Patch cord in the effects loop: impedance?

[Tadpui]

I've read posts here about people putting just a patch cord between the effects send and return of their amps. It sounds like a pretty popular option for some Marshalls and Mesas.

I have a Traynor YCV80 that has an effects loop with both input and output trim. I noticed when I put a pedal in the loop and adjusted the trims that the distortion character of my amp totally changed. So I started to just skip the pedal and put a single patch cord in its place. But I'm hesitant...

My question is, does it matter if there's no impedance (or very little impedance) in the effects loop of an amp? I'm sure that the pedal offers some sort of resistance to keep the current from running amok...so will things be fine without that resistance in the loop?

I love the tones I was getting with a pedal in the loop but was wondering if I could clean up the snake pit of cables I already have on my recording space's floor and take the pedal, the 9V power supply, and the return cable out of the equation.

 

[Tadpui]

Aw crap, I forgot to use the word "fuck" in the title...

 

[Farview]

There is no impedance issue with the effects loop.

 

[Micter]

The cool thing is if the FX loop is footswitchable. I do that with my TSL601 and use it as a lead boost.

 

[Tadpui]

OK cool, thanks guys.

Hmmm, footswitchable effects loop. Could I use an A/B box in the effects loop, route output A back to the effects loop return and leave output B empty? Then when output A is selected, the loop is completed and when output B is selected, the loop is broken? I might have to try something like that and see if it works.