MESA/Boogie Stowaway and Highwire In-Depth Video & Comparison

Introducing… The MESA Stowaway & Highwire Input and Output Buffers!
In today’s pedal-heavy era, cabling, pedal designs, pedalboard layouts and rig concepts all conspire to create a loss of tone right where your signal chain starts. In almost 50 years of building high performance amplifiers we’ve learned that every single part in the signal path ultimately is a “Tone control”. With this in mind, we set out to design and build the ultimate Signal Management products to stabilize and optimize your guitar, pedalboard and amplifier connections.
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Stowaway Input Buffer -
mesaboogie.com/signal-manageme...
The Stowaway provides the stable, consistent load your instrument needs to sound as intended as well as converting your signal to low impedance to reduce your exposure to tonal losses caused by cable capacitance, pickup loading, impedance mismatches and resonant/peak frequency changes due to varying pedal input designs. Built-in RFI circuitry also provides immunity from cell phone and radio interference. and the small footprint allows for convenient mounting above or below your pedalboard. The affordability makes this unit a must-have to protect the tonal investment in your favorite guitars, amp’s and your pedalboard… unless… you find use for the Highwire!
Highwire Dual Input/Output Buffer and Output Line Driver -
mesaboogie.com/signal-manageme...
This all-in-one Buffer/Boost/Line Driver utilizes the Stowaway’s exceptional Input buffer and RFI circuitry as it's foundation while also providing excellent Output Buffer and Line Drive functionality. Combining the two creates a fully buffered ‘FX Loop’ for the pedals on your board and your entire signal chain. The Highwire also provides an adjustable, foot-switchable boost with up to +22dB of increase that can be great for a solo function or used as an input clean boost/overdrive on your favorite tube amp. Also included is a fully buffered tuner output with a mute function (accessible by pressing and holding the boost switch). Finally, the output buffer can be set for unity output at 0dB, or - add +3dB of buffered boost for longer cable runs or to have your output signal hit your amp’s input a little hotter than unity gain. The Highwire represents the maximum buffer value and optimization in a single package with complete coverage to make any gutar/pedalboard/amp signal chain the very best it can be.
These solutions have been created with one goal in mind; ensuring your Tone is the very best it can be.
Recorded with a Nash Guitars S-Model with Lollar pickups in the neck position into Ch. 1 of a JP-2C head and a 2x12 Rectifier Compact loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. Captured with a Shure SM57 and the CabClone in Open-Back position and blended 55% SM57 & 45% CabClone with no additional EQ or post production processing.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have on buffering, rig and pedalboard building, or any other Mesa questions you may have. We look forward to helping you and thanks for your support.

[@NoiseTherapy]

It is hard to find videos that *demonstrate* the difference between buffer & no buffer. There’s a lot of talk out there about “tone loss/suck” without a lot of showing the difference. Thank you Mesa. I’m sold, and plan to buy a high wire this week. The Rig Doctor led me to check this out.

[@penunggangmacan]

just got my own Mesa Stowaway Buffer pedal.....awesome!!!😍😍😍😍 thx Mesa Engineering....👍👍👍👍

[@joeylawson5115]

Awsome video thanks for the great explanations

[@metalstrand2795]

I would love to know more about how the RF-noise filtering works on the Stowaway.

[@NoiseTherapy]

I kept losing a lot of the high end of my signal when I included my Whammy DT on my pedal board. After fixing only a little bit by keeping the Whammy DT on its own, separate power supply, the final solution to restoring my signal was Mesa’s High Wire. Thank you!

[@canaan_perry]

Awesome info and a nice looking product. I have made my own jfet buffers over the years -- based on a similar layout to something like an old Alembic Stratoblaster circuit. I pop these in a box and run them so they are always on at the front of my pedal chains. This adds a bit of sparkle and punch back into the signal that I can't live without. But these units look like a nice pro option and the video really shows the dramatic effect a good buffer can have on a long cable run. Thanks again for the vid.

[@mesaboogie]

Thanks for the kind words, Canaan! You've nailed it regarding the punch & sparkle. Once you know it's not there, it's hard to not want it back. Rock on! :)

[@zackcoffmanguitar]

Just ordered my stowaway. Can't wait to set it up on my board. Thanks Mesa!

[@mesaboogie]

Let us know what you think when you get it installed, Zack! :)

[@zackcoffmanguitar]

MESA/Boogie works great. I sent you guys pics of my custom mount under my board. Thanks guys

[@carlstawicki1915]

It's good to see John Denver can still find work.

