Built a 2 button footswitch for my Tremoverb...(pics)

[Mr. Brady]

I couldn't find any footswitches I liked on e-bay and none of our local shops had anything so I decided to make my own. I already have a vintage mesa footswitch for switching channels on my Tremoverb, but wanted one for the loop and for the reverb/tremolo.

I went to Radio Shack and got 2 on/off switches, 2 mono jacks 1/4 inch, a housing, and a went to work. Took me an hour and cost me $19.00 for the parts.

Here are some pics of the project. I plugged it in and it works like a charm.

Click on thumbnails for bigger pics.

 

[Platypus]

Neat!

 

[RR]

Cool,

I don't mean to rain on your party but you are aware Fry's Electronic sells a aluminum cast Bud box that's durable than those Radio Shack I think the same one used on MESA channel switch boxes.

Neverthless, cool project.

 

[Mr. Brady]

Cool,

I don't mean to rain on your party but you are aware Fry's Electronic sells a aluminum cast Bud box that's durable than those Radio Shack I think the same one used on MESA channel switch boxes.

Neverthless, cool project.

Thanks.

No doubt it's not the most durable box, It'll do the job for now, I wanted something I could drill through fairly easily as I don't have a drill press. It should hold up pretty good as long as I don't stand on the thing.

 

[mesanomad100]

make a stand for it so its at hand level so you can press it and dont need to stand on it,whahahaha

what the hell Im sure it'll be rugged enough for some toe tappin fun




Euan

 

[Russ]

Now just build a small cage that will hold it to your pedal board. That should keep you from crushing it. I agree, Fry's has some nice little project boxes.

 

[JOEY B.]

Check out www.Tonejones.com for some oddball and custom built footswitches. He will build custom footswitches to your specs. I have a stereo Gain boost/EQ for my MkI that he built for me.

 

[JerryFJA]

I make custom boxes.
Jerry

 

[Russ]

Those look pretty killer.

Just out of curiosity do you have SPAM labels you could attach to them for that retro look? :lol:

Seriously though nice pedals man. If I need one I will certainly hit you up.

 

[Mr. Brady]

I used it last night with the band. It worked fine, but I do wish it had an Led light like on the recto switches so you'd know when the loop was engaged. I had it set up for a boost and some delay when I hit the loop, but I'd have a hard time hearing right away if the loop was engaged so If I hit it again it would be off. I might have to work on the design a little more or use the mesa switch for the effects loop and my box for the channel and reverb since it's much easier to hear a channel switch than a loop turn on.

Ideally I'd like a 3 button box with leds for each switch that changes the channel, engages the loop, and switches reverb on and off.

Hey Jerry, those boxes look great.

 

[hal9000]

I've found http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PPP to have a good supply of quality parts for my stomb box projects.

If you get one of these:
http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=1009&Category_Code=ENC12

3 of these:
http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=9000&Category_Code=SWI

And 3 of these: http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=6000&Category_Code=JAC

You'll be in business.

Here's what the pedal looks like all dolled up:

 

[Mr. Brady]

I've found http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PPP to have a good supply of quality parts for my stomb box projects.

If you get one of these:
http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=1009&Category_Code=ENC12

3 of these:
http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=9000&Category_Code=SWI

And 3 of these: http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=6000&Category_Code=JAC

You'll be in business.

Here's what the pedal looks like all dolled up:

Sweet Hal, Thanks for the links.

 

[xnatex]

how would i go about making one for a dual rectifier? i know it doesnt take a normal 1/4inch input.

 

[Mr. Brady]

how would i go about making one for a dual rectifier? i know it doesnt take a normal 1/4inch input.

Look on the back of the amp. There are 1/4 input jacks for each of the channels, the loop, and solo function on your amp. This is what my foot switches are for. It's the same type of switch. It's just a simple on/off toggle switch.

 

[hal9000]

Sweet Hal, Thanks for the links.

You're welcome. If you're going to use one of the powder coated boxes, before you do any drilling, mask the entire thing with blue painters masking tape so the finish won't get damaged. If you don't care so much about the looks, just get the unfinished box and call it a day. I highly recommend the blue 3PDT switch, even though you don't need all three poles, simply from a durability standpoint. Even the ridiculously priced Carling SP and DP switches aren't as reliable as the blue 3PDT according to ZVex.

 

[mbmesa]

I don't know if this was covered but if you want a LED indicator you can just wire up a 9V battery and the LEDs with resistor to DPDT switch (or 3PDT) so that when the switch is on the LED is on and vice versa. That's what I did with the one I made. You can wire up a led for each footswitch. Pedal parts plus has the LEDs with the resistors as a set.

 

[xnatex]

can someone PM me some wiring instructions for wiring up one with an led for my DR. im a noob when it comes to this ****.

 

[Vigo1999]

I make custom boxes.
Jerry

Yo Jerry!!! cool you hooked on BB forum 8) welcome!!

 

[Russ]

I've found http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PPP to have a good supply of quality parts for my stomb box projects.

If you get one of these:
http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=1009&Category_Code=ENC12

3 of these:
http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=9000&Category_Code=SWI

And 3 of these: http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPP&Product_Code=6000&Category_Code=JAC

You'll be in business.

Here's what the pedal looks like all dolled up:

I almost want one to put on the Shelby I plan to buy someday.

 

[hal9000]

I almost want one to put on the Shelby I plan to buy someday.

I'm glad you like my work, and you noticed the allusion to the GT 500.