How do you test a footswitch?

[Axtman]

I bought a two-button Fender Footswitch (P/N 0050419000) "Channel Select" and "Drive / More Drive" at a yard sale for $5 plus instrument cable. Since I don't have a Fender solid state amp, how do I test it? If you can tell me what amp it goes to, I might go over to a music store and try it out. Thanks!

[Axtman]

[Randall]

It will work with a Hot Rod DeVille or Hot Rod Deluxe.

[Enzo]

It is not a simple stomp switch. There are diodes and LEDs involved. Inside you can test each switch and component, but without the specific amp, it is hard to test it for function.

[Axtman]

It is not a simple stomp switch. There are diodes and LEDs involved. Inside you can test each switch and component, but without the specific amp, it is hard to test it for function.

That's what I was afraid of. I will sneak over to a store and try it out on the Fender Hot Rod series amps. Thanks!

[Jazz P Bass]

I believe this is the correct HR ft sw schematic.

[glebert]

Most of the Fender solid state footswitches I have seen send a sine wave to the footswitch. The footswitch will switch in an LED to ground which will clip the positive or negative side of the sine wave (depending on the diode orientation). If you have a multimeter you should be able to see this with a diode test mode. With one lead to the tip of the cable and the other to the sleeve you should be able to see the impedance go from open to some voltage (2v maybe), and the LED on the switch may glow. For a two button switch I think only one switch will do this for a given orientation of leads, switch the leads around to test the other switch. I think.

[Enzo]

Basic ones will have a diode or two, LED or regular. But there are more complex ones with zeners, so the level of the resulting DC is decoded. I think five buttons is the largest I can recall.

[Tom Phillips]

... I will sneak over to a store and try it out on the Fender Hot Rod series amps...

Interesting.
What are you going to tell the people in the store?
1) I want to buy an amp if it will work with my foot switch?
2) Or tell them ???? if they stop you as you are sneaking out of their store with the foot switch in hand.

[rjb]

What are you going to tell the people in the store?
1) I want to buy an amp if it will work with my foot switch?

Dumb question for Axtman:
If you have no use for the foot switch, why did you buy it, even for $5?
Do you figure on selling it on eBay?

[J M Fahey]

In no particular order:
1) the switch may be resold at a profit, even if hamburger money.
2) it might be useful in the future, owning a Fender *someday* is way more possible than most any other brand, on a an individual basis.
3) it may ne rewired any day of the week to suit most other amps
4) it can be used to inconspicuously carry a small stash of .... ummmmm .... anything ...... in a gig bag, rising way less immediate suspicion than, say, a small folded piece of metallic paper, a small nylon bag, a pill tube (even if it actually contains pills) , a small pipe, or a salt shaker with some salt inside.
5) you may build an actual pedal inside (distortion or whatever) and as a bonus you already have footswitches mounted .

etc. etc. etc.

That said, and being an inveterate hoarder, I would have bought it for $5 just for the switches and casing ... what do a small Hammond enclosure or spare foot switches cost? Certainly more than $5.

EDIT: almost forgot the main point: if the OP has at least a passing acquaintance with the Music Shop, meaning if he ever bought or sold *anything* there (and they remember him), he might simply ask, with a smile:"hi guys, do you mind if I test this pedal here? My amp is not switching and I want to know wheter itīs broken or itīs the pedalīs fault. By the way, supposing it does not work, can you order one for me? What would be the price?"
They should be very stupid to deny themselves the *possibility* of a sale.
In any case you are not forced to buy anything *right now* , you may always think about it.

[Tom Phillips]

I agree with all you said Juan.
It was the "...sneak over to a store" part that got my attention.

[rjb]

I agree with all you said Juan.
It was the "...sneak over to a store" part that got my attention.

Same here. It just seemed kinda silly.

That said, of Juan's list, Item 1, to which I've already alluded, is the only one that would give reason to "sneak over to a store". Item 2 is equivalent to "I might someday buy an amp to go with this foot switch." And if you intend to re-purpose the switch, in whatever matter, who cares if it works?

-rb

[Axtman]

Sneak: Verb. To move or go in a furtive or stealthy manner.

I have a business meeting tomorrow and on my way back to the office I pass a Guitar Center. Thus, I am going to sneak in for a few minutes before heading back to the office. Please don't tell my boss.

I will show the people at the front my footswitch and explain that I want to see if it works. I will see if they have any Hot Rod series amps that you described. Hopefully I will walk out without purchasing anything. But I am not making any promises!

[rjb]

I have a business meeting tomorrow and on my way back to the office I pass a Guitar Center. Thus, I am going to sneak in for a few minutes before heading back to the office. Please don't tell my boss.

Oh, well that's very different.
Never mind.