Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (4)
$109.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (4)
$109.00
Thomann
4.8 (10)
$116.00 $115.00 $1.00 · All time low

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Empress Effects Buffer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Every guitarist knows the importance of maintaining the purity of their sound across a sprawling pedalboard, and the Empress Effects Buffer is here to ensure your tone remains pristine. This analogue signal path buffer pedal is designed to preserve your guitar’s natural tone by eliminating the high-frequency loss often associated with long cable runs. Whether you're hitting the stage or recording in the studio, this pedal guarantees your sound stays crystal clear.

The Empress Effects Buffer offers a simple yet versatile setup with connections for Guitar In, Amp Out, and Tuner Out, alongside Loop In and Loop Out options. This flexibility makes it an ideal hub for any pedalboard configuration, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. Its robust DieCast aluminum housing promises durability, making it a reliable companion for gigging musicians. With a modest power consumption of 42 mA, this buffer pedal operates efficiently while delivering stellar performance.

For those who demand the best in signal fidelity, the Empress Effects Buffer is an essential tool. Experience a new level of tonal clarity and integrity, making sure your guitar always sings true, from the first chord to the final note.

Key Features:

  • Analogue signal path for pure tone preservation
  • Connections: Guitar In, Amp Out, Tuner Out, Loop In, Loop Out
  • Durable DieCast aluminum housing
  • Power consumption: 42 mA
  • Requires 9 V DC power supply (battery operation not possible)

Owner's manual

Empress Effects Buffer User Manual

Product specs

Available since December 2014
Effect Types Buffer

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Empress Effects Buffer pedal?

The Empress Effects Buffer pedal is designed to strengthen your guitar signal, preventing tone loss over long cable runs and through multiple pedals, ensuring your sound remains clear and consistent from your guitar to your amplifier.

How does the Empress Effects Buffer improve my guitar tone?

By maintaining the integrity of your guitar signal, the Empress Effects Buffer reduces the capacitance issues that can dull your tone, preserving clarity and high frequencies across your pedalboard setup.

Is the Empress Effects Buffer suitable for both guitar and bass?

Yes, the Empress Effects Buffer is effective for both guitar and bass, helping to maintain signal strength and tone quality for both instruments across extensive pedal chains.

Can the Empress Effects Buffer be used with other pedals?

Absolutely, the Empress Effects Buffer is designed to integrate seamlessly with other pedals, enhancing signal strength and clarity without altering the tone of your other effects.

Does the Empress Effects Buffer require a power supply?

Yes, the Empress Effects Buffer requires a standard 9V DC power supply to operate, which is typical for most pedalboard setups.

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Buffer Pedals vs. Non-dedicated Buffers - Shootout + Opinion (HD)

Video thumbnail for Buffer Pedals vs. Non-dedicated Buffers - Shootout + Opinion (HD) by Made by Miike

Buffer Pedals vs. Non-dedicated Buffers - Shootout + Opinion (HD)

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Video thumbnail for How to Make your Pedal Board Sound Good | Empress Buffer | An Inside and Out Review | Tony Mckenzie by tonymckenziecom

How to Make your Pedal Board Sound Good | Empress Buffer | An Inside and Out Review | Tony Mckenzie

tonymckenziecom

tonymckenziecom

Video thumbnail for New Guitar Pedalboard Build (Ep. 22): Adding the Empress Buffer+ by PaulMcKeever

New Guitar Pedalboard Build (Ep. 22): Adding the Empress Buffer+

PaulMcKeever

PaulMcKeever

Reviews

PROS

  • Simple, neutral sounding buffer maintains original tone

  • Allows for effective pedalboard input/output consolidation

  • Separate output for tuner enhances board layout

  • Restores signal clarity and fullness lost in long cable runs

  • Versatile for use in multiple effect chains without signal loss

  • Compact design fits well under pedalboards

  • Quality construction from a reputable brand

  • Eliminates need for multiple buffers

  • Noticeable improvement in tone clarity and detail

  • Supports pedalboards with a high number of pedals

CONS

  • Higher output impedance than expected (510Ω) may surprise some users

  • May require additional research for optimal use with certain instruments (e.g., ukuleles)

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Empress Effects Buffer.

Features and functionality

  • The Empress Buffer has two inputs and three outputs, but it only buffers the input; the loop in and amp out are passive pass-thrus.

    Source
  • The Empress Buffer is noted for its central routing point convenience on pedalboards, simplifying setup and teardown processes.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Empress Buffer+ offers additional features like a real output buffer and built-in boost/tuner mute, unlike the standard Empress Buffer.

    Source
  • The TCE Bonafide Buffer, though backordered, is suggested for better specs at a lower price than the Empress Buffer.

    Source
  • Strymon pedals' bypass buffers are recommended as reliable, potentially eliminating the need for an output buffer when used last in the chain.

    Source

User experience

  • Confusion arises from Empress marketing materials implying both ends are buffered, leading to potential buyer misunderstanding.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
ryanbisson

Get a nice buffer and enjoy your time again

What the title says: stop playing without a nice buffer in your signal chain! The Empress buffer will do perfectly for most players out there, if you need more they make a stereo version as well.

Gain back that clarity and fullness that your pedalboard and long cable runs take away.

simeon_boyadjiev

The Essential Buffer

An essential element to all your True-bypass Pedals, best of all it comes with a Tuner-Out option keeping your Tuner out of the Chain on your Pedalboard.

From Gear Setup

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Empress Effects Buffer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Strymon Ojai Expansion Kit
Strymon Ojai Expansion Kit Effects Pedal Accessories
2
Strymon Zuma
Strymon Zuma Effects Pedal Accessories
2
JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase
JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Lehle Mono Volume
Lehle Mono Volume Volume Effects Pedals
1
Klon KTR
Klon KTR Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Analog Man King of Tone V4 Overdrive
1

Community setups

Show yours
simeon_boyadjiev

simeon_boyadjiev

Gear IQ 606

simeon_boyadjiev

simeon_boyadjiev

Gear IQ 606

More Empress Buffer Pedals

Suhr Buffer

$140.00 - $169.00

# 8

Rank

Masaru Teramae Leendert Haaksma Zach Sutton
3 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Artist usage

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    michael
    michael

    Gear IQ 42641