[@glennbucc7107]

I have a pedal Jr and my tuner on my pedal board HS a buffer option and I found it made some improvements; however there was still a noticeable difference compared to going straight into my amp. The forums are so iffy if you really would benefit from a dedicated buffer. I bought the Stowaway and immediately I found more highs and clearer top end. It sounded like I plugged my guitar right into the amp. The other good news is it won't take much room on your board. I had very little room but the Stowaway fit. Great job Mesa once again.

[@SeanAsheOfficial]

That's really awesome!

[@karlmack1313]

Hi! The products look amazing and sound great too. There are other products that use 18v for increased headroom. Is there an advantage to this? Is the voltage converted internationally in your buffer? Thanks

[@bumblesnowmonster]

You guys need to put out some videos of your Walkabout Scout. Awesome combo. Best DI ever. I love mine! Yeah, it's been around for a long time. A best kept secret. And, who wants to keep a secret!!!

[@soundofseventythree]

Okay, so I plan to run direct with something like this: guitar->comp->drive->delay->verb->amp sim pedal->full-range pa. Would the buffer still go at the very end of the chain? I am wondering how the buffer would react going into a full-range pa instead of a guitar input. Would running the output of the High Wire into a direct box vs a line-level input vs a preamp change the way the buffer sounds? Thanks for your help!

[@grega1207]

Sounds like you might just want a Stowaway on the front end of the chain and call it good?

[@andymartin589]

What is the best way to set up the loop level of Mark V 90 with pedals? If i set It at noon, there is a huge volume loss compared to the hard by pass. Is It necessary to put this pedal on the chain signal to recover the volume levei? Where can I put it? I use the 4 CM with send/return amp Jacks with Boss NS2 making keeley compressor+, TS9 mini and Boss GE7 running inside It. And Chorus, Phaser, Eventide Timefactor and Reverb following straight from the NS2 output to the amp return. Thanks in advance.

[@alenb86]

When can we expect these buffers to be in stock again? Need the highwire to finish my pedal board! :D

[@nandorocha1234]

Hi Mesa guys! I have problems with tone suck and ground loop using a TC G-System at 4CM. Would any of these new buffer/signal pedals help? In front of the amplifier I use a maximum of 3 pedals, most of the times only one wah (True bypass), the others are a booster and volume, but almost do not use them. The cables between the guitar and the amplifier are 5 to 7 meters. Which pedal would be ideal in my case, Stowaway or Highwire? Thanks! ... My amps are a Mini Rectifier and a VH-100R...

[@TyroneLoganMusic]

I liked this by the time the intro was done. Ha!

[@rickfeith6372]

Sick guys...real good job...again. It has been an insane year at the Boogie camp!!

[@stk7778]

I just realized I like the sound of the roll off. It's like a vinyl record...

[@michael_caz_nyc]

It is true, that if you step-on-it for more than 1 second, it can accidentally Mute your entire signal? Is there a way to Defeat the Mute? Do you offer one with all the same features & benefits . . . without the Mute?

[@hockeyman2274]

What if your pedalboard is hx stomp - tonex - looper - amp. Do you need a buffer?

[@zackmz]

I have a Line 6 Relay G30 at the begining of my pedalboard, and forward to a boss Tu2 but even so I have problem with tone suck. I think that Is necessary a Stowaway buffer but what is the correct position in my pedalboard?

[@mesaboogie]

Hi Zack - Wireless units generally offer reasonably well buffered outputs so an input buffer may not be the most useful in this case. The tone suck that some people complain about from a wireless is often the difference between wireless and a cable and you should experiement listening to your tone with JUST the wireless into the amp and then just a cable into the amp (no pedalboard). Then, compare the sound with the pedalboard in line to see if the difference is just the wireless vs cable, OR - something to do with the pedalboard. Something like the Highwire might be useful as it creates a loop for your pedals and a buffered output to your amp if you have a lot of pedals on the board. In addition, you get the boost function, which can be handy. Hope this helps and let us know what you decide.

[@zackmz]

thanks Mesa guys!! Really the L6 relay has buffered output. I will go to experiment with my pedals .

[@fernheap]

So this is only for pedals in front of an amp? How does this effect pedals ran through FX loop? Is it preferred to run everything in front with this new Mesa buffer? I'm interested but curious about different wiring options. The diagrams on your website don't bring an FX loop into play.

[@mesaboogie]

Hi +fernheap - If you have a pedal like a delay that you want to use in the loop of your amp, the best option for that specific use is the Clearlink Send. The SEND from your amp should be a buffered signal so you don't really need a buffered signal there. However, depending on the pedal's output that you are sending back to the amp's RETURN, if you are losing tone by running long cables from the pedalboard to the amp's RETURN, the Clearlink Send will restore some of the losses. Go from the pedal's Output into the Clearlink Send, then going out of the Clearlink Send to the FX RETURN of your amp. Hope this helps!

