MXR Micro Amp volume boost does not work on dirty channels of TSL602 combo (even in FX Loop)

Question:

I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of the TSL602 are having the same problem. Thanks, and hope to hear from you. — Adam

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for > years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo > amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. > I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band > playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for > gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut > through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great > for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). > Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall > Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s > another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — > both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro > Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my > TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) > and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. > I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is > there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of > my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? > And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume > boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of > the TSL602 are having the same problem. > Thanks, and hope to hear from you. > — Adam

All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp down. Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for > years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo > amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. > I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band > playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for > gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut > through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great > for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). > Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall > Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s > another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — > both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro > Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my > TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) > and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. > I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is > there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of > my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? > And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume > boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of > the TSL602 are having the same problem. > Thanks, and hope to hear from you. > — Adam > All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If > you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter > signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. > Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp > down. > Chris

Aren’t you the guy who almost _always_ comes out in favor of deafening amp volume levels just to achieve breakup into saturation vs. utilization of the 12AX7/ECC83 tube and circuitry in say, a Radial Engineering Tonebone (or, the no-tube killer overdrive provided by boxes like Voodoo’s Sparkle Drive or Fulltone USA’s Full Drive 2)? Something tells me that you’re no stranger to the sentence; "Hey man,…uhhh look -couldja just turn it down a little?" For some odd reason, there’s an entire camp of guys who view the brilliant innovations in stomp box distortion as; "Ugh! Fire! Wheel! Me like raw. Me walk!". Meanwhile, a ton of other musicians grow hot silently and slowly when they find themselves playing with a guy from planet bloody eardrum, all the while thinking…"…man -this fucking guy. It’s ALL about HIM…" And yet another band breaks up with sour feelings…and one guy NEVER learns. Why, he COULDN’T be wrong!!!! Thus he goes on selling his position to anyone with two ears and a set of nostrils*. It’s honestly funny on some level. Thoughts on the topic? Regards, mvm * "…doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting a different result, each time…"

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >> years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >> amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >> I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >> playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >> gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >> through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >> for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >> Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >> Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >> another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >> both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >> Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >> TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >> and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >> I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >> there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >> my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >> And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >> boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >> would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >> the TSL602 are having the same problem. >> Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >> — Adam > All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If > you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter > signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. > Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp > down. > Chris > Aren’t you the guy who almost _always_ comes out in favor of deafening > amp volume levels just to achieve breakup into saturation vs. > utilization of the 12AX7/ECC83 tube and circuitry in say, a Radial > Engineering Tonebone (or, the no-tube killer overdrive provided by boxes > like Voodoo’s Sparkle Drive or Fulltone USA’s Full Drive 2)? > Something tells me that you’re no stranger to the sentence; > "Hey man,…uhhh look -couldja just turn it down a little?" > For some odd reason, there’s an entire camp of guys who view the > brilliant innovations in stomp box distortion as; > "Ugh! Fire! Wheel! Me like raw. Me walk!". > Meanwhile, a ton of other musicians grow hot silently and slowly when > they find themselves playing with a guy from planet bloody eardrum, all > the while thinking…"…man -this fucking guy. It’s ALL about HIM…" > And yet another band breaks up with sour feelings…and one guy > NEVER learns. Why, he COULDN’T be wrong!!!! Thus he goes on selling > his position to anyone with two ears and a set of nostrils*. > It’s honestly funny on some level. Thoughts on the topic? > Regards, > mvm > * > "…doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting a > different result, each time…"

Are you trying to tell me that turning a guitar amp up to where it overdrives is unusual in some way??? Maybe you should get out of your bedroom sometime? Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >the TSL602 are having the same problem. >Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >– Adam > All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If > you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter > signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go.

Well this depends on the amp. The OP didn’t even say which of the three channels he was in, or how they were set up. If he’s got the gain max’ed out on the highest gain channel, further boost at preamp may get mushy and muddy. But it would do something entirely different with less gain or in the effects loop (which is what OP is complaining about — not being able to use it in the loop). Not all preamps are the same. A little goose at the front end can lead to more drive all the way to the power amp. …with or without pushing the first gain stages into distortion (depends on amp design). …and some guys LIKE a preamp tube distortion, especially in a Marshall. > Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp > down.

