Expression Pedal Bypass for Chop?

[theseacowexists]

I've been trying to search for answers to this on the forum, so I apologize if the answer is out there and I've missed it. The search function here isn't really that useful sometimes:-P

Anyway, here goes:

What are some solutions for bypassing the expression pedal when building a chop? My own logic tells me that simply removing it and bypassing it with wires should work. A good volume pedal could then be used after the organ's line out.

Alternately, what about keeping the original expression pedal wired to its original location, but then having it be its own separate piece that can be disconnected from the organ for transport?

The specific organ in question is an H-100, but solutions for other organs are welcome too. It's good to know about these things even if it doesn't apply to the current project. I'm open to either of those routes (bypass or removable pedal) for this particular project.

Many thanks!

[Roger Memphis]

I have not examined that many chops closely, but the best one I ever ran across essentially kept all of the original B-3 doghouse and expression pedal. No pedal keyboard and its contacts; they were gone and discarded. The expression pedal was detachable and mechanically linked using a bicycle control cable. It had a brass L-shaped lever arm inside the case. It's been quite a few years, but I do recall that it worked very smoothly and had no free play... very tight like the original. The expression pedal was mounted on a plywood platform. The only thing I didn't like about it was a flimsy sheet metal cover that he screwed to the chop case to protect the manuals when transporting it... plywood would have been much better. I don't really like chops, though... I depend heavily upon that pedal keyboard when I play. Chops are no longer organs; they're just keyboards, IMO.
Cheers
Roger Memphis

[theseacowexists]

Roger - I like the idea of what you saw on that B-3 chop. If I ever go through with a chop, I think that's the route I will take. Makes sense to me to preserve as much of the original functionality of the organ as possible. Unfortunately, that H-100 fell through, so I won't be doing any chopping anytime soon.

I don't really like the idea of chopping my M-100 and T-200. Besides actually being fantastic sounding instruments, the cabinets both look so nice, I don't think I could bring myself to chop them (especially with my current level of woodworking skills). The only thing I would consider doing with them to address portability issues is to remove the bass pedals. I've just never needed them with my playing style, and the last time I played in a bass-less band, I just played Manzarek style! But perhaps having a full pedal board would change my tune. Someday...

[Bob411]

No help for your question, just wanted to say, I belong to a guitar forum with a horrible search. What everybody does is, go to Google, put in key words and the name of the forum.

[snacks]

Yeah, the way to do it is google "site:organforum.com search terms"

I'm not sure how the H100 preamps work. The "typical" chop that I see has the Trek solid state preamp that replaces the AO-28 tube one. I'm... 90% sure that has a 1/4" input for your favorite swell/control pedal (Yamaha FC7, Roland EV5, etc). However, I gotta have the tube grit... so I had my tech make an assembly for the AO-28 that sits on the ground with the Hammond swell pedal mounted permanently on it with a linkage running the swell housing just like stock. The AO-28's connections to the main console are through a cable and EDAC connector. My chop has the pedal contacts, and the AO-28 and swell pedal are attached to that. (I'd better be playing pedals if I'm hauling all of it to a gig!)