True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

What did every great player in the history of classic rock ever due without any of their pedals being true bypass?

Answer -they only used the pedals with buffers they liked and were useful and they didn't used 30 pedals live.

Just put buffers where they work best and put True bypass pedals where they work best -there is no fiction -each kind has it's strategic place and has an advantage and disadvantage.

Just plan it out.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

What did every great player in the history of classic rock ever due without any of their pedals being true bypass?

A lot of their pedals were neither, Randy Rhodes Dist+ was crappy "hardwire bypass" (I think that's what Dunlop/MXR calls it now), along with EVH's Phase 90, probably his flanger too, anybody that used an original wah pedal (so that is pretty much everyone from the 60s - 70s). So these guys all had a "blanket over their tone", strange, knowing that you would think more people would want to find that blanket.

The original Fuzz Face was true bypass, at least from what I've found, but Roger Mayer was a genius and really knew what he was doing.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

A lot of their pedals were neither, Randy Rhodes Dist+ was crappy "hardwire bypass" (I think that's what Dunlop/MXR calls it now), along with EVH's Phase 90, probably his flanger too, anybody that used an original wah pedal (so that is pretty much everyone from the 60s - 70s). So these guys all had a "blanket over their tone", strange, knowing that you would think more people would want to find that blanket.

The original Fuzz Face was true bypass, at least from what I've found, but Roger Mayer was a genius and really knew what he was doing.
This exactly. Boss and Maxon made some amazing advances for guitarists. FET based Bypass (to eliminate a weak point in the bypass switch) buffered input and output (so the player has consistency whether the effect is on or off) commonized power requirements (barrel plug with center negative, 9V), standardized input/output direction (although it was pretty common by their era), LED indication of status and I’m probably missing a few.

Now... all of those features are similar to the advances in cars. Modern cars with ABS, traction control, automatic transmissions, electronic fuel injection, etc. are very comfortable and easy to drive. Running an old Marshall cranked up with a Fuzz Face, Vintage wah, Univibe, etc. is like an old Porsche or Corvette, a visceral direct experience that can be tough to control on the edge.... Touring pros benefit hugely from these advances. Us hobbyists like to tinker with funky stuff just for the sake of it.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

A lot of their pedals were neither, Randy Rhodes Dist+ was crappy "hardwire bypass" (I think that's what Dunlop/MXR calls it now), along with EVH's Phase 90, probably his flanger too, anybody that used an original wah pedal (so that is pretty much everyone from the 60s - 70s). So these guys all had a "blanket over their tone", strange, knowing that you would think more people would want to find that blanket.

The original Fuzz Face was true bypass, at least from what I've found, but Roger Mayer was a genius and really knew what he was doing.

No doubt on your examples, but my point still stands -the greats didn't have to think on this stuff as an obsession as we do today. They used what sounded good to them but used not near as many pedals to create the issues we now discuss.

My buddy was Prince's guitar tech -talk about a guy who kept it tight and simple.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

No doubt on your examples, but my point still stands -the greats didn't have to think on this stuff as an obsession as we do today. They used what sounded good to them but used not near as many pedals to create the issues we now discuss.

Dude, I was agreeing with you, not arguing.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

My new Super American Metal clone has a flying bypass.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

A lot of their pedals were neither, Randy Rhodes Dist+ was crappy "hardwire bypass" (I think that's what Dunlop/MXR calls it now), along with EVH's Phase 90, probably his flanger too, anybody that used an original wah pedal (so that is pretty much everyone from the 60s - 70s). So these guys all had a "blanket over their tone", strange, knowing that you would think more people would want to find that blanket.

The original Fuzz Face was true bypass, at least from what I've found, but Roger Mayer was a genius and really knew what he was doing.

Yes, the original Fuzz Faces were true bypass, but they had nothing to do with Roger Mayer, if that is what you are suggesting.
Al
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

Yes, the original Fuzz Faces were true bypass, but they had nothing to do with Roger Mayer, if that is what you are suggesting.
Al

I guess I always thought Mayer designed them, had to go look up the history. I was mistaken, thanks for clearing that up.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

You’re thinking of Russ Meyer.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

What did every great player in the history of classic rock ever due without any of their pedals being true bypass?

Answer -they only used the pedals with buffers they liked and were useful and they didn't used 30 pedals live.



Those like David Gilmour who depended greatly on effects were well aware of bypass problems and had very expensive custom switching designed for them to make it all work. http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=182
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

I think Pete Cornish was well aware of the bypass problems when he built David's boards. Pete is also a big proponent of buffers.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

I think Pete Cornish was well aware of the bypass problems when he built David's boards. Pete is also a big proponent of buffers.

And I'm sure he didn't put a random buffer between every contact point along the signal like like pedal board built with buffered pedals would have.
 
Re: True Bypass .... fact or fiction ?

And I'm sure he didn't put a random buffer between every contact point along the signal like like pedal board built with buffered pedals would have.

I'm 100% sure you are right! And, his pedals and pedalboards are out of reach for most of us mere mortals.
 
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