True bypass means that when the pedal is off, with no processing or colouring going on, the signal from your guitar passes through all clean via a separate path outside the circuit. You should also keep in mind that different value tone and volume pots, tone caps, shielding etc will have an effect on the impedance and ultimately the tone. Naturally, the quality of these cables matters a great deal. Now, 18 feet might seem more than enough but you have to count both the cable to and from the pedal board, all the patch cables and the tiny cables inside the pedals that are bypassing the signal when the pedal is off. Active low impedance pickups, on the other hand, are able to drive the signal through at least 100 feet of cable. Sometimes less, sometimes more, depending on the quality of the cable. Passive high impedance pickups are able to drive the signal through aprox 18 feet of cable. Passive, vintage style pickups has a high impedance while active battery powered pickups has a low impedance. Impedance is a measure of electronic resistance and the longer the signal path, the more resistance there will be. Most guitars deliver a high impedance signal or output.

But, as with most things in life, it’s not that black and white. Either you’re pro buffers or you can’t stand them and insist on only using true bypass operated pedals. The debate surrounding this topic seems to be incredibly one sided. Tone is just as much about utilizing the full potential of your rig and regardless of your preferred approach, some basic know-how will get you far in reaching your goal. However, tone isn’t just about squeezing your amp or stomping pedals. Whether you plug your guitar straight into an amp or depend on elaborate pedal boards – tone matters. In this feature we will have a look at what’s really going on as well as a few tips on how to arrange your pedalboard. Few topics seems to stir up so much controversy and opinions as whether true bypass or buffered pedals are the best solution for your tone.

Bypass volume potentiometer