Pedal Design Service/Help?

[Zaemo]

Hi everyone,
I am a long time professional touring guitar tech.  I have a guitar "gizmo" idea that I would like to design but I have so much going on that I'm not getting anywhere with it.  I do not have an electronics background, sadly.  Is there anyone that could help me to realize a prototype design schematic so I could build a physical unit to see if it's worth pursuing?  It's very basic and would probably only need a 4049/4053 type chip but I want it to be done correctly.

Any ideas on where to turn?

Thanks very much for your time.

Chad

[deadastronaut]

what does it need to do?...

[Mark Hammer]

Are you looking to produce a commercial product or do you just want to make a one-off that suits your particular purpose?

[Zaemo]

I would like to have a hand held unit that plugs into the guitar cable at the guitar with a short lead.  When the effect is needed, it can be grabbed by your picking hand
Essentially, when the circuit is inactive it needs to be totally bypassed, obviously.
The circuit would be activated by a momentary switch with the thumb.  This state would be a full mute.  There would be two more momentary buttons that would "open" when pushed allowing the guitar to be heard.  This would happen as the player would tap out a rhythm with their first two fingers in a staccato style.  This would allow a player to play a rhythm much like using a toggle switch but more complex.  Also, the 5 way switch guys wouldn't be left out either!

Thanks,

Z

[blackieNYC]

Just made this exact thing. With two switches, so you can drum your fingers quickly. Brilliant minds.
You don't need electronics, just a DPDT toggle and two momentary push button switches.  The switch selection is hard. You need springyness but durability.  I tried little micro switches - the rectangle under 1 inch long with the switch activator that's just a little nub in the corner.  Gave up, but it could work with the right mechanics.  I went with the EAO large rectangular panel mount - they have a red lens for an LED.  I'd give you a part number, but I'm hoping you'll find something better.  Because these have a stronger spring and it's a little fatiguing to go fast.  
There are some specs on switching force in datasheets, when you find something interesting. I just used what was laying around, and I'd like to do better.
Put it in a little hammond box and Velcro it to the pick guard.   Make the guitar end a little pigtail cable to a 1/4" and make the output a jack.  
Edit- I can't remember if I grounded to mute or just opened. I don't get any unfortunate buzz or sharp click. A resistor to ground might be good. Try each

[deadastronaut]

excuse my dumbness...but i don't get what it does?...

isn't it just

pretty much this?...a momentary push to break...

[Tony Forestiere]

NO. NO. NO. Not THAT! 

[Zaemo]

The Amazing Stutter Button would obviously be a no brainer .......

I need there to be TWO buttons that work to "open" the circuit.  The rhythm is played by pushing the button.  It is not muting the guitar, it is unmuting the guitar.  I don't want to just "float" the ground as that would be too noisy (connecting the shield to pass signal).  I can't send the signal to ground and then interrupt that and still have the rhythm buttons work independently.  Pressing the second button doesn't achieve ground because the first button is still open.

Thanks Blackie...... I'd rather have a momentary button rather than a DPDT so that you could just let go of it to return to normal operation.  My thoughts were to use an IC to ensure noiseless and quick operation.  Perhaps I'm missing a detail here.

Z

[PRR]

> I'd rather have a momentary button rather than a DPDT

Momentary double-throw switches exist.

I don't know if you can find one with "musical" finger-force and abuse-tolerance.

Going electronic gets into needing power (hard on a dangle), clipping-levels, and actual thinking. Let's consider cave-man approaches.

*IF* I understand your idea, the logic can be implemented this way:

[PRR]

me> I don't know if you can find one

http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=1020
http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=1015
http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=1256
http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=1140
http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=25
http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=27
http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=1096
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/1pdt-stomp-foot-pedal-switch-pcb-2.html
http://www.jameco.com/1/3/momentary-spdt-push-button-switch
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/pb-174/spdt-momentary-pushbutton/1.html
http://www.mammothelectronics.com/4SFSSPDT-MS-p/800-1011.htm
http://www.vetco.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=12700 (water and tamper proof)

[R.G.]

Leaf switches. You want leaf switches.

[WhiskeyMadeMeDoIt]

Arcade buttons with leaf switches.  Easy to push and withstand huge amounts of abuse. Buckethead uses one for his guitar. 

[blackieNYC]

Arcade leaf switches! Thanks RG&whiskey
http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=6

[aron]

The buttons look like so much fun!
Thanks!

Aron

[earthtonesaudio]

That seems like it would be really fun!

Use three of these as in PRR's schematic:

http://www.amazon.com/Arcade-Illuminated-Momentary-Button-Switch/dp/B008MU3WAA
(0.75" diameter!)

[WhiskeyMadeMeDoIt]

Ultimarc has the real deal switches sourced from happ. You want the ones with the rounded indent at the top so your fingers seat nicely.  They also have led illuminated buttons.   If you want to go crazy get the rgb buttons and a controller.

Here is the button in action.  Notice he has two on his guitar.  
http://youtu.be/QJrjXsNlxNQ

[deadastronaut]

/\ that's the same as mine then....hmmmm

if the 2 switches are doing exactly the same why have 2....i still don't get it...

anyone have a demo for a dumbass ...

[pappasmurfsharem]

/\ that's the same as mine then....hmmmm

if the 2 switches are doing exactly the same why have 2....i still don't get it...

anyone have a demo for a dumbass ...

Two fingers move faster than 1.

If you're talking about why bucket head has two might just be for show to switch up positions for presentation purposes.

[deadastronaut]

^ ah so its purely about dexterity then... i see. 

[Zaemo]

Thanks Guys! 
PRR, I was starting down the path you showed me.  I guess I got caught up in thinking I would need active electronics.  I like your layout, fingers and thumbs and all! 
I had considered arcade buttons as well but they are  BIG! 

I appreciate everyone's help!
Nice community you have here.
Z