Building a tap tempo is easy!

**thesteve** · 01-16-2010, 10:34 PM

Simple tap tempo. I've been debating using a DPDT with a polarity switch (to switch between normally open and normally closed switching). The switch I have in this one is a SPST, normally open. I think it will work with the DD-5 considering that the Boss FS5U I have has been working with my DD-5 regardless of polarity setting.

Oh yeah...just because I know this comes up...

Case about like $8 at Fry's.
Switch was $2.50 at a local electronics supply
1/4" Jack was...75 cents, I think. The one I put in here was an old crackly one that I took off of my Jazz Bass.

ibanez_dude · 01-16-2010, 10:55 PM

yeh, it's really amazing how much Boss or some company can charge for one of these, simply cause a lot of people aren't savvy enough to make one. I'd dare say that looks sturdier than either one Boss makes as well...

**thesteve** · 01-17-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez_dude

yeh, it's really amazing how much Boss or some company can charge for one of these, simply cause a lot of people aren't savvy enough to make one. I'd dare say that looks sturdier than either one Boss makes as well...

Yeah, I'm not sure if that's going to be the final switch I use. It's heavy-duty and as such has a very loud "click" sound that goes along with it. I've seen "soft-touch" momentary stomps on the market, but I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra cash to get them. I do have a plastic topped momentary that looks a bit more industrial but is definitely a lot quieter than the stomp I have on right now. It's just not as aesthetically consistent as this one is.

Almost Enough · 01-18-2010, 01:39 AM

I made one using Radio Shack parts. That's the only electronics store in town hat carries enclosures of any kind. The plastic enclosure didn't seem that great to me, but it works great and I've never had a problem with it. The little red plastic switch is dead silent when tapping and has never failed me. It looks like a remote detonator device, too, which is another plus!

**thesteve** · 01-18-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almost Enough

I made one using Radio Shack parts. That's the only electronics store in town hat carries enclosures of any kind. The plastic enclosure didn't seem that great to me, but it works great and I've never had a problem with it. The little red plastic switch is dead silent when tapping and has never failed me. It looks like a remote detonator device, too, which is another plus!

The quieter switch I have is a red button one, though it's definitely heavier duty than the RS switches. Like I mentioned earlier, it just came down to aesthetics over annoying click-click-click-click.

thinbishop · 01-18-2010, 07:42 PM

Do you know if and where you can find those switches that Line6 puts on their DL4, MM4, etc?
Cause they look like nice and they don't have a bad click-click sound ... And they would work great for a tap tempo ...

**thesteve** · 01-18-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinbishop

Do you know if and where you can find those switches that Line6 puts on their DL4, MM4, etc?
Cause they look like nice and they don't have a bad click-click sound ... And they would work great for a tap tempo ...

I believe this is the switch that would work: Momentary SPST "Soft-Touch"

If I was making a big order from Small Bear, I would probably consider getting some of these for future tap tempos I may make, but for now, I just couldn't justify paying shipping on one part.

This is the switch for building a FS-5U style "polarity switching" tap tempo.
Switch - Taiwan X-Wing Momentary SPDT

thinbishop · 01-18-2010, 07:55 PM

Funny, I was just looking at small bear's website and was just coming back to post a "nevermind" sort of thing ...

And yes you are very correct, shipping can kill when you're only in need of one component ... Now I'm gonna have to wait till the next time I'm ordering more than one thing ...

ibanez_dude · 01-18-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

I believe this is the switch that would work: Momentary SPST "Soft-Touch"

If I was making a big order from Small Bear, I would probably consider getting some of these for future tap tempos I may make, but for now, I just couldn't justify paying shipping on one part.

This is the switch for building a FS-5U style "polarity switching" tap tempo.
Switch - Taiwan X-Wing Momentary SPDT

that's cool, I might keep that in mind for future projects. Do you know if they make a "soft touch" style latching switch? I know it sounds kinda like an oxymoron, but I'm looking to possibly replace the switches in my Jekyll & Hyde, they are obnoxiously loud.

**thesteve** · 01-18-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez_dude

that's cool, I might keep that in mind for future projects. Do you know if they make a "soft touch" style latching switch? I know it sounds kinda like an oxymoron, but I'm looking to possibly replace the switches in my Jekyll & Hyde, they are obnoxiously loud.

I'm not familiar with a soft-touch latching switch, though I haven't looked for one either. I know they're not really common.