Is a Buffer really usefull?

[nero1985]

hey guys, i was checking the buffers at GGG and on the bottom of the page it says that a bufffer is usefull but then it also says that all boss and ibanez pedals have a buffer already, so i use a boss noise gate and a OC-2 and then i use a DIY phase 90, rebote delay, small clone and soon to come a speaker simulator and an auto wah... now, is it worth to use a buffer? just wondering, maybe ill build one today... what do you think

[vanhansen]

If all that stuff is in your pedal chain out front between your guitar and amp, then I say yes.  Build one and put it at the end of the pedalboard.  The built in buffers in the Boss and Ibanez units are sufficient but when you add on more and more, then signal degredation can start happening.  Plus, from the looks if it, most of your stuff is DIY which means you probably wired them for true bypass. 

The amount of pedals I used when I play is very small.  In the effects loop sits a delay and chorus followed by a buffer.  Out front is a Rangemaster and Crybaby.  Both the RM and Crybaby are true bypass but since it's only the two, there's no need for me to put a buffer out front.  I could easily get away without the buffer in the effects loop too but I like the extra brilliance it brings back to the sound, especially since some effects loops are known to rob some of the tone from the amp.

In short, many pedals + long cables = need for a buffer at the end of the pedalboard.

[nero1985]

thanks! i actually went to your page and starter reading about the buffer and then i went to GGG

[vanhansen]

Wow, you mean the info I put on my site actually helped?  Wow. 

[amz-fx]

Buffers and true bypass:

http://www.muzique.com/lab/truebypass.htm

regards, Jack