Switching multiple guitars

DonRoos · 2011-05-09T10:46:41+00:00

I and the other two guitarists in my band have a problem with switching guitars for different songs. It takes time to turn off the amp, unplug one guitar an...

Switching multiple guitars

Norman86

oh yes, there are circuits available...
Alan will probably comment on that, obviously it will work out cheaper, but how much cheaper, im not sure!
do a google search for the boss ab-2 and check the oldguitarforum links, the info is on one of them ?

the other thing i wanted to say is that i dont think you get a circuit for more than 2 guitars! i havent seen one myself before, but maybe one of the other more knowledgeable guys can comment on that!
but again, you could probably build that too!

Jack-Flash-Jr

I'll wait for Singemonkey to weigh in on this one... he's pretty much got it waxed (as long as he keeps his foot off the tuner ? )

DaFiz

Why switch off the amp...? Simply turn down the input gain and pull out the jack plug, insert new jack plug and turn up input gain. ?
I'd also rather play the semi acoustic through the PA and keep the guitar amp for the electric guitar only. The settings will be vastly different for the switchover from electric to acoustic won't it...? ???

AlanRatcliffe

An A/B switch for two guitars is easy: I bought a General Guitar Gadgets kit for $30 and assembled it in half an hour. They have the schematics and layout on their site here if you want to source the parts and build it locally (although you'd probably still have to import the switch).

A multi switch is a lot more complicated - you'd need a logic circuit and relays. I'd probably speak to Graeme about that...

singemonkey

Makepeace made me one that does the job great. He could do it, or suggest the design and components that would work for you.

If it's just your tubes you're worried about though, putting a tuner in front is a good solution. Stomp on it and then unplug happily.

ZarK

Lehle makes some decent switchers...

I'm using a Korg pitchblack plus tuner because 1. its 10x more accurate than the standard pitch black and 2. It has a built in a/b switch to select between guitars.

P.S. note that the Boss A/B pedal uses 2xAAA batteries and does not allow for AC adapter...

DonRoos

Thx for replies, much appreceiated. I have 2 accoustics that I want to switch and will keep the electric seperate. I think an A/B will be cheeper than 2 DI Boxes. I don't like the fact that the Boss unit uses AAA bateries and does NOT allow a Power Supply. My guitarist has 3 differently tuned electrics that he wants to feed into a multi-effects unit. This will mean 2x A/B switches.

I have seen a few A/B switch circuits and even found a Morley A/B/C circuit that I am planning to build. It is basical 2x A/B switchesd in series - A or B/C and B or C. I have heard that if the circuits are not properly grounded that noise gets in from the switched out guitars, especially if there are effects on that line. I don't know if this circuit is properly grounded or not (not so hot on the theory). I am happy to build a circuit as they are VERY simple but want to build a good one.

Hoping Makepeace will provide some info about those he has built for singemonkey.

DonRoos

Managed to find some heavy duty foot switches, a box, a battery holder, 4 stereo jack plugs, 3 blue LED's with resisters and knocked up the ABC switch I found a diagram for. It works and look OK - needs some lables though.

Thanks for all the help.

nick

Or just buy one of the cables where the jack has a mute switch on it, possibly the cheapest option.

DonRoos

I built myself an ABC Switch and my fellow guitarists in our band (Roxy Blu) decide they wanted one each. I built another ABC Switch for one of them and the other decided he wanted place for 6 guitars so I used a rotary switch for his. Word has spread and I have just built another ABC Switch for another guitarist.

Here are some photos of the ABC Switch:

and one of the ABCDEF Switch:

slyd

Awesome Don!
The rotary switch was a great idea too! ?

Well done ?