volume knob placement on a strat.

[Guitartom_ca]

I usually play a telecaster , but i played with a strat and i noticed that my fingers keep turning the volume down when i was playing. i wonder does anyone else have a problem with the strat volume knob being places too close to the bridge?

[Jim Flannery]

I have exactly the same problem. Because of the location of the volume knob, I've never owned a strat.

A tech gave me a really good idea about how to fix the problem, though.........place a felt washer or two under the the knob to create some drag or friction. You'll still be able to turn the knob, it just won't move at the slightest touch.

[charlie chitlin]

Doc...it hurts when I do this.
So, don't do it.

[Post Toastie]

Just pull the knob off.

[revertigo]

i dont play stratocasers because the volume knob gets in the way, the middle pickup gets in the way, the pickup switch get in the way. fender should realise that easier volume swells arent worth the hassle.

[LoveBandit]

A tech gave me a really good idea about how to fix the problem, though.........place a felt washer or two under the the knob to create some drag or friction.

By jove, I do believe that this is the "Hot Lick Tip o' the Day", thanks Jim!! LB.

[buddastrat]

That felt washer seems like a band aid. years ago when I was a kid, I played a Les Paul when I got my first strat, that knob was in the way, but I thought it was me and I played wrong, so I learned how to play on a strat. Now I love where it's at on strats, and don't like my tele's and Gibsons because the knob is so far away. Can't do swells and control the sound, or string noise, hum etc.. Need that knob right there.

It's like the gas pedal and brake all in one.

[bingy]

Did you ever notice that players are constantly checking the volume control between phrases?
I see many, many people doing this...me included.
Not just on the Strat.
You do always need to know that the Vol. is wide open, or not.
Just don't bump it when you strum.

[bosstone]

It is whatever you get used to...same problem when you drive someone else's car. I had a lot of problems inadvertently switching the selector switch or the switch being in the way of the volume pot on Telecasters. I still do every once in a while.

[gaddis]

I probably inadvertently moved the volume control or pickup switch with my hand when I first started playing a strat, but that was almost 30 years ago. You get used to it after awhile and your hand just knows where to go to stay out of trouble.

[E5RSY]

Before I got my Strat 18 years ago, I played a Rickenbacker 330 mainly (talk about taking a 180-degree turn). I recall the knob arrangement on the Strat feeling strange at first. In no time at all it was an afterthought, if that.

[e-merlin]

I have the same problem, so when I buy a Strat I change it to master volume master tone and remove what used to be the volume pot. I then run down to Ace Hardware and buy a plug to fill the hole.

[91xlntS-3]

+1. I'm a tele player also, but have a MIM Std. Strat I picked up last fall.

The Volume knob is pretty much in the way, but since I don't play it that much, I just deal with it and am extra careful. Just the nature of the beast, I guess...

[neocaster]

That knob is the best lesson I've ever had in economy of motion. An infuriating but effective tool. I hate it, but it's helped a lot.

[jtoomuch]

Never even noticed this problem.

[bosstone]

I have more trouble with the volume knob on a Tele. It is all because of the switch though.

[Radspin]

I don't have a problem with Strat volume knobs, but everyone is different.

I have a Grosh ElectraJet Standard and the volume and tone controls are harder to turn than the pots on my Fender guitars and consequently, harder to accidentally change where they're set. I don't know what kind of pots they are, but you could ask Brent or one of the other guys at Grosh--they're extremely helpful.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Radspin

I have a Grosh ElectraJet Standard and the volume and tone controls are harder to turn than the pots on my Fender guitars and consequently, harder to accidentally change where they're set. I don't know what kind of pots they are, but you could ask Brent or one of the other guys at Grosh--they're extremely helpful.

Thanks, I like this idea. I may do this later on.

I may take Jim's advice first. It seems very sensible.

[RodeoTex]

Seems that a lot of the pots I've gotten lately feel a lot firmer than older touchy knobs. The ones I got from Warmoth come to mind, not sure which others.

[ghall]

I have a Behringer Strat copy (which is much nicer than one would expect) that I play from time to time. The knob really bugged me at first but I did get used to it after awhile. However, when I do palm mutes the dang ting still gets in my way. I think I might try just removing it altogether as that seems to be the most commonly suggested solution. Besides, I always use my volume pedal when I'm doing swells.