A/B Switch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zaphod B
  • Start date Start date
OK, here's another question:

Why are people selling $200+ buffered switch boxes when a simple, actual, physical switch box that I could assemble for $20 does the same thing?
 
Zaphod B said:
OK, here's another question:

Why are people selling $200+ buffered switch boxes when a simple, actual, physical switch box that I could assemble for $20 does the same thing?
Click to expand...

$200? That one box in the link has a booster in it. Also, those are A/B/Y boxes and that is more complicated than an A/B.

But to your point, why do people work for money when money is just paper with some ink on it? Because most people can't make it themselves. If they could, they would. Thats why DIY sites are taking off though. That and its just fun and unique. Lots of people do things that that seem simple to them but to others is just amazing.
 
No, I understand that the $200 box has adjustable gain. A buffer is just a high-bandwidth op amp, and once you've decided to use an op amp, throwing in some gain adjustment is not difficult.

I guess I was just wondering about how a simple switch function gets turned into $200 worth of not-entirely-necessary electronics.

Sorry, kind of ranting, I guess. :o
 
Zaphod B said:
I guess I was just wondering about how a simple switch function gets turned into $200 worth of not-entirely-necessary electronics.

Sorry, kind of ranting, I guess. :o
Click to expand...

Ask all the "boutique" pedal makers who who steal a design off the internet, give it a cool graphic on the standard Hammond box, then ask for $200. Those are the guys I would be more skeptic of. Seems to be a lot of them.

In all fairness though, that pedal I build wasn't $20.

2 Carling DPDT footswitches - $10 each
4 Switchcraft jacks - $1.50 each
1 Hammond box - $15
1 can Rust-Oleum - $5
Drill press - $ :rolleyes:
Time is money.

Thats about $43 in parts. I didn't add shipping either. I seem to recall that box costing closer to $55 for some reason though. Either way. $50 in parts and you still need a drill press. A hand drill will work, but I can attest to how crummy the outcome can be and how much cleaner the press is.

I know companies can buy in bulk for much less, but it all works itself out in the end. Some pedals are worth the money, some are not. To me at least.
 
Gotcha.

OK, can anyone think of a reason why a simple DPDT-switch-based A/B box will not serve as well as an electronically-buffered box for switching a line level (guitar) source between amps?

Further, is it possible that the the simpler box is superior due to its being a true signal pass-through?
 
These circuits are buffered or isolated for a reason.

The isolating transformers break ground loops. The buffering amps make up for the fact you are taking the guitar signal and SPLITTING it to two amps.

Check this out. This is the RG Keen site that was mentioned above. The AB/Y isn't just a pair of jacks and a DPDT switch.

http://www.geofex.com/

Click on the 12/8/04 file, an updated AB/Y.

Oh, and the street price on the Radial is $229, which is a lot better than $299. ;) The /13 SwitchHazel looks pretty cool too.
 
c7sus said:
The buffering amps make up for the fact you are taking the guitar signal and SPLITTING it to two amps.
Click to expand...

Yes, on an ABY box, but not an AB box. ;)
 
c7sus said:
These circuits are buffered or isolated for a reason.

The isolating transformers break ground loops. The buffering amps make up for the fact you are taking the guitar signal and SPLITTING it to two amps.

Check this out. This is the RG Keen site that was mentioned above. The AB/Y isn't just a pair of jacks and a DPDT switch.

http://www.geofex.com/

Click on the 12/8/04 file, an updated AB/Y.

Oh, and the street price on the Radial is $229, which is a lot better than $299. ;) The /13 SwitchHazel looks pretty cool too.
Click to expand...

That's still way too much money for the functionality it provides, IMO. I don't remember the brand that I have, but it's a buffered A/B/Y box with indicator LED's, and I bought it used at a consignment shop for $20. It works great.

I also have a couple of old EH Switchblades that I use for selecting between 2 guitars/basses, and they are just a DPDT switch in a box. They work just fine, too, and they are 25 years old.

Three hundred bucks for a switch is just plain silly, IMO.
 
ggunn said:
That's still way too much money for the functionality it provides, IMO. I don't remember the brand that I have, but it's a buffered A/B/Y box with indicator LED's, and I bought it used at a consignment shop for $20. It works great.

I also have a couple of old EH Switchblades that I use for selecting between 2 guitars/basses, and they are just a DPDT switch in a box. They work just fine, too, and they are 25 years old.

Three hundred bucks for a switch is just plain silly, IMO.
Click to expand...

Decent transformers ain't cheap. I guess that's part of the expense.

I'm in the electrical biz. I can tell you decent tools cost serious $$$, and so do decent parts. I guess stuff is relative. To me it's cheaper and easier to buy a product that does what it's supposed to do and devote my time to something (hopefully) more musical. I get enough work at work if you know what I mean.

Call CAE and get a quote from those guys for an amp switcher. That will blow your mind.
 
c7sus said:
Decent transformers ain't cheap. I guess that's part of the expense.

I'm in the electrical biz. I can tell you decent tools cost serious $$$, and so do decent parts. I guess stuff is relative. To me it's cheaper and easier to buy a product that does what it's supposed to do and devote my time to something (hopefully) more musical. I get enough work at work if you know what I mean.

Call CAE and get a quote from those guys for an amp switcher. That will blow your mind.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you have me mixed up with someone else. I, too, am in the "electrical biz" (I am an electrical engineer working for a major semiconductor company), but I didn't build any of my switches. Like I said, I bought my A/B/Y box for $20 used and it works just fine.

My opinion is that those switches are so pricey simply because there are folks willing to pay for them.
 
Actually I don't know you from Adam.

I'm on the construction end of things. I make EE's drawings actually work. :p

I guess when I'm seeing invoices for 225-amp rated busway switches at $1900 a pop or those phony arc-arresting breakers for $35 each boutique gear doesn't seem to be any more overpriced than any other good or service.

I know for a fact I can't afford to hire MYSELF.

Some folks think Moog gear is way overpriced too. Some folks think it's an investment.

Who is right????

IHNFI.
 
c7sus said:
I know for a fact I can't afford to hire MYSELF.
Click to expand...
Damn, you're tough if you won't even give yourself a discount! :eek: :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top