[@AntonovichHicksenbrau]

Where would I use this ? in a - Wet/Dry (2amps) or Wet/Dry/Wet Rig (3amps)__ - ?

[@bchuang7516]

just wonder what exactly the output impedance is? is it as same as the highwire buffer which is 150 ohm?

[@LeakyBucketHandle]

This is the high wire buffer…

[@TakisMasterKey]

Hey Mesa, if the loop of the amp is already buffered (like in many of your amps), would the Stowaway be the only buffer to use?

[@mesaboogie]

Excellent, question, Takis! If you are running LONG cable runs (20'+ on each run) from a pedal board or pedal that is not buffered to a loop, you might want to consider buffering from the pedal's output to the Return and the stowaway can do that. But yes - the Send is generally buffered from Mesa amps which can cover some of the issues of loss on longer runs, but once at the pedal, signal loss can begin again from the output. The Stowaway works great for basic signal buffering but is also most useful for optimizing the signal from your guitar to your pedalboard or amplifier input. Hope this helps anbd let us know what you decide. :)

[@dave1812]

When do they hit the Market? I'm building a new Rig with my Mark V:25, those Toys might come in pretty handy! Btw, can I get a different front Grille for my V:25? I got the standard Black one, and was thinking about getting one in Tan Jute.

[@mesaboogie]

Hi +dave1812 - Buffers are shipping this week! Check with your locval dealer for their availability. You can definitely order a Mark Five: 25 with a custom grille. You can also order a custom grille, although it's miuch more affordable to order the grille on a custom build than it is to order the grille custom by itself... if that makes sense. Contact your dealer to order a custom build and if you want a custom grille by itself, contact Mesa Customer Service directly for details. Congrats on the new rig and thanks for your support! :)

[@timyanes7368]

When the High Wire is hooked up is it automatically buffering before the boost is kicked on?

[@mesaboogie]

Hi +Tim Yanes - Great question! Yes. The buffering is occurring on both input and output whether the boost function is being used or not. However, the boost is engaged on the output buffering , when engaged. Thanks for your interest! :)

[@MIsweetshadow]

I watched that video just out of curiosity, I wasn't expecting much but you guys got me hooked !! When will those pedals be available in France/Europe (Thomann) and for what price ? I'm lookin' forward to buy a few thousand ^^

[@mesaboogie]

Ha, +MIsweetshadow... :) This will be shipping in the US this week while export distribution should be not long after that but obviously longer freight times. For more exact details, check with the local dealer or distributor for Mesa in your France as there are many other details involved in the shipment. Thanks for your interest and thanks for your support! :)

[@MIsweetshadow]

Thanks for your answer. Can't wait to have it :)

[@robertbarrett2262]

this question is more for pedal layout since i know Im getting the pedal once it comes into the store. question is having your eq and overdrive? so far in the chain would you not want the eq at the beginning of your chain? just curious cause I have the throttle box eq after my tuner before my wahs wondering if im not using it to full potential

[@robertbarrett2262]

getting the high wire I mean when it comes in, should be soon:)

[@mesaboogie]

This is a great question, Robert! And it really is a toss-up based on personal preference. If you want EQ in your signal before it goes into a specific pedal or pedals, that would be a reason to put it toward the front of your chain or at least before your distortion. Seeing that the EQ is built in to the ThrottleBox, it's really a matter of where you want your distortion in your chain. If you like it before your wah so that your wah is driven, I'd say it's in a good spot and most people would probably set it up that way. Hope this helps and thanks for your support!

[@robertbarrett2262]

Awesome thanks so much, I love your company and products. Have the ta-15 and stilleto 4x12

[@hyegonjung69]

Does the line level fx loop need buffer?

[@luit.s]

hi i really like this sound. The configuration is marvelous, i want to implement this but I have a stereo output, how can i implement this in my pedalboard.

[@mesaboogie]

Many thanks, Luis and great question! Does your stereo split take place at the end of your pedalboard or do you have a pedal board AND stereo rackmount FX? Let us know and we can help you with the placement and wiring. Thanks for your interest! :)

[@luit.s]

It is at the end of the pedalboard. Thanks for answering me.!!!

