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True bypass for Digitech Ex-7?


Larry1u23

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Thanks for the reply but I don't have the pedalboard space to add another box, even if it is a micro box.

It seems the Ex-7 uses the standard stomp switch so i'm thinking it can be modded for true bypass like a wah. Is that true?

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There's a short and a long answer. The short is "no, it can't be done". The long answer is a little more involved (hey, I like writing :D) but eventually ends up at the same point.

 

First off, the obvious: is there room for a 3PDT switch? If not, can you use the existing (momentary) switch to control a relay? And is there room for the relay etc?

 

Then there's the input/output points: you need to break in between the jacks and the circuit, for the true bypass wiring. Usually, the jacks are mounted to the circuit board, so you'd need to cut off circuit board traces to separate the jacks from the circuit. Is that doable on the EX-7?

 

With more advanced units (such as the EX-7), you will also need to factor in if the switch you're removing is used for something else besides on/off switching. The Whammy (for instance) also uses the momentary on/off switch to calibrate the footpedal, so when TB:ing one of those, one has to figure out a way to retain that function.

 

The EX-7 has two on/off switches (toe and heel switches, engaging the effect model and distortion/effect model, respectively), and you can only replace one of them. So, if you manage to fool the pedal into staying permanently "on", what happens if you then hit the heel switch...? Also, both switches are used when selecting output mode. Then there's the two outputs - to retain the use of them, you'd actually need a 4PDT switch...

 

Basically, it can't be done. A true bypass loop box will be needed for this one. Yes, I know that isn't technically correct. To be completely correct, anything can be done - it's just a matter of how complicated it is. But in this case I'd say that it is virtually impossible, and in any case not worth the effort (especially not when compared to how simple it is to just add a loop box).

 

/Andreas

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There's a short and a long answer. The short is "no, it can't be done". The long answer is a little more involved (hey, I like writing ) but eventually ends up at the same point.

 

 

well actually i would disagree. He asked if it was possible to true bypass this pedal and the simple answer is yes. Worth bypassing is a completely different matter.

 

 

Then there's the input/output points: you need to break in between the jacks and the circuit, for the true bypass wiring. Usually, the jacks are mounted to the circuit board, so you'd need to cut off circuit board traces to separate the jacks from the circuit. Is that doable on the EX-7?

 

 

none of this is true. You do not need to break any jacks open or cut any trace to get at the input/output lines. You just have to know where they are, and once you do, you can then piggyback off those lines.

 

as for the ex-7, i don't know about it enough to give a better answer, but everything is true-bypass-able.

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well actually i would disagree. He asked if it was possible to true bypass this pedal and the simple answer is yes. Worth bypassing is a completely different matter.

Have you seen the EX-7? I'd challenge anyone to get a 3PDT in there... ;)

 

none of this is true. You do not need to break any jacks open or cut any trace to get at the input/output lines. You just have to know where they are, and once you do, you can then piggyback off those lines.

By "breaking in" I mean inserting the switch in between the jacks and the switch. To achieve true bypass, you have to separate the jacks from the circuit - from the factory, they are connected straight to the input/output buffer stages via circuit board traces. How are you going to wire it for true bypass, without breaking those connections?

 

as for the ex-7, i don't know about it enough to give a better answer, but everything is true-bypass-able.

Well... in theory everything is possible (as I also wrote). But I assumed the OP was more interested in if it was possible to do the mod - in real life, not in theory. Again, I'd challenge anyone to actually do a proper true bypass mod to an EX-7... Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see it done. I just don't think it's going to happen. :thu:

 

/Andreas

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Have you seen the EX-7? I'd challenge anyone to get a 3PDT in there...
;)

By "breaking in" I mean inserting the switch in between the jacks and the switch. To achieve true bypass, you have to separate the jacks from the circuit - from the factory, they are connected straight to the input/output buffer stages via circuit board traces. How are you going to wire it for true bypass, without breaking those connections?


Well...
in theory
everything is possible (as I also wrote). But I assumed the OP was more interested in if it was possible to do the mod - in real life, not in theory. Again, I'd challenge anyone to actually do a proper true bypass mod to an EX-7... Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see it done. I just don't think it's going to happen.
:thu:

/Andreas

 

i said i haven't seen the ex-7 in person. I simply answer directly. He said and i quote

Is it possible to mod...?

 

he didn't ask if it was practical. In my defense, the detail is important ;)

 

You don't have to separate the jacks at all. This is not done when you add a looper. The idea of a true bypass mod is essentially the same. You can separate or you don't have to. You just splice in between the jack and the buffer or whatever is in front of the jack. Again, i have not seen the ex-7 ;)

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I get that it's a semantics thing, so there's really no sense in arguing about it. Still... :D In theory, any pedal can be modified to TB. Just insert the 3PDT switch in between the jacks and the circuit, and hot-wire it to stay "on". But the OP didn't ask if it was possible to mod any pedal, theoretically. He wanted to know about the EX-7, specifically. And given the problems (lack of space for the new switch etc) involved with that particular pedal, I'd maintain that it is not possible. Again, with that particular pedal. Feel free to prove me wrong, though :thu:

 

You don't have to separate the jacks at all. This is not done when you add a looper. The idea of a true bypass mod is essentially the same. You can separate or you don't have to. You just splice in between the jack and the buffer or whatever is in front of the jack.

Of course you have to separate the jacks from the circuit. You don't have to physically remove them or anything, but there's a pcb trace from the jacks to the input/output of the circuit, and that connection needs to be broken. That's what it means to "splice" (or "break") in between the jack and the buffer.

 

Again, it's semantics - I suspect we actually mean the same thing, but express it differently. Nothing wrong with a good internet fight :cop:

 

/Andreas

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