Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

[Crispy]

How hard is it to move the pickup selector toggle to replace one of the tone knobs and wire a master tone knob, and what about the hole left from the original position of toggle switch?

 

[big_black]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

and what about the hole left from the original position of toggle switch?

That's the hard part. Buy a plug.

 

[MichaelMadeja]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

Black electric tape does wonders.

 

[strat_master]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

so thats why all of those guys have black tape there!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

Just get used to it where it is. No matter what electronic layout you have, you eventually get used to it. If not, buy a guitar that's got it in a different spot, like a McCarty. I'm used to both, but the McCarty layout is the best, IMO.
On the PRS, it's easy to swipe it in either direction, but your hand can't accidentally hit it when strumming.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

I think the black tape you generally see over the switch on an LP is to keep the toggle in the bridge pos. Just get a second toggle and don't wire up the top one. That will look way better than a hole or tape there.

 

[MikeS]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

LPs use long shaft pots because of the carved top. The switch's shaft isn't long enough to find it's way to the top of the body without a little modification.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

LPs use long shaft pots because of the carved top. The switch's shaft isn't long enough to find it's way to the top of the body without a little modification.

Unless it's an Epi LP. They use short shafts.

Crispy, just leave the switch where it is and get used to it.

 

[Dirt123]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

If you move the switch, the hole has to be 1/2" diameter, bigger than the 3/8" hole for the pot. Be carefull when drilling out the hole.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

Just get used to it where it is. No matter what electronic layout you have, you eventually get used to it. If not, buy a guitar that's got it in a different spot, like a McCarty.

I agree. When I first ever played a Les Paul I knocked the switch accidentally a few times. It hasn't happened for a VERY long time now. In fact, I like it where it is.

The trouble starts when I play a guitar that isn't an LP...

* makes strange pawing motion at upper bout of Strat * :smack:

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

actually, that's the only ergonomic problem I have with les pauls

does the switch not get in the way of anyone while tapping?

slade

 

[Crispy]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

It mostly gets in the way while tapping and sometime i knock it accidently by strumming. Guess i should just get used to it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

How is it in the way while tapping? Are you laying your thumb that far across that it's near the switch or is it your arm hitting it? I rarely tap on my LP but I don't have problems with it when I do. The LP doesn't put me in a tapping mood I guess. Now my Kramer, that's another story...lol.

 

[MikeS]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

Sounds like your guys' strumming motion is a bit exaggerated. I never have that problem on my LP. I can see how your forearm might hit it if you reach over to tap, but since I don't tap, I don't have that problem, either.

Big Boy Bob also makes a great point. You have to be VERY careful when enlarging a hole. A reamer is best. Next best is a drill press and a very sharp bit. I would never attempt it with a hand drill (especially a cordless).

I find the LP switch much easier to change on the fly than blade style switches. And if you want to talk about poorly located controls, let's discuss the volume control on a typical strat and leave the LP toggle switch alone.

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

Why not replace it with a rotary? you can get some interesting coil tap options as well with a six way and you can't accidentally knock it out of position

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

If you are having problems accidently knocking the switch, I found that an easy fix is to rotate the switch 90 degrees so it flips sideways instead of up and down.

Thay way if you accidently hit it while your strumming you are less likely to move it's position

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

Move it. I hate where it is, and so does James Hetfield!

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

If you are having problems accidently knocking the switch, I found that an easy fix is to rotate the switch 90 degrees so it flips sideways instead of up and down.

Thay way if you accidently hit it while your strumming you are less likely to move it's position

+ 1

 

[loran.montgomery]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

<i>It mostly gets in the way while tapping and sometime i knock it accidently by strumming. Guess i should just get used to it.</i><p>That's why the toggle switch is "backwards" on a Peavey Wolfgang. "Up" is the bridge instead of the neck. EVH said it got in the way when he was tapping, so he just flipped it. Anyway, since I've played Les Pauls forever, the first mod I made to my Wolfy was to flip it back.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Moving toggle switch on Les Paul

I think the black tape you generally see over the switch on an LP is to keep the toggle in the bridge pos. Just get a second toggle and don't wire up the top one. That will look way better than a hole or tape there.

That's what I was thinking. It'll look better than the black tape for sure.