Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "JHS Little Black 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
Take Your Tone to the Next Level with the JHS Little Black Buffer
The JHS Little Black Buffer is a must-have addition to any serious musician's pedalboard. This compact tone machine is designed to restore the full, natural tone of your guitar, even in complex signal chains with multiple pedals and long cable runs.
Though small in size, this pedal is a workhorse that silently battles against signal degradation, ensuring that the tone leaving your guitar is the same one that hits your amp. No more muddy, lifeless sounds or lost high-end detail – the Little Black Buffer is like an adrenaline shot for your tone, maintaining its strength and character throughout your chain.
What's more, the JHS Little Black Buffer is a breeze to integrate into your existing setup. Its low-profile design and sturdy construction mean it can easily find a home on any pedalboard. And because it's an always-on device, it doesn't take up valuable foot-switchable space. Just plug your guitar straight into the input, then out into your pedal chain. It’s that simple.
Key Features:
- Provides the ideal input impedance for your rig, preventing capacitance problems
- Revitalizes your guitar sound, ensuring robust, natural tone
- Compact design, perfect for pedalboards of any size
- Always-on device, requires no footswitch
- Handcrafted by JHS team in Kansas City, Missouri
- Requires standard 9V DC negative power
- Works great on bass too, making it a versatile addition to your gear
- Front-side 6.3 mm mono-jack inputs and outputs
- Made in USA
Product specs
| Pedal Type | Pedal chain buffer |
| Analog/Digital | Analog |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (instrument) |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Bypass Switching | Buffered |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
| Power Usage | 10mA |
| Height | 1" |
| Width | 3.6" |
| Depth | 1.5" |
| Weight | 0.24 lbs. |
FAQs
-
What is the primary function of the JHS Little Black Buffer?
-
The JHS Little Black Buffer converts your guitar's high-impedance signal to low-impedance, preserving your tone across long cable runs and extensive pedal chains, ensuring your sound remains clear and consistent.
-
Where should I place the JHS Little Black Buffer in my pedal chain?
-
Position the Little Black Buffer at the beginning of your pedal chain after vintage fuzz pedals, or at the end if you're experiencing signal loss from long cable runs or numerous pedals.
-
Does the JHS Little Black Buffer require a power supply?
-
Yes, the JHS Little Black Buffer requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately, and it uses 10mA of power.
-
Is the JHS Little Black Buffer suitable for both guitar and bass?
-
Yes, the JHS Little Black Buffer can be used with both guitar and bass, helping to maintain signal integrity and tone across various setups.
-
How does the JHS Little Black Buffer differ from a true bypass pedal?
-
Unlike true bypass pedals, which can cause signal loss in long chains, the JHS Little Black Buffer actively maintains your signal strength and tone by converting the impedance for optimal performance.
Equipboard's Expert Review
Equipboard tested this
Tiny Tone Saver
In our tests, the JHS Little Black Buffer proved to be a small but mighty addition to our pedalboard. We were immediately impressed by its compact size and robust build quality, which is characteristic of JHS products. The pedal's simple design, with all jacks on the same side, made it a breeze to integrate into tight spaces on our board.
Upon plugging it in, we noticed a significant improvement in our tone. The Little Black Buffer effectively restored clarity and high frequencies that were lost in our long signal chain, making our guitar sound as if it were plugged directly into the amp. We found it particularly useful when running multiple pedals, as it maintained a clean signal and reduced unwanted noise.
One minor gripe we had was the overly bright LED light, which could be distracting during dimly lit performances. For us, it was absolutely reliable.
In terms of value, we believe the Little Black Buffer is worth the investment for guitarists with complex pedalboards or those seeking to maintain signal integrity over long cable runs. However, players with simpler setups or those already using high-quality buffered pedals might not notice as dramatic an improvement.
Overall, we found the JHS Little Black Buffer to be a reliable and effective tool for preserving tone quality. It's an excellent choice for gigging musicians and home studio enthusiasts alike who want to maximize their signal chain's potential. However, those with minimal pedal setups might not find it as essential.
