Got Bored: Made Channel/Reverb Switch

euan · Post by **euan** » Sat May 05, 2007 4:56 pm

Got bored and finally got around to making a channel and reverb switch with LEDs for my amp. Laney doesn't actually make a footswitch with LEDs for some reason. The manual gives a nice diagram of how the switching is done which is quite helpful. The one counterproductive thing however is that the drive channel must be on before you can do channel switching, more on this later.

Here are all the basic parts I needed. Two DPDT switches so I can have LED indicator as well, battery compartment and a box. There is a lack of LEDs, because apparently Maplin considers LED bezels web only parts. Anywaybelow is the switching diagram. Notice for the channel switching, when the signal is connect to ground the LED is off. This is because channel 2 is selected by default, so when the signal is disconnected then that channel is on.

My trusty Unibit. Makes drilling holes in cases effortless.

After twenty minutes or drilling and soldering (plus a burnt pinky)

Minus the LED's of course but that is just a quick mod when I actually get the parts. The space between the two switches is exactly enough to put the battery compartment in, its actually tight enough that I wouldn't need to glue it in place. I one thing I did not realise I was lacking was a second stereo jack, so I've soldered the bare cables at the moment.

I'm actually surprised that the channel switching is quiet and pretty instantaneous. Enough that I can't notice it.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:13 pm

nice work

Post by **Mike** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:19 pm

Indeed, nicely done. Will look ace when yuo have the LEDs in there too.

Lol @ teh Ghetto wiring the cable to the jack socket.

euan · Post by **euan** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:31 pm

Mike wrote: Lol @ teh Ghetto wiring the cable to the jack socket.

Beauty of these Switchcraft style jacks that you can just feed the cable through and do that. They are more compact as well, so I could be changing over to these sometime soon.

I when I went into Maplin I was thinking I needed a stereo jack, but I totally forgot and picked up a right angled minijack for another powerjack conversion instead.

I think I'm going to spray it glossy black and stick on some silver bezeled blue LEDs or something just to make it look classy. I've already spent more than the Laney footswitch costs, why stop.

edit: Actually glossy black would look shite considering the hammertone finish.

Post by **Mike** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:38 pm

Yeah I replaced both jacks on my RAT2 with switchcrafts when I fixed it, one of the encloseds ones got fucked. Those enclosed jacks are shithouse.

Leave it unpainted, blue LEDs will add transparent bass boost

euan · Post by **euan** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:45 pm

Mike wrote:blue LEDs will add transparent bass boost

Totally what I was thinking.

Post by **Mike** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:47 pm

Also add a toggle switch to roll of highs and make the repeats sound more analogue.

Post by **Doog** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:48 pm

And a dial for ROCK TOOOOOOOOONES

Post by **Mike** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:48 pm

Let's hear a couple tones..

In fact give us clips of your new channel and reverb switching Laney you fuck, euan.

euan · Post by **euan** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:56 pm

Need. A. Fucking. Microphone.

And a mixer

Tweez · Post by **Tweez** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:59 pm

Mike wrote:Yeah I replaced both jacks on my RAT2 with switchcrafts when I fixed it, one of the encloseds ones got fucked. Those enclosed jacks are shithouse.

I've had exactly the same problem with mine, are there actually any benefits of enclosed ones?

Post by **Mike** » Sat May 05, 2007 6:00 pm

They're cheap and you can build a pedal less well as you don't have to worry about shit shorting with the jack connections of the grounding ring as much.

Euan, ffs you should have got a cheap mic at maplin you donkey.

euan · Post by **euan** » Sat May 05, 2007 6:13 pm

Mike wrote:They're cheap and you can build a pedal less well as you don't have to worry about shit shorting with the jack connections of the grounding ring as much.

Euan, ffs you should have got a cheap mic at maplin you donkey.

I have access to a mic and desk or a recorder with mic inputs. I've got Friday off, I'll see if I can get hold of it by then.

Post by **Mike** » Sat May 05, 2007 6:15 pm

Good man, you can't be in teh club until you record and post.

euan · Post by **euan** » Sun May 06, 2007 1:58 pm

Added the LEDs, a glow in the dark sheep and deghettofied the jack.

By the way kids, daddy was right always be safe and use a template.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Sun May 06, 2007 2:02 pm

Sweet

Sheep switch...

euan · Post by **euan** » Sun May 06, 2007 2:05 pm

lamp wrote:Sweet Sheep switch...

Wooltronics Channel Switcher, coming to an eBay action near you.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Sun May 06, 2007 2:54 pm

hahaha, i love the sheep

euan · Post by **euan** » Sun May 06, 2007 3:08 pm

gaybear wrote:hahaha, i love the sheep

I got given like 30 of them for my birthday. I need to find a use for them somehow

Post by **Mike** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:14 pm

FUCK YEAH, nice work homie.