#2 "Footswitch"

Alpha Taiwan is a comprehensive electronic parts manufacturer based in Taiwan. If I remember correctly, they released a foot switch for guitar devices around 2012 or 2013, and immediately gained popularity among effector builders. (They also have a very high market share for potentiometers, or variable resistors commonly known as pots.)

We started using these Leqtique pedals as soon as they were released, and they have been outstanding even back then in terms of their extremely low error rate (even after handling 10,000 of them, there were basically zero defective products...), durability, and excellent click feeling.

The country of origin of this switch is China. Unlike 20 years ago, the current Chinese electronic parts scene for effects pedals is very high level, and there are some that can be called the best in the market. This black switch of Alpha is one of them.

So, it was very difficult to update the Switch to EVR.

While I was thinking about such things, in December 2024, I suddenly realized that I was in Taiwan as the EVR design was nearing its final stages.

Taiwan is undoubtedly an amazing place where the world's highest quality electronic components are mass-produced. I have been going there for over 15 years to Taitronics, an electronic components exhibition, as well as to meetings with various companies.

Our destination this time is a city called Tainan in southern Taiwan.

Basically, the factories that make electronic parts for pedals are concentrated in the Taipei and Taichung areas, and it's been a while since I've been to the south. As an EU person, I can't believe how comfortable the high-speed rail (HSR) is.

The reason we came to Tainan is because the original factory said to be the birthplace of the foot switch (3PDT switch) is located there.

After listening to the wonderful presentation for about an hour, I was impressed by the difference in passion that comes from the original.

↑ In particular, the progress of the new Switch project currently under development... (I'll talk about this another time.)

Now, the long-awaited foot switch manufacturing site. I had taken a quick look around in Shenzhen (China) a long time ago, but this time I was able to participate in the entire process. Apparently, this is the only factory in Taiwan that completes everything from purchasing raw materials (from Taiwan or Japan) to final completion.

In fact, when you look at the skilled craftsmen's "handling" skills, no explanation is necessary.

Although it is called a foot switch, it is actually made up of many parts, all of which are assembled by hand. Any inconsistency in the quality of each part would immediately affect the quality, so the management system and R&D level are extremely high.

I was particularly impressed with this machine. It is a "plastic mount that is the base for the insulating resin of the foot switch terminals," which was developed exclusively by this company. The enthusiasm for automation is incredible. (The reason being that the resin part of typical Chinese foot switches is often one piece and poured all over, but the resin insulating parts of this company's foot switches are all independent, and it is easy to imagine the effect that this has on the sound.)

Of course I tried it myself, so please take a look...

This secret resin is not available to the public. It was made in the US and kept in a refrigerator. The sound of the wire is mainly determined by the quality of the core material and the quality of the insulating material around it, but if we were to compare it to a switch, it would depend on the quality of the metal in the terminals, the resin insulating material, and the quality and materials of the body.

After the resin is mounted on each terminal, it is baked in this oven for about two hours to complete. I wonder how many hundreds of millions of foot switches have come out of this oven.

Each part is manufactured independently and stored until it is time for assembly. When an order is placed, they assemble the parts to produce the actual foot switch. I was a bit surprised because I had imagined they would make finished products every day and stock them.

Currently, the main focus of this company is not foot switches, but waterproof switches and system parts for ships, etc., with their high level of technology. All of these were things I was unfamiliar with, but I was still fascinated by the craftsmen who were manufacturing them by hand with utmost concentration.

On the right is the Alpha Taiwan (the majority of Leqtique switches are of this type), and on the left is the Original Blue 3PDT Footswitch.

At first glance, the Alpha's black switches, with their chic and professional look, seem to match the EVR's concept better, but during our factory tour we quickly decided which one to use.

Incidentally, the durability of the highest level foot switches, including those from Alpha Taiwan, is 30,000 activations, while this switch's durability is 50,000, which goes without saying, and was one of the reasons for its adoption.

EVR products are now equipped with this Blue Switch, so please open your EVR pedal and check it out. There is the magic of Taiwan there.

In the future, I would like to request a foot switch with this logo in homage to the Original Blue Switch. (The characteristics are all the same.)

I'm sure it will be included in works released in late March 2025.

In the second half of 2025, we will also be able to see the "Silent Switch" (tentative name), which we are currently developing in collaboration with this company.

See you next time on March 27th!