Q: Can I use the BigShot EFX as an amp selector?
A: Yes! It will work just like other ABY amp selectors. Simply connect the loop outputs to your amp. Just a note of caution—keep in mind that there are no provisions for transformer isolation like inside the Switchbone or BigShot ABY. This means that you can encounter hum and buzz due to ground loops, but this should fare no differently than similar ABY switcher. If you get buzz or hum, try lifting the ground. Check with a technician to make sure your amps are safe and properly grounded.

Q: Will the BigShot EFX click or pop when switching effects in and out?
A: The BigShot EFX will act like all other passive switchers which means that under normal operation, only a slight click will be heard as the switch contacts mate. However in high gain situations, the click can be more pronounced. The more expensive Radial Loopbone completely eliminates any switching noise because it employs active class-A circuitry and photocells that eliminate contact noise.

Q: Can I use a tuner and mute the signal with the EFX?
A: Yes. You can use one of the two loops to receive the tuner signal and simply not return the signal to the EFX for silent tuning. You still get to use the second loop for noisy effects.

Q: Can both loops be on at the same time?
A: Yes of course. The two loops feed each other in series. This lets you create two dedicated loops for less noise and combine them when you have to.

Q: What do I do if I notice that the levels drop when I use my pedals?
A: The best solution is to introduce a buffer into your circuit. The Radial BigShot PB1 power booster is also a buffer and this will drive your pedals so that the volume is more consistent. It also lets you drive longer cables and because if lowers the impedance, it also reduces susceptibility to noise.

Q: I heard some pedals like wah-wahs and fuzz tones should be connected first. What is the deal?
A: The point here is that pedals like wahs and fuzzes react to the pickup. This means that they will sound and work differently depending on the instrument that is connected. If you are going to put them in a pedal chain, they are best served if they are placed in front of buffers like a chorus pedal, distortion, delay and so on. With the EFX, if your guitar is connected directly to the input, because they are true-bypass, when the waw of fuzz is in a loop, they will react as if connected directly to the guitar.

Q: Can I use the BigShot EFX to select between two instruments?
A: Yes. Simply connect the two instruments to the returns.

Q: Can Can the BigShot EFX be used in the effects loop on the back of a guitar amplifier?
A: Yes of course. The BigShot EFX is a simple true-bypass switching
device that will access the loop and turn it on when activated.

Q: When using the BigShot EFX is the connection to the
loops in series or parallel. I would like to use a volume control to create effect swells?

A: When you engage a loop on the EFX, it takes the guitar
signal and diverts 100% of the signal through the effects device. On the
other hand, the BigShot MIX lets you mix in two effects and would be better suited as it would allow the dry guitar signal to pass through and you could bring in as much of the effect as you would like using the volume pedal.