Amp With Effects Loop vs OBEL

[jalevinemd]

I have never had an amp with an effects loop built in. I did have a guitar with an OBEL. I really liked being able to roll off the guitar volume without losing gain/tone. That was the only reason I had it. It didn't influence where I put my pedals in the signal chain. I'm assuming, though, that if I use an amp with an effects loop that rolling off the guitar volume will impact overall gain and tone...correct? Basically it won't function the same as the OBEL.
 
(Message edited by Jalevinemd on April 16, 2016)

[FC Bass]

I think that's correct...
 
The OBEL is pre guitar master volume then I guess?
 
In my Mesa Bass 400 the effects loop sits between the pre and power amp (essentially pre amp out - power amp in) so all setting changes (on bass and amp) impact the way the effects behave.
I've only used it with a noise gate to get the system dead quiet when not played.