WHY? This guy is talking METAL. He may WANT to push the preamp tubes into distortion. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Chris

Response:

Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely "metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and the amp I’m using. The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the loop. I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum volume took away all the gain. Ugh! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >>years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >>amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >>I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >>playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >>gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >>through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >>for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >>Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >>Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >>another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >>both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >>Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >>TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >>and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >>I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >>there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >>my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >>And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >>boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >>would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >>the TSL602 are having the same problem. >>Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >>– Adam > All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If > you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter > signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. > Well this depends on the amp. The OP didn’t even say which of the three > channels he was in, or how they were set up. If he’s got the gain > max’ed out on the highest gain channel, further boost at preamp may get > mushy and muddy. But it would do something entirely different with less > gain or in the effects loop (which is what OP is complaining about — > not being able to use it in the loop). > Not all preamps are the same. A little goose at the front end can lead > to more drive all the way to the power amp. …with or without pushing > the first gain stages into distortion (depends on amp design). …and > some guys LIKE a preamp tube distortion, especially in a Marshall. > Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp > down. > WHY? This guy is talking METAL. He may WANT to push the preamp tubes > into distortion. > Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >>> years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >>> amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >>> I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >>> playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >>> gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >>> through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >>> for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >>> Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >>> Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >>> another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >>> both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >>> Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >>> TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >>> and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >>> I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >>> there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >>> my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >>> And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >>> boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >>> would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >>> the TSL602 are having the same problem. >>> Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >>> — Adam >> All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If >> you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter >> signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. >> Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp >> down. >> Chris > Aren’t you the guy who almost _always_ comes out in favor of deafening > amp volume levels just to achieve breakup into saturation vs. > utilization of the 12AX7/ECC83 tube and circuitry in say, a Radial > Engineering Tonebone (or, the no-tube killer overdrive provided by boxes > like Voodoo’s Sparkle Drive or Fulltone USA’s Full Drive 2)? > Something tells me that you’re no stranger to the sentence; > "Hey man,…uhhh look -couldja just turn it down a little?" > For some odd reason, there’s an entire camp of guys who view the > brilliant innovations in stomp box distortion as; > "Ugh! Fire! Wheel! Me like raw. Me walk!". > Meanwhile, a ton of other musicians grow hot silently and slowly when > they find themselves playing with a guy from planet bloody eardrum, all > the while thinking…"…man -this fucking guy. It’s ALL about HIM…" > And yet another band breaks up with sour feelings…and one guy > NEVER learns. Why, he COULDN’T be wrong!!!! Thus he goes on selling > his position to anyone with two ears and a set of nostrils*. > It’s honestly funny on some level. Thoughts on the topic? > Regards, > mvm > * > "…doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting a > different result, each time…" > Are you trying to tell me that turning a guitar amp up to where it > overdrives is unusual in some way??? Maybe you should get out of your > bedroom sometime? > Chris

Been there, done that tykester! I absolutely love how the term "bedroom" came into vogue JUST as technology enabled players to turn their backs on recording studios. Technology can’t replace distribution and marketing, but everything else, -yes. So now, the "bedroom" gets hurled as some sort of attempt at a sneering epithet (even if it’s a converted barn or garage) by those about to (realize they must have had) rock(s)(in their heads for hustling music in looza bars). Take your ridiculously low slung guit out to the sawdust and brew. There, work those 1st to 3rd position power chord chops into an amp turned up to the point not even drunks care. Saturate baby! mvm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime > the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely > "metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering > volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and > the amp I’m using. > The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not > provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless > of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to > many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half > stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in > front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it > worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. > Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using > has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is > either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the > loop. > I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my > amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that > either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum > volume took away all the gain. Ugh! >>> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >>> years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >>> amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >>> I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >>> playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >>> gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >>> through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >>> for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >>> Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >>> Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >>> another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >>> both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >>> Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >>> TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >>> and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >>> I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >>> there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >>> my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >>> And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >>> boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >>> would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >>> the TSL602 are having the same problem. >>> Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >>> — Adam >> All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If >> you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter >> signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. > Well this depends on the amp. The OP didn’t even say which of the three > channels he was in, or how they were set up. If he’s got the gain > max’ed out on the highest gain channel, further boost at preamp may get > mushy and muddy. But it would do something entirely different with less > gain or in the effects loop (which is what OP is complaining about — > not being able to use it in the loop). > Not all preamps are the same. A little goose at the front end can lead > to more drive all the way to the power amp. …with or without pushing > the first gain stages into distortion (depends on amp design). …and > some guys LIKE a preamp tube distortion, especially in a Marshall. >> Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp >> down. > WHY? This guy is talking METAL. He may WANT to push the preamp tubes > into distortion. >> Chris

_Answer_: You’re stubbornly ignoring a divine hint. Time to grow as a player and musical soul, beyond…metal. Back to the shed with you. Good luck! mvm

Response:

> Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime > the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely > "metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering > volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and > the amp I’m using. > The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not > provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless > of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp.

