Does anyone have any tips on adding a kill switch on a HH Strat?

[unleashthejay]

Does anyone have any tips on adding a kill switch on a HH Strat? I only use either the neck or the bridge pickup so I don't need the middle position. I'm wondering if I should keep on tone knob one volume knob and just use the second tone knob hole as a kill switch or maybe another configuration. I like to use the kill switch for Van Halen type songs like the solo in "You really got me going". I've also seen a button configuration before but I've never tried it (this was on a official EVH guitar).

I'm probably going with a custom custom in the bridge and a Alnico II Pro in the neck.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

If you truly don't EVER use the middle position and won't ever want it, a Strat type 3-way blade switch can as a kill switch.
No middle pickup, so middle position will be silent.

I think there's something cool about using the blade as a kill switch, Jimi style.
Of course he did it by turning the middle tone off so technically it wasn't actually a kill switch.
But AFAIK he was the first to do the stutter that modern killswitches duplicate.

If you choose to go with a button switch - wired inline on the main output - you want one that's normally closed.
EDIT: Normally open and just shorting across the jack as Artietoo suggests below really makes more sense.
Especially since if the switch ever failed you'd still have output.

 

[Mincer]

I'm probably going with a custom custom in the bridge and a Alnico II Pro in the neck.

That's my favorite combo for any Strat. Also, D'Addario makes a cable with a momentary kill switch on the plug itself, so that is always an option, too.

 

[Artie]

A simple momentary pushbutton across the output jack does it. A guitar is one of the few circuits where you can "short" the output without damaging anything. This makes the "kill" silent.

 

[ToneFiddler]

on one guitar i have the hot wire of the neck pickup wired to the switch of a push pull pot. if the pot is pulled up the neck pickup is dead and i use the toggle switch as a kill switch for the bridge PU tom morello style. if the push pull is down it functions regularly and you have all 3 positions

 

[El Dunco]

If you truly don't EVER use the middle position and won't ever want it, a Strat type 3-way blade switch can as a kill switch.
No middle pickup, so middle position will be silent.

I think there's something cool about using the blade as a kill switch, Jimi style.
Of course he did it by turning the middle tone off so technically it wasn't actually a kill switch.
But AFAIK he was the first to do the stutter that modern killswitches duplicate.

If you choose to go with a button switch - wired inline on the main output - you want one that's normally closed.

Tom Morello has a setup like that on his St George “Creamy.” Center position is silent so he gets an engine-like tremolo effect by rapidly flicking between the two (eg Tire Me and various other songs.)

You wouldn’t use a blade switch though, the slant and how far you have to move the switch isn’t as ergnomical as an LP toggle.

 

[ToneFiddler]

Tom Morello has a setup like that on his St George “Creamy.” Center position is silent so he gets an engine-like tremolo effect by rapidly flicking between the two (eg Tire Me and various other songs.)

You wouldn’t use a blade switch though, the slant and how far you have to move the switch isn’t as ergnomical as an LP toggle.

yes a LP style toggle switch is way better!

 

[Securb]

A simple momentary pushbutton across the output jack does it. A guitar is one of the few circuits where you can "short" the output without damaging anything. This makes the "kill" silent.

That is the wiring I went with. I installed one of these switches I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KJX28EY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My buddy played the guitar and likes the action of the kill switch better than the one on his Wolfgang. I did have to drill a larger hole for the switch.

 

[Artie]

That is the wiring I went with. I installed one of these switches I love it.

I have a job coming in next week. The guy is going to use two vintage "pinball bumper" switches so he can double-tap his fingers to the two. My luthier friend is going to install them, then I'll wire them up. Should be interesting. I'll post pics when it's done.

 

[Wound_Up]

Buckethead uses a video game button on his guitars. Pretty sure he's been using them for like 30 years or so.

 

[Wound_Up]

I have a job coming in next week. The guy is going to use two vintage "pinball bumper" switches so he can double-tap his fingers to the two. My luthier friend is going to install them, then I'll wire them up. Should be interesting. I'll post pics when it's done.

So they're basically Buckethead buttons then?

 

[Artie]

So they're basically Buckethead buttons then?

Not sure. I'm not familiar with that term. I just know that they (supposedly) came off an old pinball machine.

Oops. I see the post above now. So yes, those basic style buttons.

 

[DCikes88]

So they're basically Buckethead buttons then?

Buttonhead, lol.
I have a kill-switch on my tele, wiring corresponds to ArtieToo's post. No fuss, works like a charm. The switch I used is a tiny yellow nipple I bought for a couple of bucks online and mounted on the tele plate, in between the knobs.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Buckethead uses a video game button on his guitars. Pretty sure he's been using them for like 30 years or so.

Never seen a guitar with two kill switches. Does he do two-handed stuttering, or does one of those do something different?
Or is it just to fill the hole and look cool? Does look pretty cool...

 

[Wound_Up]

Never seen a guitar with two kill switches. Does he do two-handed stuttering, or does one of those do something different?
Or is it just to fill the hole and look cool? Does look pretty cool...

He uses either or, depending on what, he's playing I believe.

He also let's the crowd tap the lower button. Bucket loves his fans. He regularly gives out toys to fans in the crowd before his shows. Dude is FINE, FINE human being. If there was one guitar player to actually look up to, it's Big B. He's never done drugs or drank. Dudes the real deal. An actual role model, imo.


Edit: here's a vid of him letting fans hit the button

Here he is handing out toys before the show

 

[unleashthejay]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to go with the video game button on my strat! Never seen that before and I'm a video game nerd so thanks everyone for the tips!