Boss FS-5U Review and Tear Down

[@Steph-wq9it]

Can this be used to turn the TV on & off, as the remote no longerworks

[@JobyP]

Well... If you're handy with a soldering iron, various other tools and electronics then... sure... yeah, it probably could lol!

[@jamesfpianist1168]

Circuit board foot switch button breaks on these as it has a small compression spring inside that is designed to eventually break. Since you pulled it apart it is a perfect opportunity to mention that. Product is made in China and the older ones made in Japan. The earlier (older) versions were much better quality, but of course their weakest link in the product is hidden inside where the consumer can't see. You don't get what you overpay for with the new version.

[@JobyP]

Sorry you had trouble, they have always worked great for me. I will say that you're likely correct as the new Boss pedals are nowhere near the quality they once were.

[@jamesfpianist1168]

@@JobyP Now I've gone through 3 more pedals. I have a stack of broken pedals that I have to repair myself with a better part. Designed to break. 😡

[@fdhabhar]

I also have two of these pedals with bad switches. I'm happy to solder in new ones but I haven't found any online. Have you had any luck finding them for sale?

[@MusicoFrustrado]

Minuto 2:56: La base de goma se puede remover y separse de la base metálica, retirando los dos tornillos de la placa de circuito y aflojando la tuerca de la entrada de jack 🤷‍♂️

[@jordanbailey3289]

I’m a drummer and I need a pedal to start tracks on garage band could this pedal be used for this or is something else better

[@JobyP]

Not sure how triggering works in garage band, but I assume you would need midi or USB on your switch to send control changes. So I don’t think this would be the way to go...

[@algrundau9441]

Have you tried 3M Outdoor Mounting Tape? I put on a layer of painters tape first, for easy peel off if need be. No residue. Then I put on the double sided mounting tape. Sticks on like a champ. And stays there. Only problem? You can't peel it off without taking the painters tape with it. Oh well. But it works pretty well.....Next question. What is the internal difference's between the Boss fs--5u and the Boss fs--5L.....Obviously one is "latching" and one is not. But internally? Is it just the switch? And everything else is the same circuitry? .... I just bought a Boss Katan MK1 100 watt head with GA--FC footswitch. You can plug in an extra footswitch for bank channeling. It says it will ONLY "support" the Fs-5L not the FS-5U...........Why? Because of the latching aspect? I mean I won't fry any internal circuits if I use a FS--5U instead will I?....the only thing being, the second Bank would stay inacted as long as I had the pedal down?....Sorry about the long question. Subscribed. Thanks for listening.

[@JobyP]

I tried everything. lol. You’re working to hard my friend! Sell… sell… sell… lol 😂 No really, so many better/smaller options available now. So yeah you’re not gonna fry anything but the latching keeps the channel “on” I imagine if you try the unlatched version it will only work as a momentary switch only keeping whatever on while you hold the switch down, but I’m not certain. Sorry I’m not of more help!

[@algrundau9441]

@@JobyP When in doubt...DUAL LOCK!!!!...that ain't going anywhere.....As far as the latching vs unlatching...Yes I re-read the instructions. Both work but differently.

[@opiehelstrom4702]

Could you use this as a trigger for a drum pad? Like if I wanted a clap sound out of a tm2

[@JobyP]

I have personally not tried it. But I have heard of people doing it with mixed success. You may have to switch the polarity switch to get it to work and it may not work at all. The nice thing is you can sometimes buy these EXTREMELY cheap on the used market and if it doesn't work with your device, you can just resell it. Good luck... if you do try please let me know how it works out.

[@bobbarcus8310]

wwhat does the polarity switch do

[@JobyP]

So some amps/fix/etc are ground to sleeve and some are ground to tip... the polarity switch just swaps those around so it will work with your device. Thanks for watching/commenting it is appreciated

[@1267cando]

Used Velcro on all 4 corners. Works great.

[@JobyP]

That’s cool man... I could NOT get it to stay on my board..

[@jonathankoelewijn3767]

could i use this pedal as a sustainer pedal for my keyboard?

[@JobyP]

From what I understand people do all the time and love it as a sustain pedal. So in short... yes... Take Care!

[@micharquette9321]

@@JobyP This gives me more confidence that I will be happy enough to use this as a switch for the looper on the Boss Acoustic singer live - Bloody glad to see that someone answers the questions so diligently. On ya

[@asssscats]

Hello. Question. Can I use one of these to control the tap tempo on 2 different delay pedals? A split cable? Hope all is well!

