Wiring a Killswitch

[IsItButter]

Id like to put a killswitch into my guitar. I've looked up diagrams on the web and can't really find anything that makes sense to me. I have no expirience soldering. So i was wondering if anyone would like to kinda explain wiring diagrams and maybe how to install a killswitch. Any help would be appreciated. :chug:

[HELLonWHEELS]

Installing a killswitch is very easy. All you have to do is break up the hot wire in between your pot and your input jack. That means buy a switch. On the switch you will have either 2 or 3 prongs. If your switch as two prongs just cut the wire in between the jack and the pot and attach one part of the wire to one prong and the other half of the wire to the other prong. If there are 3 prongs you can run a wire from the 3rd prong to the ground so you will eliminate all humming in the off position(i had a two prong switch and never experienced any humming). Have fun

[IsItButter]

Ok. some of that makes sense to me. But i literally have no clue what the hotwire is or what the ground wire is. sorry for the noob questions.

[hartke20g]

the hot wire goes from the middle lug of your volume pot to your output jack. find that wire and follow the above steps.

on a similar note, does anyone know if i can use a les paul style pickup selector switch as an on/off/on killswitch, and how to wire it if it's possible? if i need another switch, i'd need to get one that's easy to toggle between (hence the LP style) ala morello and bellamy, so recommendations FTW.

[HELLonWHEELS]

Ok. some of that makes sense to me. But i literally have no clue what the hotwire is or what the ground wire is. sorry for the noob questions.

Hotwire is the positive wire the ground is the negative. There is also a grounding wire that goes from one of the pots into the wood of the guitar and up under the bridge.

on a similar note, does anyone know if i can use a les paul style pickup selector switch as an on/off/on killswitch, and how to wire it if it's possible? if i need another switch, i'd need to get one that's easy to toggle between (hence the LP style) ala morello and bellamy, so recommendations FTW.

An on/off/on is wired the same as an on/off switch. Its all about getting one thats fits right.

[mnemonic]

i've found it works better, and is easier to install a killswitch that just shorts the whole guitar, rather than just cutting the signal.

when i installed mine, i just googled it, and did it the way this site told me to
http://www.stinkfoot.se/andreas/diy/mods/killswitch.htm

pretty easy, took me a piece of wire, and some solder, and a switch. and you dont have to cut up any of the wiring thats alredy in there either.

[IsItButter]

Thanks everyone. mnemonic that article pretty much nailed it for me, thanks!

[thelowsoundofbass]

The ground wire will be the black one, every single time. The hotwire is the other one.

lowsound