When put at the front end: If you are max’ed out on gain in a high gain circuit, it makes sense that you have little or NO headroom left. All you will get is more mush, heading towards a fuzz type tone. Not more volume. > I spoke to > many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half > stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in > front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it > worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating.

You are saying that it works in the effects loop, but you do not get additional boost? Even when the master is turned down? If so, you need a loop that is placed AFTER the master volume. I wouldn’t have chosen that amp for metal. Have you done the obvious — tried it with a 4×12 cab? Going combo to 4×12 and choice of driver can make a HUGE difference in tone. If you want a metal tone, you might want to ask whether this amp is suitable to be biased for GE 6550A outputs. More power, more bottom. When they break up, it’s less blues/classic rock and more metal. This idea may require a change to the bias circuit. And REAL GE 6550A are EXPENSIVE. It would be louder and more of a metal amp, though. But your real answer may be to sell that amp, and buy a high gain head (Mesa, Soldano, even 5150 since you mentioned it) and a 4×12 with speakers that sound good with metal (have some brightness and bottom).

Response:

Not, if you already have run out of HEADROOM without the MXR in the dirty channels. > Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop??

Mismatch in gain structure/levels between the MXR and the loop. > And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume > boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602?

NONE! Without HEADROOM, there is nothing more to be gained, for volume increase. > Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of > the TSL602 are having the same problem.

Find your HEADROOM again in that amp, or go for another amp with better features or options that allow for HEADROOM adjustments where the MXR can be inserted, and become effective for a volume increase. Regards, Rich Koerner, Time Electronics. http://www.timeelect.com Specialists in Live Sound FOH Engineering, Music & Studio Production, Vintage Instruments, and Tube Amplifiers

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >>>> years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >>>> amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >>>> I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >>>> playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >>>> gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >>>> through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >>>> for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >>>> Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >>>> Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >>>> another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >>>> both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >>>> Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >>>> TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >>>> and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >>>> I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >>>> there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >>>> my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >>>> And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >>>> boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >>>> would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >>>> the TSL602 are having the same problem. >>>> Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >>>> — Adam >>> All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If >>> you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter >>> signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. >>> Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp >>> down. >>> Chris >> Aren’t you the guy who almost _always_ comes out in favor of deafening >> amp volume levels just to achieve breakup into saturation vs. >> utilization of the 12AX7/ECC83 tube and circuitry in say, a Radial >> Engineering Tonebone (or, the no-tube killer overdrive provided by boxes >> like Voodoo’s Sparkle Drive or Fulltone USA’s Full Drive 2)? >> Something tells me that you’re no stranger to the sentence; >> "Hey man,…uhhh look -couldja just turn it down a little?" >> For some odd reason, there’s an entire camp of guys who view the >> brilliant innovations in stomp box distortion as; >> "Ugh! Fire! Wheel! Me like raw. Me walk!". >> Meanwhile, a ton of other musicians grow hot silently and slowly when >> they find themselves playing with a guy from planet bloody eardrum, all >> the while thinking…"…man -this fucking guy. It’s ALL about HIM…" >> And yet another band breaks up with sour feelings…and one guy >> NEVER learns. Why, he COULDN’T be wrong!!!! Thus he goes on selling >> his position to anyone with two ears and a set of nostrils*. >> It’s honestly funny on some level. Thoughts on the topic? >> Regards, >> mvm >> * >> "…doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting a >> different result, each time…" > Are you trying to tell me that turning a guitar amp up to where it > overdrives is unusual in some way??? Maybe you should get out of your > bedroom sometime? > Chris > Been there, done that tykester! I absolutely love how the term "bedroom" > came into vogue JUST as technology enabled players to turn their backs > on recording studios. Technology can’t replace distribution and > marketing, but everything else, -yes. So now, the "bedroom" gets > hurled as some sort of attempt at a sneering epithet (even if it’s a > converted barn or garage) by those about to (realize they must have had) > rock(s)(in their heads for hustling music in looza bars). Take your > ridiculously low slung guit out to the sawdust and brew. There, work > those 1st to 3rd position power chord chops into an amp turned up to the > point not even drunks care. Saturate baby! mvm

Could someone translate for me? Are you saying playing in bands is a stupid?? Chris

Response:

Isn’t that what I said Jim? > Not all preamps are the same. A little goose at the front end can lead > to more drive all the way to the power amp. …with or without pushing > the first gain stages into distortion (depends on amp design). …and > some guys LIKE a preamp tube distortion, especially in a Marshall. > Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp > down. > WHY? This guy is talking METAL. He may WANT to push the preamp tubes > into distortion.

