Pre amp disconnect

[Shakey 1047]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to disconnect the preamp stage of a valve amp and just use the output stage with an effects unit. I have a Tonelab EX and would like to connect it direct to the amps output stage which is a 6L6. If it is possible where would I disconnect the preamp? Cheers Dave.

[Jazz P Bass]

What valve amp?

Ideally what you need in the valve amp is an FX loop.

[Shakey 1047]

Thanks JPB the amp is a Fender Ramparte and I can't seem to get hold of a schematic and I wouldn't have a clue how to add an fx loop. Dave.

[g1]

Without a schematic it is almost impossible. Phone Fender and ask for one, then post it here.

[Shakey 1047]

I'll give it a go. Cheers.

[J M Fahey]

Forget it.
That amp is as crude as can be (on purpose) , just a volume control and not-exactly-a-tone-stack but something very close to the crude tone control found in any regular guitar.

Plus it does not have preamp distortion after which you might prefer to connect your clean effects but a very simple clean preamp (see above) .

In fact, by the description, it seems to have a first gain stage (Hot input) followed by a second gain stage (Cool input) so you already have a built in Effects return jack: the Cool input itself.

Further proof is that itīs described as

The "cool" channel is fairly clean but not very bright - a feature that I like. The "hot" channel has more volume and gain (hence the name "hot") and seems to have more treble.

Clean and not specially bright (Iīd call that flat) is the tonal signature of a flat tube gain stage, what you need to match a pedal level out to whatīs needed to drive a tube power amp.

So just plug your pedalboard in the Cool input and call it a day

EDIT: just saw that it does not even have a tone control !!!
That confirms my suspicions.