[@mesaboogie]

OK, ***** - And then you send your signal to TWO different amps from the end of the pedalboard? If this is the case, your best bet is to get the Stowaway for your input buffering and then get the Clearlink Send which will give you two outputs - one to each amp. You will need to get an XLR - 1/4" adaptor for one of the amps, or a cable that goes from XLR - 1/4" for one of the amps, but this will provide you with a similar function to the Highwire and still offer the Stereo outputs. Hope this helps and thanks for your interest! :D

[@gelliott3]

I'm currently using a Line6 Pod HD500X with my Mesa Mark IV head via the 4 Cable Method. How would one or more of these products be able to help my situation?

[@mesaboogie]

Hi Greg - I think your Line ^ POD inputs/outputs are probably buffered so it's unlikely that you'll need a buffer although it might improve the tone & feel a small amount. You could start with a Stowaway input buffer which would go between your guitar and the input of the POD as the best option for your setup. Thanks for your interest!

[@gelliott3]

MESA/Boogie, thank you for your response. Ok, I was just wondering. I am running the effects Send from the POD to the front Input of the Mark IV, from the Send of the Mark IV to the Return of the POD, then finally from the Output of the POD to the Return of the Mark IV. Given this situation, is there any real opportunity for the buffers to really be effective?

[@mesaboogie]

Hi Greg Elliott - The only place you are liklly to benefit from a buffer in this case is an input buffer like the Stowaway between the instrument and the first input. Pickup loading will be improved and if you are using a cable longer than 20', you'll regain some high end loss. Thanks for your interest! :)

[@AlexTomasi]

when they will be available in europe/italy? im interested on the stowaway to add on my pedalboard with my mark V 35

[@mesaboogie]

HI Alex - Thanks for your interest! Please check with your Authorized Mesa dealer/distributor for exact time frames, but these will be shipping within the next two weeks to all dealers and distributors. There's generally longer shipping time frames outside of the USA, but maybe within the next 4-6 weeks? Thanks for your support and hope the Mark Five: 35 is sounding great! :)

[@AlexTomasi]

Thanks for the reply! ill check daily the music shops websites! yeah the mark v is amazing! one of the best amp i have bought!

[@redwood-in-stereo]

Curious what you suggest doing with a fuzz pedal in the signal chain?

[@stk7778]

I'm pretty sure that front of chain is the go to. Worth experimenting pre and post buffer

[@ShaighJosephson]

I have the same question... My EHX Deluxe Big Muff is a tempermental pain in the arse and tone sucks in bypass no matter where I put it... 😭

[@latido6457]

Do I need an input and an output if I’m going with the high wire?

[@michael_caz_nyc]

No... as its a Dual buffer so you get the initial buffer (for pickup loading) and an output buffer to the amplifier.

[@SmolStufff]

How would the Highwire work when you've got a buffered pedal in the loop like a Boss BD or something along those lines. Is that a problem at all?

[@mesaboogie]

Hi +7hink1 - Great question! There is definitely no issue with running the Highwire with other buffered bypass pedals. And while buffered bypass pedals technically offer buffering, both tone and feel of these buffers is generally not amazing. This is where something like the Highwire serving as your input and output buffer makes the signal from your guitar and to your amp the absolute best it can be. Thanks for your interest!

[@SmolStufff]

Thanks for your reply. I'll try some in my local shop when they've got them.

[@zackcoffmanguitar]

Will the stowaway buffer do the trick at the start of my chain or do you need two of them to make this work?

[@mesaboogie]

HI +ZACK COFFMAN - Having the Stowaway at the beginning of your pedal chain is a GREAT start! If you want to go the next level and get into the HIghwire, you will have input AND output buffering, which is ideal! Plus, you get the boost and tuner mute etc... The Highwire is a great way to go. If you were buiulding a true rockstar rig where you had huge runs of cable were concerned about noise and interference on big stages, this is when you would go with the Stowaway on the Input, then the Clearlink Send and Receive on the output side. Thanks for your interest, hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions! :D

[@MEDiumInc]

So, what if you wanted the boost feature at the end of your signal chain, but wanted to buffer at the beginning? should you purchase two pedals? Possibly one Stowaway and one Highwire?

[@mesaboogie]

Hi +MEDium Studios - The HIGHWIRE does BOTH! :) So you would only need it to accomplish both input buffering and output buffering plus the end-of-signal chain boost. It is by far the most complete and comprehensive of the group for someone looking for a 1 box full solution. Great question and thanks for your interest. :D

[@MEDiumInc]

MESA/Boogie Thank you for the response! So then I only need to put the High wire at the end of my signal path right before the amp input? Thanks again!

