#1343375 - 09/30/01 04:00 PM
How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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Lee Flier
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Registered: 09/13/00
Posts: 15398
Loc: Atlanta,GA,UNITED STATES
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Hey all,
I think most of you know that I don't like to use stomp boxes, seeing as I vastly prefer the sound of the guitar straight into the amp. However, I have two effects - a fuzz box that I use for a few songs during gigs, and a compressor that I only use for the Rick 12-string. When I'm not using them, which is most of the time, I'd just as soon get them out of the chain, because of course they change the tone even when they're turned off.
I was thinking maybe there was some kind of switch that could be used to switch between signal paths? Like an A-B switch with a straight cable on one side and the other side going into the stompboxes. I suppose I could put one chain into each input on my amp?
Has anybody ever tried anything like this, or is there something on the market that would specifically serve the purpose I describe?
--Lee
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#1343376 - 09/30/01 04:16 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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DC
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Hi Lee,
What you want is an A/B box. I've seen several for sale in the various catalogs. Your guitar goes in and the footswitches send it to the A output, or B output or both. Lot's of folks use these with two amps like using a Marshall for dirty and a Twin for clean type setup.
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#1343377 - 09/30/01 05:27 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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GuitarMan
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Registered: 04/25/01
Posts: 96
Loc: Corvallis,OR,UNITED STATES
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An a/b box ain't xactly what you need.
A/B would work if you'r usin' 2 amps w/eff on only one.
You need a true bypass sw. which any good tech should be able to
install Note: if your effect has an led indicator then the bypass
sw is a special order switch.(in order to get true bypass)
There are other possible solutions if your precious about modding
your effect.
Some of these solutions are here: http://www.amptone.com/switchers.htm#switch
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#1343378 - 09/30/01 06:23 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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surfjunkie
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Registered: 07/04/01
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actually, i think an a/b box will work.
i paid less than $20 for mine, it's a dod or boss (can't remember, i painted it all funky)
mine doesn't even use a battery. just plug guitar in, A goes to amp, B goes to effects.
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#1343379 - 09/30/01 06:33 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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clockwirk
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Registered: 04/20/01
Posts: 133
Loc: Kansas City, MO. UNITED STATES
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Originally posted by wager47:
i paid less than $20 for mine, it's a dod or boss (can't remember, i painted it all funky)
Just make sure your a/b box doesn't tweak your tone itself.
_________________________
~clockwirk~
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#1343380 - 09/30/01 10:19 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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stanner
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Registered: 09/07/00
Posts: 1157
Loc: san francisco,,UNITED STATES
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lee-for you,me and some others this is THE question for the ages...
i am very specific about my guitar sound and for years and years have attempted to get to the bottom of it.. what i have found is that ANYTHING between guitar and amp screws up your sound, period,exclamation mark...
i have even removed tone/vol. pots from my guits to get the cleanest
signal from pick/ups to pre amp tubes.
the quest remains.
_________________________
AMPSSOUNDBETTERLOUDER
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#1343381 - 09/30/01 10:43 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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michael saulnier
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Registered: 12/06/00
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Loc: San Diego,CA,UNITED STATES
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Lee,
If your amps two inputs are the same, (not high and low inputs), an A/B switch may work. I use a Morley one, (around $40) and it doesn't seem to negatively affect my sound.
Run your guitar cord into the switch and on one side, straight into the amp... then out of the other side into your effects, then into the amp. By switching, you will cut any signal going to the other channel.
If your amp forces you to use only one input, then get a "Y" connector to bring the two cords back into one input.
guitplayer
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#1343382 - 09/30/01 11:29 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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Rick Turner
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Registered: 04/22/01
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Loc: Santa Cruz,CA,UNITED STATES
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What you really need is a double pole double throw switch which will hardwire bypass the effect from the signal path in one position by directly connecting the input of the stomp box to the output, while completely disconnecting those signal points from the input and output of the box. This is the equivalent of patching around the effect. It is the right way to do this. If you have a signal LED, you actually need a triple pole double throw switch as you'll need one pole to switch the light. This could also be done with switches and relays. Can get pricey, but this is what some of the fancy rack units done by Bradshaw or Michael Silinkoff (at Westwood Music) were set up to do. BTW, you can wire push pull pots to bypass volume and tone controls in guitars, yet still have the controls when and if you want them. Very audible difference when you get rid of the pots.
