 11:44:39 AM
Hey all,
I'm new here...gotta a quick question about running two guitar amps together.

I've got a Fender Power Chorus solid state 400w 2x12 amp.  I also have a fender Champ 600 class A tube amp (5watts).  I want to add some tube sound to my Power chorus, and was wondering if it'd be safe to connect the Fender champ tube amp to the power chorus via the Effects loop?

is there a prefered way to accomplish what i'm trying to do? (aside from buying a big tube amp/tube pedal/tube preamp).

Thanks,
shamus
Title: Re: Using a small Tube amp as an effect loop??
Post by: armstrom on December 04, 2008, 01:12:50 PM
You could run the output of your CHAMP into an attenuator box (both for output impedance matching as well as overall signal attenuation) and then run that output back into your higher powered SS amp. Ted Weber sells a wide variety of nice attenuators that would do the trick. Of particular interest are the "MASS" models. They use a real speaker motor as the dummy load rather than a power resistor. This provides a more realistic load simulation to the tube amp.

http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm


Title: Re: Using a small Tube amp as an effect loop??
Post by: Shogun1011 on December 04, 2008, 01:29:49 PM
Quote from: armstrom on December 04, 2008, 01:12:50 PM
You could run the output of your CHAMP into an attenuator box (both for output impedance matching as well as overall signal attenuation) and then run that output back into your higher powered SS amp.

Thanks!  Wow..so attenuation boxes alter impedance too??  didn't know that.  while i'm on that topic though (back to the effects send/return option)..how does impedance work when you're using an effects send/return on an amp??  My champ has a 4ohm output.  Not sure about my Power chorus though.  I'm very novice with this stuff, so as much detail as to how it all works would be great help :)

Thanks!
Shamus
Title: Re: Using a small Tube amp as an effect loop??
Post by: Jack1962 on December 04, 2008, 04:04:44 PM
add a line out (if it doesn't have 1) to the tube amp and go head in on the SS Fender. Simple fix , output of 5 watts into the ffects loop is way to high.
Title: Re: Using a small Tube amp as an effect loop??
Post by: Shogun1011 on December 04, 2008, 04:47:26 PM
Quote from: Jack1962 on December 04, 2008, 04:04:44 PM
add a line out (if it doesn't have 1) to the tube amp and go head in on the SS Fender. Simple fix , output of 5 watts into the ffects loop is way to high.

Perfect!!  That's what I'll do.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Using a small Tube amp as an effect loop??
Post by: Jack1962 on December 05, 2008, 04:57:08 AM
nothin to it bro

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