hey everyone, i'm new to the board and maybe am not searchin on the forums properly for info, i know thats usually the best way to not annoy ppl. but i couldn't find what i was lookin for so i'm posting. i would like to make a stompbox for my marshall valvestate 40 to switch from clean to distortion channels. now is this something i can actually make or is it something i should be getting from a store and just spend the money on a marshall made switch?
thanks for any input or suggestions.
Go buy a SPST swtch that you can stomp on, a box to put it in, then solder each lug to half a guitar cable (one with just one plug):
switch pole 1 ----- wire core
switch pole 2 ----- wire shield
Or the other way round, it doesnt matter.
I don't know if you could add a led (because of the voltage drop), i should try it and see what happens. I remember i measured the voltage between the ends, and it was around 7.5v, more than enough for a led.
I'll make a drawing if you need it.
If you add a led (in series), watch the polarity, otherwise it won't work (neither the led nor the switch)
Have fun!
PD: you might consider adding some weight and rubber pads to the box, so that it stays put. I put four dead AA cells taped together inside mine, and cut pieces of a pencil erasing rubber i had around.
I don't know that you even need shielded wire for this as the switch circuit [outside the amp] is not in the signal path.
For LED indicator you would need a battery and a different switch.
I can usually detect if the distortion is on...
That's right, you can use any two thread wire you have around, i used a cheap guitar wire cos that's what i had around.
Quote from: GringoGo buy a SPST swtch that you can stomp on, a box to put it in, then solder each lug to half a guitar cable (one with just one plug):
switch pole 1 ----- wire core
switch pole 2 ----- wire shield
Or the other way round, it doesnt matter.
I don't know if you could add a led (because of the voltage drop), i should try it and see what happens. I remember i measured the voltage between the ends, and it was around 7.5v, more than enough for a led.
I'll make a drawing if you need it.
If you add a led (in series), watch the polarity, otherwise it won't work (neither the led nor the switch)
Have fun!
PD: you might consider adding some weight and rubber pads to the box, so that it stays put. I put four dead AA cells taped together inside mine, and cut pieces of a pencil erasing rubber i had around.
if i could get a schematic for that, that would be awesome, i'd really appreciate it. can u get the switches at radioshack or something? everything else i could get from where i work so the switch is all i'd need.
Hold on a sec I'll post it on my site. ;)
www.geocities.com/smoguzbenjamin/channel.html
thanks very much :D
check my previous post ;)
Quote from: smoguzbenjamincheck my previous post ;)
its that simple?! and does it need an external power supply, as in not from the amp?
Exactly.
Nice drawing , ben :wink:
Thanks, gringo!
I bought one of those Marshall "knock-off" switch boxes on eBay for like $19.99. It has a stereo jack so I made a splitter cause my reverb is outside the amp. One switch for dirty/clean and reverb on/off. I took the SPDT x-wings out and put in DPDT x-wings and added LEDs and a battery with a switch. Green/Red for clean/dirty and Orange for reverb on. Kinda nice when playing in the dark.
Neat. They're really easy to construct, these switchboxes. It makes me wonder why they charge $50 for them... Profit I guess :roll:
Quote from: smoguzbenjaminNeat. They're really easy to construct, these switchboxes. It makes me wonder why they charge $50 for them... Profit I guess :roll:
gotta pay the bills somehow, wheres the easiest place to get some switches? rip-offshack ?
www.smallbearelec.com has many cheap stompswitches :)
yeah but i wanna get them today, i'm super anxious on starting this box.
Well maybe your local supplier carries them. I don't know you'll have to see. Ask for a Single Pole Single Throw footswitch and they'll probably know what you're talking about ;)
Here's a brainteaser for you:
My 100watt Valvestate has 3 channels and needs a two button footswitch like this (http://elderly.com/images/accessories/ELA/PED802.jpg). How would I go about making one myself? I'm guessin' it uses a stereo jack?
Thanks :oops:
That's the one I bought, except it doesn't say Marshall or have LEDs. I added them later.
(http://members.aol.com/xlrator/images/marshallsw.jpg)
(http://members.aol.com/xlrator/images/marshallsw2.jpg)
Just use a SPDT to switch between the middle collar and the main shaft of the jack for the OD1/OD2, then another SPDT to switch between the tip and main shaft for clean/overdrive. That is how mine is constructed and it is a replacement for those.
Like this?
(http://users.bigpond.net.au/styrowfoam/footswitch.gif)
If so...thanks! :o
I've been footswitchless for years.
Those swithches will connect the sleeve to ground, and the tip to ground, no idea which one is what though, you'll have to experiment.
hey everyone thanks for all your help! my footswitch turned out awesome, and i couldn't be happier with it. i'd put up a pic of it, but i dunno how, so i'll try and find out how, so you can see my ugly little footswitch hehehe.
thanks again everyone,
Co2