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#1343383 - 09/30/01 11:46 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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Scott from MA
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Registered: 10/04/00
Posts: 540
Loc: Middleboro,MA,UNITED STATES
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Lee... several years ago, I built a special box for a friend that wanted EXACTLY what you're asking for. It was essentially an A/B box, but with only one output to the amp. In the "A" position, it was a true-bypass (input hardwired to the main output). In the "B" position, it sent the signal to an "effects send" output... through his pedals... and back to an "effects return" input which was wired to the main output.
Later, I made him a second one... same thing, except that in the "B" position there was a "wet/dry" mix. This one was a little harder to build, but the first one is really simple. If you know anyone with a little electronics knowledge, they should be able to make you one pretty cheap. All you need is a DPDT footswitch, 4 mono output jacks, wire, and a box... all of which you can get at an electronics supply store... probably even at Radio Shack (although I'm not sure they would carry the footswitch).
_________________________
Scott
(just another cantankerous bastard)
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#1343384 - 09/30/01 11:57 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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strat0124
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Registered: 04/03/01
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Actually maybe you just need a more transparent stomper. I use a whirlwind to connect two amps for the same reasons you don't like stompers, the stereo chorus I have colors the tone alot. I use only one stompbox, an old and el cheapo SD-1 Boss, that I use to boost up leads or a passage I want emphasized. For an inexpensive one it fits the bill nicely. Live play it works like a champ. Recording is a different animal altogether. Yeah it's a bitch toting two amps, but the tonal possibilities are worth it. Especially when you are the only guitarist it helps fill up alot of ground. Tone questing......ain't it fun?
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Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in
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#1343385 - 09/30/01 11:57 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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Scott from MA
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Oh... I should have mentioned... you want to switch the OUTPUT, not the input! I made this mistake on my first version. If you switch the input, you will always be getting noise from the effects, even when there's no signal going to them. By switching the output, there is always signal going through both sides of the A/B, and you are just picking which one goes to the amp.
_________________________
Scott
(just another cantankerous bastard)
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#1343386 - 10/01/01 12:07 AM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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Lee Flier
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Registered: 09/13/00
Posts: 15398
Loc: Atlanta,GA,UNITED STATES
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Yeah, I do have two amps actually, and an Ernie Ball stereo volume/pan pedal which can control the mix of them so I can use one or any combination of both. That works very well and the pedal is passive and doesn't color the sound much at all when fully cranked.
I think guitplayer's scenario is the same one I was thinking of. Actually my Ernie Ball pedal has two inputs as well, so I might be able to just use an A/B switch with the effects on one output and straight cable on the other, and put them each into one input on the pedal. I think I've even got an A/B switch lying around somewhere, so I'll give that a try and let y'all know how it sounds!
--Lee
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#1343387 - 10/01/01 02:33 AM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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eh steve
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Registered: 06/25/01
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just put the boxes in the chain when you really need them.
if you're switching to a 12 string you have the time.
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#1343388 - 10/01/01 06:13 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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d gauss
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Originally posted by W8less:
just put the boxes in the chain when you really need them.
if you're switching to a 12 string you have the time.
yeah, what he said!
-d. gauss
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#1343389 - 10/01/01 07:38 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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GtrGeorge
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Registered: 01/17/01
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Loc: San Francisco,CA,UNITED STATES
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Lee,
What I would get is a midi switcher that has various loops that are hard hardwire bypassed like the GCX Switcher by Voodoo Labs or the switcher by Axcess Electronics. Each, has like 8 loops you can plug anything into
(pedals, amps or midi cabling that switches amp channels). You will need to get a midi controller. As these switchers are hard bypassed,they do not change the tone of the guitar and it makeS switching guitars, amps, channels or guitars a snap. I use a bunch of pedals and was using an amp that had 7! functions on the footswitch (Bogner xtc) and it was impoosible to switch pedals, guitars whatever with all the stuff on the floor. This brought the whole thing together. And the cost isnt really super high. I have the Voodoo Labs switcher and the midi pedal I use is the Rocktron All Access and it all works flawlessly. Just turn it on and I have all my presets ready to go. I use some Boss Pedals (Dimension C and DM2 and Boss
stuff has no hard bypassing)and instead of finding someone who mods stuff this is a much easier ways to go. Other than dragging a rack, I can not see a big downside. And again, no effect on tone. What pedals are you using?
George
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#1343390 - 10/01/01 10:34 PM
Re: How to "bypass" stomp boxes?
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stanner
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Registered: 09/07/00
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Loc: san francisco,,UNITED STATES
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hey lee would you please report your progress on this subject and what you end up doing. i would be very interested.thanx
stanner
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