that pesky volume knob!

[santiall]

I have a similar issue with Stratocasters! I love the guitars… how they look and sound. But at some point my while developing my technique, the volume knob of them is just in my way. I chose just to accept that and move on. My ESP’s don’t have that issue.

following a conversation with @KingsXJJ regarding the position of the volume knobs in guitars I guess it'll be nice to hear similar experiences and annoyment
To me the biggest offenders are the older Jacksons and Charvels with the volume knob perfectly aligned with the bridge pickup, the Strats. With the strats I usually end removing the upper tone control and shifting the volume to where the tone control was. I don't even desolder the pot, I leave it hanging inside, in a little plastic bag for example.

What I have also noticed is that in many cases the biggest offender is the height of the knob, using a flatter knob or shaving a few mm plus burying the pot a bit helps a lot. For example an Ibanez RG with metalic dome knobs can be a bit on my hand way, a Jem with strat type knobs in the same position is OK. Luckliy the metal dome knobs have a bit of an skirt that is easily cut, the pot can be lowered with a few wahsers, etc. plus the guitars still look stock

I think it is mostly an anathomical issue as we all bend the hand and the wrist differently but I do have some guitars that I would like to like but can't really play because this very issue.

Any thoughts?, should we lobby the guitar manufacturers to move the effing volume knob a bit further out?

 

[Eagle]

If you have a problem with the old position on a Jackson it’s definitely you. Stock Strat position I get but !!

 

[Eagle]

What are you doing???

 

[santiall]

If you have a problem with the old position on a Jackson it’s definitely you. Stock Strat position I get but !!

yeah, of course me, but I know quite a few people with the same issue and few others without any issues. They actually moved the control some time ago,
If I mute the strings, the control is right where my hand lands:

 

[Eagle]

On a side note, is that a Charvel 650xl ?
Yes that looks unhelpful for you. Never had a problem with it myself and only seen one other time someone had an issue with this on a Jackson.

This is Richie Sambora’s old Jackson Strat ( from the Living on a prayer video) . He moved the volume and took out the tone ,hence the star.

 

[santiall]

On a side note, is the a Charvel 650xl ?

yes it is, 650XL/Custom! yeah, I've been moving the volume know myself to where the tone is but I also like keeping the guitars stock as much as I can

 

[SillyOctpuss]

The only volume knob issue I've ever had is on a tele with how close it is to the three way switch when you're on the bridge position. I sometimes struggle to switch quickly to the neck.

 

[Humbug]

following a conversation with @KingsXJJ regarding the position of the volume knobs in guitars I guess it'll be nice to hear similar experiences and annoyment
To me the biggest offenders are the older Jacksons and Charvels with the volume knob perfectly aligned with the bridge pickup, the Strats. With the strats I usually end removing the upper tone control and shifting the volume to where the tone control was. I don't even desolder the pot, I leave it hanging inside, in a little plastic bag for example.

What I have also noticed is that in many cases the biggest offender is the height of the knob, using a flatter knob or shaving a few mm plus burying the pot a bit helps a lot. For example an Ibanez RG with metalic dome knobs can be a bit on my hand way, a Jem with strat type knobs in the same position is OK. Luckliy the metal dome knobs have a bit of an skirt that is easily cut, the pot can be lowered with a few wahsers, etc. plus the guitars still look stock

I think it is mostly an anathomical issue as we all bend the hand and the wrist differently but I do have some guitars that I would like to like but can't really play because this very issue.

Any thoughts?, should we lobby the guitar manufacturers to move the effing volume knob a bit further out?

I'm so happy it's not just me!

The Schecter Nick Johnston strat has the controls in a more reasonable location and sounds like a strat, so I got one of those.

 

[Eagle]

The only volume knob issue I've ever had is on a tele with how close it is to the three way switch when you're on the bridge position. I sometimes struggle to switch quickly to the neck.

Turn the plate around is one option and you can also get a plate with a slope on the switch to give more space.

 

[2112]

Fender Meteora is a very fun guitar but the volume knob position drives me nuts. Giant plate and the knob is riiiight there.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Turn the plate around is one option and you can also get a plate with a slope on the switch to give more space.

Yeah I've thought about both of those but I can't deal with the aesthetics of either of those options tbh. It's only been a mild annoyance so far and not a deal breaker.

 

[GreatDaneRock]

I have the same issue with strats, where I had to modify my number one for master volume & master tone, shifting everything down to the bottom two holes, and plugging the top hole. Works for me, and now I have tone control on all my pickups. It is also the reason why I only have one strat.

 

[GreatDaneRock]

I'm so happy it's not just me!

The Schecter Nick Johnston strat has the controls in a more reasonable location and sounds like a strat, so I got one of those.

Hey thank you for this recommendation, I like Schecter guitars, and this one looks right up my alley, as I'm a hb in bridge position player. Cheers

 

[santiall]

The only volume knob issue I've ever had is on a tele with how close it is to the three way switch when you're on the bridge position. I sometimes struggle to switch quickly to the neck.

yeah, that one isn't very ergonomic either. I guess it would be relatively easy and not expensive to have a laser-cut plate made with a better spacing

 

[santiall]

I'm so happy it's not just me!

The Schecter Nick Johnston strat has the controls in a more reasonable location and sounds like a strat, so I got one of those.

misery loves company!!!!
There was a series of Japanese strats in the early 90s, some models had the controls in a very interesting location:

 

[metropolis_4]

I don’t have trouble on a Strat, I think it’s because I really cut my teeth on a Strat so I’ve subconsciously adapted my hand positions to accommodate it. I also hate when it’s moved because I’m so used to reaching for it right where it’s supposed to be.

The one that drives me crazy is the SG because they’re so close together and far away it’s difficult to grab it with your pinky when you need it.

 

[santiall]

Fender Meteora is a very fun guitar but the volume knob position drives me nuts. Giant plate and the knob is riiiight there.

I think we pick in a similar way, with the fingers curled in, although I think I try to touch the guitar body more with the pinky, which makes my volume-knob-conundrum worse

 

[SillyOctpuss]

yeah, that one isn't very ergonomic either. I guess it would be relatively easy and not expensive to have a laser-cut plate made with a better spacing

That's actually an idea. I've seen the angled ones Andy mentioned but can't deal with the different look. One with slightly better spacing but looking standard might work for me.

I'll have a look at that.

 

[sleewell]

its perfect on my mayones.

 

[Jarick]

I dislike the Strat position but live with it. Just so damn close to the bridge.

Ibanez AZ is a little better but it sometimes gets in the way as my pinky wants to sit exactly where the volume knob is.

My favorite is PRS, it's a little further away in a great spot: