Killswitches

[Lowtonejoe]

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.

Hmm...if there is no preamp, what is the Killswitch for?

Some sort of effect?





Joe.

 

[RyreInc]

It's better to short the output to ground than simply disconnect it. It'll be quieter in kill-mode. Hook one lead up to the output and the other to ground.

EDIT: looks like others have already suggested this

 

[lavmonga]

Hmm...if there is no preamp, what is the Killswitch for?

Some sort of effect?





Joe.

To basically mute the bass, I can leave my volume where I like it and not have to turn the knob. I can also leave it with the switch off for periods of time without worrying about it feeding back or humming.

 

[knuckle_head]

FWIW it won't matter whether the bass is active or passive.

The correct answer in both instances is to take the tip lead and shunt it to ground. You can use an on/on or on/off. If you use a on/off make sure the on position is completing the circuit to ground.

By merely breaking the circuit you are doing little more than unplugging your bass - with all the crackle and hum that goes along with it.

 

[l0calh05t]

FWIW it won't matter whether the bass is active or passive.

Some preamps can't handle a short circuit at the output. In those cases you want to lift the preamp output and short the output jack to ground, which will require a DPST or DPDT switch. But in most cases simply shorting the output jack to ground will do, which only requires a SPST switch.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Why not just use SPST to short out the output jack?

EXACTLY!

 

[mikeswals]

To basically mute the bass, I can leave my volume where I like it and not have to turn the knob. I can also leave it with the switch off for periods of time without worrying about it feeding back or humming.

Then why not just get a tuner pedal. I can mute the bass too without having the extra hole drilled in it and wires cut.
With the Boss tuner I can unplug the cable to switch instruments. You can't do that with the killswitch on the bass.

 

[seanm]

+1 On the tuner. I usually just roll off the volume.

I was going to put a kill switch in my P bass and get rid of the volume control. I only use the volume all the way up, or all the way down. Never got around to it, but I bought a pot with a switch on it so I wouldn't have to add another switch.

 

[pandathe3]

Or, you could make yourself a mute pedal?

Just buy an enclosure, 2 x Jack sockets, an SPST switch and use it as the very first box after your bass.......

It'll cost cheap as chip and soooooo easy to make.


This link shows a stutter box/killswitch box, which is actually what your after. But the diagram uses a momentary switch. Just use a normal switch and its done. Follow the first diagram. You don't even need batteries, or you could build one with an LED light that runs off a 9V battery?



http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/StutterPedal/index.htm

 

[lavmonga]

Then why not just get a tuner pedal. I can mute the bass too without having the extra hole drilled in it and wires cut.
With the Boss tuner I can unplug the cable to switch instruments. You can't do that with the killswitch on the bass.

I have a rack tuner already, so it'd be a little redundant to buy another. I used my P (now with killswitch) at a rehearsal last night and it was convenient. Still only cost me about 4-5 bucks. If anyone doesn't mind drilling the extra hole in the PG, I'd say put one in. I wouldn't drill a new hole into any wood though.

 

[18eranaRic]

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.

+1