| Author | Message | ||
| juggernaught
Advanced Member Username: juggernaught Post Number: 260 Registered: 3-2007 |
So the stereo switch was always bugging me on my Brown, due to the right angle cable always hitting it into stereo. I would put the cable in such that the right angle cable rested over the the switch, keeping it pressed down in mono. A hard step and yank with my foot on the cable revealed the flaw of that configuration, leaving me with a broken off stereo switch. Even though I don't miss the switch, I want to fix the thing. Are there any alternatives to switches, such as buttons, that I use as a replacement, avoiding the same problem as before? Maybe locking switches? Knobs? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1224 Registered: 2-2005 |
The way I resolved it is to use a straight plug as opposed to the right angle. Using the right angle I had the same problem as you. The cable would either hit the stereo/mono switch or the LED on/off switch. Since switching, the cable hits neither. For my Series 1 I have moved the LED switch out of the way. Keith | ||
| dfung60
Advanced Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 375 Registered: 5-2002 |
I had an unusual instrument that had special locking mini-switches. They way they worked is that the switch lever was spring-loaded (the spring pulled perpendicular to the face of the instrument) and there was a special slotted piece at the bottom of the switch lever. To flip the switch, you have to lift the lever up over the bumps at the bottom, then you drop it down to lock it into the new position. The switch lever had a screw on piece that was sort of rocket-shaped (easier to grip than a normal toggle). I think this was probably some sort of aerospace part. I remember seeing larger versions of this kind of switch in a light aircraft cockpit. The hole for the switch was probably a little bigger than your regular mini-toggle, but not by much. These switches were on a Hamer 12-string bass that I bought from Rick Neilsen (the guitarist in Cheap Trick). I don't know if they were there when the bass was built or added later (I would guess the latter). The bass had two pickups (oddly, they were DiMarzio X2N guitar pickups, but hey, the instrument was only 1/3 bass!), and the each pickup had it's own preamp. The special switches selected low boost level, high boost level, and a bright boost. There where independent volume controls, no tone controls, and stereo out. There was also a battery switch and LED. If I ever find those switches, I would buy a ton! They were great. I don't even know what to call them unfortunately. David Fung | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7561 Registered: 5-2002 |
David, is this it? And this? (Message edited by davehouck on February 15, 2009) | ||
| jimmyj
Junior Username: jimmyj Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2008 |
I think this is the type of switch David is describing - the locking mechanism is in the spring-loaded switch handle which prevents the toggle from moving unless you pull it outward first...  They're still made by several companies. You can also get switches with very short "bats". Of course, these can be broken off just as easily as the other styles... I'm not sure how your bass is laid out, can't picture where your mono/stereo switch is and why the cable would cross it. My approach is to always run the cable through the strap for those accidental step-on moments. Jimmy J | ||
| jimmyj
Junior Username: jimmyj Post Number: 33 Registered: 8-2008 |
OK, Dave beat me - I'm a slow poster! JJ | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7563 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hee hee; it's the thought that counts! | ||
| juggernaught
Advanced Member Username: juggernaught Post Number: 261 Registered: 3-2007 |
Hi Keith. Yeh, a straight plug is the easiest solution, but these Bayou cables were expensive! Anyways, now that the switch is broken, I might as well put a lockable switch in. I'm not sure there's a real advantage to having a super fast, super sensitive stereo switch. I usually do put the cable through the strap... sometimes I forget though. On a side note, I have managed to bump the switch somehow with a straight plug (don't ask me how!). For some reason I find it really annoying to look down to discover that I've only been using one pickup for the last half hour... Those lockable ones look great. I'll ask my tech about installing one. | ||
| dfung60
Advanced Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 376 Registered: 5-2002 |
Dave & Jimmy - Yup, those are the parts! The ones I had on my Hamer were exactly the parts that Jimmy posted, with a black metal screw on tip. I guess I need to visit the shop at a general aviation airport and see if I can find some of these. David Fung |
