true bypassing Boss pedals with 3PDT?

[kctxsa]

I recently built my first pedal (a simple boost) and successfully used a 3PDT to true bypass it.

Anybody had success using a 3PDT to true bypass Boss pedals?

 

[GuiltySpark]

I've seen examples for sale. It is physically possible. But it's a tight squeeze in there! I've seen it done two ways, one just pokes the 3PDT switch out. The other trims the top off the 3PDT switch and uses the stock on/off pad. Pedal looks original until the cover is lifted.

One example of method one. I couldn't find an example of the trimmed switch, but I have seen them for sale on rare occasion.

 

[kctxsa]

Wow. That's a weird one. I haven't poked around too much in there but I'm guessing that based on that picture it's a tight squeeze to get a normal 3PDT in there.

Most of the switches I've seen have a good deal of height adjustment with a nut but maybe not enough. I'll make sure to post any success I have.

 

[blackba]

I think a looper is a better solution or tweaking the buffer in a boss pedal than putting a 3PDT switch in there to make it true bypass.

 

[SonicVI]

I've done it a couple of times. It's not really all that difficult, relatively, but working space is tight, which I'm not a fan of.

 

[TheLemon]

Tried to do it once on a MXR Phase 90 but there was no room because the current switch was PCB-mounted so there was no room for a 3PDT unless you wanted to cut some of the board out.

I succesfully true-bypassed an old Dunlop Wah pedal with a 3PDT and took out the horrible buffer (and also installed an LED)

 

[shaggs]

boss pedals are probably one of the hardest to true bypass as there is very little room .

 

[kctxsa]

Yeah. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the trouble. Been reading in a couple of places that an unengaged Boss might not be that big of a tone sucker.

Lemon, thanks for the idea on the wah. I was thinking about doing that to an old Crybaby. I don't use it much but it might boost it's trade value if I did a bypass. Should be enough room. If I remember correctly it seemed like you could hide a small sandwich in the cavity of those pedals. I like the LED part too.

 

[termozzz]

My BOSS SD-1 w/3PDT inside

 

[kctxsa]

Well there you go. Different 3PDT switch than I'm used to seeing. Missing the little mushroom cap on top. Source?

 

[kctxsa]

BTW, just new to TGP today (if not apparent by my post count of a whopping 7). Got tired of all the garbage over at HC. Decent place to source out gear and stuff but try and get a decent discussion going about something and your thread gets immediately gang-banged by a clown parade.

 

[termozzz]

Well there you go. Different 3PDT switch than I'm used to seeing. Missing the little mushroom cap on top. Source?

the little mushroom cap has been removed )

 

[Axekisser]

Termozzz, are able to provide a schematic? Are you going right to the buffer and also switching the LED?

 

[Waxhead]

I've got the perfect bypass solution for a Boss pedal.
Don't use one :BEER

 

[stoneattic]

I know it's an old thread, but I wanted to ask termozzz how he removed the cap on the switch? I don't want to destroy the switch. Did you just yank it? (That sounded bad)

 

[elvisofnazareth]

I did a TB to a modded blues driver once. One thing you need to check before you mod is if the pedal circuitry turns on when you plug in, some Boss pedals turn on when powered up, some power up in bypass mode. If it powers up in bypass mode, all your TB switch will be doing is switching in and out the Boss Buffer!!!! This is fixable but a whole separate can of worms. And a separate pain in the ass.

 

[BrianWampler]

you can also just install a small relay to bypass it as well and not have to mess with the 3pdt. It's a bit easier, IMO.

 

[mikoo69]

is there any way to bypass a DD-6 but still have the warp function work? the warp function is where te delay records and holds as long as you depress the pedal and as you lift your foot off the held loop diminishes in volume.

i also want to TB a Boss DD-2 and a Boss DM-2. can anyone do this for me? i like the method where the switch is under the casing so the original footswitch still works.

 

[earthtonesaudio]

is there any way to bypass a DD-6 but still have the warp function work? the warp function is where te delay records and holds as long as you depress the pedal and as you lift your foot off the held loop diminishes in volume.

i also want to TB a Boss DD-2 and a Boss DM-2. can anyone do this for me? i like the method where the switch is under the casing so the original footswitch still works.

Possible, but extremely impractical. You'd have to use relays, and electronically control them so that the inputs switched first, but the outputs would not switch until after the effect dies out. Considering that time interval is going to vary according to the delay time and feedback level, you'd probably have to use something like a noise gate to tell the output relays when to switch. Lots of circuitry, most of it intermediate-to-advanced in terms of difficulty... so it is possible, but it probably has never been done in a guitar pedal, and maybe never will.

 

[this1smyne]

au contraire. i've true bypassed a DD6 and installed external tap tempo control (which when held works as the warp function). i did rehouse it, though it wasn't necessary for the mods.