AB Pedals ?

[Chris1974]

Hi

I'm thinking about getting an AB selector pedal so that i can switch between the normal and top boost channels on my VOX AC30, I run a treble booster through the normal channel and would use the top boost channel as a clean channel.

I've been considering looking at various pedals such as the switcheroo by monkey FX, an AB pedal by Homebrew electronics and a pedal by DOD  but I'm confused as to what spec. pedal i need.  Can I use a simple selector pedal no circuitry/transformer) or do i need one with a built in transformer and circuitry to prevent any loss in signal which I have read can happen.  Would I notice any drop in signal if i used an AB pedal with no compensating circuitry ?

Cheers in advance if anyone can help

[Seljer]

you're switching into the same amp, so no need for any isolation transformers and any other of that stuff like that

just a basic one, a footswitch and jacks

[darron]

and send the channel that hasn't got your audio signal in it to ground perhaps to mute it?

[jonathan perez]

you dont need to be spending $100+ on an A/B switch. 

i dont see how, in a simple situation, you would lose any signal. no need for transformers and such.

heres a paint by color layout.

http://www.tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=107

you dont NEED the led/power supply, but it looks cool. 

[Ben N]

Actually, you may want to incorporate the A/B switch with your treble booster, because, as darron suggested, it is a good idea to ground the input to the unused channel for low noise, and that will not work if there is a treble booster between the A/B and the normal channel input. A 3PDT should be able to do this, and with a Millenium/Rat circuit you can even have a simple LED indicator.

For a simple A/B that grounds the unused input, search for the DOD A/B box (270?).  IIRC, Fulltone used to have a schematic for such a box on his website.

Ben

[darron]

i think that you can do it all with a dpdt, not to confuse you too much but for the other forum members here me out: i don't have time to draw a diagram right now because im on my way out, but on the dpdt use one side to control which output the signal goes to, and use the other side with ground to control mutng the other side. AND use ground to control which LED lights up and have both legs of the other LED connected to the ONE limiting resistor (1K% for super bright, though i use 56K with high intensity LED's).

i'd also make use of a 1M (i like them more than 2m2 because they come in metal film easier and don't stick out on my board hehe) pop filter resistor. it comes in REAL handy with passive switches to get rid of some of that static that builds up when you play.

i'll make a pdf when i get back i suppose with a diagram