Concert Lead Footswitch Connections

[PSYKO]

After scouring the net for about a week now, I've determined the only feasable way to get a footswitch for my Concert Lead is to build my own.  I know on the distortion channel, one of the connections is for distortion and one is for boost.  On the reverb side, I know one connector is for reverb, but what is the other one for???  If it has no connection, I'll simply build a three button footswitch instead of four buttons.  I checked out the schematic for the concert lead, and only saw three footswitch connectors, but the schematic may have been for the newer (black & red faced) model, while I have the earlier (silver & black) model.  Could this possibly be an unused connector on the back of my amp???

[cchuckc]

If you figure out how to do it, post it for those of us also looking. I have been looking for one of those footswitches for years!

[PSYKO]

Yesterday I got bored so I fabricated up a quick prototype.  I could only find an enclosure big enough to make a two button switch, but if it works out, I plan to build a second one.  The enclosure and the buttons are all plastic, because thats all they had in stock at rat shack.  It won't be as durable as an all metal one, but I've barely got $10 invested in the whole deal, so I could theoretically build a couple spares and still come out cheaper than buying a pre-fabbed one and modding it.  As soon as I can get my hands on a speaker cabinet to test it with, I'll make a step-by-step writeup with pictures as I build the second one...

[cchuckc]

Maybe you can create a cottage industry!

[JoeArthur]

The other RCA connection on the reverb side is not connected internally.  Three buttons that open and close a ground connection will work for all three footswitch options.

However, I would use a metal enclosure, and ground it.  The internal footswitch connections are into portions of the signal path and could pick up a lot of stray hum with a plastic enclosure - also use shielded cable for the footswitch to amp connections.

[cchuckc]

This all sounds way over my limited head and probably stuff I don't have the ability or time to do. Is there any product out there already that will work?

[JoeArthur]

Well, you can always do like I do - I use a Peavey 2-button footswitch
with a stereo 1/4" jack to dual RCA plug adapter I picked up at
Radio Shack.

[cchuckc]

Hey, that's a damn good idea, and I just happen to have a small Peavey amp that may have a footswitch that I never use because the amp is only for studio work and I run everything through various effects and such. Thanks!

[PSYKO]

Well, I picked up a used Crate 4x12 cab today, and played with the new footswitch a bit.  It seems that the boost and reverb connections work, but I cant seem to figure out how to get the distortion to...umm...distort.  It seems to simply act as a second boost channel.  Unless I can find a quick fix for this issue, I think i'll keep my two button design, and just run an A/B/Y switch between the two channels.  Next time I make a run to radio shack, I'll check on a metal enclosure, but right now it doesnt seem to make much difference as far as the hum goes...