Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

[agentzero12]

So I'll be doing coil splits and am deciding between push/pull pots or installing mini switches. I had push/pull on a guitar years ago (phase switch not coil) but I never used the function so I don't really remember if I would like it now. I know functionally they will both work the same way. but for guys who have used either or both, is there a difference in ease of use, speed, accessibility, etc. my main reason for thinking switches is to be able to split for one spot of a song then go back full hum.

Give me some thoughts on it.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

There's another option you might consider: push/push pots. They do the same job as push/pull, but they're a lot easier to manipulate on stage. They work kinda like a pen -- click it once, it's up, click it again, it's down, etc.

 

[richard parker]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I just had push pulls installed on my Gibson which has the top hat knobs. I wouldn't rely on them for splitting from full to single mid-song. Once you get a bit of a sweat on they get very slippy and hard to grip. There's also push/push but I've read that they don't tend to be of very good quality and are prone to breakage.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

Much depends on how fussy you are about the appearance of your guitar, how cramped the control cavity is and whether you require any such modification to be reversible in the event that you put the guitar up for sale.

From an ergonomic point of view, flicking a switch is quicker than grasping and then pulling up on a control knob. I am fussy about the feel of volume pots. I almost invariably use push-pull pots as Tone controls only. That's just me.

EDIT - The push-push pots used on some high-end Yamaha guitars are extremely high quality but, inevitably, they are also expensive.

 

[agentzero12]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

It'll be on an heirloom type build. So I won't be selling, but passing down to my son. I like the concept of the push-push, but I would tend to hit them so I'd need to check the quality. That would be ideal though.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I'd go for the switches, if you don't mind having extra holes drilled into the guitar. They seem more reliable and consistent.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I find it depends on the knobs too. Standard strat knobs are hard to pull out, so a switch for them. But if you got the metal ones with the grips and you don't wanna drill a hole in your guitar or pickguard, get the push pull.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I prefer separate switches...but often, looks matter, and I don't usually want a guitar to look like a techie switch panel. So I usually use push/pulls. If you get ones with a long shaft, you can set them just a bit high, so it's easier to get under them. I tried push/push pots once, but didn't like them.

 

[eviltobz]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

i built my main custom guitar with a sustainiac so i need a couple of switches for that. i've got wooden strat type knobs which are very ungrippy, but i have the pot height set so they sit a little further away from the body of the guitar than normal. this means i can easily get underneath them to pull them up. keeps the nice, simple look but without sacrificing usability.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I've always tried to use push-push pots when I need then. Mine have come either from StewMac or Warmoth. To date I've had no problems with them. I do know that you need to make sure they are in the 'up' position before pulling off the knob, and 'down' before pushing a knob down.

 

[constant mesh]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

My vote goes for a separate switch, they are much more reliable than push/pulls and good push/pulls that won't wobble and would have standard rotational friction are hard to find and expensive. However a push/pull doesn't need any additional holes.

Since splitting the coils is really a matter of taste I'd suggest installing the switch temporarly just hanging somewhere in the rear cavity or in front of the pickguard. Trial runs are much cheaper with switches than pots that cost at least 10 times more.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

Separate switch works best for me. I find those push/push pots more annoying than the push/pull

 

[MrTondo]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I'll be going push-push on my next build, never tried them though, will see if I like them.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I've always tried to use push-push pots when I need then. Mine have come either from StewMac or Warmoth. To date I've had no problems with them. I do know that you need to make sure they are in the 'up' position before pulling off the knob, and 'down' before pushing a knob down.

+1. Push-pulls keep the original appearance of the guitar. I've used them for over 10 years and never had a problem gripping them, and I bet very few guys do, unless you happen to be very clumsy or sweat copiously.

Drawback to push-push is you can't tell by looking at it what mode it's in. Not a good idea to drill holes in a guitar, in case you change PU's later and no longer need a switch, or try to sell the guitar with a hole in it. Switches are very small are harder to solder.

If you're wanting to do coil cut, the best way is with spin-a-split, which means you convert the tone pot into a volume pot for one of the coils. No new parts needed. Easy to do. Instead of all-or-nothing, one coil or both, you can dial in all the great inbetween tones of unbalanced coils (which is one of the things that made original PAF's so good).

 

[DonP]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I would not drill a guitar you wil be handing down. What if your son says "damn, my dad killed the value of this axe by drilling holes in it".

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

It'll be on an heirloom type build. So I won't be selling, but passing down to my son. I like the concept of the push-push, but I would tend to hit them so I'd need to check the quality. That would be ideal though.

They're pretty rugged, so unless you plan on hitting them with a closed fist or a hammer, you should be fine. Slapping them is OK.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

Drawback to push-push is you can't tell by looking at it what mode it's in.

That's not true. Here are some pictures -- you can clearly tell when they are in the up or down position, the same as you can with push-pull pots.

To quote a friend, "They are EXCELLENT for on-the-fly operation .... much easier to use that push-pull type knob/buttons. You can kinda just smack on it and the button will operate, you don't have to be so precise or bother with getting your pick oriented ok to deal with grabbing the knob to pull it up. Just bounce your finger/thumb/palm/knuckle/whatever on top of the knob and the button will either lock down or pop up all by itself. You can use a much wider selection of knobs with those as well, because they don't have to be something that you need to actually grab ahold of to pull them upwards, just smack 'em on the noggin' to operate the switch."

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

Drawback to push-push is you can't tell by looking at it what mode it's in.

Where did you dig up that little gem? It's completely false. They look just like push/pulls when switched.

I don't like 'em either...but saying that you can't visually tell what position they're in is just plain wrong.

 

[Securb]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I am a switch guy myself. I have a push/pull on the new tele and on my 85 Ibanez but at the end of the day I like a switch.

 

[mlimbolimbo]

Re: Opinions: push/pull or mini switch

I have push/pulls and switches on different guitars. I prefer the push/pulls. To me its easier to hit a switch accidentally than a push/pull. You need knobs that you can grip with the push/pulls or you need them to sit high enough that you can get a grip on the lower edge. when checking settings, I can feel where the push/pulls are without pushing them in. That's not so easy with switches. Could help on a dark stage.