Repair Report: BOSS DR-55 Dr. Rhythm Foot Switch Restoration

This one is in via supporting member GreyScale aka plantssystem who had the following to say:

Restoring a Classic: BOSS DR-55 Foot Switch Jack Replacement

"The BOSS DR-55 is a staple of early 80s minimal wave and synth-pop, but its plastic jacks are often a point of failure after four decades."

The Issue

The unit arrived with a missing original foot switch jack, rendering remote Start/Stop operations impossible. To ensure a rugged and reliable fix, I decided to upgrade the component rather than searching for a rare vintage plastic replacement.

The Solution: Switchcraft 12A

I opted for a Switchcraft 12A 1/4" Mono Jack (Shorting/Tip-Shunt). This is a classic choice for vintage gear due to its high-quality metal construction and reliability.

* Fit: The Switchcraft 12A fits the DR-55 chassis, though it requires careful grounding to the metal frame/PCB common.

* Wiring: Wired specifically to handle the DR-55's Start/Stop trigger logic.

Results

The repair was a total success. The unit now responds perfectly to a standard momentary foot switch.

* Start: Functional.

* Stop: Functional.

* Reliability: The metal Switchcraft jack provides a much more secure connection than the original plastic housing.

This DR-55 is now back in the studio, ready for another 40 years of 16-step sequences.