Power amp only?

I've been experimenting with the Fender Blues Deluxe I bought recently. I found that by plugging the guitar straight into the power amp input socket, I get a sound I like *much* better than the clean channel of the preamp, but it only goes up to lounge room volumes. Most noticeable is that the bass doesn't boom, but I've tried fiddling with a Boss EQ stomp box before the preamp, and I don't think it is just a question of EQ. I'm wondering how to exploit this 'power amp only' sound at performance volumes, and devise a switching system that will allow me to use the OD channel as well. Any suggestions? Some kind of very clean preamp? Put the EQ box in the effects loop? Modify the clean channel preamp?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

Tony D

Any amp that has a 'loop' will enable you to break the link between the preamp and the power amp - meaning you can just use the preamp and feed it to somewhere else, or do what you're doing. But, the input level of your guitar is not enough to drive it.

You can put any preamp there, or just set your amp flat to at least get a proper level.

As soon as you plug something in there (without feeding it from your preamp out) you don't have access to a 'clean' channel or an 'overdrive' channel - those are preamp functions.

FWIW - I used to feed that with my POD.. It was okay, but not bright

If the master volume pot is placed in the correct part of the circuit it should give you the effect you want. Not much preamp and overdriven power tubes. I'm pretty sure it should be right after the phase inverter?

I've been experimenting with the Fender Blues Deluxe I bought recently. I found that by plugging the guitar straight into the power amp input socket, I get a sound I like *much* better than the clean channel of the preamp, but it only goes up to lounge room volumes. Most noticeable is that the bass doesn't boom, but I've tried fiddling with a Boss EQ stomp box before the preamp, and I don't think it is just a question of EQ. I'm wondering how to exploit this 'power amp only' sound at performance volumes, and devise a switching system that will allow me to use the OD channel as well. Any suggestions? Some kind of very clean preamp? Put the EQ box in the effects loop? Modify the clean channel preamp?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

Tony D

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll just keep exploring the possibilities of the effects loop and look at preamps. The guitar going straight in is actually quite loud, and might be enough for something like a coffee house gig. - Which for the style we play would be the main target anyway.

Keith, the master control doesn't affect the volume. Looks like the power amp just goes flat tack all the time, and output is controlled entirely through the preamp stages. On this particular amp, the 'sweet' setting is OD channel, master full on, and gain turned up to get the desired volume. The clean channel, as I noted is less good, and I can get more overdrive with a stomp box; I have a Boss Blues Driver which I think sounds good.

Tony D

Try a DS-1 - it's made for Fender amps...not in the loop though.. into the clean channel.

Well, you are flying without a preamp, so the levels are low. If you added an outboard preamp, you might achieve the best of both worlds. Some options include a POD, Korg PX4, etc. You could disable the amp emulations in these devices and just use them as a preamp with effects. Another option is an MXR Micro Amp or an Electro Harmonix LPBx (1 or 2).