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Simplest way to build a 'mute' pedal

JimmyThunder

JimmyThunder

Feb 19, 2008
3,089
3,627
New Hampshire
#1
I have this dead chorus pedal laying around, and the "killswitch" thread somewheres around here got me thinking I could probably build a "mute" pedal out of it pretty easily. I mean, at it's most complex it could just be an a/b box where the b doesn't go anywhere. But there's gotta be an even simpler way, right? Obviously I've never built a pedal before.
 
#2
jlane72t said:
I have this dead chorus pedal laying around, and the "killswitch" thread somewheres around here got me thinking I could probably build a "mute" pedal out of it pretty easily. I mean, at it's most complex it could just be an a/b box where the b doesn't go anywhere. But there's gotta be an even simpler way, right? Obviously I've never built a pedal before.
Click to expand...


i would just wire a bypass loop pedal...or a A/B box.. instead of a box thats just a killswitch... in a box.. the reason why is because if you ever get something else like a tuner that mutes you can re-use the pedal for something else.
 
#3
jlane72t said:
I have this dead chorus pedal laying around, and the "killswitch" thread somewheres around here got me thinking I could probably build a "mute" pedal out of it pretty easily. I mean, at it's most complex it could just be an a/b box where the b doesn't go anywhere. But there's gotta be an even simpler way, right? Obviously I've never built a pedal before.
Click to expand...

If you'd like to do the worlds simplest mute pedal (If you have an old, possibly not one you use too much). Take that pedal, turn everything completely down and when you engage it, presto.

But, If you're looking for a "tuner mute" and can read schematics:
Invalid Link Removed

This one appears to be the simplest, although it appears to be "momentary" which means you'd have to get an Off/ON switch instead.
http://www.instructables.com/id/easy-killswitch/

Hope this helps

/Jason
 
#4
Yeah, I've used the "level down" method before.

It's notsomuch that I actually need a mute pedal. It's just that I have this dead pedal corpse here, and want to do something with it just for fun...but don't want to need to buy parts beyond all the random junk around my workbench (various pots, switches, caps, etc from guitar wiring) and am not ready yet to delve into the world of actual circuitboards and deciphering schematics. Someday, but not tonight.

The way I figure it's probably as simple as wiring a switch so the circuit is either open or closed, and that's it. But I thought I'd ask here in case there's some reason that wouldn't work that I am ignorant of.
 
#6
jlane72t said:
Yeah, I've used the "level down" method before.

It's notsomuch that I actually need a mute pedal. It's just that I have this dead pedal corpse here, and want to do something with it just for fun...but don't want to need to buy parts beyond all the random junk around my workbench (various pots, switches, caps, etc from guitar wiring) and am not ready yet to delve into the world of actual circuitboards and deciphering schematics. Someday, but not tonight.

The way I figure it's probably as simple as wiring a switch so the circuit is either open or closed, and that's it. But I thought I'd ask here in case there's some reason that wouldn't work that I am ignorant of.
Click to expand...

Well then, the last link in my previous post is the one you want to work from then.
 
#8
You want a mute or a kill switch like Morello and Buckethead?

Just a mute is as simple as 2 mono jacks, simple on/off switch (SPST) and a box to put it all in. Put the switch between the 2 jacks, run a wire from tip of the input to one of the poles of the switch. Do the same with the other jack to the other pole. Put it in a metal box and it's grounded without having to run anymore wires. That's it.

For a killswitch like Morello and Buckethead, go with what Alembicplyr posted.
 

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