Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

BriGuy1968

BriGuy1968

New member
Hi Boys & Girls...

So I have this Ibanez RG3EXFM1, which for the most part I enjoy, but it has this 5-way switch that makes me nuts! It's in the same position that you see 5-way switches on almost every strat or strat-like body out there, and I'm wondering if I'm the only one that runs into issues...

20150429_011706334_iOS.jpg

Maybe it's my acoustic roots... but if I get a bit strummy I keep hitting the switch and changing the pickup setting! Talk about a way to throw off your groove!

Anybody else have this problem, or do I need to just shut up, get over it, and learn to play around it?
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I don't like 5-way switches,so I'd put a 3-way toggle where the tone pot is...

.02

:headbang:
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I'm not real crazy about them either... my other guitars have 3-way toggles, but this one is functional. I like the settings (2 is both pups split, 4 is neck parallel). I just don't like that I keep hitting it. It seems like it would be better if it were turned the other way (pointing \ instead of /) so that it wasn't on the same angle as your hand would naturally strum.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I have a Warmoth LP that I ordered with a Wilkinson 2-point trem rout and a "Strat" VTT & switch layout. I like it. I never really think about it much as it's been my main guitar for 7 years now. A Gibson Les Paul was my main guitar before this one. I can't say I favor one switch position over the other to be honest.

JadeSeymourized.jpg
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I've learned to restrain my inner Billy Joe and live my 5-Ways. ;) Actually, if I'm strumming that wildly I'd want it in the bridge position anyway.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I just get used to where the switch is and don't hit it I guess. One strat is usually in the middle position. The other spends a lot of time in notch positions so I don't wanna hit em.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

Mmmm well you can search the web for ops on using DPDT switches instesd of a blade switch. That would change the angle of the switch(es), there are lots of places like this one http://www.1728.org/guitar2a.htm

You can put three DPDT in the same crack of the five way.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I've always had the same problem. In my old guitar I cut a new slot and moved it so it was a few inches back. On my guitar I built recently I put it way back inline with the bridge. I don't know why people don't build guitars like this to start with.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

harmonix1234 said:
I've always had the same problem. In my old guitar I cut a new slot and moved it so it was a few inches back. On my guitar I built recently I put it way back inline with the bridge. I don't know why people don't build guitars like this to start with.
Click to expand...

Probably because some people like the switch within reach of their strumming motion.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

With just two 1PDT you can have the following four sounds; 1-bridge 2- bridge+neck parallel 3- bridge + neck series 4- neck. Add one DPDT and you can split both humbuckers, this would give you 8 sounds (all the above but split). I coildn't find it in google, but I'm tired, sleepy. I can draw it up for you tomorrow if you like, now the bed is calling me.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

What bothers me more is the vol pot being much too close to the strings, as on yours too. I can hardly play without my pinky touching it sooner or later, and always the vol is slightly turned down then. Really, pots need to be somewhere not close to my fingers when I'm playing. I'll make it a volume bypass push/pull pot, that will fix this rubbish.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

There is almost nowhere you can put a switch that I won't at some point manage to hit it accidentally. You could connect it wirelessly and control it from next door and I'll still find a way to knock it.
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I've never had a problem hitting the switch on my Strat or my G&Ls. I'm a strummer too, btw. The guitar in question though, seems to have the switch more forward than on a Strat.

Part of the problem may be in how you are wearing your guitar. I wear my guitar a little higher than some do. If you have it down at your knees, try bringing it up a bit and see if that helps. Seems to me that strat guys who do have problems hitting the switch usually have the ax slung really low.

And it could be your technique too, in combination with other factors. I notice that when I strum, my right arm is not strumming perfectly parallel to the top of the guitar; I have quite a bit of "U" shape to my strum. I don't put a lot of marks on my pickguard, even with the heavy picks I use.

And while this could be an issue, I really think it's a flaw in the guitar, with the switch being too far forward.

Interesting how Jimi could play lefty of an upside-down guitar and not have his controls in the way. That always amazed me about his playing!!!

Good luck!

Bill
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

Either strum closer.to.the neck
Or bend the lever down toward.your feet

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

Boogie Bill said:
I've never had a problem hitting the switch on my Strat or my G&Ls. I'm a strummer too, btw. The guitar in question though, seems to have the switch more forward than on a Strat.

Part of the problem may be in how you are wearing your guitar. I wear my guitar a little higher than some do. If you have it down at your knees, try bringing it up a bit and see if that helps. Seems to me that strat guys who do have problems hitting the switch usually have the ax slung really low.

And it could be your technique too, in combination with other factors. I notice that when I strum, my right arm is not strumming perfectly parallel to the top of the guitar; I have quite a bit of "U" shape to my strum. I don't put a lot of marks on my pickguard, even with the heavy picks I use.

And while this could be an issue, I really think it's a flaw in the guitar, with the switch being too far forward.

Interesting how Jimi could play lefty of an upside-down guitar and not have his controls in the way. That always amazed me about his playing!!!

Good luck!

Bill
Click to expand...

Thanks Bill. I actually tend to wear my guitars, if anything, on the high side... I'm not cool enough to play it way down low, and I'm too old for my back to take it! :D I also don't tend to make any marks on my bodies or pickguards... and this is the only guitar I have the issue with. It's just frustrating when you've got a nice clean parallel neck pickup sound being strummed and then all of a sudden it pops up to the bridge pickup in series (which is relatively hot). Fortunately I don't often use it for the strummed "acoustic" kind of sound... only when the convenience outweighs the need for the right sound (after all, I have acoustics for getting acoustic sounds!).
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

treyhaislip said:
My favorite switching is from an Old Charvel Model 6–very versatile.

View attachment 62949
Click to expand...

I'm digging that! I'm guessing that they're on/off switches for each pickup... is that right?

The guitar you see in my avatar has a 3-way toggle for the neck and bridge humbuckers, and then the push/pull on the middle pot activates the center. The push/pull on the pot closest to the neck acts as a "cut" for the bridge and neck, so you can play any combination of 1 to 3 pickups. I like versatility!
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

BriGuy1968 said:
I'm digging that! I'm guessing that they're on/off switches for each pickup... is that right?

The guitar you see in my avatar has a 3-way toggle for the neck and bridge humbuckers, and then the push/pull on the middle pot activates the center. The push/pull on the pot closest to the neck acts as a "cut" for the bridge and neck, so you can play any combination of 1 to 3 pickups. I like versatility!
Click to expand...

Yes, they are individual on/off switches for each pickup–like having a kill switch for each pickup. I love versatility!
 
Re: Does this switch position make anyone else crazy?

I've had tons of guitars with 5 ways like that, can't rememeber ever having a problem.

The only setups I dislike are what's on the Charvel pictured above, or the stupid stuff like a Jazzmaster/Mustang/Jaguar.
 
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