Killswitch Wiring Position

[Timmsie95]

I'm trying to wire a killswitch. This is how Seymour Duncan says to wire it using a DPDT ON/ON, but I want the guitar to be ON in the UP position, and OFF in the DOWN position. Would I have to move the ground from the bottom left lug to the top left lug? I know I can just turn the switch around, But for diagram purposes, is this correct? or would it be the top right lug, or does it matter, since the two lugs are jumpered anyways.

 

[GilgaFrank]

You really can just turn the switch upside down. It makes zero difference.

 

[Logrinn]

... is this correct?

Correct, you only need to move the wire going from the ground to the bottom left lug on the switch to the upper lug.

But wouldn't a proper killswitch be one that you pressed down on and not one you flipped up and down? Like for instance this one:

 

[Logrinn]

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[mayfly]

Hmmm.  You actually only need a SPST momentary contact switch for a kill switch in your situation *.  You wire it so it shorts the hot lead to ground.  As the other poster has noted, a button works great for this.






* Only recommended with passive pickups.  Author is not responsible if you blow up your super blasted EMGGGG fry-your-mids active pickups using this method.

 

[GilgaFrank]

wouldn't a proper killswitch be one that you pressed down on and not one you flipped up and down? Like for instance this one:

That would certainly work to short the hot to ground and that's the way I'd be inclined to implement it. Toggles can get knocked at inopportune moments, especially if down switches the guitar off.

 

[Timmsie95]

I don't want momentary. I Usially have two volumes and one tone, and I turn the neck volume to zero , and use the toggle switch to mute the output while I'm not playing. The toggle switch will give me this when i have master volume and tone. The switch is on an explorer, way off to the right (from playing position) so it's unlikely that I'll hit it unintentionally.

 

[mayfly]

If that's the case a SPDT on-off switch would do the trick swimmingly.

 

[line6man]

I've never understood why Seymour Duncan saw it fit to use such an awful diagram for killswitches. Making use of two poles and two throws to do the work of a single pole and throw is a recipe for increased switch pop, and increased likelihood of failure. You want your wiring to be as simple as possible.

 

[Timmsie95]

And most switches that you'll find in the "electronics" section of guitar part stores are DPDT.

So how would I wire an SPDT?

 

[line6man]

And most switches that you'll find in the "electronics" section of guitar part stores are DPDT.

So how would I wire an SPDT?

Use a standard DPDT switch. You don't use all of the terminals.

For the SPDT scheme that is safe for all active setups, the signal should go in on the normally closed terminal, and out to the jack on the common terminal. The normally open terminal should then be grounded. Do not omit the ground, or you will get a buzz when muted.

For a standard SPST scheme with minimal switch pop, simply connect the common to ground, and the normally open throw to the signal.