Is there a buffer that will work before a fuzz?

[zombiwoof]

Make a box with an input and output jack.  Put a 10k resistor between the jacks.  Use this box between the noise suppressor and the fuzz.

Could you just make a patch cord with that resistor soldered into one of the plugs, instead of using a box?

Al

[azrael]

Does the resistor method allow the fuzz to clean up properly? Why does this work? Is it because the fuzz's input impedance is no longer directly in parallel with the output of the buffered pedal?

[earthtonesaudio]

Does the resistor method allow the fuzz to clean up properly? Why does this work? Is it because the fuzz's input impedance is no longer directly in parallel with the output of the buffered pedal?

That depends on what you mean by "properly."  If you mean, the loading on the pickup is substantially reduced resulting in an increase in brightness and vastly reduced clipping, then no.  The buffer between the guitar and the fuzz presents a constant load on the pickup/guitar volume control, so this interaction can't happen.  Lowering the guitar's volume going into buffer and then fuzz will result in attenuation only, and none of that extra stuff.


Basically the Fuzz Face-type of circuit can be thought of as having a current input, rather than a voltage input.  The passive guitar has very little current, gets heavily loaded by, interacts strongly with, and sounds "right" with, the FF.  The buffered signal has LOTS of current and overloads the FF.  The resistor limits current going into the fuzz, bringing it somewhat back in the "right" direction.