An alternative to the LP switch?

[Nightburst]

Does anyone else has this too? Especially during a gig when I dig into the strings I always accidentily hit the switch so it flips over to the neck humbucker. Not a desirable situation (especially since the rather scooped '59 is in the neck position).
I sort of fixed the problem by rotating the switch 90 degrees but it still happens sometimes.

Is there some sort of alternative to a LP style switch?

I wonder why Gibson put the switch there in the first place?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

The reason Gibson put it there in the first place was probably to make it easy to change pickups while you're playing.

Most of the classic guitar designs have some sort of ergonomic peculiarity that some people love and others hate.

I mostly play a Les Paul and I actually like the position of that switch. I find it convenient to change while playing and I never hit it accidentally. However, when I play my Strat I sometimes feel the volume knob gets in the way of my right hand, and sometimes I catch my pick on the middle pickup. If I play the Strat long enough I adapt and those issues go away.

Some people love the rotary selector switch on a PRS, others hate it. I'm sure I've seen a Les Paul style guitar with a rotary switch - perhaps that would be an option for you. For me it would ruin the look of the guitar.

Have you been playing the Les Paul long?

 

[Nightburst]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

You are probably right, but to me it just seems more logic to put all the controls around the same place on a guitar.

I have the LP for a few months now so I'm still getting used to it since my previous guitars were all strat style guitars.

The rotary switch seems like a good idea, I agree about the looks so maybe I can replace the knob with something that looks like a toggle. Thanks for the idea!

 

[strat_master]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

Of all the guitars i have played i personally really like is the les paul design more than anything. I own a strat, but i feel alot more comfortable with a les paul. I really liek the design and didn't have any problems with it, in fact i find it harder to switch pick ups on my strat becasue it has 5 cominations with the les paul only has three. With my strat i only use the brdige or the neck, geting the middle combos are impossible for me.

 

[Mincer]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

the 3 position switch on ernie ball/music mans (like on their SUB1s) is low profile, and stiffer than an LP...try one out and see if it works for you.

 

[mrid]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

What about shaving some of the top of the switch cap off?

I see a lot of guys who simply remove the switch tip to remedy that problem.

 

[Blueline]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

I think both LPs and strats have the pickup selector in a place where its way too easy to hit it while playing - I tuck mine lower on the body so you can't hit iby accident

I'd suggest on the LP, turning it sideways so you really can't hit it

 

[Monty-Jay]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

You could do like Hetfield does and wire up another 3 way toggle in place of a control pot:

MJ

 

[defaced]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

The suggestion about what James does is a good one. You could also sell your LP and get a Double Cut. Not the best option but it's a possibility.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

Thanks for the great idea's guys!

I like the idea of a lower profile switch, I'll have to look around to see if I can order something like that. The rotary switch turns out to be expensive!

So what does mr. Hetfield do with the other switch?

 

[Hoss]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

lol...i feel the same way about a strat switch... :smack: seems like everytime i'm really strumming away...whammo i'm on the 4 or 5... :laugh2: the switch on my Moore is lower and more out of the way...i've never noticed any problems on a paul style guitar, but i'm sure everyone plays differently!?

 

[nuntius]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

I see a lot of guys who simply remove the switch tip to remedy that problem.

That may work but I would not reccomend it unless you know you wont forget it's not there! It's easier said than done believe me...

I actually broke a switch tip by knocking something off a table when I had my guitar on my knee... took the switch tip right off, luckily the guitar was fine.

Anyway, I didn't think it was that big of a deal and I just thought I'd leave it untill the next time I went to a guitar shop and get one then. So a few days later I was jamming along to a backing track and I went to go whack my switch from the neck to the bridge pup and...

Took a chunk outa my finger :smack:

Edit - I play strats btw, and this was done on a H/H gutiar so it was a 3 way with a spiral screw pattern for the tip...

BTW - you might wanna look into a mini toggle switch, I doubt you'll hit that unless you really mean to

 

[Guitarist]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

I see a lot of guys who simply remove the switch tip to remedy that problem.

That's my recommendation. That or smoke some opium before playing.

 

[jmh151]

Re: An alternative to the LP switch?

James Hetfield- The stock Gibson switch on that Les Paul is a dummy and not connected. He took a volume pot out and put the 3 way switch there. ESP made him a Les Paul copy that was part of the signature series for him, pinstriped and all, and this was how it was wired.