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    

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.  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.




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?



If so...thanks!  

I've been footswitchless for years.