Installing a 3pdt switch into a vintage US Big Muff Pi

[Brymus]

I
A follow up question...  Is it me, or do some people over complicate the wiring of the 3pdt switches for little or no reason?

No, there is a reason.  Often the more complicated wiring on 3pdts are so that the input of the effect is grounded when the effect is switched off.  This is especially useful in high gain pedals as it can help to quell oscillations that can sometimes occur if the input is left floating.

+1    and definetly, I would use that method (GausMarkov) I noticed a difference on my pedals between the two versions.

That said congrats, feels good yeah ?
Go ahead and add the LED and grounded input if you feel up to it,that unit is far enough away from factory to worry about it.
Get real ambitious and refinish the enclosure while your at it.Your friends will marvel at your genius new pedal that sounds like a BMP

[zombiwoof]

I
A follow up question...  Is it me, or do some people over complicate the wiring of the 3pdt switches for little or no reason?

No, there is a reason.  Often the more complicated wiring on 3pdts are so that the input of the effect is grounded when the effect is switched off.  This is especially useful in high gain pedals as it can help to quell oscillations that can sometimes occur if the input is left floating.

+1    and definetly, I would use that method (GausMarkov) I noticed a difference on my pedals between the two versions.

That said congrats, feels good yeah ?
Go ahead and add the LED and grounded input if you feel up to it,that unit is far enough away from factory to worry about it.
Get real ambitious and refinish the enclosure while your at it.Your friends will marvel at your genius new pedal that sounds like a BMP

I would like to point out that the "input grounded" method is not exclusive to GaussMarkov, it is the way the original Fuzz Faces were wired, and is also included in the wiring options on the GGG site (the page that I linked to previously).  It was also shown in the "stompbox wiring schemes" on GEO for a long time, but he took it out for some reason and replaced it with the Millenium Bypass wiring.  I like to use that method as a matter of course, because it is supposed to help with popping issues, and in many cases you don't have to use pulldown resistors if you wire your switches that way.

Al

[decadentdesign]

Does feel great and I think I will add the led and power adapter...  Maybe if I get real adventurous I'll go even further with the mod...

Guess I'll get working on the research for the led.  Just installed a mod kit for my CS-3 today, though I still need to replace the switch or (preferably as well) add the 3pdt to it and rehouse it in another enclosure...  Have a post about that but not getting a lot of info...  Oh well.

Anyway, thanks again for all the advice and help! 

[stringsthings]

Past that, now I'm thinking about adding a power adapter plug and an led.  Is that going to hurt the value of this pedal? 

It depends.  Do you plan on selling the pedal?  Are you concerned about keeping the pedal in original condition?  Most collectors would rather buy an item that has not been modified in any way shape or form.  Would you buy a Monet that had been touched up?

[decadentdesign]

Past that, now I'm thinking about adding a power adapter plug and an led.  Is that going to hurt the value of this pedal? 

It depends.  Do you plan on selling the pedal?  Are you concerned about keeping the pedal in original condition?  Most collectors would rather buy an item that has not been modified in any way shape or form.  Would you buy a Monet that had been touched up?

I think comparison to a Monet is a bit of a stretch since these were mass produced and not one of a kind, but I do get what you're saying.  In the case of this BM it seems that it was predetermined to go down the path of modification since it wouldn't work without one though I suppose I could've replaced the switch with an original if I could find one... But, regardless, I've already made a change with the 3pdt and changed some wiring. Plus, the case on this one is pretty beat up and based on my research there are plenty of BMs out there in much better condition. No use in putting this on some kind of altar...

And besides, i'd much rather play it and get some use out of it! So I think I talked myself into it ~ Thanks!