Running Overdrive in an Effects Loop

[JimiGuy7]

Hi everyone, I am currently receiving a lot of mixed and unclear info about using an overdrive and/or distortion pedal in my effects loop. I am currently running a Marshall JCM200 DSL50 and I use the amp for my clean and overdrivin sound but I play with another guitar player in the band so I need a boost in my level for leads and solos. I tried running my Boss SD-1 with the gain at about a quarter and the level and tone at about half and wow! I now have a boost for solos that sounds awesome! BUT, I don't want to hurt my amp at all. Can anyone give me any direction as to whether or not I should be doing this? Would using an EQ pedal be a better idea or would it be just as bad or worse? Help me please!

Thanks,

Jeff

[Paul]

Most folks don't tend to like distortion effects in the fx loop. There's a lot of reason's but they don't matter much. The amp is likely safe. What matters is if you like the tone.

I don't use a boost pedal. I use the volume knob on my guitar. It's rolled back for most accompaniment parts, and I roll it up for parts that need to sound up front.

[JimiGuy7]

Perfect, thank you. But, why then do people keep saying that it's dangerous for the amps sake to do this. Will something blow? Like I previously stated, I don't want to hurt my amp.

[bagpipe]

I have the same amp and use a boost pedal in the FX loop for a solo boost. It doesnt hurt the amp. If you're going for just a volume boost then you might get better results with a pure, clean boost pedal. But, if you're rolling down the gain and rolling up the volume on the SD-1 you're probably getting a similar result. The bottom line is if it sounds good to you, then its working.

[JimiGuy7]

Hey man, thanks alot. How long have you been running the boost in your effects loop? Never had any issues?

[bagpipe]

Hey man, thanks alot. How long have you been running the boost in your effects loop? Never had any issues?
Been doing it for a couple of years now without any issues. I get the occasional puff of smoke, or quiet explosion form the amp, but its nothing that concerns me.

[Guiary]

Been doing it for a couple of years now without any issues. I get the occasional puff of smoke, or quiet explosion form the amp, but its nothing that concerns me.


:bow::rockon::bow:

[JimiGuy7]

Anyone else have any experiences with trying this. Good or bad, I would love to hear it. Just for reference.

[danel59]

You won't hurt or damage anything however you will have more noise and hiss issues as those pedals are meant to be run into the front end of an amp. But.....if it sounds good and works for you rock on you will not hurt anything

Dan