[@mesaboogie]

Actually, the Highwire serves BOTH Input and Output buffer purposes! It has an Input (from your guitar), then a Send (which goes into your first pedal), then from the last pedal in your chain, you'll connect to the Return of the Highwire, then, from the Output of the Highwire to your amp. The Highwire creates a loop for all your pedals to be dialed in at both the input and output stages. Hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions. :)

[@MEDiumInc]

MESA/Boogie Holy crap that's amazing! Does Mesa/Boogie wanna send me one for free? :D Kidding of course. I will definitely check them out. Great demo, and great PR. Thank you for your time and your fantastic answers.

[@juliomunoz4167]

Yeah homs!

[@dirksmit3494]

This looks like a great product, so why not just make this standard built in feature on Mesa amps?

[@tgilman1]

Stowaway buffer would go between the guitar and the pedals. No way to build that into the amp. Many amps have buffered FX loops, so that buffer might not be as beneficial. The point of these products is to eliminate a problem that might be created by devices outside the amplifier. No way to anticipate that in amp design.

[@nativeeats8719]

Why does it sound better (to me) without the buffers? I guess I like a warm tone & not thin and tiny.

[@alexk5325]

Native Eats because tone is subjective

[@ShaighJosephson]

Same here... I don't like the tinny high end in it...

[@TheBassman0327]

can I use both or just one is fine

[@mesaboogie]

Thanks for your inquiry - It is unlikely that you would need both a High-Wire and a Stowaway on your pedal board but there are applications where multiple buffers are quite useful. The High-Wire contains two buffers (the first being the same as in the Stowaway and the second a buffer like you would find in our Clearlink Send). It works incredibly well and provides a stable, consistent load for your guitar’s pickups, ensuring your signal arrives at the first pedal intact and full of Tone. From Pedal Board to the amplifier, it not only buffers the signal, ensuring optimum impedance loading and performance but also allows for increased signal levels for extra long cable runs via the built-in Line Driver (Footswitchable Boost) feature.

[@Robert-kl4ct]

Are those for bass aswell?

[@mesaboogie]

Yes! :)

[@tastjohn1889]

How many pedals can be handled by this buffer? I'm very new to this kind of stuff actually.. because I'm about to buy a buffer but I'm not really sure which 1 i should get? And about the placement, i don't know where to place it?

[@V8LC100]

Put it as the first pedal that your guitar goes into.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I got mine in the middle. But it's a Wampler dB-1. Don't always use the buffer but do use the boost.

[@fabianthio4011]

A amazing video sample but.... Wheres the sample for the high gain channel? I believe this would helps for high gain channel also

[@napfusion]

high wire = empress buffer + = great stuff both

[@mrcali68]

Would it be necessary to have two Stowaways? One for inline pedals and one for the loop pedals?

[@joehart7573]

My thoughts exactly. The guy on the Vertex Effects channel says yes. I'm trying to build a board with some pedals going to the effects loop and some in line and keep the wiring clean.

[@Danthehorse]

What if you have a fuzzface that needs to see the guitar first?

[@Ryan-hi1hl]

put it in front of the buffer

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Uhh, I actually liked the 'unbuffered' sound....

[@mesaboogie]

Fair enough, +vriendelijkegroet - Some people prefer the rolloff of pedals and cabling. If that's the case, you have what you need. Thanks for watching! :)

[@juliomunoz4167]

😮

[@ShaighJosephson]

Sounded better without them, IMO... I don't like the tinny high end that it allows through... I prefer the warmer rounded sound without them... They would be really bad with running an acoustic signal through them...

[@LeakyBucketHandle]

It’s not necessarily that it added high end sparkle per se, but that the high end sparkle was already there before the pedals sucked it out. In this sense the buffer isn’t adding any high end, but simply restoring the tone to what it was with only a cable connecting the guitar and amp. With all due respect, your comment is more of a tone than buffer critique.

[@blainethemono19]

How come every damn video on buffers fails to talk about the actual setup? Is it in the effects loop? Is it in front of the amp? Is it both? jeeze take 30 seconds and explain the signal chain...

[@300ampeg]

RIGHT??????

[@tgilman1]

Guitar -> Buffer -> everything else. The buffer presents a load to the guitar's pickups that prevents high frequency filtering (rolloff). This is why they keep talking about capacitance (not resistance). Without getting too technical, a capacitor in an audio circuit allows lower frequencies to pass through, but above a certain frequency it gradually reduces the signal. There are a bunch of factors involved, especially with pickup characteristics. One guitar might sound fine and another very dull with the same amp settings, but plugged straight into the amp they both sound good. A good buffer after the guitar prevents these problems.

[@lioneldufaye4254]

You talk a lot.

[@tomh4244]

This is an in depth review/promotion video, what did you expect Sherlock?