To kill or not to kill?

[Spidouz]

That is a good question fellows!

I'm currently seeking to mod the new little PRS SE 245, by using P-Rails, and a blade switch for each pickup.

Here's the mockup of the mod:

My first reaction was to use a 4-way blade switch to get: Rail / Serial / Parallel / P90 choices.

Since I will use only a Master Volume and Master Tone (the two other pots are used for the Varitone Capacitor Switch and BassCut switch), I thought I could still use a 5-way blade switch and have one dead-silent non-connected position and get: Rail / Serial / Kill / Parallel / P90.

In the case I would like to use the neck/bridge selector as a killswitch (one pickup volume down in regular setup), I could still select the middle position on the P-Rail config switch and do exactly the same.

So, in your opinion: To Kill or Not to Kill? Would you use a 4-way switch or a 5-way switch?

I was using Strat style guitar so far, so I never use or had the "Killswitch mode"... So I don't know how important and really great it could be.

Any thoughts?
Phil

 

[ErikH]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

Save yourself from cutting more holes and utilize push/pulls and triple shot mounting rings.

As for a killswitch, it can be cool, but I'd put it somewhere where you can't hit it easily.

 

[Spidouz]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

The question is not about cutting holes or not, since it will be 4-way switches anyway in worst scenario... The question is: would you go the extra miles with a 5-way switch instead the 4-way switch, to have the Kill position.

I do HATE the Triple Shot (too tiny, not practical... sorry guys) and the push-pull are already in use.

Phil

 

[TheProphet]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

I've installed kill switches on most of my medium range guitars. Couple of things.

I wouldn't have it located on the 5 way, but if I did I would go Serial / Rail / P90 / Parallel / Kill. The Kill on a 5 way for me would have to be at the very bottom.

It really depends on what you want it for.

a.) if it is to kill the sound between songs during a gig. I'd use a master on/off toggle switch.
b.) if it's for a stutter type of effect, I would (and do) use a temporary kill switch/push button that would be wired to both volumes.​

And IIRC having a non-connected position on the 5-Way might not be completely silent thus not truly working as a kill switch.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

Save yourself from cutting more holes and utilize push/pulls and triple shot mounting rings.

As for a killswitch, it can be cool, but I'd put it somewhere where you can't hit it easily.

This.

 

[fret_man]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

Hey Prophet, what was your thinking behind Serial-Rail-P90-Parallel? To go from fat-to-bright sounds I would have gone Serial-P90-Parallel-Rail. I've got an SG which is too thin for a blade switch. I'll be using a rotary switch, which makes it a little more difficult to get to non-adjacent settings. So getting these organized in a "smart" way is important. Please share your thoughts on why you chose the positions the way you did. Thx!

 

[Spidouz]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

My choice is logical, in my very personal way

I do want Rail / Serial / Parallel / P90, because of the switches positions (both for PU selection and PU Mode):

- All the way up, I know I'll get the P90
- All the way down, I know I'll get the Rail

Then I will get both Parallel and Serial in-between positions. So I will have the Parallel close to the P90, and the Serial close to the Single coil Rail... It's just an way to remember things, P & P, S & S

On a rotary switch, I'd use the same organization... but again, that's just me

 

[TheProphet]

Re: To kill or not to kill?

Hey Prophet, what was your thinking behind Serial-Rail-P90-Parallel?

Just my preference for what I'd use more.

Hum-Single-P90-Parallel-Kill

All the way up my usual stomping ground, and all the way down for off.