Marshall Footswitch help

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Jay
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Post by Jay »

I'm trying to make a footswitch for my Marshall TSL60 Head. I can buy one new for $130 but all the reviews say they are crap and dont last.
Here is the amp schematic. Page 2 A5 is the footswitch jack. From what I can see pin 6 is ground and if i connect the other pins to ground I can change channels. Is that correct? Would I need momentary switches? Thanks for any help you can give.

I should also add that it is a 5 button footswitch. Channel1-3, reverb and FX.

Jason

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bajaman
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Post by bajaman »

Hi Jay - the switches are crap, but there are two types used if I remember correctly - Latched and Unlatched or momentary switches.
They are marked U or L on the side of the switch body - your best idea is to buy the footswitch including the connector and replace the switches with some better quality ones
cheers
bajaman

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Jay
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Post by Jay »

I was afraid that would be the answer. Too pricy by the time I buy one and replace the switches. I even read that the cable is crappy too.
If I cant DIY I think I will stick to the same method Ive been using, clean channel and pedals.

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theehman
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Post by theehman »

Jay wrote:I was afraid that would be the answer. Too pricy by the time I buy one and replace the switches. I even read that the cable is crappy too.
If I cant DIY I think I will stick to the same method Ive been using, clean channel and pedals.
You can check if they're latched or unlatched by shorting each pin to ground then removing the short to see if it stays.
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Jay
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Post by Jay »

theehman wrote:
Jay wrote:I was afraid that would be the answer. Too pricy by the time I buy one and replace the switches. I even read that the cable is crappy too.
If I cant DIY I think I will stick to the same method Ive been using, clean channel and pedals.
You can check if they're latched or unlatched by shorting each pin to ground then removing the short to see if it stays.
I see what you are saying, thats a great idea. Thanks.

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Jay
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Post by Jay »

ok, did some testing and have some results but am still confused.
New schematic link With no connections made channel 3 is on. short pin 1 and channel 1 is on till you break the connection.
While that is connected no other connections will have any effect. Short pin 2 and channel 2 is on untill you break the connection,
same as before no other connections change anything. Short pin 3 and channel 1 is on but with a little spark upon connection.
Pin 4 and 5 have no effect so I will assume they are for FX loop and reverb.
I took voltage reading incase they would be helpful. Pin 1 and 2 are 0 VDC. Pin 3 is 22 VDC and pin 4 and 5 are 19 VDC.

Here is a quote from a review on the footswitch over at MF maybe it will help shed some light.

"My advice is : When you buy this footswitch immediately 1) Replace 3x SPST momentary and
2 DPDT latch switches with good quality (eg Carling). 2) Install 5 pin din socket in footswitch 3) Make up 2 new 5 pin Din cables
(careful to get plug type with centre pin and don't confuse this with Midi
- it is not midi), i.e. one as backup. The circuit board in the unit is basically an LED driver and switch doubouncer with some other logic control."

Hope this isn't too confusing.
So am I up Sh*t creek? :)
Thanks

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Post by bajaman »

"My advice is : When you buy this footswitch immediately 1) Replace 3x SPST momentary and
2 DPDT latch switches with good quality (eg Carling).
This is GOOD ADVICE - do this first - the original switches will have U for momentary or unlatched and L for the latched type. :wink: :wink:
bajaman

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