Page 1 of 2

Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 4:41 pm
by Milkman
Hey Guys,

I have a two button footswitch for my amp (connected via TRS cable). One button switches between channels, and the other engages the built in boost.

This amp also has a jack where another two button footswitch may be added to switch the reverb on and off with one button, and to engage or disengage the parallel effects loop with the other button (there is also a series loop, but that is not important right now).

What I want to do is connect a delay pedal in the parallel loop, and have it engaged with the same button used to engage the boost.

My thought is to add a second stereo jack to the footswitch and wire it to the boost switch in the appropriate manner, then plug it into the reverb/loop footswitch jack on the amp. This way, the delay will be enabled/disabled with the boost, and the reverb will be unaffected.

See any problem with this? I'm basically going to use one switch to close two circuits... doesn't seem like a big deal to me, but ohm's law is more of a distant, vague guideline to me.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:23 pm
by mozz
Could probably do it with 1 diode so they would be isolated as to not interact.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:45 pm
by Milkman
mozz wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:23 pm Could probably do it with 1 diode so they would be isolated as to not interact.
That's exactly what I was wondering. Now, I just have to figure out which wire to attach the diode to!

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:47 pm
by mickey
Any chance of a clue? Like brand and model of amp???????

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:46 pm
by Milkman
mickey wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:47 pm Any chance of a clue? Like brand and model of amp???????
Oh, sure… Traynor YCS50.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:52 pm
by LancerTheGreat
mickey wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:47 pm Any chance of a clue? Like brand and model of amp???????
I think that's classified, or at least none of us have proper clearance for that information :lol:


Imma follow this thread for the footswitch info though, I think I might be able to apply something learned here to my Peavey VTX Classic that didn't come with the footswitch so I can't activate the clean channel or anything lol.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:03 pm
by andrewsrea
Here is the manual: https://www.thetubestore.com/lib/thetub ... ematic.pdf

I think page 8 has your schematic and page 10 (labeled "PCBM Notes") has your layout. To plug your delay into the loop and have the boost switch operate both the effect and the boost, you would solder a diode 'band end' facing pin 4 of the 'Ft Sw' ring (left side -middle when looking at this layout). Solder the non-band end of the diode to pin 3 ring (right side middle) of the jack 'RVB/EFF'. Take a piece of shrink wrap and cover the switch contact of 'EVB/EFF' pin 4 so that it doesn't default to 'always on'. This should actuate both by the boost footswitch or the switch on the amp face.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:08 pm
by Milkman
Thanks @andrewsrea , I have the manual and the schematic, and I’m pretty sure I can make sense of it. I’m gonna give it go… hopefully have time this weekend.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 1:15 pm
by andrewsrea
Hope it works for you!

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:21 pm
by BatUtilityBelt
There might be an issue if both circuits don't agree on their preference of normally open/normally closed.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:07 pm
by andrewsrea
BatUtilityBelt wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:21 pm There might be an issue if both circuits don't agree on their preference of normally open/normally closed.
Exactly!

I looked for that in the schematic, when I mapped out my advice. Schematic standards are supposed to be shown in their 'normal' unswitched mode, unless otherwise noted.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 1:33 pm
by nomadh
I built the footsqitch for my peavey c50. One of my few successful and finished projects. Dont remember a thing about what I did

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 1:53 pm
by mickey
{mode=on soapbox}

I wish there was a footswitch standard. I could care less what if they would just all work alike!
There are footswitches that are just on/off switches. But there is no standard as in closed might be OFF and open might be ON!
Some footswitches are momentary contact. Like they are toggling a flip-flop inside the amp.
Other footswitches change the voltage between it and the amp.
There are others but you get the idea.

Just because you have two amps of the same brand does NOT mean you can swap footswitches between them!
I have a Fender DRRI and a a Super Champ XD but you cannot swap footswitches between them,
much less between them and a Peavey or a Marshall, or .......

I like a certain level of standardization! :)

{mode=off soapbox}

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 5:33 pm
by t100d
mickey wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 1:53 pm {mode=on soapbox}

I wish there was a footswitch standard. I could care less what if they would just all work alike!
There are footswitches that are just on/off switches. But there is no standard as in closed might be OFF and open might be ON!
Some footswitches are momentary contact. Like they are toggling a flip-flop inside the amp.
Other footswitches change the voltage between it and the amp.
There are others but you get the idea.

Just because you have two amps of the same brand does NOT mean you can swap footswitches between them!
I have a Fender DRRI and a a Super Champ XD but you cannot swap footswitches between them,
much less between them and a Peavey or a Marshall, or .......

I like a certain level of standardization! :)

{mode=off soapbox}
Yeah, but then they'd sell fewer footswitches—Capitalism 101, and don't even get me started on Fender Fuse … :roll: :roll:

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 3:32 pm
by honyock
I am modding my 2 button Orange FS2 switch to work with my SCX2 head, just waiting on the diode and zener diode to show up so I can rewire it and remove the extra jack.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:46 am
by Jaymo
andrewsrea wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:07 pm
BatUtilityBelt wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:21 pm There might be an issue if both circuits don't agree on their preference of normally open/normally closed.
Exactly!

