Probably a stupid question but....

[Pete Sklaroff]

Hi

I know there is very likely not an answer (other than it's impossible) to this question, but just in case - does anyone know of a mod (or device) that would enable footswitching between the four channel modes on the Express 5 50 (i.e. Clean, Crunch, Blues and Burn)

It would be so useful if this could be achieved in a live situation.....

Thanks

Pete

 

[captain_jim]

Nope.

 

[kiff]

I'm guessing it could be modded to use 1/4" jacks for the channels (?)

 

[J.J]

While that sounds like a good idea, even if you could swich between the 4 modes you would be stuck with the two gain controls.

Moding the amp to switch the 4 modes and have 4 gains controls could be done I am sure, but if you really wanted that, chaging to more versatile model would be the way to go.

 

[soundchaser59]

That was my thought...... the 4 modes are voiced differently enough that I would not want the same tone and gain settings for Crunch as I have for Clean. I think it would be nice, but it would be hard to use.

If you really need that, the best I've seen is the 3 independent channels on one of the Traynor heads. Even has 3 independent fx loops. Mesa may have a 4 channel, but I'm not familiar enough with the bigger models.

 

[J.J]

Great minds think alike, apparently...

I hadn't considered the tone settings, that is also a big limiting factor to how useful being able to swtich the modes would be.

I don't know a lot about the higher Mesa models, but the MK5 has 3 channels and also seems to have many more options that can be foot switched. The Lonestar would aslo be worth looking at too. It is still a 2 channel amp, but has more footswitchable options.

 

[Pete Sklaroff]

Thanks for the responses everybody...and some good points all round.

Interestingly enough the issue over the tone and gain controls is one that I might not be too concerned with, as when I have switched manually via the mini toggle switches I have been quite happy with the results...others of course will probably want more variation.

I particularly like switching between the Clean and Crunch modes even with the same tone and gain settings....but that is of course a subjective viewpoint I understand.

Still if anyone hears of any 'mods' (or switchers) than can achieve the use of all four channels then I am very interested to know about them!

Cheers

Pete

 

[soundchaser59]

I'm guessing it could be modded to use 1/4" jacks for the channels (?)

Seems like the easiest mod to do would be to bypass the mini toggle switches and wire in a stomp switch mounted in a floor pedal. Then you could just stomp a switch to change between clean and crunch. It would require some handy wiring, but not anything approaching rocket science.

 

[J.J]

I'm not sure just bringing toggle switch connections out is a good idea. If they are carrying the signal (and I think they are) you are open having noise creep in and other cable related tone suck issues. To get around that you would need to add a relay inside the amp.

Anyone have a schematic ?