Step by Step instructions to True Bypass Boss Pedals?

[Elvisofnazareth]

I just modded a Blues Driver with a Burr Brown chip, and several diode and cap changes. I love it.

I'd like to fit it with a 3pdt... I don't care If I have to put it where the battery goes, (I use the power jack.)

I'd prefer to keep the buffering circuits intact (when the pedals switched on.)

I understand how to wire the switch....

but what must I do to the board?

Are there any links to take me through this maybe?

Thanks!!!!

[R.G.]

If you need step by step instructions to do this, save yourself some misery and build an external true bypass box per pedal. It's much simpler, more direct, and does not destroy the resale value of your pedals if you botch a couple of things.

[Elvisofnazareth]

I did a ts9 tubescreamer once, there was step by step instructions printed on the web, (It was 2001) ....I also did an MXR dyna comp (Using the original board mounted switch (Sacrificing LED) by cutting traces etc...... There's no decent instructions on how to do this for Boss pedals somewhere?

- Which diode needs to be shorted for the pedal it to remain "on" at the board? I guess that's all I really need to know.

[Steve A.]

If you need step by step instructions to do this, save yourself some misery and build an external true bypass box per pedal.

Or get an external True-Bypass Looper/Switcher like the Lehle Little Lehle II made in Germany!

It's much simpler, more direct, and does not destroy the resale value of your pedals if you botch a couple of things.

Isn't that what eBay is for? "It was working fine when I shipped it to you- you need to talk to the post office!"

Steve Ahola

[Elvisofnazareth]

Any body have a schematic for just the FET switching section of a Boss pedal?

NOBODY can give me simple i.e. ( "Remove c7 & install jumper" etc. type instructions?

[Mark Hammer]

1) WHY do you want to true bypass it? TB is not always an improvement. Sometimes it detracts from the signal.

2) Why NOT do the bypassing offboard via a simple passive loop selector? All a loop selector consists of is a box, 4 or 6 jacks (depending on whether you want to select between loops or simply engage one loop), a stompswitch, and maybe a few additional components to indicate status if you need it. It's probably the most consistently usaful pedal you'll ever build or acquire.

[Elvisofnazareth]

Thank's for the replies so far.

Here's how I came to the conclusion I want to TB this pedal.

- I put it in a dual True Bypass looper pedal that I built, and listened to the tone
Using my Greco Les Paul Custom, and my Goodsell Super 17.

- My board is divided into 2 loops. I am a Pro singer/guitarist, I don't like to do to much extra curricular switch stompin' or knob fiddlin' on stage during a song.
I like TWO loops ...& TWO switches!

My Rig looks like this...


Guitar----- Budda Wah -> Keeley comp-> DUAL LOOPER>


Loop 1 - Phase 90 - BD-2 (Burr Brown etc.),- 90's Blues Breaker> Dark delay

Loop 2- Small stone (MODS!) -> VoodooLabs Chorus-> Mr. echo (red)


So... - I took all pedals out of the looper.
- Put the BD in one loop and the Bluesbreaker in the other.

With the loop engaged and the bd-2 bypassed at the pedal, a little "plink" was always around the notes, and it changed the "feel".

I actually liked the Boss buffer in some cases, ( Rarely) like on the bridge pickup playing Jangly stuff: BUT...in those cases I liked the BD-2 switched ON (with the gain cut back a tad) even more.

I.E.= I NEVER prefer the sound of the boss pedal bypassed to my other options.

The other main point was...the BD Buffer changed the tone of the BluesBreaker
whether in front or after, and destroyed that pedals organic quality.

I did the same test with a Klon Centaur. It failed too (Sold). I prefer true bypass. I wish I didn't. I'm not jumping on a band wagon, just using my ears.





I don't want to sacrifice real estate and necessitate more patch cables for a pedal who's only purpose is to be a switch. I want one IN this pedal.

Sooo...
Anybody want to help me TB this damn thing?!

[oc disorder]

Dunno how easy it is to fit a double pole double throw switch into a boss pedal but assuming you can why not just insert it between the in and out jacks and fit a small push button somewhere to make the effect stay on when you power it up ?
Otherwise look up astable and bi-stable multivibrators (flip flop crcuits)and figure out how to make it do want you want on power up.
Attached is a typical Boss unit for further study.
This may help
http://www.falstad.com/circuit/e-multivib-bi.html

[Elvisofnazareth]

OC Dude, you're awesome...

How about this,

-I'll wire the 3pdt switch to the jacks,
Mount it in the battery space... on the battery compartment/stomp cover... (I always use the ac adaptor input any way.)

- Ill rig the Battery compartment/stomp cover so it can no longer depress.. and remains stable (so nothing wiggles when I hit the NEW 3pdt stomp switch.)


- Then I'll just leave the stock boss switch in place, but drill a tiny whole in the stomp cover above it so I can poke it with a pencil, car key, or drink stirrer from the bar to kickstart the bitch for the initial power up...

Hell, I may even mount a second led to the new switch. So the original one can be a "DOH" light.

All's well that ends...... with good tone.

[willsledge]

Boss True Bypassing

if it helps any..
If you want to avoid determining & removing the switching circuitry in the pedal, i would recommend doing what i've done on several boss pedals for customers. Simply remove the stock on/off switch & spring -> install 3pdt switch in it's place (clamping the stock on/off movement down) -> install a LED for the true bypass -> relocate effect on/off switch and led to new position
basically install a true bypass looper inside the pedal.
check out the schematics for Robert Keeley's TBL and use the resistor placement he used to avoid any popping.

willsledge
willsledgefx.com

[alfonso]

check out the schematics for Robert Keeley's TBL and use the resistor placement he used to avoid any popping.

Where can these be found?

[Mark Hammer]

keeley actually provides a lot of information on his website. Given the fire they recently had (pretty much the entire facility was destroyed), that website may be temporarily off, but I haven't checked it out myself.

[gabepedals]

After searching online for days contemplating turning a Boss pedal into a true bypass pedal, I decided to build a true bypass loop pedal, like this:
Beavis Audio Research

To be able to true bypass all your pedals as opposed to hacking into one pedal to true bypass one pedal, this seemed like the perfect solution.

[Mark Hammer]

It seems like it because it is. If you have more than 3 or 4 pedals, you'll always find a use for a loop selector.