It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
Banzai. But it's best if you order in bulk, since the shipping is expensive. Luckily, if you use a lot of pedals with 3PDTs then ordering in bulk makes sense anyway...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpha-Taiwan-3PDT-Footswitch-with-Solder-Lugs/253962505239?epid=2198267762&hash=item3b21584c17:g:3VEAAOSwnfRb8fHV
All 3PDTs are crap, it's the nature of them. Mechanical switching in the signal path is simply less reliable than electronic switching operated by a momentary switch, and making it a 3PDT gives you six possible points of failure instead of one. They're easily the most common component failure on any pedals, and being "handbuilt" or "boutique" doesn't prevent that.
The most reliable pedal switching is made by Boss.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
Is that better?
Or if comfy modding:
https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/OptoPuss_-_Optical_True_Bypass/p847124_17567620.aspx
I just think it's a really stupid, regressive solution to the minor problem of poorly-implemented buffered switching. And of course for a lot of DIY builders who then became boutique pedal companies, it's easier and cheaper than using a proper soft switching system or better buffering.
That optical kit Winny_Pooh posted is a really good upgrade option if it can be physically fitted. It's not quite as good as a fully-electronic system since it uses a mechanical DPDT, but it's still better than a 3PDT in the signal path.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
If I have to use a 3pdt I buy alpha and haven’t had any of those go on me plus they feel nicer to use than the blue ones.
Even worse was my Fulltone ‘69, which wasn’t on a PCB but had the terminals covered in resin, and the wires so short that cutting them and re-fitting to the new switch wasn’t an option. I had to take apart the switch and the new one, and make one out of the two, which was a *huge* pain and very fiddly. Utterly stupid construction.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
I agree that the Fulltone 3PDT switches are crap. I thought that the general quality of construction was poor in what I've seen.
I said maybe.....
Going on what I've seen so far, I don't think I'd ever buy a Fulltone pedal.
I said maybe.....
I can’t actually think of another aspect of technology where a better solution has been so universally replaced by a worse one for fashion. Some of the big pedal manufacturers who had soft switching have started using them, and even Boss are now using lookalike metal switches even if they aren’t actually 3PDTs.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson