Guitars with KILLSWITCH: DISCOVER this electric guitar accessory for creating rhythmic and percussive effects.
What is the Killswitch?
The Kill Switch is simply a switch that cuts off the signal when pressed. Some might think that something so simple could not be very useful. However, it can be used to create percussive and rhythmic effects.
For example, if you press the Kill Switch repeatedly after playing a note, it will sound as though that note is being played as many times and as quickly as you press the button.
You could say it’s a sort of tremolo effect, but one that affects the volume rather than the pitch, as the tremolo. Furthermore, this effect won’t cause the guitar to go out of tune, as the tremolo bridge might if you use it repeatedly.
Guitarists who have used the Killswitch
This type of accessory is typically used in rock and metal music. However, it can also be used by musicians working in other genres.
For example, guitarist Buckethead’s white Gibson Les Paul features two arcade-style Kill Switch buttons, like those found on old arcade machines.
Other musicians experiment with this effect, such as guitarist Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Matt Bellamy of Muse, and Jack White. Even the late Eddie Van Halen used a kill switch on his EVH Wolfgang signature model. This accessory tends to come as standard with most signature models, such as Eddie Van Halen’s.
Guitars with KILLSWITCH
EVH 5150 Standard
The EVH Wolfgang costs around $5000, but we can always opt for the EVH 5150 Standard, which is priced at under $1400. The 5150 Standard has a basswood body and a maple neck with an ebony fingerboard with a compound radius of 12 to 16 inches. It also has EVH Wolfgang humbucker pickups.
It also features a Floyd Rose EVH tremolo bridge, complete with an EVH D-Tuna accessory.
This accessory allows you to lower the tuning of the sixth string by one semitone (from E to D) with ease, but it does have a few drawbacks. For example, it is not possible to use the bridge in the treble position, and adjusting it is rather inconvenient.
Cort Meta Series MBM-1 Matthew Bellamy Signature
The most affordable of Matt Bellamy’s signature Manson models featuring a kill switch cost well over £2,000 (Manson MB-1 V1). So we’ll move straight on to the models developed by Cort, such as the Meta Series MBM-1 Matthew Bellamy Signature, which costs around $500.
Guitars with Killswitch: BC Rich Guitars
The B.C. Rich range includes several models that come with a KillSwitch as standard. One example is the Shredzilla EX PH Showroom, which costs around $1,600. Although this guitar may seem expensive at first glance, its features and finishes make the price seem quite reasonable upon closer inspection.
The Shredzilla Extreme has a fixed bridge, a mahogany body and a poplar burl top, as well as an ebony fingerboard. Considering the current scarcity of these materials, the choice of wood is not bad at all.
It also features Fishman Fluence multi-function pickups. Add to that the intricate, meticulous abalone trim on the binding, and the price of this instrument becomes entirely justified.
Add to this its intricate and meticulous abalone-trimmed binding, and the price of this instrument is more than justified. It is also available in a seven-string version (BC Rich Shredzilla Extreme 7).
If you’re looking for a model with a Floyd Rose, the price shoots up to $2000. This feature also comes as standard with Warlock-shaped models, such as the BC Rich Warlock Extreme Exotic.
This brand deserves a mention. After all, few models on the market come with a kill switch as standard. As you can see, these guitars are both expensive and difficult to find.
Fender Tom Morello Strat FR
The Fender Tom Morello Strat FR RW BLK is one of the most famous guitar models featuring a kill switch. This guitar features a toggle-style kill switch and an alder body. It also features a combined fingerboard radius of 9.5 and 14 inches. It features Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups in the neck and middle positions and a Seymour Duncan SHR-1b Hot Rails pickup in the bridge position.
What’s more, it features a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and costs around $1800. Considering this guitar’s features, such as the fact that it’s a signature model from a legendary brand, its price is quite reasonable.
Guitars with Killswitch: ESP LTD Arrow BKM
The ESP LTD ARROW BKM BLKS is available for around $1400 if you only need one electromagnetic pickup.
This model features a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo system, a mahogany body, an ebony fingerboard and an EMG 81 pickup.
How to Achieve the Killswitch Effect Without Fitting Anything to Your Guitar
The same effect can be achieved with a Les Paul-style guitar without the need for a kill switch. All you need to do is turn down the volume of one of the pickups to the minimum and use the pickup selector to cut the signal. This is useful for playing a flourish at the end of a song, for example.
As you may have noticed, guitars that come with this feature as standard tend to be rather expensive. However, you can purchase a Kill Switch for your electric guitar separately for around $20.
Once you’ve got hold of the KillSwitch, you have two options. The cheapest option is to install it yourself. Alternatively, you could hire a professional to do the job.