Anyone want to build me a footswitch like this?

Posted on

Tim the Enchanter
Member Since: Feb 17, 2008

Maybe I'm being cheap but $99 seems like a lot for just a footswitch. Can anyone make something similar to this for cheaper?

cgi.ebay.com/FOOTSWITCH-F...93%3A1|294%3A50


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Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Jun 29, 2009 07:47 pm

Absolutley.....Im in australia so I dont think I could make one for you but Im suprised theyre charging so much for such simple rubbish and thats in US dollars which would equate to like $130 AU......ridiculous. Ok heres my explanation of how something like this works. The way channels switch is by ground latching. That is as soon as a ground connection is made the channel switches. To try it out plug a plain jack into one of the footswitch holes and then connect the two lugs...the channel should switch. So basically the reason there is 3 cables in that channel switcher and not 4 is that one is a stereo cable/jack (most likely for the rhythm/lead and channel 1/2) and the other two are mono (each for either the eq or reverb). I made a similar one for my Mesa lonestar that operates the reverb, channel switching and solo function. To begin with I would understand how either a DPDT switch or 3PDT switch works. Once you understand how the lugs on the switches work it is really easy from there on. I leave it here for the moment for you to take some of this stuff in. Ask me any questions you like cause honestly I dont understand how Mesa or other companies can charge so much money for such garbage and how simple these are to make. I'll see if I can find you a schematic or some kind of hookup diagram for such a thing.....Cheers, Boe

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Jun 29, 2009 07:59 pm

acapella.harmony-central....d.php?t=1717180
There are a couple of pictures down the page on that forum that demonstrate how the channel and rhythm/lead switches would work with one jack. The EQ and reverb are just the same but running to seperate mono jacks rather than a stereo.

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Jun 29, 2009 08:02 pm

www.diystompboxes.com/smf...29427;topicseen
more pictures for the single ones (EQ and Reverb) on this page

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jun 30, 2009 12:15 pm

$100 really isn't that bad for a footswitch, especially when you consider Mesa's prices for their branded footswitches. Amps aren't a cheap investment!

The Mark III actually takes 3 footswitches.

But heck, you could go all-out and buy all 3 switches from Mesa. Check out their prices (gulp):
- mesa.stores.yahoo.net/fccsiii.html
- mesa.stores.yahoo.net/fcry.html
- mesa.stores.yahoo.net/fcrg.html

That's $190 worth of Mesa brand-name switches!

Now, $100 for an all-in-one switch doesn't sound so bad after all, does it?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 30, 2009 02:40 pm

Yep, $100 isn't bad at all for that switch. All in one and set up nicely with good cable and the like. They are a reputable company and have made custom switch's for awhile. Good stuff and durable as well.

You can make a cheap alternative for sure, that is a given. But will it hold up? The parts they use are all higher quality and should give a lifetime of performance.

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Jul 01, 2009 05:08 pm

I use 3PDT switches from mouser and those things are sturdy as.....honestly if you buy the same quality components the big boys use you can do it way cheaper than $100.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 01, 2009 09:48 pm

And what do you use for the switch box itself and labeling?

I know cheap parts can be had, but time and labor ain't cheap these days. And I just noticed cable and connector prices just took a bit of a hike again as well.

One thing on the mouser switches, are they sealed and liquid proof? I noticed that the switches used in that box above are extreme high grade and completely sealed.

But I do agree that yes it can surely be built cheaper. For me though time is money and it would be cheaper for me to buy it straight out rather then build it.

You should offer to build him one though for sure. I'd be curious what you would charge for it.

Tim the Enchanter
Member
Since: Feb 17, 2008


Jul 01, 2009 10:15 pm

I guess $100 doesn't sound bad compared to the Mesa prices. But it just seems like a lot when you consider how much the parts to build it would cost (and I'm sure the big boys get a bulk rate on em).

I really have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to electronics. I'll read up on some of this and maybe give it a go if I feel inclined. I did manage to wire up a guitar once.

The labeling is something I actually could do and make it look half decent. I have access to a decal cutting machine so I could make my own stickers.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jul 02, 2009 12:17 pm

After spending $2000 on an amp, $100 for a footswitch that'll help you get the most out of your amp is kind of a drop in the bucket isn't it?

But as far as all guitar-related DIY projects go, building a footswitch has to be the easiest, next to building your own instrument cable.

I'll see if I can find a schematic somewhere. Basically you want:
- a TS cable that feeds to a 1-button Lead/Rhythm switch
- a TS cable that feeds to a 1-button Rhythm 1 / Rhythm 2 switch
- a TRS cable that feeds to a 2-button switch for Reverb on/off and EQ on/off

None of those should be difficult, even for a first-timer. The parts should all be standard on/off switches, standard TS and TRS cables, and a box to house it all.

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