Is it possible..

Gudster · #1 03-28-2007, 11:38 AM

I use a number of Boss Pedals, which of course, are not true bypass.

I know nothing of moding pedals (asside from the fact that you can mod pedals in various ways). Is it possible to have my Pedals modded so they are true bypass or am I just mental?

Cheers.

Mike239 · #2 03-29-2007, 06:49 AM

Hey which boss pedals do you have?? Anyway you should be able to do a true by-pass mod on your pedals you just have to search for mods on the internet, but you may need to replace the switch with a 3PDT (maybe) to be able to get the bypass, it might be a bit difficult.

Stygian · #3 03-29-2007, 08:27 AM

If you know nothing about modding, then you probably aren't familiar with a 3PDT switch. I just did true bypass to my Dunlop Crybaby, so I learned a few odds and ends. Non bypass pedals have SPST stock switches, which has 3 connections to solder wires to. Next is DPDT with 6 connections, and 3PDT with 9 connections. I believe it stands for "___-pull, ___-throw", substitute for whatever variation (single, double, triple).

I used a DPDT for my wah mod, an Alpha brand switch which cost 5 USD. I used 5 of the 6 soldering ports. Get the right switch and if you're comfortable using a soldering iron, it'll be a really cheap mod. Or have somebody else do it, as long as you acquire the switch and know the right people (i.e. don't have to send it in somewhere) you should be able to get it done cheap.

Jay22 · #4 03-29-2007, 10:20 AM

Hey guys. Im new here. I like this board. Its pretty cool.

Anyways, I've got the answer to your troubles. However it costs a bit of cash.

Voodoo labs makes a ground control and audio switcher. These units are made for managing pedals from one pedal board. This is how it works.

The ground control is a midi controller. It is made specifically to control the rack mount unit called an audio switcher. This unit has several "loops" that you plug your pedals, additional amps or whatever you want into. Then your ground control pedal turns these loops on or off. So, you connect all of your pedals to these "loops" on the audio switcher and turn all of your pedals on. Now, when the loop is out, your guitar signal is routed around the pedals. It doesn't even pass thru your effects pedals at all. Now lets say you want your delay pedal on for a certain part. You simple press button one (for example) on the ground control. Button one controls loop one (for example, this is all changeable). And your delay is on loop one. It switches the audio signal to run thru that pedal. When your done, just hit button one again, and your audio signal is routed around the pedal again.

I hope i explained this ok, but voodoolabs has the manuals on their website. Check out the Audio Switcher and the Ground Control units. You can just take all your pedals and toss them in a rack drawer.

But, it creates a true bypass for you. Along with a much easier way to control all of your midi gear, along with all of your boss pedals. Or any other brand.

Jason Stone · #5 03-29-2007, 10:49 AM

Boss pedals are very difficult to mod to true bypass, if it can be done at all. You would need to add a switch and some of the pedals are very cramped on the inside. But the more relevant question is why you would bother in the first place. The buffer switches in Boss pedals are actually very good and don't suck tone much at all. I doubt you would notice much difference.

If you insist on true bypass, a better solution for Boss pedals might be a looper, as Jay suggests. You can buy a true bypass looper or build one yourself. They're very easy to make if you know how to solder.

John01W · #6 03-29-2007, 11:16 AM

Jay22 had the right answer for you...will also eliminate the tap dancing and add midi control and true bypass to your stomps. The ground control pro is a great controller.

I would suggest getting 2 axess electronics GRX4s and a ground control. 1 grx4 if you only have up to 4 pedals. THe buffers from axess(you can turn it off if you like) are superior to the DMC ones.

By the time you got through paying to have your pedals gutted, you would have spent way too much money, and still not have the results you want because as Jason said, they don't true bypass easily if at all. That money would be better invested in axess/dmc which would be there no matter what pedals come and go over the years.

voodoo_child · #7 03-29-2007, 12:15 PM

True bypass vs buffered switching is a complicated & thorny issue. (pretty technical arguments on both sides of the fence).

Honestly, Boss pedals have a pretty decent bypass. Unless you have a really huge chain of them, i probably wouldnt worry about it.

Gudster · #8 03-29-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoo_child

Honestly, Boss pedals have a pretty decent bypass. Unless you have a really huge chain of them, i probably wouldnt worry about it.

I have a huge chain of them.

