Noob Question about preamp..

[uan]

Here is my questions:

Currently I have a fender Princeton 65watts amp (2000 model).. i'd like to bypass the preamp section using return loop, so...

1) What project do you recommend for
     - the clean sound preamp..
     - Distorted sound preamp..
       Is it possible to do this?

2) What is line level? I tried to use my BOSS DS-1 pedal directly to the return loop, and what i got was very low volume of distorted guitar sound. Is it due to line level problem?

3) What make a distiortion pedal considered as a preamp? (eg: DOD 250 is considered as preamp Overdrive while the other like DS-1 is not)

thanks in advance for your explaination..

[d95err]

For the clen sound... well that's what Fenders are supposed to be good at, right?

For distorted sounds, checkout all the amp simulations at www.runoffgroove.com.

The term preamp can be used for lots of things. In theory it should be something that can drive a poweramp, but for guitar stuff it can be anything really. Don't get hung up on the terminology here.

Line level is what is typically used in rack-effekt gear, output from synthesizers etc. It's typically at +4dBm. 0VdBm is defined as 1V peak-to-peak, so line level is at least 4 decibels higher. A guitar signal is typically around -10dBm.

If the effect loop in your amp uses line level, you need a preamp that has an output delivering line level. Most stompboxes are really pre-preamps. I.e. they are intended to go before the preamp of the guitar amp. This means their output will usually be at guitar level or slightly higher.

To generate a line level signal, you need more headroom than 9V. Solid state guitar preamps typically operate at +-15V (30V total).

[uan]

i've visited Runofffgroove..so let say for clean sound, the chain is

guitar -> tonemender -> return loop

for distort sound,

guitar -> English Channel or Thunderchief -> return loop

and i can use an A/B switch to switch between clean and distort preamp.. is this possible?

My aim is to get constant guitar tone even with different amp.. (use the power and speaker only and bypass the preamp)..

[d95err]

i've visited Runofffgroove..so let say for clean sound, the chain is

guitar -> tonemender -> return loop

for distort sound,

guitar -> English Channel or Thunderchief -> return loop

and i can use an A/B switch to switch between clean and distort preamp.. is this possible?

The output level of the Runoffgroove ampsims would be about the sames as an ordinary stompbox. Since you already said that this was not enough for the FX return on your amp, you'd need something more to get the output up to line level.

If you run the "Adjusticator" at 18V or more, it should do the trick.
http://www.geofex.com/circuits/Adjusticator.gif

An A/B box would work fine.