Adding an on off switch to a P bass

[b-bottom]

I've been thinking about doing this for a while. But I don't really have any idea about how to do it or what kind of switch to get. So if someone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
Thanks!

 

[NKBassman]

You already have one. Just turn the volume knob all the way down and boom... off.

 

[57pbass]

Just curious as to why you would want this switch on your bass …

 

[Lava]

No

 

[Killing Floor]

I have a kill switch on a Duesenberg bass. The guy at GC thought it was a pickup selector and the front pickup “didn’t work” so they gave me $700 off.
Sure, it’s useless but it saved me a pile of cash.
If you can find someone to pay you $700 to put on a kill switch you should take that deal.

 

[NKBassman]

I have a kill switch on a Duesenberg bass. The guy at GC thought it was a pickup selector and the front pickup “didn’t work” so they gave me $700 off.
Sure, it’s useless but it saved me a pile of cash.
If you can find someone to pay you $700 to put on a kill switch you should take that deal.

Wow good deal!

 

[bassicmike]

It's the equivalent of the Leland Sklar producer's switch.

 

[WRM]

Guitar Kill Switch | About - Iron Age Guitar Accessories

 

[KohanMike]

Just curious as to why you would want this switch on your bass …

My bass ukes are active, so I have Eric's Guitar Shop add a battery kill switch so I don't have to think about unplugging my wireless pod in between sets.

 

[b-bottom]

So would a switch like the one in the link wired like the diagram work?

Amazon.com

 

[WRM]

So would a switch like the one in the link wired like the diagram work?

Amazon.com

It would work but is serious overkill for this application....

 

[fig]

But I don't really have any idea about how to do it or what kind of switch to get. So if someone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

If you use a toggle switch, it'd require you to drill a hole in your bass to mount the switch. If you want to use a push/pull pot, no extra holes required. Just remove your Volume pot and replace it with a push/pull pot. Push/pull pushed is play position, pulled is kill position.

Either switch method works the same. To kill the sound, a ground is connected to the 'hot' signal of the bass. When you want to play, the other switch position removes the ground which allows the signal to the output jack.

Here's a quick example for a toggle switch. I like toggles and wired this to my preference of Toggle Up = Kill, Toggle Down = Play. Identify the final wire to the output jack, then cut it. Solder both cut ends to switch terminal 'b', then add a ground connection to terminal 'c'.:

That should give you an idea of what's happening. It's up to you to decide if you want a toggle switch or push/pull pot. Be aware that if you go with a push/pull pot, the only change you have to make is put the ground connection on switch terminal 'a', not 'c'.

I like kill switches because it gets you right back to the same volume level without re-adjusting a volume. Not necessary, just convenient. A personal preference thing.

Hope this helps.

 

[b-bottom]

Thanks for all of the help,

 

[coyote1]

Just curious as to why you would want this switch on your bass …

IMO it makes a world of sense, depending on the player involved. If you can have an instant off without having to mess with your control pots, why not? More than once I’ve seen folks mess with the wrong knob in order to silence their instrument.

 

[abarson]

Your amp doesn't have a mute button?

 

[BGroovy]

tuner pedal is a great on/off switch

 

[Reedt2000]

Here ya go, done:

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[MCF]

I have a kill switch on a Duesenberg bass. The guy at GC thought it was a pickup selector and the front pickup “didn’t work” so they gave me $700 off.
Sure, it’s useless but it saved me a pile of cash.
If you can find someone to pay you $700 to put on a kill switch you should take that deal.

Score!

 

[Michedelic]

tuner pedal is a great on/off switch

Exactly

 

[FugaziBomb]

@b-bottom Why tho? I get having a momentary kill switch on guitar to do fun stuff in conjunction with like a delay pedal, but what purpose would it serve for a bass?