Rotary Switch Pros & Cons?

[paulblackford]

I've disconnected the tone control in my tele, as I never use it, and prefer the tone of my pickups without it in the circuit. I'm thinking about replacing the 3-way switch with a rotary switch. For those that have guitars with rotary switches: Do you feel like the switch is durable? Are they glitchy, or prone to crackle? I've never had a guitar with one, but I just have the impression that they would be more delicate, and easily damaged. Maybe I should ask the Squier '51 guys, too. I'd like to end up with a control plate more like this one from Rock Rabbit. Any thoughts?

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I've never used one, but if you're one to make quick pickup changes mid-song, I imagine a rotary switch might make that a little more difficult (it's harder to turn a clicky knob than to flick a blade switch).

 

[Asmith]

A typical fender lever switch functions just like a rotary switch and I've had some experience with alphas and they have a quality feel to them so I see no issue with using one other than its a bit trickier to switch on the fly.

 

[paulblackford]

I've never used one, but if you're one to make quick pickup changes mid-song, I imagine a rotary switch might make that a little more difficult (it's harder to turn a clicky knob than to flick a blade switch).

Well, I don't gig anymore, so nothing I would be playing would be 'mission critical'. The most active I'd get with it is recording, and that is a more forgiving situation. I would just hate to have to keep replacing broken rotary switches. God, I hate wiring work

 

[G.Rotten]

I've disconnected the tone control in my tele, as I never use it, and prefer the tone of my pickups without it in the circuit. I'm thinking about replacing the 3-way switch with a rotary switch. For those that have guitars with rotary switches: Do you feel like the switch is durable? Are they glitchy, or prone to crackle? I've never had a guitar with one, but I just have the impression that they would be more delicate, and easily damaged. Maybe I should ask the Squier '51 guys, too. I'd like to end up with a control plate more like this one from Rock Rabbit. Any thoughts?

View attachment 799469

I dislike rotary switches immensely & either replace them with something else or decide the guitar isn't worth keeping enough to replace it.

On a guitar with coil splittable pickups rotary switches inconveniently add a few options that could be achieved by other means. On a guitar with two single coil pickups a rotary makes even less sense.

 

[paulblackford]

I dislike rotary switches immensely & either replace them with something else or decide the guitar isn't worth keeping enough to replace it.

On a guitar with coil splittable pickups rotary switches inconveniently add a few options that could be achieved by other means. On a guitar with two single coil pickups a rotary makes even less sense.

Is that just a switching preference, or have you found them to be glitchy, or unreliable?

 

[Suproman]

I like them. If you get a good one, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[G.Rotten]

Is that just a switching preference, or have you found them to be glitchy, or unreliable?

I have honestly hated them enough to have never gotten to the point of discovering how reliable they are. I have a Gibson Lucille with the rotary Varitone I won't use. I had an SG3 that I simply just sold rather than modify. I've had two Gibson L6-S that I removed the rotary for 3 ways. As mentioned above if you're in the studio then it would be fine. With the band it's a pain in the ass.

Obviously, anyone who really wants something will make it work.

P.R.S. still sells lots of guitars to other people (although lately less with the rotary switches).

I would think a quality switch will have the switch be reliable. On my SG3 which I only owned for a couple months I had to tighten the chicken head knob twice. That won't be an issue with a P.R.S. style knob but likely will be with a Tele or Jazz bass style knob. I'm also going to assume that over time the pot itself will loosen on the metal plate periodically as Tele pots in general have a tendency to already do that.

Usage wise, it's easier to keep track of where you are and where you want to be on a blade or toggle as well as being easier to make that change.

 

[Asmith]

If you're worried about just the durability and reliability have a look at the datasheet and see if it specifies how many switch cycles it's been tested for. An alpha is rated at 10,000 cycles, I'm pretty sure that's sufficient.

 

[paulblackford]

If you're worried about just the durability and reliability have a look at the datasheet and see if it specifies how many switch cycles it's been tested for. An alpha is rated at 10,000 cycles, I'm pretty sure that's sufficient.

