Build a Killswitch Into Your Guitar

Step 2 Prep-work

Before you can install your killswitch, you are going to have to get at the guts of your guitar, specifically you will need to get at the wires that go to your guitar's output jack. Find the wire that connects to the sleeve of the plug, in most guitars this wire will be black. Trace this wire back to the guitar's volume pot (or wherever the wires finally come together to become a single pair), but don't cut the wire yet.

Now you're going to have to figure out where you want to put the switch. Unless you're willing to do a lot of extra work, you'll be limited in placement options by where the guitar's control-cavity is. Once you've determined where you want to place the switch, carefully mark the position and then drill a mounting-hole for the switch. If you're drilling through the body of your guitar, drill very carefully through the front of the guitar so that if there is any accidental splintering, it will be out of sight. To minimize the risk of splintering, you should press very gently while running the drill at a high speed.