software

I just can't get used to my Strats volume knob location when palm muting, especially something arpeggiated like the intro to 'Ain't Talkin' Bout Love'. Do you guys find yourselves curling your pinky around it or placing your pinkie in front of it?

You can buy pickguards that are drilled for only two knobs, and then rewire using a concentric pot for your tone controls. Personally, it's not the volume knob that bothers me, it's the switch placement. I always bump it while playing clean rhythm in the neck or neck middle positions.

Ryan

When I play sitting it's not a problem but when I play live they tend to get in the way of things. I have to check every few minutes or so and make sure it's on full.

That damn volume knob always gets in the way! I find myself putting my pinky in front of the volume knob...which moves where I pick up closer to the neck some...it's kinda annoying... I'm currently putting together a pickguard for a double fat strat with just a master vol and master tone, 3way and mini toggle.., I used a warmoth pickguard that doesn't have the control holes drilled and I drilled two holes for the vol and tone that leave me plenty of room to put my pinky where I want it!

I'm glad I'm not the only one! That idea with the 2 hole pickguard is a good one. I didn't know about those. Where would I be without this forum! This solution may save me some money on a whole new guitar. Heck, now I can get a new pickguard routed HSS with 2 holes and put a humbucker in there. (I already know what you're thinking-we'll take a share of the money you would have spent on another guitar) LOL

Thanks!

On one of my custom pickguards (H/S single volume knob, push/pull pot)
The volume knob is down where the 2nd tone knob would be on a normal strat, way down there it never gets in the way, it's nice

Rock On!


Originally Posted by rspst14You can buy pickguards that are drilled for only two knobs, and then rewire using a concentric pot for your tone controls. Personally, it's not the volume knob that bothers me, it's the switch placement. I always bump it while playing clean rhythm in the neck or neck middle positions.

Ryan

Do you know where I can find one? I did a Google search and couldn't come up with anything unless I do the Warmoth thing and drill my own.

I've heard lots of people voice the same complaint. I don't play a strat much anymore but I always liked it there, handy for swells.


Originally Posted by SoCalSteveDo you know where I can find one? I did a Google search and couldn't come up with anything unless I do the Warmoth thing and drill my own.

Let me get back to you on that. I know they exist, and I know I've seen them, I just can't remember where.

Ryan

You can pull the knob and put a plug in the hole.With a little acetone and some fine sanding and polishing you can blend out the scar to be visable except for close examination.

Terrapin Guitars will make you a pickguard however you like. from : localhost/www.terrapinguitars.com/

When a volume knob is too close for me, and I end up hitting it on accident, like on a strat or some Jackson's, a felt washer works great for keeping them in place when you accidentally hit them.

Lucky you, with a pickguard .

I moved the volume into the middle tone pots position on one of my Strats (single Hum). I don't bump it anymore, but now I can't ride the volume while playing, so there's some trade offs with it.

We can omit the first hole on a pickguard, no charge, no problem as long as the other two holes are in standard positions. If you want just two holes in custom locations, you're better off drilling your own.


Originally Posted by rspst14Personally, it's not the volume knob that bothers me, it's the switch placement. I always bump it while playing clean rhythm in the neck or neck middle positions.

Ryan

1 on that


Originally Posted by bwbassWe can omit the first hole on a pickguard, no charge, no problem as long as the other two holes are in standard positions. If you want just two holes in custom locations, you're better off drilling your own.

Thanks for the info! You may be hearing from me.

So I'm not the only one who always bumps the Strat switch.. good to know!Originally Posted by rspst14You can buy pickguards that are drilled for only two knobs, and then rewire using a concentric pot for your tone controls. Personally, it's not the volume knob that bothers me, it's the switch placement. I always bump it while playing clean rhythm in the neck or neck middle positions.

Ryan
The middle pickup is a pain too! Does anyone else catch their pick on the polepieces?

I think that to be a true Strat player you have to learn and embrace these ergonomic issues - volume knob, switch and middle pickup placement. It's just a case of practice. As a (mostly) Les Paul player I have no issues with an LP's switch/knob placement but I know other people find those to be difficult. It all depends on what guitar you get used to playing.


Originally Posted by Simon_FThe middle pickup is a pain too! Does anyone else catch their pick on the polepieces?

I think that to be a true Strat player you have to learn and embrace these ergonomic issues - volume knob, switch and middle pickup placement. It's just a case of practice. As a (mostly) Les Paul player I have no issues with an LP's switch/knob placement but I know other people find those to be difficult. It all depends on what guitar you get used to playing.

HA! You know what, I have fairly new shiny black pickups that don't have pole pieces and I'm always trying to avoid picking over the middle pup so as not to scratch it up.

Too bad there's no way to route the pickguard for a different volume knob position and a different switch position. I can't see any way it could possibly be done...can anyone else?

Ryan