Grateful Dead Music Forum

What is the difference if any from an OBEL and an Effects Loop on a Combo AMP? I have a Combo Amp with an EL and have all my pedals running through it. Would an OBEL be better?

An OBEL is an FX Loop BEFORE the preamp
An amps FX loop is AFTER the preamp

Many folks say you can run all FX before the amp
Most folks say you can't run some FX in the amp's loop (distortion, wah)

It's almost always incorrect to try and run pedals in an amp's effects loop. On most amps, the effects loop is line level, which is going to be way too hot for the internal signal headroom for most guitar pedals. Those loops are intended for line-level rack effects. And also, distortion and other effects are meant to be at guitar signal level and are also meant to go BEFORE any preamp voicing, not after as in the case of the amp's effects loop.

Now there are some reverb and delay pedals these days that run at higher voltages and may work ok in an amp's effects loop, but those are the exception. Guitar pedals are designed to see "guitar level" signals, NOT line-level, amp-loop signal levels.

An OBEL would be much better. Or even without an OBEL, it would be much better to run the pedals before the amp and not in it's loop. I guess I should ask, what pedals are you running?

Brad

Sorry for the lag in posts, I have an Ibanez Tubescreamer, Boss Chourus, and a Zoom Delay.....if i had my drathers i get one of your amps and call it a day........thanks for the replys

Those pedals definitely don't belong in an amp's effects loop. Most definitely up front, before the amp.

Brad