Postby jab » 02 Nov 2010, 22:35
here's my attempt at the 5 year old answer:
- the amp works different than other amps, thus a boost in the fx loop will not work like a boost in the fx loop of other amps. I experienced a slight volume increase using a boost or an eq boosted in the fx loop, not the usual massive volume increase I got with those same pedals in the fx loop of other amps. There is some technical amp design answer to why it is the fx loop behaves like this on VM and not other amps, and I won't attempt to explain it, because I can't. Just have to accept it.
- so far best thing I've found is to a) use a clean boost in front or fx loop for a "decent" volume boost (not great, more noticeable in LDR than HDR because of compression characteristics), b) set your main VM tone with your guitar volume at 5-7 then turn it up for solos, or c) do a little of both (which is pretty much what I do).
Some use the db cut pedal trick (turn pedal on for rhythm/off for solo), and some like the detox eq which cuts everything for rhythm, then turn it off for solos giving you the same type of effect. You'll read mixed reviews on both solutions.
Seems to me if you're not a pedal user you might want to try the 'ol "set your tone up at 5-7 on your guitar volume knob and take it to 10 for solos". That was the original intent of the amp to start with.
JMD:1 50W head (in the past: Marshall VM 2266/DSL 50/Mesa Boogie Stiletto/Dual Rec/Electra Dyne/Vox Night Train), Mesa Boogie V-30 Roadster cabs, Barber Tone Press, Eventide Timefactor, Nebula Mojohand Phaser, Xotic RC, Rocktron Talkbox, Guitars (1958 Historic Reissue Wildwood Spec LP, Custom Shop ES-335, Custom Shop LP Jr., Amer Deluxe Tele, '57 Reissue Strat, HSS Strat, Martin DC-16RGTE, Taylor 355CE 12 string, Godin A8 & Kentucky KM-1000 mandolins, Pono ukulele, Gold Tone PBS Resonator).