Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: stratomaster on February 06, 2025, 07:16:12 am

Title: Reproduction Fender Footswitch Repair/Upgrade
Post by: stratomaster on February 06, 2025, 07:16:12 am
I've been coming across the problem quite a bit recently where the insulation on the center connection of the BF/SF repro switches breaks down and causes the reverb or tremolo to go intermittent.  It's easy enough to snip, strip, and reterminate--but that's kicking the can down the road. 

I'm tempted to rewire the switch with XLR cable and a Y boot to some nice right angle RCA plugs, but I wanted to ask what others are doing when they encounter this before going down this rather pricey upgrade path.
Title: Re: Reproduction Fender Footswitch Repair/Upgrade
Post by: uki on February 06, 2025, 07:35:29 am
That plug itself seen to be a problem, it looks like to have a sharp edge in the inside where the cable is, what if open that end a little bit so the cable dont get cut? I mean the end of the plug is bent inwards, bent it outwards, make it straight.

here some interesting plug https://smitherstransformadores.lojaintegrada.com.br/conector-rca-plug-90-graus
Title: Re: Reproduction Fender Footswitch Repair/Upgrade
Post by: mresistor on February 06, 2025, 08:37:19 am
Most replacement Male RCA connectors don't have the sleeve extension on them.  https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/rca-plug-switchcraft-straight-2-conductor-type-3501mx


thus eliminating cutting into the cable. Solder to the shell externally. These are like the vintage Fender plugs.
Title: Re: Reproduction Fender Footswitch Repair/Upgrade
Post by: Latole on February 06, 2025, 01:47:31 pm
Most replacement Male RCA connectors don't have the sleeve extension on them.  https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/rca-plug-switchcraft-straight-2-conductor-type-3501mx


thus eliminating cutting into the cable. Solder to the shell externally. These are like the vintage Fender plugs.

Title: Re: Reproduction Fender Footswitch Repair/Upgrade
Post by: Deric on February 06, 2025, 08:20:03 pm
I'm tempted to rewire the switch with XLR cable and a Y boot to some nice right angle RCA plugs, but I wanted to ask what others are doing when they encounter this before going down this rather pricey upgrade path.


You don't want to use standard XLR/mic cable.  The fender cable has one shielded conductor and one un-shielded conductor.  The shield on the reverb wire keeps noise from the tremolo from bleeding into the grid of the reverb recovery.  Standard mic/xlr type cable is 2 conductors in one shield.