Adding on/off switch

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 30 Dec 2001 6:51 am

I'm wanting to add a switch to my Matchbro so I don't have to disconnect the cable to save the battery. Doesn't need to be an effect bypass. Just a battery cut-out. Actually, Jack, I think you have done this?

Question--how would I, just for fun, wire an LED "on" indicator? I'm assuming it could just go parallel with an appropriate resistor? Of what value?

Help me out before I dissect something of value for educational purposes.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 30 Dec 2001 7:57 am

I've wired an on/off switch on my MatchBro. It is one of the original models with the Tone control in bypass.

What I did was put the on/off switch in series with the lead that goes to the input jack for ground connection. (The ground is made when the plug is inserted in the jack). Actually I unsoldered the lead from the switch, connected it to one side of the switch and then ran a new wire from the switch to the jack. I used a minature on/off SPST switch and mounted it on the bottom of the MatchBro - about the only place available.

That is sort of a double on/off. If I've got my steel set up, or during breaks on stage I just hit the on/off switch. But, if I forget the switch, when I unplug it and put it in my pak-a-seat it is off anyway because the guitar cord is unplugged.

I wouldn't put an LED in the circuit. Draws, relatively, too much current unless you are using an AC adapter and in that case you don't need the extra on/off switch as you aren't worried about the battery drain.

I did the same thing (the on/off switch) on an older MatchBox that I used to have. Goodrich never used to add an on/off switch on their devices (may still be that way) just the "jack switch".

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 30 Dec 2001 1:33 pm

Ok, ok, we don't need no stinkin' LED. Good idea about the double cut-out. I hadn't thought of it but I could certainly see putting the box in my gig bag and accidently turning it on. Keeping the jack switch is a foolproof safety.
Thanks for the response.

Steve Alonzo Walker · Post by **Steve Alonzo Walker** » 1 Jan 2002 10:14 am

Here is what I did to mine; Replaced the tone control on the bottom with a jack that goes to my tuner that has velcro on it to match up with the velcro that I installed on the Matchbro.Then, I installed a microswitch that will allow me to cut off the output to my amp so I can tune during a show.As far as installing a switch to cut the power off, I just unplug the chord when not playing. I've installed switches on other effects to cut the power off and found that there is less noise when plugging the chord in versus using the switch. Hope this helps. happy new year everybody!!!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 1 Jan 2002 12:24 pm

Usually the MatchBro is run between the guitar and volume pedal input. I don't see any problem with a power on switch. If you don't want any potential noise when you power it on, just turn the volume off with the volume pedal. But, I've never noticed any power on or off "pop" or noise with my MatchBro.