Because as we’ve both just said, if he is already running the preamp at 10, kicking in a boost pedal is not going to raise his volume level much. Chris

Response:

Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour? I don’t think you need your preamp on 10 and this way when you kick in the Microamp, you will get a boost. Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>>> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for >>>>> years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo >>>>> amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. >>>>> I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band >>>>> playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for >>>>> gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut >>>>> through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great >>>>> for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). >>>>> Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall >>>>> Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s >>>>> another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — >>>>> both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro >>>>> Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my >>>>> TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) >>>>> and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. >>>>> I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is >>>>> there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of >>>>> my TSL 602 combo? Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? >>>>> And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume >>>>> boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? Any advice >>>>> would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of >>>>> the TSL602 are having the same problem. >>>>> Thanks, and hope to hear from you. >>>>> — Adam >>>> All any boost pedal does is send a hotter signal to your preamp. If >>>> you are already running your preamp full out, hitting it with a hotter >>>> signal is not going to do much. There’s nowhere to go. >>>> Try turning your amp up to where it overdrives and turn your preamp >>>> down. >>>> Chris >>> Aren’t you the guy who almost _always_ comes out in favor of deafening >>> amp volume levels just to achieve breakup into saturation vs. >>> utilization of the 12AX7/ECC83 tube and circuitry in say, a Radial >>> Engineering Tonebone (or, the no-tube killer overdrive provided by boxes >>> like Voodoo’s Sparkle Drive or Fulltone USA’s Full Drive 2)? >>> Something tells me that you’re no stranger to the sentence; >>> "Hey man,…uhhh look -couldja just turn it down a little?" >>> For some odd reason, there’s an entire camp of guys who view the >>> brilliant innovations in stomp box distortion as; >>> "Ugh! Fire! Wheel! Me like raw. Me walk!". >>> Meanwhile, a ton of other musicians grow hot silently and slowly when >>> they find themselves playing with a guy from planet bloody eardrum, all >>> the while thinking…"…man -this fucking guy. It’s ALL about HIM…" >>> And yet another band breaks up with sour feelings…and one guy >>> NEVER learns. Why, he COULDN’T be wrong!!!! Thus he goes on selling >>> his position to anyone with two ears and a set of nostrils*. >>> It’s honestly funny on some level. Thoughts on the topic? >>> Regards, >>> mvm >>> * >>> "…doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting a >>> different result, each time…" >> Are you trying to tell me that turning a guitar amp up to where it >> overdrives is unusual in some way??? Maybe you should get out of your >> bedroom sometime? >> Chris > Been there, done that tykester! I absolutely love how the term "bedroom" > came into vogue JUST as technology enabled players to turn their backs > on recording studios. Technology can’t replace distribution and > marketing, but everything else, -yes. So now, the "bedroom" gets > hurled as some sort of attempt at a sneering epithet (even if it’s a > converted barn or garage) by those about to (realize they must have had) > rock(s)(in their heads for hustling music in looza bars). Take your > ridiculously low slung guit out to the sawdust and brew. There, work > those 1st to 3rd position power chord chops into an amp turned up to the > point not even drunks care. Saturate baby! mvm > Could someone translate for me? > Are you saying playing in bands is a stupid?? > Chris

You’ve got the mind of a drummer.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime >the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely >"metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering >volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and >the amp I’m using. >The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not >provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless >of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to >many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half >stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in >front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it >worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. >Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using >has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is >either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the >loop. >I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my >amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that >either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum >volume took away all the gain. Ugh! > Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the > amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour?

He plays METAL. Not classic rock. Not blues. METAL. I don’t think you need – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> your preamp on 10 and this way when you kick in the Microamp, you will > get a boost. > Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime >>the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely >>"metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering >>volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and >>the amp I’m using. >>The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not >>provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless >>of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to >>many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half >>stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in >>front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it >>worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. >>Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using >>has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is >>either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the >>loop. >>I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my >>amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that >>either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum >>volume took away all the gain. Ugh! > Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the > amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour? > He plays METAL. Not classic rock. Not blues. METAL.

And? What do you think Iron Maiden recorded with? System of a Down? AC/DC? Black Sabbath? CRANKED TUBE AMPS!! They didn’t have Dual Rectifiers back then and SOAD used JCM 800’s on their last album. Chris

Response:

I actually think the issue here, that nobody addressed, is that volume boosts cannot work with a *parallel* FX loop — at least the kind that is used on the TSL602 combo. If it were a serial FX loop, I’m sure the volume boost would work on all channels. Wish there were a way to convert it from a parallel FX loop to a serial FX loop. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for > years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo > amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. > I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band > playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for > gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut > through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great > for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). > Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall > Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s > another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — > both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro > Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my > TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) > and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. > I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is > there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of > my TSL 602 combo? > Not, if you already have run out of HEADROOM without the MXR in the dirty channels. > Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? > Mismatch in gain structure/levels between the MXR and the loop. > And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume > boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? > NONE! Without HEADROOM, there is nothing more to be gained, for volume increase. > Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of > the TSL602 are having the same problem. > Find your HEADROOM again in that amp, or go for another amp with better features or options that > allow for HEADROOM adjustments where the MXR can be inserted, and become effective for a volume > increase. > Regards, > Rich Koerner, > Time Electronics. > http://www.timeelect.com > Specialists in Live Sound FOH Engineering, > Music & Studio Production, > Vintage Instruments, and Tube Amplifiers

Response:

Incidentally, I have tried many, many times to lower the pre-amp and/ or the Master. Perhaps there is more of an increase in GAIN but there is still no increase whatsoever in VOLUME (except, of course, on the Clean channel). Hence, I believe that the parallel vs. serial FX loop issue is at play here. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I absolutely love my MXR Micro Amp pedal, and have been using it for > years as a great solo boost. However, it only works as long as my combo > amp is on the Clean channel, and I’m using a distortion pedal. > I own a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL602 Combo amp. I’m in a cover band > playing 80s metal. After years of using a Boss Metal Zone pedal for > gigs, I am finally fed up with its thin sound and its inability to cut > through the mix at gigging volume levels. My Micro Amp worked great > for years when I used the Metal Zone (amp on Clean channel). > Now that I want to use the amp distortion provided by the Marshall > Combo (I’ve never been completely happy with this amp, but that’s > another story), my beloved MXR Micro Amp has been rendered useless — > both in front of the amp AND in the FX Loop. I hear that the Micro > Amp works in the FX loops of JCM 800 heads, etc., but apparently, my > TSL602 combo has a different type of FX loop (series vs. parallel??) > and my boost does NOT work on the Crunch or Lead channels. > I can’t tell you how frustrating this is. My first question is, is > there ANY way I can get the Micro Amp to work on the dirty channels of > my TSL 602 combo? > Not, if you already have run out of HEADROOM without the MXR in the dirty channels. > Also, why doesn’t it work, even in its FX Loop?? > Mismatch in gain structure/levels between the MXR and the loop. > And lastly, what other alternatives do I have for an effective volume > boost for solos on the dirty channels of my TSL 602? > NONE! Without HEADROOM, there is nothing more to be gained, for volume increase. > Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. I’m wondering if any other owners of > the TSL602 are having the same problem. > Find your HEADROOM again in that amp, or go for another amp with better features or options that > allow for HEADROOM adjustments where the MXR can be inserted, and become effective for a volume > increase. > Regards, > Rich Koerner, > Time Electronics. > http://www.timeelect.com > Specialists in Live Sound FOH Engineering, > Music & Studio Production, > Vintage Instruments, and Tube Amplifiers

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime >>>the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely >>>"metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering >>>volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and >>>the amp I’m using. >>>The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not >>>provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless >>>of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to >>>many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half >>>stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in >>>front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it >>>worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. >>>Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using >>>has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is >>>either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the >>>loop. >>>I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my >>>amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that >>>either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum >>>volume took away all the gain. Ugh! >>Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the >>amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour? >He plays METAL. Not classic rock. Not blues. METAL. > And? What do you think Iron Maiden recorded with? System of a Down? > AC/DC? Black Sabbath? > CRANKED TUBE AMPS!!

