Footswitch problem

[alhbass]

Hello.

I use an IMG StageLine two channel footswitch to control my MarkBass LMK amp. It has suddenly stopped working properly. I've established that it's the footswitch, not the amp, that's at fault by trying the pedal on a couple of other amps in a music shop.

The fault is that channel 2 stays on all the time, and channel 1 - tho it switches on and off ok - makes a loud pop when it does so.

3 music shops have told me it will cost as much to fix as to replace, and while we're not talking about a great deal of money here (£20), I thought I may as well open it up and see if I could do anything. I'm no electronics engineer. I can wire a plug - beyond that it's all alchemy to me...

However, I've now established that the fault isn't in the switch itself - I think there's probably just a problem in the stereo jack lead. This has a moulded plug on it. If I cut it off, is it possible to reuse it, or do I need a new part? Or do I need a whole new cable? Changing that would involve re-soldering the connections in the pedal, which I've never done before. And I don't have the gear. But I guess it's always good to learn new things...

Your advice would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[Mr. Foxen]

Should be able to chop of the jack and put a new one on from Maplins or wherever, just note which wire is connected where.

[Dood]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='806973' date='Apr 15 2010, 11:31 AM']Should be able to chop of the jack and put a new one on from Maplins or wherever, just note which wire is connected where.[/quote]

Yep, Maplins get a +1 - though - if the plug is moulded - checking which lead goes where would require a continuity tester of some sort to find out which of the three wires connect to tip, ring and sleeve.

I will bet a cup of steaming cappuccino that the wiring for your foor switch is:



So, you could (if it's possible to unscrew the footswitch casing) find out which wire goes to the different terminals on the plug.

If I hadn't have butchered my own dual footswitch at home for another purpose I would have sent it to you for free to help you out! It was a Marshall one - infact thinking about it - you could probably find a suitable footswitch on ebay far cheaper than 20 quid.

[Dood]

Like this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-CHANNEL-FOOTSWITCH-FOR-GUITAR-AMP-MARSHALL-TYPE-99p_W0QQitemZ150432779656QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL?hash=item23067e0d88#ht_500wt_1182"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-CHANNEL-FOOTSWITCH...8#ht_500wt_1182[/url]

[alhbass]

[quote name='dood' post='807024' date='Apr 15 2010, 12:15 PM']Yep, Maplins get a +1 - though - if the plug is moulded - checking which lead goes where would require a continuity tester of some sort to find out which of the three wires connect to tip, ring and sleeve.

I will bet a cup of steaming cappuccino that the wiring for your foor switch is:



So, you could (if it's possible to unscrew the footswitch casing) find out which wire goes to the different terminals on the plug.

If I hadn't have butchered my own dual footswitch at home for another purpose I would have sent it to you for free to help you out! It was a Marshall one - infact thinking about it - you could probably find a suitable footswitch on ebay far cheaper than 20 quid.[/quote]


Thank you very much for this. I'll check the wiring later.

I don't object to paying for a new footswitch (or a secondhand one) really - it just seems a bit of a waste when the thing probably needs so little doing to it to fix it. I'll hack the jack off and hope for the best! Nothing ventured....