/ Register

Are all footswitches universal?

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Kyon`, Jul 31, 2009.

  1. Jul 31, 2009 #1
    Kyon`

    Kyon`

    Aug 17, 2007
    Boston, MA
    Sorry if this a dumb question but I tried searching and coulnd't really find an answer. Are most standard footswitches universal? Say I have a 4 button footswitch off a b-52 guitar amp could I use it with my sansamp rpm bass rig? If not what are some brands I could look into? I need something to quickly switch between the dirty, to clean, to gritty, to full out distortion without having to turn around and turn the switch on my RPM. Thank you!
     
  2. Jul 31, 2009 #2
    TheMutt

    TheMutt Guest

    Apr 28, 2007
    AFAIK, most mono cable footswitches should work with other amps that use the same. However, you may need to flip the polarity of the switch in some cases. Now if it's a stereo cable switch, or even further than that an RJ-45 (Ethernet cable) switch, you'd probably need the specs on it to re-wire everything.
     
  3. Jul 31, 2009 #3
    Vic Winters

    Vic Winters

    Apr 20, 2006
    Western NY
    Depends. Some footswitches are latching some are momentary.
     
  4. Jul 31, 2009 #4
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    And some of them send a voltage pulse (or resistance "pulse") to a switching circuit that is actually housed inside the amp head. In those cases, you have to have a switch that performs the exact same function as the stock one from the amp manufacturer.
     
  5. Jul 31, 2009 #5
    Kyon`

    Kyon`

    Aug 17, 2007
    Boston, MA
    Hm where can I find a footswitch for my sansamp then? Tech 21 doesn't seem to have one.
     
  6. Jul 31, 2009 #6
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    You'd need to contact Tech21 and ask them what kind of switch it requires.
     
  7. Aug 1, 2009 #7
    Lindsay

    Lindsay

    Feb 11, 2008
    Adelaide, Australia