What's This All About

[ExplorersRock]

Alright, I keep hearing this mentioned as a suggestion, but not sure exactly how or, more importantly, why this is done. On my Carvin V3 head, I have an effects loop on the back. In fact, it actually has 2. I have heard the suggestion, and not just on the Carvin either, to run a patch cable from the send and return ports on the effects loop as it has an impact on the tone. Why is this done? What effect does it have? And in doing this, what do I need to know besides "plug the cable here"?

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: What's This All About

If you have a patch cable connecting the effect Send to the Return, you can use the send/return Level as an additional gain stage.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: What's This All About

Not as an extra gain stage, but a more effective master volume control.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: What's This All About

Also, you can plug pedals in there and it makes your guitar sound different when they're engaged.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: What's This All About

So that's what the other holes on the back of my amp are for...