Yeah, I think that will do! It is sounding more like a plan all the time.

 

[dogmeat]

I've installed them to make maximum use of the Duncan P Rail in a couple guitars. they work fine. as pointed out above, the guts are just like the the parts used to make the Fender blade switches. theres tons of old equipment out there that are pre-digital and use rotary switches. though I'm not around that kind of equipment much anymore I can't think of when I've seen one fail. obviously, quality counts

 

[lammie200]

I use rotary switch varitone pots on several of my guitars. They work great. Very durable, no popping. They are 6-way switches though. I haven't seen any 3-way versions.

 

[G.Rotten]

Is that just a switching preference, or have you found them to be glitchy, or unreliable?

I mention that I had an SG3. The rotary gave it a lot of options but moving from one to the other wasn't as natural as just a toggle or blade.

I've installed them to make maximum use of the Duncan P Rail in a couple guitars. they work fine. as pointed out above, the guts are just like the the parts used to make the Fender blade switches. theres tons of old equipment out there that are pre-digital and use rotary switches. though I'm not around that kind of equipment much anymore I can't think of when I've seen one fail. obviously, quality counts

IMO the Triple Shots are the best way to get the most out of P-Rails, though admittedly not the cheapest way.
https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/p-rails-triple-shot-set-flat

 

[Deaf Eddie]

I have a small Internet business selling rotary switch mods for Strats. I've only had ONE failure reported in hundreds of switches after almost twenty years of this business. I use three, four, and six-way rotaries, and StewMac also has a five-way. I can help you with diagrams and other support if you decide to go that way.

ALL my Strats have one of the Strat mod (pickup) schemes loaded, I have a Tele, J-bass and a LP with 3-way tone rotaries loaded.

 

[G.Rotten]

@Mark the Moose

I've seen older MIJ guitars with 3 way rotary switches so I'm sure they are available. Whether or not there is a quality 3 way easily available is another question.

What about a blender?

I had a Gibson Marauder & Jazz Basses with the blender. It isn't as exact as a switch but all everywhere in the sweep is useful.

 

[paulblackford]

I have a small Internet business selling rotary switch mods for Strats. I've only had ONE failure reported in hundreds of switches after almost twenty years of this business. I use three, four, and six-way rotaries, and StewMac also has a five-way. I can help you with diagrams and other support if you decide to go that way.

ALL my Strats have one of the Strat mod (pickup) schemes loaded, I have a Tele, J-bass and a LP with 3-way tone rotaries loaded.

That's cool! Thanks. I don't think I'll be doing more than just typical 3-way setting, though. I definitely like to keep it simple.

 

[paulblackford]

@Mark the MooseWhat about a blender?

That's an option. I'm not opposed to a blender. It might open a few more tonal possibilities. Thanks!

 

[G.Rotten]

That's an option. I'm not opposed to a blender. It might open a few more tonal possibilities. Thanks!

It was pretty cool on the Marauder. Though the sweep isn't the same as a pot meant to be a blender I think you can convert your tone pot to a blender as a little test.

 

[5595bassman]

My MIJ Fender Hellecaster Jerry Donahue Strat has a 2-way rotary to make the 5-way achieve 10 PUs configurations. I'm happy with it.
2-way is easy to figure quickly.

My MIC Fender Modern Player Dimension Bass has a 5-way rotary as coils selector/mixer on the unique Triplebucker PU.
This one is harder to operate fast and clearly so I change the knob in order to have a better visual of the position.

Quality wise they are both solid and noiseless but offer more stiffness than a blade switch when operating.

I added a good locking washer to avoid the potential slippage of the switch on the mounting plate.

 

[LGOberean]

Richie Kotzen seems to like them. He uses it in conjunction with a 3-way blade switch, for a parallel/series option. Maybe do a search here on TDPRI for members with his signature Tele, and see what they say about reliability/durability. Not that it's pertinent, but I really like having the parallel/series option, I've got it on two of my teles. But I use a 4-way switch to achieve that.