C’mon Chris, you know there’s more than one flavor of metal. AC/DC is heavy power tube distortion. Modern metal is NOT. > They didn’t have Dual Rectifiers back then and > SOAD used JCM 800’s on their last album.

I’m not a big SOAD fan, although I own one album. But WHICH JCM 800? There are different models, which are apples to oranges. Even if it is a 2204, there are MANY ways to run it (I ought to know, I’ve owned a JMP 2204 since it was new, more than 25 years now). You can run that amp with power tube distortion, OR preamp distortion, or an infinite blend. MY OPINION: *MANY* guys who swear "preamp distortion blows, only power tube distortion sounds good" would be very surprised to hear a GOOD 2204 (read JMP) with GOOD tubes into a GOOD cab. You sound entirely arrogant when you tell another guitarist that he needs to crank up the master then increase the preamp. That is what YOU like (with your Seymour Duncan amp). It may be what most players like. But it obviously is NOT what the OP likes! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>>Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime >>>>the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely >>>>"metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering >>>>volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and >>>>the amp I’m using. >>>>The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not >>>>provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless >>>>of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to >>>>many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half >>>>stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in >>>>front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it >>>>worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. >>>>Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using >>>>has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is >>>>either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the >>>>loop. >>>>I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my >>>>amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that >>>>either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum >>>>volume took away all the gain. Ugh! >>>Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the >>>amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour? >>He plays METAL. Not classic rock. Not blues. METAL. > And? What do you think Iron Maiden recorded with? System of a Down? > AC/DC? Black Sabbath? > CRANKED TUBE AMPS!! > C’mon Chris, you know there’s more than one flavor of metal. AC/DC is > heavy power tube distortion. Modern metal is NOT. > They didn’t have Dual Rectifiers back then and > SOAD used JCM 800’s on their last album. > I’m not a big SOAD fan, although I own one album. But WHICH JCM 800? > There are different models, which are apples to oranges. > Even if it is a 2204, there are MANY ways to run it (I ought to know, > I’ve owned a JMP 2204 since it was new, more than 25 years now). You > can run that amp with power tube distortion, OR preamp distortion, or an > infinite blend. > MY OPINION: *MANY* guys who swear "preamp distortion blows, only power > tube distortion sounds good" would be very surprised to hear a GOOD 2204 > (read JMP) with GOOD tubes into a GOOD cab. > You sound entirely arrogant when you tell another guitarist that he > needs to crank up the master then increase the preamp. That is what YOU > like (with your Seymour Duncan amp). It may be what most players like. > But it obviously is NOT what the OP likes! > Chris

Here’s the OP’s problem. He wants to play metal and needs a boost for solos. Metal doesn’t have to be just preamp overdrive with 0 power tube overdrive. If he backs off on the preamp, (losing some gain) and cranks his amp (adding some gain) he will end up with the same amount of gain with some balls and his boost pedal will work. Ya heard? What’s arrogant about suggesting a solution to someone’s problem? Chris

Response:

> Incidentally, I have tried many, many times to lower the pre-amp and/ > or the Master. Perhaps there is more of an increase in GAIN but there > is still no increase whatsoever in VOLUME (except, of course, on the > Clean channel). Hence, I believe that the parallel vs. serial FX loop > issue is at play here.

You’re saying that on the dirty channel with no knobs maxed out, your Microamp does not boost the volume when you are using it in front of your amp? Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>> Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to >>>> dime >>>> the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely >>>> "metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or >>>> lowering >>>> volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and >>>> the amp I’m using. >>>> The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not >>>> provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, >>>> regardless >>>> of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to >>>> many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half >>>> stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was >>>> placed in >>>> front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it >>>> worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. >>>> Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m >>>> using >>>> has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is >>>> either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the >>>> loop. >>>> I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my >>>> amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that >>>> either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum >>>> volume took away all the gain. Ugh! >>> Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the >>> amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour? >> He plays METAL. Not classic rock. Not blues. METAL. > And? What do you think Iron Maiden recorded with? System of a Down? > AC/DC? Black Sabbath? > CRANKED TUBE AMPS!! > C’mon Chris, you know there’s more than one flavor of metal. AC/DC is > heavy power tube distortion. Modern metal is NOT. > They didn’t have Dual Rectifiers back then and > SOAD used JCM 800’s on their last album. > I’m not a big SOAD fan, although I own one album. But WHICH JCM 800? > There are different models, which are apples to oranges. > Even if it is a 2204, there are MANY ways to run it (I ought to know, > I’ve owned a JMP 2204 since it was new, more than 25 years now). You > can run that amp with power tube distortion, OR preamp distortion, or an > infinite blend. > MY OPINION: *MANY* guys who swear "preamp distortion blows, only power > tube distortion sounds good" would be very surprised to hear a GOOD 2204 > (read JMP) with GOOD tubes into a GOOD cab.

