Blues Deluxe - Footswitch for Reverb?

I have a 95 Blues Deluxe that I really really like - I got it used and it had a few upgrades and the normal issues they seem to have occur had all already occurred and seemingly been fixed.

I did not get a footswitch with it, but from what I understand it uses a 1 button switch that changes the normal/drive channels. I was told from my local fender dealer that I could get a double footswitch that would control channels and turn the reverb on/off - I don't care for the drive channel so have a seperate v overdrive pedal that does the job, but I would like to be able to turn the reverb on and off, and I also want juts a 1 button switch for it.

Question is - does anyone know if this can be done? Would this be a DIY job?

I have a 95 Blues Deluxe that I really really like - I got it used and it had a few upgrades and the normal issues they seem to have occur had all already occurred and seemingly been fixed.

I did not get a foot-switch with it, but from what I understand it uses a 1 button switch that changes the normal/drive channels. I was told from my local fender dealer that I could get a double foot-switch that would control channels and turn the reverb on/off - I don't care for the drive channel so have a separate v overdrive pedal that does the job, but I would like to be able to turn the reverb on and off, and I also want juts a 1 button switch for it.

Question is - does anyone know if this can be done? Would this be a DIY job?


Geez, this inspired me to tear apart my BDRI foot-switch. The answer is, I can't tell which wire of the cable is for the reverb and which is for the distortion channel. You might have to play with reversing the wires on tip vs shaft at one end of your cable plugs to get the signal running correctly for just reverb. The price of the original I have seen for $20 on ebay. That's not much more than buying the parts and cable and building one. You might even try finding a tremolo switch for 10 bucks and using that. Once again, you may have to change the wiring a bit but that is also an alternative.

i may look for a used double switch and try and gut it to fit a smaller, single housing. I don't want the full size double switch because I would like to have it on my pedal board so I'm trying to save space. Thanks for the info!

You can put the guts from a double switch in a single-switch housing and just use a mini switch or something to control the channel switching. You need to have both switches hooked up because all of the modern Fender amps use voltage level sensing, not multiple connections, to determine which switches are closed.

You can put the guts from a double switch in a single-switch housing and just use a mini switch or something to control the channel switching. You need to have both switches hooked up because all of the modern Fender amps use voltage level sensing, not multiple connections, to determine which switches are closed.

I was concerned that might be a consideration. I noticed that one lead went into both switches and there was one return from both switches. In that case just reversing the wires as I suggested probably won't work.

The lead going to both switches is probably the earth, which will go to the sleeve. The other leads will go to the tip and ring of the jack and one will be reverb, the other overdrive. Change them around until you get it to work. Then you need a momentary switch to use. If you do make a footswitch up, use coax shielded cable. You could probably use a small led or indicator lamp for on/off.

A lot of people put these switches in a wedge-shaped piece of wood.

The other leads will go to the tip and ring of the jack and one will be reverb, the other overdrive.

The plug is a single tip, no ring.

That's interesting. My bandmate has one of these switches, I'll have to investigate. Must be a way to fool the amp the O/D switch is still there.

Edit: just rang bandmate and did some searching: BD does not have switchable reverb. To do it is possible but you'd need to screw with amp internals. Not sounding easy.

Also checked a schematic - only switches drive channel, nothing more.

My mistake--the Blues Deluxe does not have switchable reverb.

...BD does not have switchable reverb. To do it is possible but you'd need to screw with amp internals. Not sounding easy.

Also checked a schematic - only switches drive channel, nothing more.

That is the thing - I was under the impression the amp only had a single footswitch that could control the channel. However my local Fender dealer said they called Fender and were given a part number for a DUAL footswitch that could control both reverb and the channel.

I tried to emphasize it was the original and NOT the RI, thinking it may make a difference and they had that straight - I know the manual denotes a single switch as well, so I am at a loss over it - it would be a good mystery to clear up.

My bandmate has the reissue, and I thought he had a dual footswitch but he does not. He told me it is single, it has a led that goes yellow-red. I do remember now, he uses a plain guitar lead for it. I suspect the dealer is just getting confused between the Hotrod and Blues Deluxe.

This is the part from the Fender website that my local dealer was referring to

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0994056000

It does specify it will work with the Blues Deluxe, so I guess a dual switch IS an option after all(?) Later down in that page there is also a one button switch for the Blues Deluxe.


I have also heard and understood the contrary to be true, but I suppose if fender says so, it is so (?)