buffered/true bypass

[zerohero]

hey guys, ive been a little confused by something, ive been reading around and trying to learn as much as i can about all this stuff but i cant seem to figure something out.

i understand that true-bypass means that your signal does not go through the effect at all and all that, and that it may cause a volume difference.

i am also getting the idea that because the signal from a guitar is high impedance, it cant push the signal very well, so you can use buffers to help drive it (am i right here?).

so is it better to have true bypass or to have a buffered bypass like a lot of the commercial pedals do? from what i gather most DIY-ers prefer true bypass, if lots of pedals cause tone sucking when bypassed why not use a buffer? sorry if all my ignorance is showing lol, id just rather understand the things i build instead of just putting things where im told (as i have seen all of you here prefer).

[petemoore]

  Comparing your effects chains/cables ability to carry signal can be as easy as using a good/great 'shorter' cable to connect your guitar directly to your amp. Then insert the effects chain, if yours is like mine, you'll hear a volume drop with high end content muddled or missing. Or inserting a buffer at the beginning of the chain.
  One buffer or buffered bypass pedal at the beginning of the chain [~same thing as far as buffering]...if your cables are decent at all, should restore the ability of the amp to recieve the 'unaffected' guitar signal and it's highs.

[zerohero]

thank you sir. much appreciated

[amz-fx]

so is it better to have true bypass or to have a buffered bypass like a lot of the commercial pedals do? from what i gather most DIY-ers prefer true bypass, if lots of pedals cause tone sucking when bypassed why not use a buffer? sorry if all my ignorance is showing lol, id just rather understand the things i build instead of just putting things where im told (as i have seen all of you here prefer).

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

regards, Jack

[jimbob]

Great article Jack- Even simple enough for me to understand.

Thanks