• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Pedals and True Bypass

In response to Joe's post about his upcoming wah:

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

The cool thing that Jeorge has come up with is that it is switchable from True Bypass to regular style which I like and it will include the special sprocket that are in my custom. Im stoked about it.
Joe B

Looking forward to trying something different than my Vox wah, and really interested to see what it sounds like if set to true bypass or not. How much of a difference does this make? Why wouldn't you want it set to true bypass all the time?

I found this small research article....
http://www.muzique.com/lab/truebypass.htm


Also found a "pedal buffer" to put after a wah to prevent "tone suck"
http://www.muzique.com/news/51/

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

2 Reply by sted (edited by sted 2011-07-19 14:59:39)

  • sted
  • sted
  • Platinum
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2011-03-20
  • Posts: 333

Re: Pedals and True Bypass

Yeah mate, impedances are a killer, especially long cable runs and huge pedal boards can put so much drop on your signal you can really struggle. Boss pedals actually have decent buffers in them and a boss delay at the end of your chain can make up a lot of lost signal, also have a look at the Wampler buffers and Lehle sunday driver too.

The old True Bypass isnt always the best route for the best tone, a friend of mine is a proper nerd when it comes to signal chain buffering and arranging, he wrote a few articles about it, I'll see if I can find the links.  smile

EDIT: OK, heres the link, preparre yourself though, its geekery 101 to the max!  lol

http://www.dirtbox.net/forum/index.php? … 24#msg1524

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Pedals and True Bypass

Little thing I found helpful is, if using a volume pedal, stick a pedal with a buffer before it. It really gives the signal a good kick up the arse to get through the rest of things.
So I have my boss tuner before the EB Volume JR.

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Pedals and True Bypass

People in the know have told me to sprinkle in some non-true bypass pedals on board- who knows. Most agree to have a non true bypass pedal early on and one at end of line if possible. 

Only way to tell, play through p-board and then guitar direct into amp to see how your clean tone changes.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Pedals and True Bypass

I used to think "true bypass" was the way to go until, I found when everything is TB, the tone was too bright.  I have a cheap digitech reverb that is non true bypass and it adds a slight mid hump, love it.  For me, it adds just what I need to my tone.

Although I've also found using the SAME pedal in another, smaller amp made everything sound borderline awful!  So in a way, it's good this will offer both features because not every amp and pedal combination works as good as the other.  -S