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Post subject: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternatives?
Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:02 pm
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The two button reverb/vibrato footswitch that comes with every vintage series Fender amp (and the CVR) is... well it's not very well made. The one that came with my CVR has failed and I need a replacement. I could order the same one for $49.99 however I'm curious to know if there are any more robust alternatives available that will work with the Fender amp.

For the sake of clarity, this is the exact footswitch I'm talking about:
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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:24 pm
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PTM...What went wrong with the footswitch? The DPDT switches can be changed and there are good replacements out there...carling comes to mind. I have used these switches in the past on my 84 Concerts footswitch, haven't had a problem since I replaced it ten years ago.

http://www.allparts.com/EP-4155-000-Car ... _1376.html

There's really not much more than a metal cap (to hold the switches), a rubber bottom and the plug. Not much to fail. The metal cap might not be as thick as the old ones, but they are pretty much made the same way.

You should be able to fix your current one. I know that doesn't answer the question, but these really are easy to repair, and there is not much out there to replace them with that are built any better.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:40 pm
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Are you sure it's a DPDT switch? Here's an internal shot of the footswitch I took. Those are only two terminal switches.

Also, at $18 a pop plus shipping I might as well buy a whole new pedal.

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 3:19 pm
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Ebay vendor "musicpartsguru" sells a pair of those switches for $8.99 plus S&H.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 3:20 pm
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Should I buy the DPDT or the SPDT switches?

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 9:56 am
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They are SP/ST switches.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:24 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
They are SP/ST switches.

Arjay



Thanks for the post assist, and always good to have another source for parts.

I forgot that the footswitch for my Concert is a DP/DT which are more expensive, when I went looking for examples for the PTM!

T2

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:36 pm
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The cable is the most common failure on the reissue pedals. You'd expect them to use good quality cable, but the stuff they use often fails even when treated gently and doesn't survive rough handling. While it's possible that both switches have failed, I'd definitely use a voltmeter to check the continuity of the common ground (braided shield). If it has snapped somewhere along its length it would mess up the function of both switches. (A bad ground solder at the plug would do the same thing.)


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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:13 pm
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strayedstrater wrote:
The cable is the most common failure on the reissue pedals. You'd expect them to use good quality cable, but the stuff they use often fails even when treated gently and doesn't survive rough handling. While it's possible that both switches have failed, I'd definitely use a voltmeter to check the continuity of the common ground (braided shield). If it has snapped somewhere along its length it would mess up the function of both switches. (A bad ground solder at the plug would do the same thing.)


Good call. I did check the cable and there is strong connectivity from end to end. It's only the reverb channel and it has to be the switch because in playing with the meter I was able to determine that turning the Vib switch on changes the continuity to ground whereas the Verb switch does nothing.

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:21 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Ebay vendor "musicpartsguru" sells a pair of those switches for $8.99 plus S&H.

Arjay


Thanks for the tip! I found and purchased a pair!

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:04 pm
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Problem solved.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:28 pm
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Well, turns out it's not the switch as we thought. Got the new ones, just installed the new switch - same problem. Reverb works when no foot pedal is plugged in. As soon as the foot pedal is in use, reverb will not activate.

Looks like I'm taking it in to the dealer for warranty service. :?

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Post subject: Re: Fender vintage style two-button footswitch - alternative
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 5:21 pm
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Powdered Toast Man wrote:
Well, turns out it's not the switch as we thought. Got the new ones, just installed the new switch - same problem. Reverb works when no foot pedal is plugged in. As soon as the foot pedal is in use, reverb will not activate.

Looks like I'm taking it in to the dealer for warranty service. :?


Sorry to hear that :( Good luck with the servicing and let us know how it turns out.

T2

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