The JHS Pedals Switchback is an unassuming little box with a massive feature set. It started life as a device we designed just for ourselves to test and compare pedals in the JHS workshop, but we quickly realized it was extremely useful for everyone's guitar rig on stage or in the studio.
The Switchback has one input, one output and two separate selectable effects loops (send/return), plus an A/B toggle which is controllable by our Red Remote switching system. The footswitch is 100% true bypass, so when it's off it doesn't affect your signal in any way. There are a million ways to use Switchback (Maybe not a million but… You get the idea) but here are some of our favorite apps that are incredibly useful!
1. A TRUE A/B BYPASS LOOPER
Place one pedal or pedal chain in the first loop and place a different pedal or pedal chain in the second loop. The toggle/red remote will allow you to quickly switch between these two loops. This is great for instantly placing different effects chains in and out of your rig on the fly or throwing two pedals with no downtime between sets... Find out if that old TS808 sounds better than your TS-9 :-) If you demo different pedals, this is a must have.
2. A REAL SIMPLE BYPASS LOOPER
Place your desired pedal or pedal chain into the first loop. The red toggle/remote will now switch between the loop with your effects and the clean bypass signal. There is no need to connect the second loop with a patch cable as the Switchback automatically bypasses any loop where there is nothing plugged into the jack.
3. AN A/B BOX
Simply use Send 1 and Send 2 to access two different amps or any other application where you need two switchable outputs, and don't use the output. Again, using the red remote gives you the ability to switch on the fly while playing!
4. AN AMP INPUT SWITCH
Use Send 1 for channel one and Send 2 for channel two. This allows you to "change channels" on any amp with multiple inputs like old Marshalls and Fenders!
5. AN A/B EFFECTS LOOP
Plug your amp's Send effects loop into the input and the amps return to the output. Then switch between the two Switchback loops as in example #1 above.
Thanks to the red remote control function, you can place the Switchback and all its loop effects completely out of sight under your pedalboard or in a rack while only having the small 1x1" red remote accessible!!!
The Switchback could become an essential utility in your touring rig or studio, helping you solve many switching conundrums with your rig. So grab a Switchback and get climbing!