Kill button Switches

[big_teee]

School me on kill buttons.
I want to put one on a strat pickguard between the Master Volume and Master Tone.
Not sure what diameter button I would need to go in regular Pot type strat hole.
Don't want any led, just a plain spring loded button.
I think they just interrupt the output?
T

[nevetslab]

While I'd have to look at what's available in push-push SPDT switches, I use a small SPDT toggle switch on my Fender Precision, parked below the Tone Control for muting the instrument. I have it wired across the phone jack, so muting shorts the output of the instrument, grounds the input to the amp to go silent. You might look in a C & K master catalog, or an Alco Switch catalog to see what they have. If memory serves, they use a variation of the same mechanism used on the minature toggle switches, but the button / shaft would be sticking out, so also look for a collar bushing so the button/shaft are protected. Usually mounts in a 1/4" dia hole.

[Justin Thomas]

Teee, are you looking for more of a Buckethead-style kill switch? Generally those are pinball machine parts. I don't know what sizes are available, but part of the joy of a Fender is you don't have to butcher an original pickguard to install one.

I'd get a new guard, widen the hole, put in the switch.

Justin

[big_teee]

Yes the bucket head, John 5 push button switch is what I'm after.
When pushed, do we want the output to open or to ground?
N/O, or N/C ?
Going to put this on the HSH Warmoth blue pearl Pickguard, I haven't purchased yet!
I have most of the parts, still need to get the chrome P/U covers, push button switch and the pickguard.
I will put in the blue strat partscaster I have.
**Looks like you use a N/O

[big_teee]

John 5 is about the best with it.
Just something to put on a guitar that's made to be different.
Here he is with a demo.

[Justin Thomas]

I'd imagine you want the output silenced when pushed, else no noise when it's not! I don't know what your abbreviations mean, but you'll figure it out. I bet finding a good-quality switch will be the worst of it...

Justin

[tboy]

The "old school" way of doing it is to turn one pickup's volume control all the way down, and then use the pickup selector to rapidly switch between the 'on' and 'off' pickups (works best with a Gibson style toggle switch).

[big_teee]

Looks like you want to ground the output, like turning off a grounded volume control.
http://guitarwiring.blogspot.com/201...ul-wiring.html
That would require a NO normally open arcade type button switch.
T

[Chuck H]

I thought about adding this s feature to a guitar once. I really don't like that the report is on the button release rather than the push. That would take more practice to get use to than if the report was on the push. Think about it. Push = pick. Easy peazy. BUT!!! What then when you release and now your guitar is silent? Unless you hold the button full time while playing that might be a problem So I considered how to have both and I searched Mouser. You can get (on)-off-on toggle switches. That means from the center position you can flip the switch up (that's the direction "I" would choose) and the guitar would be "on". Or you could push the switch down and the guitar would be on until the switch was released. At which time the switch returns to the "off" position. In one direction the switch has no snap and is momentary and the other direction snaps on and holds. So thumbing the switch down isn't unlike down stroke picking. And flipping the switch up to hold wouldn't be a big deal. Even timing wise I think I could get use to that better than having the report on the lift motion for a button. Plus you get a holding "off" option. Not that it's really useful, but it might come in handy.

Submitted for your consideration.

[nosaj]

So much easier if it was a footswitch with a momentary switch.
nosaj

[Chuck H]

So much easier if it was a footswitch with a momentary switch.
nosaj

AAAaaahh!!! No way I can move my foot fast enough for the effect I want. I'd probably get a cramp trying and fall over. Not to mention that I'm not always standing when practicing. But... Having it on the floor would leave your right hand free (assuming you're right handed) to do things like play with the volume or pick simultaneously while triggering the manual tremolo effect. Surely some fun and musical techniques could come about.

[Justin Thomas]

Just watch some Buckethead... Viva Voltron is pretty good... All done with right hand...

Then again Buckethead is not mortal.

Justin