The Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster is an Empress preamp pedal, currently around $118.68. Close alternatives include the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost and the Suhr Koko Boost. It pairs well with the JHS Smiley and the EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas.
Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster
Empress · pedal
The Empress buffer+ is a clean buffer and signal boost pedal from Canadian manufacturer Empress Effects, delivering a high-quality unity-gain buffer to prevent signal loss and high-frequency rolloff over long cable runs, plus a clean boost for level adjustment. The buffer+ ensures signal integrity from guitar to amp chain without coloration. A utility pedal that improves the signal chain performance for any pedalboard.
- clean boost
- boost
- clean
- single function utility character
- impedance
- rolloff
- frequency
- bypass
Good for
- Live
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Pedals that stack with the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster
JHS Smiley
JHS Pedals
19% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — JHS Smiley gives it fuzzy to fill it with
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
19% matchEarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
14% matchRun Boss BF-2 Flanger after Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster in the signal chain, clear of Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster's own gain stage
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
12% matchWhat Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive brings here leans toward smooth — that's worth building a pairing around
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchKeep Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay after Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster in the signal chain, clear of Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
JHS 3 Series Oil Can Delay
JHS Pedals
7% matchRun JHS 3 Series Oil Can Delay after Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster in the signal chain, clear of Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster delivers it
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchEmpress buffer+ Buffer/Booster leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Fender Hammertone Overdrive wants
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal
Xotic
68% similarityShared character: true_bypass, boost, simple
Fairfield Circuitry Roger That
Fairfield Circuitry
65% similarityShared character: rocker_pedal, buffer, signal_integrity
Z.Vex Super Hard On
Zvex
62% similarityShared character: boost, simple, clean
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Black Bobbin Boost
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Dr. Scientist Sunny Day
Dr Scientist
90% similaritysimilar tone character
J. Rockett Archer Clean
J Rockett
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost
Ik Multimedia
66% similarityShared character: buffer, signal_integrity, 8_impedance
Suhr Koko Boost
Suhr
66% similarityShared character: true_bypass, boost, simple
SONICAKE Sonic Super Master
Sonicake
62% similarityShared character: buffer, long_cable_runs, boost
IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost
Ik Multimedia
62% similarityShared character: rocker_pedal, buffer, signal_integrity
Laney TI-Boost
Laney
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Red Witch Seven Sisters Lily Boost
Red Witch
90% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster?+
The closest matches in character are the IK Multimedia Z-Tone Buffer Boost, the Suhr Koko Boost, the SONICAKE Sonic Super Master. Budget picks: Cusack Music Louder, MXR Double Down, Blackstar LT-Boost. Boutique upgrades: Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal, Fairfield Circuitry Roger That, Z.Vex Super Hard On.
What pairs well with the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: JHS Smiley, EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas, Boss BF-2 Flanger — The transparent tone has headroom to spare — JHS Smiley gives it fuzzy to fill it with.
How much does the Empress buffer+ Buffer/Booster cost?+
Around $118.68 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).