GCX and Fender Hot rod Deluxe channel switching....possible?

[alfonso]

The fender Hot rod deluxe has a system to switch between 3 "channels" (technically are different tube routings so not really channels) with a pedal that has 2 switches connected with a mono cable to select Clean/Drive/More Drive.

Can it be GCX operated?

[borehead]

I think you probably can do it with the Control Switcher that is coming out soon!

http://www.voodoolab.com/controlswitcher.htm

/Johan

[alfonso]

I think you probably can do it with the Control Switcher that is coming out soon!

http://www.voodoolab.com/controlswitcher.htm

/Johan

For what I'm understanding of the Fender FS there is no way.....I only should make a box with the FS circuitry which is controlled by GCX switching functions instead of buttons...too much of a hassle maybe. The fact that there isn't an official answer yet makes me think there is some head scratching going on....I hope in an official answer though anyway because that would make the difference in the idea to get a GCX or a simple Pedal Switcher....

[JohnClark]

The fender Hot rod deluxe has a system to switch between 3 "channels" (technically are different tube routings so not really channels) with a pedal that has 2 switches connected with a mono cable to select Clean/Drive/More Drive.

Can it be GCX operated?

In order to get the GCX or Control Switcher to control the switchable functions on a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, you must re-create a portion of the foot switch circuit or modify the Fender foot switch itself. The mod is to replace the switches with 1/4" jacks, these would then be connected to the GCX loops or Control Switcher jacks to control the functions remotely.

Cheers!
John Clark
Voodoo Lab Tech/Magician

[alfonso]

Thanks

I was thinking to something similar but making a new box directly conceived to accept jacks without modding the original one, it should be easy and not expensive. This is what I got from The Fender Forum forum researching a bit:

"The footswitch is working with AC and Diodes to detect clean (open) drive (+ is grounded) more drive (- is grounded).
So you need to solder a diode (1N 4007 (1A, min 50V)) between the tip (or hot end) to the ground (other cable): (+) -[>|]- (-) . If it switches between clean and more drive you have to turn the diode."

I'm not an expert at all, but i imagine that a simple box, three female jacks, the diode and a little wire is all that's needed. Considering the amount of such amps around, a closer look to it and a nice diagram in VL support pages for all the potential users would be a quite good move... . At this point my very basic soldering skills would be more than enough...

[alfonso]

I opened it and it's quite more complex...I think that soldering few cables to the pcb points of the switches and putting a couple female jacks might be the best thing...I'm only wondering if the switches that I wouldn't want to remove from there, particularly the drive/more drive one which is not just open/closed but grounds alternative parts of the circuit (as it seems...not sure) can affect the operation with its simple presence....

I attach 2 pics. The drive/more drive switch is the one with the white led and closer to the output jack.

[JohnClark]

I have found a schematic for the switch but I am unsure if I can post it here. I mistakenly assumed the Fender foot switch used momentary switches. The foot switch mod will replace the switches. I have edited my previous post to reflect this.

[alfonso]

I have found a schematic for the switch but I am unsure if I can post it here. I mistakenly assumed the Fender foot switch used momentary switches. The foot switch mod will replace the switches. I have edited my previous post to reflect this.

John Clark
Voodoo Lab
Tech/Magician

Thanks...this was my concern. Probably the only thing to do is to buy a second switch and mod it, if I really need it.

[mibu]

hi john! mibu here. glad to "read" you on this forum.

a few months ago I have done this mod for a client, a few months ago, and it worked. but there was ground noise, because he used an RG16 unit, which has a common ground for the switching loops. the problem is that not all of the 3 switches in the fender switching pedal have common ground, so you need to get them separated (which can be done with the GCX unit).