Changing Boss pedal switch?

[BassWombat]

Hi folks,

This is my first post, and I've really enjoyed lurking here for a while. So with the amazing collected knowledge here I wondered if anyone can help me.

I want to "re-box" a couple of old Boss pedals for purely cosmetic reasons. I'd like to replace the "stomp-pad" with either a regular stompswitch or even a toggle switch for on and off. I've only just started getting interested in electronics, so please be gentle with me, but I was wondering if this is a simple thing to do?

I know it sounds silly but it really is for cosmetic reasons... hey, I once made a new case for a Frontman cheapie amp out of some nice timber with dovetail joints and all, so you can see I'm a sad case!

I was going to do it to an old HM-2 that I really don't use. It doesn't have a great deal of value so re-casing it seemed like a fun idea - especially as I've only just bought my first soldering iron and wanted to tackle something reasonably simple.

The only thing I'm unsure on is, as mentioned, what type of switch to get - toggle or stomp - and what will be the easiest way to wire it. I'm not too worried about the true bypass as my other project is building a true bypass strip that I'll run most of my pedals off (based on this: http://www.singlecoil.com/tb-strip/tbstrip.html). At the very least I could almost rehouse the thing leaving it "on" and use the bypass strip to effectively do the on/off thing - it's just a nice little switch would be better.

Any advice or pointers to websites that can help me would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers
BassWombat

[jazzyfingers04]

I find either switch will work, in fact, I kinda prefer the toggle type... yeah I know, not very professional looking, but that IS the point of that choice. I personally know when a pedal is on from the sound, so I just dpdt for true bypass, but you could go with any of the wiring options you would find (a good database of wiring options is GEO).

[Hal]

you could probbaly get some sort of logic stomp switch...like...momentary spst, like the BOSS ones are (I think).  This would probably be easier than trying to figure out where the "send/return" parts of a boss pedal are.  Also, hte bypass on bosses are pretty good...

I think this would work...

Carling 110-PM-OFF - Same style as #110-P below. Extra-rugged, momentary NO contacts, for logic-switched pedals and rack units.  $7.95

from www.smallbearelec.com

[RickL]

I agree with Hal. The simplest thing to do, especially since you're not concerned about it being true bypass, is to replace the Boss momentary switch with a sturdier momentary switch. Don't replace it directly with a SPST stomp switch or toggle or you'll have to toggle the switch twice each time to change states.

One thing you might have a problem with is switch bounce. On most mechanical switches not designed specifically to send a single pulse the switch actually opens and closes very quickly a few times when you press it before it finally stays fully closed. If it happens to bounce an odd number of times you're okay, one press by you ends up with the pedal in the opposite state it was in when you pressed the switch. If it bounces an even number of times it's effectively like you pressed the switch twice and you end up with the pedal in the same state as you started.

I did exactly what you are describing to a TS-5 and had no end of troubles with switch bounce. Eventually someone posted a solution that involved, I believe, changing a capacitor to a larger value to slow down the switching. You may not have a problem, but if the replacement switch doesn't seem to be reliable bounce may be the problem.

[BassWombat]

Thanks folks for the advice - even if half of the terminology goes over my head!!! I get the general gist though!

[puretube]

http://www.jpl-audio.com/images/alwayson.pdf