Originally Posted by: light487I've had this send/return thing on my Fender amp for years and I've never really understood the point of it. Can you explain why you would put to amp, then to effects then back to amp again, for me?

The send/return thing is the effects loop. Some effects just sound a lot better when connected through the loop rather than the main input on the amp.

The reason for the effects loop is so the signal goes through the pre-amp section of the amp before hitting the effects that are in the effects loop....This makes a big difference when using "time based" effects such as phasers, chorus, delay, etc...and also eq's...

Effects such as Wah's, overdrives, distortions, etc...usually sound better in front of the amp, not the effects loop..

An easy example to explain is with a volume pedal.....If a volume pedal is between the guitar and the amp input, it acts just like the volume knob on your guitar, you roll off the volume and the tone will get cleaner as the volume goes down...If the volume pedal is in the effects loop, it's lowering the volume after the pre-amp signal has reached it so when the volume is turned down with the pedal, it's a consistent volume decrease...no gain is lost, you can actually control the volume with the pedal without losing your tone.

Does that make sense? I think I confused myself....

It's all in your ears though...just try a few of your effects through the loop and decide for yourself if you like the sounds better.