How to Make a A/B Box
Intro: How to Make a A/B Box
Learn how to make a amp selector box.
STEP 1: Tools and Supplies:
-Soldering iron w/ rosin core solder
-Drill w/ bits
-Phillips Screwdriver
-Electrical tape
1x Project Box
1x DPDT switch
3x 1/4 Mono jacks
and wire.
-Drill w/ bits
-Phillips Screwdriver
-Electrical tape
1x Project Box
1x DPDT switch
3x 1/4 Mono jacks
and wire.
STEP 2: Preparing the Box
*You should go ahead and plug in you soldering iron so it can heat up.
Take you project box (i used a plastic one from radio shack, if you use a metal one you'll need to insulate the inside of the box with electrical tape) and drill a hole on the lid of it.
Then, turn the box on its side and drill another hole for the 1/4 jack.
do the same to the other side.
then, drill a hole on the top of the box for the 3rd 1/4 jack.
Now your box is all ready.
Take you project box (i used a plastic one from radio shack, if you use a metal one you'll need to insulate the inside of the box with electrical tape) and drill a hole on the lid of it.
Then, turn the box on its side and drill another hole for the 1/4 jack.
do the same to the other side.
then, drill a hole on the top of the box for the 3rd 1/4 jack.
Now your box is all ready.
STEP 3: Wiring Time!
Now to start the wiring,
Follow this diagram.
*All you have to do is connect the Tip on output A jack to the 1st and 6th prong on the DPDT switch.
*Next, connect the tip of the Input jack to the 3rd prong on the DPDT switch.
*Then, connect the tip on the Output B jack to the 5th and 2nd prongs on the DPDT switch.
*Finally, connect the sleeve of Output A to the sleeve of the Input Jack, And then connect the input sleeve to the sleeve of the Output B jack and finally connect that to the 4th prong on the DPDT switch.
Now, the wirings done :)
Follow this diagram.
*All you have to do is connect the Tip on output A jack to the 1st and 6th prong on the DPDT switch.
*Next, connect the tip of the Input jack to the 3rd prong on the DPDT switch.
*Then, connect the tip on the Output B jack to the 5th and 2nd prongs on the DPDT switch.
*Finally, connect the sleeve of Output A to the sleeve of the Input Jack, And then connect the input sleeve to the sleeve of the Output B jack and finally connect that to the 4th prong on the DPDT switch.
Now, the wirings done :)
STEP 4: Finishing Up
Now its time to house the pedal.
After you do that, you can paint the pedal with acrillics or whatever else you want to pant it with.
(if youre going to spray paint it, do it before you house the box)
Then seal the box back up.
Ta-da, youre all done.
After you do that, you can paint the pedal with acrillics or whatever else you want to pant it with.
(if youre going to spray paint it, do it before you house the box)
Then seal the box back up.
Ta-da, youre all done.
- Time to try out your new A/B box.
39 Comments
ScottH353 5 years ago
ttrat 13 years ago
dave_b 6 years ago
For anyone reading this, yes they will work. Just ignore the "ring" connection.
steve.honest.5 9 years ago
How do i stop the thumps i get when i switch?
cheers
dave_b 6 years ago
Adding a 1meg resistor across the input can help. The thump is typically caused by a DC offset between the guitar and the amp(s) and the resistor can help by directing that DC to ground. If it continues to be an issue, you may want to look at a buffered a/b switch. They're a little more complicated, but it will solve the problem.
ScottB385 6 years ago
Not sure what is meant by 'thumps', but if box moves, you could install small, rubber feet. If it is the switch itself, perhaps trying a higher quality( more expensive) switch that are usually smoother action.
OrionA5 6 years ago
dave_b 6 years ago
How would that make a difference?
JasonF188 6 years ago
If I wanted to make a stereo version of this box with 2 inputs (L and R) and 4 outputs (LL and RR) would I simply duplicate the internals? Does anyone have a schematic? Would I still use a DPDT switch? Thanks!
OrionA5 6 years ago
ScottB385 6 years ago
If you use heat shrink tubing to cover each soldered connection, there is no need to cover whole inside of box with electrical tape. I also like to seal the box lid with a small amount of silicone on the edge.
Dtb90 9 years ago
hey buster, i purchased a momentary (on-on) DPDT switch is the correct one to use?
Link to the exact one i bought here:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/pb-176/dpdt-momentary-pushbutton-switch/1.html?extra=a%3A2%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A40%3A%2203823345592a403b2f4a37a59384e7ab28f02be1%22%3Bi%3A1%3BN%3B%7D
Thanks.
ScottB385 6 years ago
No, you need an On/Off, latching type switch. Check Allied or Switchcraft with those words.
Filippo Taddei 7 years ago
Congrats for this great project: I'm an absolute beginner in audio diy and this is one of the first project I'm going to realize.
My question is, is it best to use a latching or a momentary switch? (I'd say latching..) thanks in advance to whoever will answer this :)
ScottB385 6 years ago
Latching
J3PPiSH 14 years ago
thestyrofoampeanut 13 years ago
and no it wouldnt make a difference
the point is to get two different sounds and two guitars going through the same amp wouldnt sound too different, just a little depending on the pot setup of the guitars
aritoner 13 years ago
dhargreave 12 years ago
jsegel 9 years ago
Yeah, I use A/B boxes on every pedalboard I have ever used for 30 years to switch between guitar and violin using the same effects. You could use them to switch between any instruments you wanted to use the effects chain afterwards with. (Defeats the purpose? That's very short sighted!)