New owner of a Quad Preamp. Options for channel switching.

Hey guys,

I'm a new owner of a Quad Preamp and I'm curious if there are other options for switching other than the FU-2.

The Quad shipped with an Abacus MIDI foot switch but I'm only familiar with that working with a Triaxis. Would this work with the Abacus? I see there is a port for the Abacus on the back panel of the Quad
but it doesn't affect any of the channels.

Eventually I'll want to program the channels along with FX but for the time being I just want to audition the channels and maybe run a rehearsal or two with it as is sans FX.

Thank you for you help.

I use a Nobels MS-8 switcher (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-JSH-NOBEL-MS-8-Programmable-Midi-Switch-Controller-Designed-for-Fender-/141657135215?) with a Behringer FCB1010 foot controller, which also controls my rack FX.

the Quad doesn't receive MIDI. the FU-2 (4-pin) or FU-2A (6-pin) are ridiculously hard to get hold of. you can use the FU-3 (designed for the mark iv) but it's really expensive.

you could try one of the alternatives like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KoolKats-6-Button-Footswitch-for-the-Mesa-Boogie-Mark-IV-FU-3-/380879328590?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58ae2d554e. i actually ended up making my own, which was kind of fun but ultimately not that usable (you end up with two channels on at once - lots of tap dancing).

let me know if you need any help - i went through exactly this problem when I got my Quad. it's worth persevering because it's that good.

I've been using a Voodoo labs GCX switcher in my rack which I bought used on Craigslist.
you can read about it here.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=58078