True bypass with not true bypass defeat purpose

[explorer]

True bypass means that the input is connected to the output with no circuitry in between. It should mean that there is no noise or colouration introduced to the signal. However, it can mean that there are problems with level and impedance, which buffered bypass circuits do address. With a chain of three pedals it probably doesn't matter much either way.

[dsv]

No. Actually it may be better that way!

Both true bypass and non-true bypass have advantages and disadvantages.

True bypass: there is no modification of the signal (advantage). However, having many TB pedals in series will lead to long cables, and they can load the pickup resulting in the often mentioned "tone loss" (disadvantage).

Non-true bypass: a quality non-true bypass circuit often includes a good buffer, which avoids the loading effect of the cables on the pickups (advantage). However, each buffer does not reproduce exactly the input signal (especially true with low quality ones). Therefore, too many in series may lead to tone degradation (disadvantage).

The best of both worlds is then:
- 1 buffered pedal at the beginning of the signal chain, to avoid loading of the pickups
- eventually 1 buffered pedal at the end if there is a long line to the amp
- everything TB in between.

There are of course exceptions, such as the Fuzz Face pedals which (according to the general consensus) do not like buffer pedals or non-true bypass before them, since part of their signature sound and responsiveness to the guitar controls comes from the loading of the pickups.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by NoPro

I have several true bypass effect pedals and 2 not true bypass pedals... Does this defeat the purpose of true bypass if all are used together?

If you can't hear the difference in tone when the non-true bypass pedals are in line but not engaged, then it doesn't matter. Put them in, play for a while, take them out, listen for a difference. If you hear a tonal difference, it does... or it might, depending upon how you feel about the tonal change.

[drbob1]

There are at least 3 general kinds of bypass:

True bypass, discussed well above.

Buffered, discussed above as well.

Some other kind of passive bypass that leaves part of the circuit attached to the inpu or the output-this is what many of the older MXR and DOD pedals did, also EHX and it colored the sound with no measurable benefit. Buffered pedals before these will help a little, but true bypass loops for them are better. Almost no new pedals use these weird bypass schemes.

[NoPro]

Originally Posted by drbob1

There are at least 3 general kinds of bypass:

True bypass, discussed well above.

Buffered, discussed above as well.

Some other kind of passive bypass that leaves part of the circuit attached to the inpu or the output-this is what many of the older MXR and DOD pedals did, also EHX and it colored the sound with no measurable benefit. Buffered pedals before these will help a little, but true bypass loops for them are better. Almost no new pedals use these weird bypass schemes.

I guess it comes down to what just sounds good. Of course I want to mix a big muff with a newer pedal so my concerns are technical but foremost sound. These replies do help for perspective and well appreciated. Shit I plug em in and play with the order of pedals and go from there ..