Build a Killswitch Into Your Guitar

Step 3 Installation

Now comes the time to cut that wire that you traced back at the beginning of the previous step. Before cutting the wire, make sure that there is enough of the wire to go from the volume pot (or wherever) to the switch and then to the output jack; if there isn't enough wire for this, you'll have to splice some in. Whichever way it turns out, wire in the switch; if your switch needs to be installed in the guitar before connecting the wires, do so now and save yourself some time and effort. Also make sure, if you're using heat-shrink tubing, that it is in place before soldering your wires.

Make sure to insulate all your connections, and test them somehow before you close everything up, especially if you had to de-string your guitar in order to install the switch. The best way I have found to test your wiring is to plug your guitar into an amp, turn on the amp, and then stick some ferric object (like your screwdriver) onto your selected pickup, or if you did not have to remove your guitar's strings, pluck a string; if you don't get any sound make sure first that the volume is up on both the guitar and amp, and then that your selector-switch (if applicable) is set to the proper pickup. If you get sound, then you're golden, otherwise go back and check all your connections.