Basic Question about Switching Guitars

Jeff · #1 03-12-2003, 11:03 PM

When you see your favorite guitarist on stage switching guitars, how do they do it without making all kinds of weird noises from touching the cable? Is there some sort of pedal they use to cut the signal while switching, or do they turn the amp off for a few seconds? Or is it something else?

darren wilson · #2 03-12-2003, 11:10 PM

Most people probably use a volume pedal or a kill switch on their pedalboards.

kennydoe · #3 03-12-2003, 11:33 PM

Or a mute on the wireless...

I have a friend at D'addario and I was over there a couple of weeks ago and he showed me some stuff they're working on. one of the new things is a Planet Waves cable that has a little 'hold-down' button you can use to mute it when unplugging. Pretty cool stuff - they have LOT of neat stuff they're getting ready to unleash on the world - different stuff, not copies of other people's ideas.

He was over at Steve Vai's place a few weeks ago getting Steve to test out a new product they have in development. I can't say more about the product, but he told me Steve was playing a Tele

~K

pickblade · #4 03-13-2003, 09:10 AM

Here's another option. I got this information from Zakk Wylde's guitar tech.

We use Switch Craft silent ends on the guitar cables. When you pull it out, it has an anti pop switch on there that kills the signal and it pushes back in and gets signal when it is plugged back in.

darren wilson · #5 03-13-2003, 09:31 AM

Hey, that's a great suggestion.

Here's the link to the Switchcraft part:

http://switchcraft.com/products/jack-132a.html

You probably want part number 181 or 182. Part 181 has a built in cable clamp and strain relief. Part 182 does not, so strain on the cable would be transferred more directly to the solder joints.

Thanks for the tip!