I forgot to mention… Even though other amps have a harsher preamp distortion, it can work for metal. Now my last comment makes more sense: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You sound entirely arrogant when you tell another guitarist that he > needs to crank up the master then increase the preamp. That is what YOU > like (with your Seymour Duncan amp). It may be what most players like. > But it obviously is NOT what the OP likes! > Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>>>Yes, you are right — I am playing mostly 80s metal, and I have to dime >>>>>the gain on the OD2 channel of my TSL602 combo even to get a remotely >>>>>"metal" sound to it! So any talk of backing off the preamp or lowering >>>>>volume, etc., is not practical for the style of music I’m playing and >>>>>the amp I’m using. >>>>>The main problem is, as you said, that the MXR Micro Amp does not >>>>>provide any volume boost whatsoever on the *dirty* channels, regardless >>>>>of whether it’s in the FX Loop or in front of the amp. I spoke to >>>>>many people who own different amps, (5150 half stacks, JCM 800 half >>>>>stacks, etc.) who had the same problem when the Micro Amp was placed in >>>>>front of the amp. HOWEVER, when they place it in the FX Loop, it >>>>>worked. Not so for me, which is endlessly frustrating. >>>>>Therefore, I believe that the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL-602 combo I’m using >>>>>has a different type of FX Loop (a type of parallel FX Loop) that is >>>>>either weak or does not allow the Micro Amp to work properly in the >>>>>loop. >>>>>I went to Sam Ash music store yesterday and tried a Boss GE-7 with my >>>>>amp — no volume boost either. I even tried a volume pedal, but that >>>>>either silenced the amp altogether in the off position or the minimum >>>>>volume took away all the gain. Ugh! >>>>Would you humour me and try turning your master volume up to where the >>>>amp overdrives, then add preamp to flavour? >>>He plays METAL. Not classic rock. Not blues. METAL. >>And? What do you think Iron Maiden recorded with? System of a Down? >>AC/DC? Black Sabbath? >>CRANKED TUBE AMPS!! >C’mon Chris, you know there’s more than one flavor of metal. AC/DC is >heavy power tube distortion. Modern metal is NOT. >>They didn’t have Dual Rectifiers back then and >>SOAD used JCM 800’s on their last album. >I’m not a big SOAD fan, although I own one album. But WHICH JCM 800? >There are different models, which are apples to oranges. >Even if it is a 2204, there are MANY ways to run it (I ought to know, >I’ve owned a JMP 2204 since it was new, more than 25 years now). You >can run that amp with power tube distortion, OR preamp distortion, or an >infinite blend. >MY OPINION: *MANY* guys who swear "preamp distortion blows, only power >tube distortion sounds good" would be very surprised to hear a GOOD 2204 >(read JMP) with GOOD tubes into a GOOD cab. >You sound entirely arrogant when you tell another guitarist that he >needs to crank up the master then increase the preamp. That is what YOU >like (with your Seymour Duncan amp). It may be what most players like. > But it obviously is NOT what the OP likes! >>Chris > Here’s the OP’s problem. > He wants to play metal and needs a boost for solos. > Metal doesn’t have to be just preamp overdrive with 0 power tube > overdrive. > If he backs off on the preamp, (losing some gain) and cranks his amp > (adding some gain) he will end up with the same amount of gain with > some balls and his boost pedal will work. > Ya heard?

Or, he might find that layering the smoother power tube distortion on his preamp gain actually smoothes out the preamp distortion. In which case, he might end up DISAPPOINTED.

Response:

Correct. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Incidentally, I have tried many, many times to lower the pre-amp and/ > or the Master. Perhaps there is more of an increase in GAIN but there > is still no increase whatsoever in VOLUME (except, of course, on the > Clean channel). Hence, I believe that the parallel vs. serial FX loop > issue is at play here. > You’re saying that on the dirty channel with no knobs maxed out, your > Microamp does not boost the volume when you are using it in front of > your amp? > Chris

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MXR Micro Amp volume boost does not work on dirty channels of TSL602 combo (even in FX Loop)

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