A Better Control Plate

[Graeme]

I love my Tele, everything except the pickup selector and volume pot being so close together.

Does anyone make a control plate where the volume is halfway between the pickup selector knob (in the bridge position) and the tone knob?

I know I can buy blank plates but my metal working skills are atrocious, and that's being kind

[garrett]

Hey there from a Yankee invader!

I know Callaham will custom cut one for you, but that could get pricey. It would probably be cheaper to get a blank plate and have a local machine shop cut it for you. Or maybe even Fretco could do it. Or, cheapest, befriend someone with a drill press and you're set.

[andrewb]

i also have this problem
its more of a problem with the top hat knobs than it is with the round switch knobs.

i put a spacer between the switch and the control plate on my squire to lower it a little

you could just drill another hole behind the original volume hole....
but you gotta make sure that the knob will cover the original hole :)

or do the flipped control plate mod

[Chris Leger]

There's a German company that makes them... hang on...

[Chris Leger]

http://www.rockinger.com/index.php?lang=eng&list=WG152

2nd item on the page. N.b. that it's made of "metal."

[Graeme]

that's it - fantastic, thanks, Chris!

I had searched on the web, and the best I found was an angled selector switch at Kinman pickups, but it's only available with pre-wired pickups

I thought about turning the whole thing around 180 degrees, but I use the pickup selector most of the 3 controls, and it'd still be hard up against a pot, anyway.

I wonder why this is such a rare mod? Seems Leo got so much stuff right 1st time, but this seems just awkward.

[bad porcupine]

The Taipan plate I got has this exact feature, and it is beautiful, heavy brushed steel. Very nice work, and very nice guy to work with. Also a member here, just search for Taipan.

Edit: here you go: http://www.taipantone.com/pages/control%20plate.html

[woodman]

here's a switch-in-middle custom plate Taipan designed for me. plenty of breathing room for my big clunky fingers. he can make them the thickness of your pickguard, making for a totally flush surface.

[Graeme]

Nice work from Taipan, indeed

I ended up ordering from Rockinger, 'cause I needed a switch as well, so I'll wait to see how it looks. Taipan's look a lot nicer on the web.

[bad porcupine]

My Taipan plate came with a Mojotone 4-way switch installed, which I think he gets a deal on (and passes on to you!)

Just sayin'...

[Freight Twang]

http://store.guitarfetish.com/cumatecoplno.html


Here is a blank in the USA, for 11.95, and you can cut your own holes.

[boris bubbanov]

Ah, but Rockinger's is made out of metal.

Let's see if anyone else can claim that.

[Doug Ferguson]

The Squire Affinity CP's have a lot of room between the volume control and bridge setting. I've got a couple and could send you one if you like. Shoot me a PM or email if you're interested. 'Course, they're not nearly as sweet as that Taipan one Woodman's got.

[Lostheart]

Originally Posted by Chris Leger

http://www.rockinger.com/index.php?lang=eng&list=WG152

2nd item on the page. N.b. that it's made of "metal."

From the pics the plate looks like every other asian Tele Control Plate with the small pot holes that only accept those flimsy asian pots!
I could be wrong though, but the majority of items that Rockinger sells is not custom made for them but generic aftermarket stuff you get everywhere...
Not trying to put them down but trying to save someone here a couple of bucks before he orders the plate and have it send all over the world to discover that the pots won't fit and the quality is not there...

[Graeme]

Many thanks for your kind offer, Doug. I'll send you a PM for sure.

and thx Lostheart, but I've already ordered. I'm ok to enlarge the holes if that's all that's needed.

[Graeme]

Mission accomplished! No more scambling to fix the volume control after switching away from the bridge p'up for me Put in a 5-way megaswitch E as well!

[blacklinefish]

I bought a control plate off of eBay that was blank except for the switch slot. That is definitely the hardest part to get right because everything else is just drilling holes. I wanted room between the volume and tone so I could put a series/parallel switch in there.



This puts a good distance between vol and tone and the selector switch is not too close to the tone pot (my plate is reversed).

[Graeme]

There's no way I have the skills to cut a neat slot for the selector switch - so well done! I got my plate from Rockinger - many thanks for the recommendation, Chris. I had to enlarge the holes just a tiny bit.

[GuitarDunc]

I've just modified mine with an extra pot. I used to have a phase switch there instead but It's never seemed too close together to me. Its also a 5-way switch.



I must admit that there isnt any room under the plate for all the wiring. Its pretty tight under there.

[Graeme]

A matching knob would look nicer ;-)

[Doug Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Graeme

Mission accomplished! No more scambling to fix the volume control after switching away from the bridge p'up for me Put in a 5-way megaswitch E as well!

Cool set up. Glad it's working out.

[Graeme]

Thanks, Doug. This has worked out fine, so I won't need to buy your spare, thanks again.

I know some players like the volume control close for volume swells (I use a pedal), but I don't know why this isn't a more common mod. I should have done it years ago! I use the selector switch a fair bit during solos, and never really mastered a quick change from bridge to neck without brushing the volume down.

Anyway, will try this at a gig tomorrow; should be fine ;-)