Finicky Boss foot switches

[johnny5]

i have had two Boss pedals now (DS-1 and SD-1) that have developed this weird thing with the foot switch where when you stomp on it, it doesn't always switch the effect. alot of times i have to hit it a couple of times. it's really annoying and yesterday i was recording and messing around with that when you are trying to get a good take is ridiculous.

both of these pedals have been modded for instructions by indyguitarist. if that means anything. i know there is some switching circuitry in Boss pedals but don't really know where it is or how it works.

so my question is; has anyone ever had this same problem? were you able to fix it? i love these pedals for there own tricks and dint' want to get rid of them.

thanks,

[boogietube]

Here's a link to purchace new switches:
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categories.bok?category=Switches&searchpath=7f00000110d566bf66e21a6&start=17&total=34
If I'm not mistaken,  Boss pedals use fet switching.

Here's a link to the schematics :
http://www.schematicheaven.com/effects.htm

And a book with all boss scematics:
http://www.andrewsamplab.com/Books.htm

And here's a schematics archive
http://www.harpamps.com/schematics_archive/

That's about all I know
Sean

[Meanderthal]

 LOL! it's funny that the footswitch is what bugs you about yours. Right now I use a modded DS-1 for bass distortion. It's basically the keeley mods, stock clipping diodes, higher coupling caps, and the switch is just so reliable and... silent. Yes, it's an fet switch. The other reasons are that I like the buffer, and the distortion is... more predictable than my big muff, harmonic jerkulator, distortion+, and whisker biscuit I have modded or built for bass. Sounds like a worn out switch.  Worth fixing if you USE the pedal.

[Meanderthal]

 Oh, BTW, I really STOMP on my pedals "live", I guess I somehow want to be sure that it WORKS. Immediately. Does yours get inconsistant when you just tap it compared with stomping, or dosen't it make a difference? Maybe something could be adjusted, pcb "shimmed" with plastic washers or something?

[johnny5]

Oh, BTW, I really STOMP on my pedals "live", I guess I somehow want to be sure that it WORKS. Immediately. Does yours get inconsistant when you just tap it compared with stomping, or dosen't it make a difference? Maybe something could be adjusted, pcb "shimmed" with plastic washers or something?

yeah, it's real weird and depends how i hit the switch. sometimes when i hit it, it will turn on when i press down and turn off upon releasing. mind you I am not trying to do this is slow motion. just hitting it normally. it's not that it doesn't work at all, it's just very touchy.

i have another switch and maybe i'll try it but i have a hunch it's in the switching circuit on the board.

is it possible i screwed with something when i did the mods? mabye got the fet too hot???

thanks!

[Meanderthal]

 Hmmm... none of the mods I ever heard of(except one true bypass I saw someone stick on the pad) have anything to do with the switching part of the circuit. And doing those mods won't hurt the switching circuit. I don't know Brian's specific mods(please do NOT post 'em here unless you ask him first), but I can't imagine them being so far out that they would hurt the switching.
I doubt the fet's fried. It's possible, but unlikely. But then again if you got sloppy with your soldering (no offence intended) any number of frustrating things could happen. Look for solder joints that look crumbly, dull, dark, anything BUT shiny. Check to see if any are loose. Also, look for pins that stick out too far through the circuit board. These might intermittently touch something, and cause temporary short circuits.
Mine switches as soon as I step on it, not when I release it. Consistantly! Always did.