Jay22 · #9 03-29-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gudster

I have a huge chain of them.

I remember those days. Honestly, Grab a looper and a ground control. Or build a looper. Seriously. A great point made by John01W is that even if you dumped that kinda money into your pedals one by one, It isnt guaranteed to work correctly if at all. Also, like John said, what happens the next time you buy a new pedal? What if its a Boss? Or a Big Muff? Maybe a Rocktron pedal? Digitech? Hell. The list goes on and on. There is no way under the sun that you could justify spending money like that on modding each pedal you have, and every one you buy in the future. Either get a good rack effects unit and hang on to any other pedals you have, such as distortion and such, OR, do the smart thing and grab a looper. Its perfect for you. Each unit can control 4 or 8 pedals i think, and they are connectable, so you can add more if you need to. Itll save you a ton of cash.

So get the looper, the ground control, and spend the money you saved on more gear. Or buy lotto tickets, either way its better spent than modding those pedals for sure.

Gudster · #10 03-29-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay22

I remember those days. Honestly, Grab a looper and a ground control. Or build a looper. Seriously. A great point made by John01W is that even if you dumped that kinda money into your pedals one by one, It isnt guaranteed to work correctly if at all. Also, like John said, what happens the next time you buy a new pedal? What if its a Boss? Or a Big Muff? Maybe a Rocktron pedal? Digitech? Hell. The list goes on and on. There is no way under the sun that you could justify spending money like that on modding each pedal you have, and every one you buy in the future. Either get a good rack effects unit and hang on to any other pedals you have, such as distortion and such, OR, do the smart thing and grab a looper. Its perfect for you. Each unit can control 4 or 8 pedals i think, and they are connectable, so you can add more if you need to. Itll save you a ton of cash.

So get the looper, the ground control, and spend the money you saved on more gear. Or buy lotto tickets, either way its better spent than modding those pedals for sure.

Got a link?

Cheers.

John01W · #11 03-29-2007, 03:47 PM

Good post by Jay22(again

.....The capacitance by running through all those pedals/cables true bypass or not is enough to kill your tone. Using a switcher will completely remove those including removing all the cabling from the signal path when not in use not to mention cut down on tap dancing.

So in essence, your tone will be better with a good switcher. Buffer or not.
It's worth it man....also will reduce wear and tear on your pedals because you won't have to constantly stomp them to turn them on/off.

One of those axess grx4 units is only 250(I have one, and it's awesome)... Put em' on a pedal shelf with the switcher(the grx4 fits on a pedal shelf or pedal board). Pedals are great for some things, rack units are better for others.....

Keep the good pedal effects...ditch the others, get a good rack effects unit put it all in a rack and be happy.

IMO...phase, flange, od, distortion, eq(either or, different effect) , chorus(rack chorus is good too so it's either or here), boost, filters(either/or), compressor if you use them(either or here).... should be pedals

everything else a quality rack unit is going to dominate. Eventides(I know, it's expensive, and the guy is just asking about true bypass) can do everything great so they break the rules.....Chorus, pitch shift, delays, filters, reverb should be after the preamp or in the effects loop. Delays with distortion on them sound like crap. You can get a good rack unit for cheap if you choose wisely.

What pedals are you using?

John01W · #12 03-29-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gudster

Got a link?

Cheers.

http://www.axess-electronics.com/ check out the grx4...this is the better choice as far as switchers but the DMC unit is a solid unit as well.

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

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

Gudster · #13 03-29-2007, 06:27 PM

Thank you kindly sir. I'll look into it.

What Power Supplys do you all use by the way?

John01W · #14 03-29-2007, 06:33 PM

Pedal Power 2+...very much worth the coin....

a great rack shelf is the penn fabrication low profile...cost around 50 bucks...

if you go on the bay and type in "sliding rack tray" penn sells em' there for cheap.. You can fit all your pedals/switcher/power supply in 2 rack spaces.

Jay22 · #15 03-29-2007, 08:33 PM

Lol. Sorry I forgot the links, but john got em all for ya. thats about it man. Get em. Seriously. The whole point of those is what john was talking about. Most pedal effects are WAY better than rack units, unless you drop over a grand on a rack effects unit like the G major or somethin. (I think thats the right one...)

But yes, the pedals sound better, so they made switchers. Takes care of the problem.