Effects loop on amp: do you need it?

[Happyorange27]

So many vintage amps and low end amps don't have effects loop. So I'm assuming it's ok to run all of you wet effects like delay, reverb, modulation in front of the amp. It's not like you have a choice right?  If you do have an amp effects loop, do you use it for these effects as a hard rule or not. Let's hear some feedback. Thanks.

FYI I'm getting a Blues Jr with no loop and I'm concerned about not having one. 

[picture_of_nectar]

I have an amp with an effects loop, never used it, no idea how it works. how do you engage the loop?

as far as pedals in front of the amp, of course different pedals and different amps are going to react differently. I have a Blues Jnr and I find that it and fender amps in general take pedals pretty well. I don't really use heavy distortion though.

[sour d]

Having an effects loop on an amp allows you to place effects after the preamp and before the power amp. This can help with pedal noise because you aren't amping that noise with the preamp. Mostly good for time based effects like delay, reverb, etc. Some effects like an overdrive you want to slam the preamp with so you wouldn't put it in the loop. My HRD has one but I never used it.

[ColForbin]

I'm with picture of nectar on the statement that I don't think you have much to worry about with your blues jr.  Fender amps in general do take pedals pretty well.  I had a Hughes & Kettner Statesman head that had an effects loop, which I tried a few times and didn't think it did much for me.  To each his own I guess, but if I were buying another amp today, an effects loop wouldn't be a must have feature, that's for sure.

[Happyorange27]

Thanks guys.  I double checked Trey's signal path and saw that his amp is at the end of his chain, hence he doesn't have an effects loop, hence I'm not worried about missing one either.   Thanks for the feedback dudes.

Oh I can see why most amps have at least reverb built in since that most likely is internaly routed after the pre-amp and before the speaker output (inherint effects loop dedicated to the reverb).  I suppose if someone was really motivated, they would splice into that region of the amp and make there own effects loop.  Again, it's not of interest to us, but maybe somebody out there actually would want that.  Just a random thought.   

[Walker done done]

Thanks guys.  I double checked Trey's signal path and saw that his amp is at the end of his chain, hence he doesn't have an effects loop, hence I'm not worried about missing one either.   Thanks for the feedback dudes.

I believe the reason he doesn't have/use an effects loop is because he has a massive switching system that negates the need for an effects loop.

I have a Fender HotRod Delux and utilize the effects loop on it.  From the Preamp out > Nova Delay > Whammy II > back into the amp.  Works well, I think, but I'm not expert at this stuff.  If I am remembering correctly I tried to put my Caesar Diaz Tremodillo in the effects loop but it killed the overall volume of everything which I found weird.  Not that this applies to anythnig here...lol.

Anyways, everything else is not running through the effects loop.  Guitar > modded Vox wah (true bypass) > Emma Discombobulator > TS808 > TS9 > Super Hard On > Keeley 4knob comp > Tremodillo > Boss tuner > Fender HRD.

[fulltone1989]

I have an effects loop on my Nomad 45, and I run my Boomerang + into. When I switch channels for OD or Rage the 'rang's signal doesn't get affected. I tried it with my delay and phaser but it just screwed with the levels. The nomad's got a really sensitive loop volume however, It's got a level on the effects loop, and then it "evens out" with the master of the particular channel that is used. I think that most effect loops are used for effects that shouldn't be distorted or overdriven. For example, you may want your distorted signal to be affected by a clean delay. To do so you'd put it in the effects loop. If not, put it in front of the amp. I hope that makes sense!