Buffer's and the OnBoard Effects Loop (OBEL)

 

 

The Buffer and OnBoard Effects Loop are 2 seperate entities incorporated as one. One technically can work without the other. Incorporating either or both entails splicing them between the Pickup Selector Output to the Volume Control's Input outside lug. In Figure 1. The Blue wire is the place where the Buffer and OBEL are spliced in.

 

Figure 1.

 

First, The Buffer can be used by itself both before (Figure 2.) or after (Figure 3.) the Volume Control. The Volume Control Value needs to be addressed with each configuration. When the Buffer is before the Volume control, the Volume Control needs to be a Low Impedance Value to maintain the function of the buffer changing the Pickups High Impedance output to a Low Impedance output. The use of a High Impedance value negates the Buffers primary function. When the Buffer is placed after the Volume Control it needs to feed the High Impedance Input of the Buffer. The Traditional High Impedance values should be used like a 250k, 500k or even 1Meg.

 

Figure 2.

 

Figure 3.

Likewise the OnBoard Effects Loop can be used alone. (Figure 4.) The OBEL Jack is simply spliced between the Pickup Selector and Volume Control. The Volume Control value can be whatever the guitar used. In this Configuration the OBEL Jack should be a Switchcraft 14B switching type jack to allow the guitar to still keep the circuit intact when a plug is not in the OBEL Jack.

 

Figure 4.

When both the Buffer and OBEL are incorporated the Buffer is placed before the OBEL Jack. (Figure 5.) Since the Buffer is before the Volume Control a Low Impedance Value is used, ie..10k or 25k.

 

Figure 5.

Lastly, The OBEL can also be incorporated with NO Bypass Switch.(Figure 6.) A Switchcraft 14BSwitching Jack is used instead of the bypass switch to allow the guitar to function with no Plug in the OBEL jack.

 

Figure 6.