Marshall Valvestate 2000 footswitch question

dogload

Just a quick question on behalf of a friend's son, regarding his Valvestate 2000 footswitch cable. Apparently his is knackered and needs replacing.

The cable in question looks like a PC monitor cable.

 IS IT POSSIBLE to use a monitor cable? Or does he need to buy a proper replacement (I doubt he'd be up to soldering, and I haven't offered... yet).

ecc83

No it is not a VGA cable. They have 3 rows of pins (and are SODS to wire!).

That is a 15pin "D sub" and if it is a simple "all pins wired" jobbie you should be able to find one on the infernalnet.

Push comes to, give Blackstar a bell. The Series One FX cable is a 15 pin APW piece and I cannot think Marshall would wire one any differently?

Dave.

dogload

ecc83 said:

No it is not a VGA cable. They have 3 rows of pins (and are SODS to wire!).

Dave.

Yes, you're absolutely right! Thanks Dave. 

ICBM

Be aware that *both* ends of this cable have female connectors - many computer-type ones with similar connectors available online have one female and one male, so won't fit unless you also buy a 'gender changer' connector.

I would like to find whoever designs amps with stupid non-standard multi-pin footswitch connectors and shoot them...

dogload

Thanks @ICBM. Yes I'd noticed that.

ICBM said:

I would like to find whoever designs amps with stupid non-standard multi-pin footswitch connectors and shoot them...

Having had to track down a footswitch for my old Peavey Classic Chorus 130, I couldn't agree more! 

ecc83

HAD not noticed the female ends!

But though t that might be an "example" and not THE cable in question?

The S1 cable is M to F so looks no used to you unless you get a gender changer.

In B's defence, that is a "standard" cable if a little hard to source!

Dave.

jpfamps

ICBM said:

Be aware that *both* ends of this cable have female connectors - many computer-type ones with similar connectors available online have one female and one male, so won't fit unless you also buy a 'gender changer' connector.

I would like to find whoever designs amps with stupid non-standard multi-pin footswitch connectors and shoot them...

Recently fixed a Roland GR300 which has a cable with custom-made connectors. 

I'm sure it seemed a good idea at the time.

Use standard parts!!!

Sporky

In case it helps, that  is a DA15 connector.

I'll be surprised if you can find one off the shelf.

ICBM

jpfamps said:

Recently fixed a Roland GR300 which has a cable with custom-made connectors.

Same here! No alternative but to carefully disassemble and repair three of the connectors - the one on the floor box just needed cleaning.

So many pins also inherently increases the probability of problems too. When I first got it, one string was making occasional random noises and that was it. I would hate to rely on one for playing live...

jpfamps

ICBM said:

jpfamps said:

Recently fixed a Roland GR300 which has a cable with custom-made connectors.

Same here! No alternative but to carefully disassemble and repair three of the connectors - the one on the floor box just needed cleaning.

So many pins also inherently increases the probability of problems too. When I first got it, one string was making occasional random noises and that was it. I would hate to rely on one for playing live...

The one I had had several issues (other than the horrific sounds it made).

Other than the cable having a break in one of the wires which meant I had to cut the end off the cable and rewire it, one of the regulators in the control unit had died.

I changed this and the unit worked except one string could not be tuned, which I guessed was the 14069 chip in the detector circuit.

The owner was happy with the repair, but after a couple of weeks brought it back because the touch vibrato pad on the guitar wasn't working. 

I have to admit I wasn't even aware that this function existed, and owner only found out through reading the manual.

Fortunately this was a bad solder joint on the vibrato pot.

Using one live would, in my opinion, but daft.

ICBM

I've got this one working reasonably reliably, although the A and B buttons sometimes need a very firm press to make them work.

The biggest problem for practical live use is the total lack of programmability, you're essentially limited to one sound unless you have a photographic memory for the many control settings.

And I'd still want a spare cable if I was even going to think about owning it...

dogload

Sporky said:

In case it helps, that  is a DA15 connector.

I'll be surprised if you can find one off the shelf.

Typical!

Thanks for the info guys. I suspect that the lad is just going to have to bite the bullet and buy the proper cable.

Sporky

If Marshall still make and sell the cables then get one from them - you know it'll work.

ICBM

It might be cheaper and easier to buy a scrap amp of the same type providing it definitely comes with the footswitch cable. That way you probably get a spare footswitch too.

Frankly I wouldn't spend a lot of money on it since AVTs are not exactly renowned for reliability.

professorben

ecc83;1078516" said:

HAD not noticed the female ends! But though t that might be an "example" and not THE cable in question? The S1 cable is M to F so looks no used to you unless you get a gender changer. In B's defence, that is a "standard" cable if a little hard to source!Dave.

I ALWAYS notice females ends......

dogload

ICBM said:

It might be cheaper and easier to buy a scrap amp of the same type providing it definitely comes with the footswitch cable. That way you probably get a spare footswitch too.

Frankly I wouldn't spend a lot of money on it since AVTs are not exactly renowned for reliability.

Haha, well I couldn't possibly comment!

Yep, definitely a case of having to go down the 'genuine part' route. Apparently they've checked them out and they cost between £20-30. Which seems  little steep for a wire. Ahhh... now thats why they don't use standard parts!

FX_Munkee

are you sure it's not a DB15 connector (bit bigger spacing than a DA15)?
If it is you could do this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gameport-Extension-Cable-DB15-male-to-female-5m-/351673204453
+
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DB15-Pin-Male-to-Female-Gender-Changer-Converter-/301684871884

but if the official spare is £20 - £30 I'd probably get that instead.