The Switchcraft 14B jack is a Stereo capable shorting jack.
Seems to me it is an ideal candidate for using via stereo instrument cable into a simple A/B switcher pedal for channel or gain switching options.
No extra hole nor additional cable coming out from amp. Just switch via silent latching ABY pedal via main stereo input.
Has anyone ever tried using a stereo shorting jack and/or stereo cable this way before?
Channel switching via 14B Input jack?
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Channel switching via 14B Input jack?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Channel switching via 14B Input jack?
Reminds me of a thread where Maxkracht did something similar in using switched stereo jacks to take a cathode bypass cap in and out. His thread inspired a few designs of mine and they’ve also worked well, though mine, like his original “cloacal” design, have changed components to modify values in a single signal path rather than outright switch between discrete channels.
I can’t think of a reason this wouldn’t work though. Only drawback I can think of is that the additional specialized equipment between the AB/Y box and the stereo jack, but otherwise might be quieter than an equivalent setup with something like a Tweed Bassman or 4-hole Marshall depending on the cables used since there’s a shorter cable run. There’s also the ergonomic concern about accessing the channel on the ring lead if there’s user doesn’t have the requisite AB/Y box and stereo cable handy, though that might be avoidable if there’s a DPDT switch to reverse the channel assignments between the tip and ring. A push/pull pot assigning the ring and tip assignments would similarly avoid panel clutter.
I can’t think of a reason this wouldn’t work though. Only drawback I can think of is that the additional specialized equipment between the AB/Y box and the stereo jack, but otherwise might be quieter than an equivalent setup with something like a Tweed Bassman or 4-hole Marshall depending on the cables used since there’s a shorter cable run. There’s also the ergonomic concern about accessing the channel on the ring lead if there’s user doesn’t have the requisite AB/Y box and stereo cable handy, though that might be avoidable if there’s a DPDT switch to reverse the channel assignments between the tip and ring. A push/pull pot assigning the ring and tip assignments would similarly avoid panel clutter.
Re: Channel switching via 14B Input jack?
You are spot-on.cdemike wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2024 2:59 am Reminds me of a thread where Maxkracht did something similar in using switched stereo jacks to take a cathode bypass cap in and out. His thread inspired a few designs of mine and they’ve also worked well, though mine, like his original “cloacal” design, have changed components to modify values in a single signal path rather than outright switch between discrete channels.
I can’t think of a reason this wouldn’t work though. Only drawback I can think of is that the additional specialized equipment between the AB/Y box and the stereo jack, but otherwise might be quieter than an equivalent setup with something like a Tweed Bassman or 4-hole Marshall depending on the cables used since there’s a shorter cable run. There’s also the ergonomic concern about accessing the channel on the ring lead if there’s user doesn’t have the requisite AB/Y box and stereo cable handy, though that might be avoidable if there’s a DPDT switch to reverse the channel assignments between the tip and ring. A push/pull pot assigning the ring and tip assignments would similarly avoid panel clutter.
It does heavily rely upon a good working A/B/Y box and a Stereo instrument cable, but then again so does having a separate foot switch, a working DPDT, a working and complicated switching relay hooked into the heater voltages, etc.
I already use a JHS Active A/B/Y pedal on a 60s Bassman style amp with 2 channels and use the amp frequently,.in fact just past Saturday with practice. I have the channels very differently voiced now and switching with just the pedal, a run-of-mill Amazon stereo cable that splits into the two inputs and a stereo male to female adapter at the input of the pedal - it works flawlessly and silently. There is no signal bleed no tone suck in the slightest.
This was born from real-world application, it isn't just some idea I came with our of nowhere but in inspiration of this experience.
The only real downside I can think of it that you are stuck with either Clean or Dirty (depending on how wired internally) should you break or lose the switcher pedal and/or cable. But that's a pretty acceptable risk in my book.
I'm sure there's some conceivable way to have a backup DPDT somewhere or put on a push/pull pot as you say, but for the moment all 6 of my amp controls are already push-pull and performing other functions.