Videos
JHS Pedals
Why You Need A Buffer
Why You Need A Buffer
JHS Pedals
Buffer Pedal Shootout Pete Cornish LD-1, JHS Little Black Buffer, Lehle Sunday Driver, Boss TU2
shnobel
JHS Little Black Buffer vs Pete Cornish LD-1
shnobel
JHS Little Black Buffer | REVIEW
A MINOR ERROR
JHS Little Black Buffer & Landgraff Clean Boost
papatyu08
JHS Little Black Buffer vs TC Electronic Integrated Preamplifier
shnobel
Test JHS Little Black Buffer
TooNyTooN
Reviews
PROS
-
Enhances clarity and tone, especially with long pedal chains
-
Simple, effective solution for impedance issues
-
Compact size fits well on crowded pedalboards
-
Robust build quality ensures durability
-
Noticeably improves signal quality with multiple true bypass pedals
-
Can be used at different points in the signal chain for versatile setup options
-
Comes with thoughtful packaging and extras like engraved picks and stickers
CONS
-
Improvement in clarity can be subtle, depending on setup
-
Bright LED can be distracting in low-light settings
-
Some users feel it doesn’t outperform built-in buffers in other pedals
-
May not be necessary if you already have buffered pedals in your chain
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about JHS Little Black Buffer.
Setup and maintenance
-
Placing the JHS Little Black Buffer at the end of the chain may prevent interference with Boss pedal buffers.
Source
Features and functionality
-
Some owners experience swirling noises when the JHS buffer is added to pedal chains with multiple buffers.
Source
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
-
Buffers are suggested at the start and end of the pedal chain for optimal signal preservation.
Source
User experience
-
The JHS buffer works fine independently but may cause issues when integrated into complex chains.
Source
Build quality
-
The JHS Little Black Buffer uses a two-stage TL072 chip with resistors on the unused side to prevent noise, a detail not common in simpler designs.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 21 Ratings
351
Simple, precise and necessary
A buffer isn´t a pedal that you want to have on your pedal board as a preference but once you have too many in your collection it is very necessary. For the same reason, having one in a small size that fulfills its function in a great way means that the money is well invested. Having 15 pedals you only need one and the clarity of the sound is not lost.
309
Simple and Effective
If you're using long chords between your guitar and amp, throw one of these little guys into the chain to avoid gain and impedance on your sound. The sound is noticeably different.
Artist usage
Add artist
On the image a JHS little black buffer with a flashing yellow light is visible. It was used on Dustin's pedalboard for "to be everywhere is to be nowhere"(2016).
In this video Andy Othling shows his rig including the JHS little black buffer.
Sterenberg uses a buffer on his live rig. It is hard to see in the photo, but his website confirms: "I also decided last minute to add the buffer pedal (JHS little black buffer), which fit nicely next to the spring tank and underneath the 1/4 in jacks to the looper (it’s barely visible in the photos)."
In a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, Paul Wiley is shown using the JHS Little Black Buffer as part of his setup with Marilyn Manson.
.jpg?v=1782547223)
Album Usage
The JHS Little Black Buffer has been featured on the following albums:
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 JHS Little Black Buffer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
-s.webp?v=1782831445)
-s.webp?v=1782658704)
Community setups
Show yours
Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for JHS Little Black Buffer, curated by the Equipboard community.
More JHS Buffer Pedals
$31.90 - $69.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$116.15 - $171.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$99.99 - $105.99
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$249.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$69.00 - $119.99
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$164.00 - $274.99
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$140.00 - $169.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$109.00 - $115.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$27.99 - $49.90
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$116.15 - $299.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$179.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$27.99 - $35.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$119.99 - $128.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$45.00 - $79.99
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$24.50
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$299.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
$78.39 - $92.00
in Buffer Pedals Rank
-m.webp?v=1774838634)
-m.webp?v=1771174658)
.png?v=1782829612)
Accessories & Related Items
Gear Guides
Most Popular Buffer Pedals
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
saedemophGear IQ 131
-
