Amp footswitches...

[uk_lefty]

A bit of a Noddy question but here goes. I'm assuming that any simple four button footswitch with a jack connection will work on my incoming Ashdown ABM?  The new price for Ashdowns own FS4 seem very steep for what the pedal actually is so I'm looking for alternatives. I'm also thinking of going to someone like Bright Onion and seeing what they can do. As far as I can see it's just four simple on/ off switches connected to the amp by a jack lead. I can see footswitches by the likes of Fender sometimes have additional functionality so I've ruled those out. I'm just hoping that something simple, compatible and reasonably priced comes up soon on classified ads. Just wanted to check my thinking first...

[Matt P]

According to this post over on talkbass there is a circuit board inside the FS4 that handles some of the switching logic, normally each footswitch needs 2 connections to activate the switch so the most that a 1/4" jack can handle is 2 footswitches (one common and 2 switched connections on a stereo plug)  for 4 button footswitches it either needs a multi-pin connection or some kind of switching circuit in the pedal, Ashdown seem to have taken the latter approach, as the cable is only 2 pole.

 

Unfortunately for your wallet the only option is to buy the Ashdown FS4.

 

Matt

 

[fretmeister]

2 minutes ago, Matt P said:

According to this post over on talkbass there is a circuit board inside the FS4 that handles some of the switching logic, normally each footswitch needs 2 connections to activate the switch so the most that a 1/4" jack can handle is 2 footswitches (one common and 2 switched connections on a stereo plug)  for 4 button footswitches it either needs a multi-pin connection or some kind of switching circuit in the pedal, Ashdown seem to have taken the latter approach, as the cable is only 2 pole.

 

Unfortunately for your wallet the only option is to buy the Ashdown FS4.

 

Matt

 

 

 

Just about to say this.

 

Easy way to spot - if the amount of things that can be switched exceeds the connections on a stereo plug then the footswitch is doing more than just connecting and disconnecting things and is actually sending product specific instruction signals.

[BassAdder60]

Might be tempted to sell my FS-4 as never use it and it’s like new 

[BassmanPaul]

Buy the proper foot switch. It's easier and simpler in the long run than messing about trying to McGuyver something.

[agedhorse]

4 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said:

Buy the proper foot switch. It's easier and simpler in the long run than messing about trying to McGuyver something.

The proper footswitch won't damage your amp either!

[Steve Browning]

That's if you can find a left handed one.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

This sounds similar to the Darkglass Super Intelligent Footswitch which has four functions and is operated by a jack lead.

The clever bit is in the foot switch. Any old jack lead will operate it, but not any old foot switch unit will do what the Darkglass one can.

Buy the Ashdown one.

[BassBunny]

Mark Gooday mentioned this in a recent FB post. In his words, "the magic happens on the circuit board inside the pedal"

[uk_lefty]

8 hours ago, Steve Browning said:

That's if you can find a left handed one.

Weirdly I'm right footed so it shouldn't be an issue.

[uk_lefty]

7 hours ago, BassBunny said:

"the magic happens on the circuit board inside the pedal"

I had no idea there was any complexity to it. How stuff works isn't my thing.

 

Thanks everyone, I'm glad I asked before buying a load of second hand rubbish off eBay that wouldn't be useful.

[uk_lefty]

11 hours ago, BassmanPaul said:

Buy the proper foot switch. It's easier and simpler in the long run than messing about trying to McGuyver something.

If I tried it would be more Wallace and Gromit than McGuyver