1/4" Mono Footswitch On A Fender Hot Rod Deluxe?

[Shawk]

I want to build a 1/4" mono channel switch to change channel only on my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I do not need to control the drive/more drive. Just the channel select only.

Anyone know how to do this?

[Ripthorn]

Usually the tip or the ring will connect to ground through the footswitch.  What I would do is take a TRS cable and jumper the tip to ground and see what that does and then jumper the ring to ground and see what that does.  If it is the tip that controls it, no problems, just do a normal mono footswitch.  If it is the ring, things get a little dicier, because then you have to use a TRS plug on the end that plugs into the amp even though you are just using one connection.

[steveneddy]

I want to build a 1/4" mono channel switch to change channel only on my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I do not need to control the drive/more drive. Just the channel select only.

Anyone know how to do this?

Yes - I have a working prototype right in front of me at the moment.

It is really quite easy - although it took me two days to figure it out.

Those are 1N4148 diodes - note the polarity of the diodes - they do not face the same direction.

This will make you a foot switch for the HRD III that will switch the channel only - no "more drive" button.

I do not own any other HRD amps - nor have I had the opportunity to play with them with this switch - bit if the older models are like the HRD III, which used a relay to switch channels, then this switch should work just fine. I have not incorporated an LED into the scheme yet - but maybe this weekend I will mess around with that.

There is 18v AC coming through the speaker cable for this switch - so powering an LED should not pose any issues.

Also of note - with this set up OR the stock Fender switch - only use speaker cable - or something like lamp cable - where the wires are side by side. The current is AC and it likes to see both wires in the circuit the same resistance. Using instrument cable will work but will make the amp have issues internally I have found.

Hope someone gets what they need out of this pic. Let me know if you need any more info.

[steveneddy]

Here is a you tube video of the finished switch in action - with LED installed!

http://youtu.be/he2yJu_emTU

[steveneddy]

Here is a gut shot of the finished product.

This switch will go on the road with me so I hot glued the wires to keep everything secure.

Unless the switch fails this switch should last until - well, the switch fails.

It works really well and takes up much less room than the stock switch on my pedal board.

[Kindly Killer]

Just wanted to say thanks. I was trying to figure out what was going on in the Fender schematic, then thought maybe I should check and see whether anyone had done exactly what I was trying to do. What a time-saver. THANKS! BTW I build mine in the same type enclosure as yours. It is perfect for pedalboard but it is a little wobbly on its own. I think if I made another I would try to find one that's a little wider and shorter - maybe 1.5" square or so...