Converting the Merry Okee inot a guitar pedal

[timd]

So I found this hideous thing at Goodwill:

They call it the Merry Okee from Hallmark. I thought it would great as a guitar pedal as it would wind up somewhere between a pitch-shifted and steel drum type sound. I was in the process of converting it, but ran into a snag (this is pre-boxing, 9 lug footswitch, etc.) When I power it up, I need to make a momentary connection between two points to get this thing to pass the signal, (the elf voice button). If this connection is permanent, the thing will shut off. How could I rig this up to avoid stomping on a momentary switch after the main footswitch to engage the pedal? That would just be a pain. I was thinking about making the connection in the 9 lug footswitch, but this would be a permanent connection when engaged right? 

[Jdansti]

Tilt switch. You just turn the enclosure at an angle for a second when you pick it up to plug in the PSU or guitar jack (if you're using a battery).

$0.77 at Mouser.

http://www.mouser.com/Search/m_ProductDetail.aspx?E-Switch/TM1000/&qs=sGAEpiMZZMtCWdKUURnHj1%252bkvdiUuPvDlfB2tFt2oBI=

[Jdansti]

BTW, if you're feeling industrious, here's a DIY tilt switch that could be made from a ballpoint pen tube, wire, and a BB or ball bearing.

[timd]

This is cool - I've never seen the tilt switch used yet.

[armdnrdy]

It might be something like this IC making all of the wholesome entertainment possible.

https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/General/8950v110.pdf

[Jdansti]

This is cool - I've never seen the tilt switch used yet.

If you have a Guitar Hero guitar controller you want to cannibalize, you'll find one inside. It's used for triggering "Star Power" when you tilt the headstock up.

[garcho]

Electronic switching? Otherwise you'll need some mechanical device, like a switch. Try to find the IC number and get the datasheet to look for application circuits, might give you some ideas.

[timd]

Electronic switching might be the way to go, as I would mount this in a different housing and the tilt switch may or may not work. I'll check the ic's.

[timd]

One other thing I was contemplating was putting a momentary stomp switch right up next to the regular stomp...but that might be too over the top and might produce a small delay when stepping on both.