Project · Boosters & Volume
Buffer - Discrete
You can build this with either a JFET (recommended) or a standard NPN transistor. This project uses the CB1 circuit board layout for either JFET or NPN transistor buffer. This project is taken directly from the Basic Buffers article on the AMZ site.
Project files
Everything you need to build it
Buffer Ready-For-Transfer Printed Circuit Board Layout (Uses the CB1 PCB)
Schematic
Schematic
Parts layout
Parts Layout / Wiring Diagram
What you will need
Bill of Materials
Version 2013March · Copyright 2013 JD Sleep · Permission refused for posting/serving this file from any site other than www.generalguitargadgets.com · Trademarks are property of their owners
Resistors
| Resistor ID | Value | 3-band Marking | 4-band Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 2M2 (2.2 M) | red-red-green | red-red-black-yellow |
| R2 | 2M2 (2.2 M) | red-red-green | red-red-black-yellow |
| R3 | 0 ohm or jumper wire | black | black |
| R4 | 10k | brown-black-orange | brown-black-black-red |
| R6 | 10M | brown-black-blue | |
| R7 | 1k | brown-black-red | brown-black-black-brown |
Capacitors
| Capacitor ID | Value | Type | Possible Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | 0.1µF | Film | 104 |
| C4 | 100µF | Aluminum Electrolytic, or Tantalum | 100µF |
| C7 | 1µF | Film or Aluminum Electrolytic, or Tantalum | 105 or 1µF |
Other
| Part ID | Part Name |
|---|---|
| Q1 | 2N5089 or similar NPN transistor |
| D1 | 1N914 (or similar Silicon diode) |
| D2 | LED (status indicator) |
| J1 | Stereo quarter-inch jack |
| J2 | Mono quarter-inch jack |
| J3 | DC Jack |
| B1 | 9 volt battery |
| Sw1 | Heavy Duty 3PDT foot switch |
Printed Circuit Board, 9v battery snap, 24 gauge stranded wire, Enclosure
More about this project
Notes, sounds and related links
What does a Buffer do?
Our definition of signal chain here is: everything between your guitar and amplifier input, including cables. As your signal chain gets more complex (adding more stompboxes and patch cables) you may start to notice a loss of treble in your guitar sound. Your sound may sound duller than it does when you're plugged straight into the amp with a short cable. Check out this page about Impedance and Buffers to find out why this happens.
This Pete Cornish "Case against True Bypass" Article explains why a little buffer stompbox may be useful to you. I believe there is "a case for true bypass" as well, but the article might give you a good idea of what a buffer can do in your signal chain.
Please note that most Boss™, Ibanez™ (and some other commercial pedals) use non-bypassed buffers. This means that if you have a Boss™ pedal in your signal chain, you probably already have buffers in signal path even when the pedal is in bypass mode.
Ready to build? We have the kit.
Would you like a Ready to Solder Circuit Board for this project?