Pushbutton Killswitch Question

Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

If it has to be one of those, use off - (on). Anytime you see a position in parantheses, it means its a momentary position - spring-loaded that will return to the other position when you release it.

If you want one that you can leave in the "kill" position, get on-on. (Or off-on.)
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

I'm not really interested in leaving it in the kill position, I'm really only going to use it as an effect while playing. Anyway, why would it be the "off-(on)" one? Wouldn't "off" mean that there is no current going thru, so wouldn't there be no sound until I press the button and put it on and allow the sound to go thru?
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

The proper way to do a kill switch is to have it "short-out" the output jack. So you want the switch to remain "open" until you short it.

If you "open" the line to the amp, you'll get terrible hum and noise.
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

But if the switch is put before the output jack and the switch is open how does sound get thru?
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

CaughtINAMosh said:
But if the switch is put before the output jack and the switch is open how does sound get thru?
Click to expand...

It doesn't, which is sort of the problem. Effectively it will float the amp - try pulling the cable out of the guitar while playing to get the same effect.

Artie would be able to explain the reason why, I'm sure.
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

SpiderVenom said:
It doesn't, which is sort of the problem. Effectively it will float the amp - try pulling the cable out of the guitar while playing to get the same effect.

Artie would be able to explain the reason why, I'm sure.
Click to expand...

What? You lost me.
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

SpiderVenom said:
It doesn't, which is sort of the problem. Effectively it will float the amp - try pulling the cable out of the guitar while playing to get the same effect.

Artie would be able to explain the reason why, I'm sure.
Click to expand...

I just drew this quick 'n dirty:

kill_switch01.jpg


If you do it like this, (switch shown in "kill" position), you've left the input to the amp "floating". That is, it isn't connected to anything. If you look at most amplifier schematics, you'll see that when the cord isn't plugged in, the input jack shorts to ground. This prevents extraneous noise in the air from being amplified and making an awful racket.

The better way to do it is like this:

kill_switch02.jpg


Now, when you hit the "kill" position, you mimick the cord being unplugged. (Hot shorted to ground.)

Make sense?

Artie
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

But isn't "SPST off-(on)" normally open, wouldn't I need a normally closed switch which would be on-(off)? Sorry if i'm not getting it.
 
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Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

Yeah, tried finding an "on-off" switch for the longest time, i threw on i thought was "on-off" into an OLP and low and behold was oppesite, so its still in there filling the hole created for it but im looking for a functioning button.

Radio shack only carries "off-on's" any one know some other shops to check out

P.S. i'm looking for spring loaded button, not switch. Looking more for the effect than practicality
 
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Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

CaughtINAMosh said:
But isn't "SPST off-(on)" normally open, wouldn't I need a normally closed switch which would be on-(off)? Sorry if i'm not getting it.
Click to expand...

No. Look at the second pic in my post above. If that switch is "on", (closed), the output will be shorted out. You want normally-open, wired across the output jack. ;)
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

Okay, I understand what you are saying now. But isn't there a way to do it with a normally closed switch and not have any noise when pressed. Maybe, by putting it on the 'hot' wire just before the output and wire the ground wire to the switch. Will that work for a normally closed switch with no noise? I'm just trying to see every possibility to do this before I start drilling holes in my guitar.
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

Does your switch only have two terminals? Many switches have three, so that it can be NO or NC. If its only two terminals, and its NC, I don't see any way you can use it. Sorry. :blackeye:
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

i have one of these in every single one of my guitars and i've done it both ways... artie helped me with this when i first joined the forum.

with a NC switch wired IN LINE with the hot going from your pots to your output jack is one way to do it

with a NO switch wired across the ground and hot of your output jack is another way to do it.

with a NC switch you are going to get a hell of a lot more noise than you do with a NO switch wired across your jack.
depending on your switch type your are always going to get a little noise when you use it. but just like anything else, with a decent ammount of practice you learn how it has to be hit to not get any clicks or scratches. also i've noticed the cleaner your sound the easier it is to notice the noise from using it.

**edit**

you dont have to drill a hole in your guitar to test the function of the switch just leave your guitar on the stand and hit the strings and play with it for a bit. if you really need to have it in your guitar to test it, take out your tone potentiometer and just leave it hangin in your cavity and put the killswitch in its place.
 
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Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

Colma said:
you dont have to drill a hole in your guitar to test the function of the switch just leave your guitar on the stand and hit the strings and play with it for a bit. if you really need to have it in your guitar to test it, take out your tone potentiometer and just leave it hangin in your cavity and put the killswitch in its place.
Click to expand...

Yeah, did the mod ages ago. wasn't concerned about the well being of the guitar, its an OLP. lol. mod looks good, just isn't functional
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

the NO switch across the hot/ground terminals of the jack.
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

i don't thin ka button is useful if your gonna build it in a guitar. u'll have to hit the guitar to switch it on a off. and on/off or an on/off/on toggle swithc might be better.
 
Re: Pushbutton Killswitch Question

its a momentary switch. it will only be "off" while the button is held down. its used for staccato (spellcheck)
 
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