[@JobyP]

My guess would be no... the tap tempo on your pedals is probably either short to sleeve or short to tip... so the splitter may not work. You could try it tho. They are super cheap on the used market and easy to sell if it doesn’t work out for you. Good luck! Have Fun!

[@asssscats]

@@JobyP Ok will do. Thanks for responding!

[@maganto123]

yes , it works as a damper for some pianos

[@JobyP]

Thanks for replying to this! Good to know!

[@johnnypk1963]

Hey I use two of these w a Boss cable into a Boss ME50. Problem is both switches “drift” they don’t hold their settings. In other words, they seem dirty. Any advice on a fix? Edit: mine r made in Japan

[@JobyP]

I don’t really have a suggestion other than running to an auto parts store and grabbing a can of electronics parts cleaner. Open em up and hose the $#iT out of them and let them fully dry… also soak a q-tip with the cleaner and rub the inside of the jacks.

[@hroth1120]

can you use it as a channel changer in boss katana or is it just for tap tempos and stuff

[@JobyP]

I don’t have a Katana, so I couldn’t be 100% but it did work to Change amp channels from my Boss MS-3 so my guess would be that it would work fine.

[@mcginley1967]

Does this change channels for a carlsbro rebel that houses a stereo jack input for the footswitch?

[@JobyP]

You would have to read the amps manual the answer is likely that you need the L version not the U the L is latching but again you’d have to read your amps manual.

[@markfuller6464]

Completely agree on the base and Velcro thing. I owned this pedal and it drove me nuts. I’m now buying a Wee Lush version, because: 1. It’s about a quarter of the size. 2. It has a metal base that loves Velcro. 3. It does exactly the same job. Boss really need to rethink this design, everyone has pedal boards these days and this design is outdated and absolute crap. Mind you all Boss pedal struggle with Velcro, how they’ve not noticed this is beyond me!

[@JobyP]

Yeah most boss pedals I just peel the rubber base off (it goes right back un-noticeably on with a little rubber cement) but these stupid things!!! Arghh!!! I could not agree more that Boss needs to take note that we live in a pedalboard world! Thanks much for watching and commenting, it’s appreciated!

[@markfuller6464]

jobyregrets no probs. Good to see an honest review. Keep up the good work my friend. Happy rocking.

[@matiasjoaodamatapires8535]

Hey, does anyone know if this BOSS FS-5U works with the ditto looper?

[@JobyP]

It should yes...

[@radiksuchy]

Will this work with Blackstar ht5 head?

[@JobyP]

You would want the FS5L for that... you need a latching switch the FS5U is unlatched. It's the same switch but the FS5L stays "On" when you press it.

[@radiksuchy]

Alright I'll check it out, thank you very much!

[@swyoo]

Can I connect boss fs-5u to the keyboard and use it like a systeine pedal?

[@JobyP]

From what I understand.... Yes you can and people also seem to quite like it as a sustain pedal. However I have not personally tried it. Hope that helps. ~ JOby

[@swyoo]

Joby Thank you for your kindness!

[@JobyP]

of course, no problem.

[@jamesfpianist1168]

Yes you can. Then the cheap micro switch inside will break inside the unit in less than 2 months. The older ones lasted years. Designed to break now.

[@MattKidMusic]

Mine has somehow started to latch

[@bluesroc]

how do I make one foot pedal fs-u5 boss

[@JobyP]

Hi, not sure what you are trying to ask?

[@bluesroc]

@@JobyP I would like to make a FS-U5 PEDAL switch Clone . how do I do it

[@JobyP]

Ahhh, ok Just search "How to build an un-latched footswitch" on you tube or google and that should lead you in the right direction.

[@kirkchang353]

Where is the AAA battery?

[@JobyP]

Does kinda look like it should have one lol

[@Ghost_mx5]

Could I potentially mod this to be latching? I don’t know anything about these kinds of things lol

[@JobyP]

You probably could.... i dont think it would be worth it. Just buy the FS5L instead. It's already latching.

[@JobyP]

Switching Things Up... Oh dear God... I'm sorry for that pun already...

[@micharquette9321]

lol - and a follow.

[@saulpalacios8944]

Does it work with the katana 50 mk 2?

[@JobyP]

Not sure as I don’t own a katana and I’m not gonna read the manual for you hehe :). But maybe somebody out there knows the answer. Cheers!