I looked for that in the schematic, when I mapped out my advice. Schematic standards are supposed to be shown in their 'normal' unswitched mode, unless otherwise noted.
I bought this footswitch to use with my Crate BT50. Do you know if I will have to mod it to work with that amp, or will it work as is?
image.png
SharedScreenshot.jpg

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:53 pm
by andrewsrea
Jaymo wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:46 am
andrewsrea wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:07 pm
BatUtilityBelt wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:21 pm There might be an issue if both circuits don't agree on their preference of normally open/normally closed.
Exactly!

I looked for that in the schematic, when I mapped out my advice. Schematic standards are supposed to be shown in their 'normal' unswitched mode, unless otherwise noted.
I bought this footswitch to use with my Crate BT50. Do you know if I will have to mod it to work with that amp, or will it work as is?
image.pngSharedScreenshot.jpg
I don't have the BT50 schematic, but if Crate stayed true to their earlier designs and others I do have from that era, then yes- it will work.

You bought a dual latching footswitch vs. a dual momentary. The latter uses a flip-flop circuit to switch channels and other stuff, to which there are not any designs of theirs I know that use that circuit. They use 'latching' because it is less complicated and reliable.

You know you need to additionally buy a 'Tip-Ring-sleeve' 1/4" (TRS) cable with that, right?

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 7:03 pm
by Jaymo
andrewsrea wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:53 pm
Jaymo wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:46 am
andrewsrea wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 3:07 pm

Exactly!

I looked for that in the schematic, when I mapped out my advice. Schematic standards are supposed to be shown in their 'normal' unswitched mode, unless otherwise noted.
I bought this footswitch to use with my Crate BT50. Do you know if I will have to mod it to work with that amp, or will it work as is?
image.pngSharedScreenshot.jpg
I don't have the BT50 schematic, but if Crate stayed true to their earlier designs and others I do have from that era, then yes- it will work.

You bought a dual latching footswitch vs. a dual momentary. The latter uses a flip-flop circuit to switch channels and other stuff, to which there are not any designs of theirs I know that use that circuit. They use 'latching' because it is less complicated and reliable.

You know you need to additionally buy a 'Tip-Ring-sleeve' 1/4" (TRS) cable with that, right?
I ordered the TRS cable with the switch. I just forgot to mention it in my post. Sorry.
Yeah, my BT50 is a 2004 and looks like an Ampeg in some ways, on board tuner being one. I remember us discussing this amp before and you confirmed that it was from the era of Crate owning Ampeg.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 7:29 pm
by Jaymo
Also @andrewsrea thanks for the quick reply. I sometimes forget my manners.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:44 am
by Milkman
Well, there's been a lot of excitement around here since I posted this idea.

My hot water tank gave up all over my basement, my air conditioner kicked the bucket, and the government opened things up a bit, which let me take advantage of a camping trip I had booked but assumed would be cancelled.

During this time, my wife asked a couple of insightful questions.... can't you just conduct this switching using the HeadRush multi effects unit, the Joyo PXL-pro 8 loop switcher or even using the Boss LS-2 Line Selector? The answer is, of course, yes I can. and should.

So, I'll be abandoning this idea to control the loop and the boost with the same switch since I already have multiple solutions at my disposal. I really need to stop tinkering and just play more.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:53 am
by aullucci
Milkman wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:44 am I already have multiple solutions at my disposal.
You shouldn't let that stop you from chasing even more solutions down the rabbit hole! What if the fourth solution sounds .04% better than solutions 1 through 3? You'll be sorry, then...

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:26 am
by Chocol8
aullucci wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:53 am
Milkman wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:44 am I already have multiple solutions at my disposal.
You shouldn't let that stop you from chasing even more solutions down the rabbit hole! What if the fourth solution sounds .04% better than solutions 1 through 3? You'll be sorry, then...
I don’t think switching method has even that much influence on tones. He is right to not get into a switch project and to focus efforts on a new guitar instead.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:16 pm
by aullucci
Chocol8 wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:26 am
aullucci wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:53 am
Milkman wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:44 am I already have multiple solutions at my disposal.
You shouldn't let that stop you from chasing even more solutions down the rabbit hole! What if the fourth solution sounds .04% better than solutions 1 through 3? You'll be sorry, then...
I don’t think switching method has even that much influence on tones. He is right to not get into a switch project and to focus efforts on a new guitar instead.
I was joking. I wouldn't assume anyone besides me is crazy enough to seek solution 4 when solutions 1 through 3 already work well...

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:49 pm
by Chocol8
aullucci wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:16 pm I was joking. I wouldn't assume anyone besides me is crazy enough to seek solution 4 when solutions 1 through 3 already work well...
This is a guitar forum. We don’t have a single sane member here! If we didn’t have wives and or money limitations, we would all be looking at solutions 10 and 11 after 4 through nine worked out well.

Re: Amp Footswitch Mod Question

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:31 am
by tlarson58
Milkman wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:44 am
During this time, my wife asked a couple of insightful questions.... can't you just conduct this switching using the HeadRush multi effects unit, the Joyo PXL-pro 8 loop switcher or even using the Boss LS-2 Line Selector? The answer is, of course, yes I can. and should.


Your wife shows a lot more interest in your passion than mine does. Mine would cut to the chase a bit quicker by lovingly inquire if one of my old stupid pedals could do the same thing as the waste-of-time project.