That pesky Telecaster switch: Alternative Solutions

[vates]

Got my first Tele a few months ago and having some time to get used to it - I can definitely say that I have a problem with the switch - it's hard to poke it out of the bridge (first?) position, but it also keeps getting in the way during strumming if it's in the neck position. Both issues are really irritating. I'm thinking of reversing the plate but I'm not sure if the volume knob will also be an obstacle for my strumming hand. Right now my strumming's happening above the neck pickup, but if I want to go near the bridge I bump into things... Dunno, I just might need to work on my strumming technique.

I have the same problem. I play this Esquire for 10+ years now and still can't get used to it.

Now, the obvious solution is to remove the switch completely (I have a John5 plate and a no-load potentiometer).

But recently I've fallen to the idea of adding a neck pickup, so pickups switching in some form shall remain.

Any efficient solutions?
Stratocaster tip?
Les Paul toggle?
Maybe, a Mustang toggle?

 

[BigPapa-53]

My FSR came with the reverse plate. I eventually changed it back to the original orientation because I kept hitting the volume knob, turning it down.

 

[vates]

Yeah, reversing the plate won't help probably.

 

[Randy07ACV6]

You can change to a LP style pickup selector switch and move it somewhere else.
You can buy blank control plates and put things where you want them.

I have a strange situation with my Fender Pawn Shop '51, it is styled after the '51 precision bass with two knobs and no exposed switch. The forward knob is the volume control and the rear is a rotary pickup selector, so no tone contol.

In this case the two knobs are far enough apart that I will drill a hole between them for the LP style switch and will exchange the rotary switch for a tone control pot. Or I can move things around and put the switch in whichever hole I want.

And BTW, if you hit the volume control and turn it down you can pull the knob, put a piece of foam padding under it and trim the excess that sticks out. Makes it harder to turn the knob by bumping it.

 

[scotabilly]

Try using a Stratocaster switch tip. I like those better because they're smaller, but the shape is easy to push around with my pinky.

 

[Ron R]

My FSR came with the reverse plate. I eventually changed it back to the original orientation because I kept hitting the volume knob, turning it down.

Mine has the reverse plate too. I have no such issue with the volume knob though.

 

[G Stone496]

A Rockin Rabbit angled switchplate cover and a Fender CRL 4way switch. I got 'em on all my Teles and ASATS. Oh and a Strat switch knob too.

 

[Peegoo]

@vates

Try the Gatton mod: bend over just the skinny portion of the blade about 30-40 degrees downward.

It places the switch knob below the volume knob in position 1 (bridge pickup) and allows easy access with the little finger to flick the switch to middle or neck positions. I learned this from Danny hizself.

 

[2HBStrat]

You can change to a LP style pickup selector switch and move it somewhere else.
You can buy blank control plates and put things where you want them.

I have a strange situation with my Fender Pawn Shop '51, it is styled after the '51 precision bass with two knobs and no exposed switch. The forward knob is the volume control and the rear is a rotary pickup selector, so no tone contol.

In this case the two knobs are far enough apart that I will drill a hole between them for the LP style switch and will exchange the rotary switch for a tone control pot. Or I can move things around and put the switch in whichever hole I want.
View attachment 1170213

And BTW, if you hit the volume control and turn it down you can pull the knob, put a piece of foam padding under it and trim the excess that sticks out. Makes it harder to turn the knob by bumping it.

I was intrigues by those but never bought one cause it's just a bad design with a lot of potential. No tone control just doesn't get it IMO and why such a big pickguard? Shame.

 

[Gary in Boston]

On the other hand............. I use to have this problem and then it vanished proving you can get use to anything.

I will say however, I do have the switch plate that moves the knobs back 3/8 -1/2 sp you can more easily get the switch in the heat of battle

 

[BrazHog]

Maybe get in contact with Relish Guitars from Switzerland...

 

[Randy07ACV6]

I was intrigues by those but never bought one cause it's just a bad design with a lot of potential. No tone control just doesn't get it IMO and why such a big pickguard? Shame.

That Pawn Shop '51 is really a cool guitar and one of my favorites. Why bother calling it a bad design? It is obvious that Fender is dreaming up new models to make something different and get us to buy more guitars.
Fender named it that because it is like a partscaster you might find in a pawn shop. Strat body with Tele neck.
Once I change the switch and add a tone pot it will be fantastic.

I got a great deal on it (used). From the first touch I knew it was special, being MIJ the neck and fingerboard are the most comfortable of any I own. The fit and finish is flawless and I love the butterscotch color.
Love the pickguard, it is unique and the only model like it. Love the Strat body, the most comfortable they make IMO. Love the string-through-body hardtail bridge.

It is not important to me to be/look different but in 12 years (mine was made in 2011) I've never seen another.

 

[vates]

In this case the two knobs are far enough apart that I will drill a hole between them for the LP style switch and will exchange the rotary switch for a tone control pot.

That's perhaps one of the possible solutions. There's probably enough space between tele knobs for a 3-way toggle switch (maybe a smaller one).

Try using a Stratocaster switch tip. I like those better because they're smaller, but the shape is easy to push around with my pinky.

That's what I will try first. Maybe a bit smaller tip will stay out of the strumming hand's way.

On the other hand............. I use to have this problem and then it vanished proving you can get use to anything.

You're probably right. But I don't play the guitar too much. Although this Esquire is present on many records, my main instrument is bass. So not enough time to bond and really accommodate through the decade of cooperation.

Maybe get in contact with Relish Guitars from Switzerland...

A Mustang on-on-on slider switch is a similar and much cheaper solution. More metal drilling though.

 

[FortuneTele]

Here's one way.

 

[vates]

That's another way, yeah. Too much routing though and that position doesn't work for me for the same reason. Tried it before on other guitars.

 

[chillybilly]

My FSR came with the reverse plate. I eventually changed it back to the original orientation because I kept hitting the volume knob, turning it down.

No, that was the sound man up to his usual tricks.

 

[bullfrogblues]

I prefer this plate from Rockrabbit

 

[2HBStrat]

That Pawn Shop '51 is really a cool guitar and one of my favorites. Why bother calling it a bad design? It is obvious that Fender is dreaming up new models to make something different and get us to buy more guitars.
Fender named it that because it is like a partscaster you might find in a pawn shop. Strat body with Tele neck.
Once I change the switch and add a tone pot it will be fantastic.

I got a great deal on it (used). From the first touch I knew it was special, being MIJ the neck and fingerboard are the most comfortable of any I own. The fit and finish is flawless and I love the butterscotch color.
Love the pickguard, it is unique and the only model like it. Love the Strat body, the most comfortable they make IMO. Love the string-through-body hardtail bridge.

It is not important to me to be/look different but in 12 years (mine was made in 2011) I've never seen another.
View attachment 1170351

I apologize for the "bad design" comment. Like I said I was really intrigued with the guitar. IIRC the first version was a cheapy which felt cheap when I played it. I'm not sure I've seen the MIJ version. I just think it's one of those Fenders that is just a couple of design changes away from being awesome.

 

[alexamadrid]

That pesky Telecaster switch: Alternative Solutions...​

 

[vates]

I think I'll try to install something like this mini switch between the knobs on this plate: