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Killswitches

lavmonga

lavmonga

Jul 27, 2007
2,059
514
New York, NY
www.ulyssescannon.com
#1
First off, I did use the search function and am posting a new thread because the threads out there didn't answer my questions. I'm planning on putting a killswitch into my HWY1 P bass. I have seen a few different suggestions wiring wise. I want to us a switch that is a simple on/off. Now my questions,

1. can i just cut the hot wire from the pots to the jack and install a switch there? I have seen posts saying this is a bad idea as well as the proper way.

2. What kind of switch do I need one with two or three prongs at the bottom? I have this one:
pRS1C-2160406w345.jpg


But I think I need a third prong for a ground right?

3. Can anyone please just post a pic of their killswitch (wiring)? it would help tremendously! Thanks in advance!
 
#2
Does that bass have a preamp?
When you plug the bass into an amp with the amp on do you hear a loud "pop"

This may affect how to implement the kill switch, but generally your idea should work.

You may find this site useful:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#4
i don't know a ton about guitar wiring, but the way i see it, you just need something that put a break in the circuit. a spst switch (which you have) should be fine. that's all power switches and standby switches are on tube amps. just something to break the circuit. but i would wait to see what people who have experience with this have to say.
 
#5
a friend of mine put a killswitch in my jazz bass and all he did was take the wire that was connected to the input jack and wired it to the kill switch and then to the input jack and it worked as an on off switch
 
#6
lavmonga said:
No preamp, stock P bass electronics. I didn't put the switch in yet. I'm trying to figure out if I got the right one before I start cutting wires.
Click to expand...

Since there is no preamp it should be simple as you and others have described. Just open the wire going to the "tip" of the 1/4" to engage the kill switch.
 
#7
do not follow the idea off putting in a switch to kill the circuit. the signal needs to be grounded, just like what your volume knob does. to wire a killswitch you will need a SPDT on/on. wire the jack's hot to the middle post. wire one side continuing the hot wire to the pot. wire the other side to ground.
 
#8
Johnny Mack said:
do not follow the idea off putting in a switch to kill the circuit. the signal needs to be grounded, just like what your volume knob does. to wire a killswitch you will need a SPDT on/on. wire the jack's hot to the middle post. wire one side continuing the hot wire to the pot. wire the other side to ground.
Click to expand...

oh, that's a good point, forgot about that.
 
#9
Johnny Mack said:
do not follow the idea off putting in a switch to kill the circuit. the signal needs to be grounded, just like what your volume knob does. to wire a killswitch you will need a SPDT on/on. wire the jack's hot to the middle post. wire one side continuing the hot wire to the pot. wire the other side to ground.
Click to expand...

not doubting (cause i already said i wasn't sure when i posted) but could you explain why simply breaking the circuit won't work? what does your instructions accomplish that mine doesn't? again, wanting to learn here... i'm not doubting...
 
#10
dean owens said:
not doubting (cause i already said i wasn't sure when i posted) but could you explain why simply breaking the circuit won't work? what does your instructions accomplish that mine doesn't? again, wanting to learn here... i'm not doubting...
Click to expand...

If the Output Hot isn't connected to ground, the Amp input will be subject to any noise or interference the cable will pick up. Grounding the output bleeds the voltage from the interference off.
 
#13
my bass came can switch from active to passive, so I just took the battery out, and when I switch it to active, it just turns off.

...jeez, i didn't help at all, did i?

Oh well, while I'm typing, I might as well say that getting a buckethead-style button killswitch would be about 5 or more times cooler than a flicking-type switch.
 
#15
kgoism said:
my bass came can switch from active to passive, so I just took the battery out, and when I switch it to active, it just turns off.

...jeez, i didn't help at all, did i?

Oh well, while I'm typing, I might as well say that getting a buckethead-style button killswitch would be about 5 or more times cooler than a flicking-type switch.
Click to expand...

not really that much cooler. at all. Tried it.

You'd be better off with just that regular kill switch.
 
#19
Johnny Mack said:
do not follow the idea off putting in a switch to kill the circuit. the signal needs to be grounded, just like what your volume knob does. to wire a killswitch you will need a SPDT on/on. wire the jack's hot to the middle post. wire one side continuing the hot wire to the pot. wire the other side to ground.
Click to expand...

TrooperFarva said:
If the Output Hot isn't connected to ground, the Amp input will be subject to any noise or interference the cable will pick up. Grounding the output bleeds the voltage from the interference off.
Click to expand...

this is why
 

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