question about the guitar

[thereveilleroot]

i know im going to get some harsh comments on this one but the switch on the guitar. what exactly does that do. i know it changes the tone and its supposed to be for the pickups. can some one help me make this more understandable for me. thanks.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: question about the guitar

It selects which pickup is being used.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: question about the guitar

It selects which pickup is being used.

Yep, usually the neck pickup (one closest to neck & fingerboard) is used for fatter, warmer, and bassier tones; while the bridge pickup (one closest to bridge) is used for leads and more aggressive rhythm. It tends to be harsher and more on the trebly and brittle side.

Oh by the way, NEVER feel embarrassed or uneasy about posting here. The guys are great and are more than happy to help a friend in need!

 

[midnite_man]

Re: question about the guitar

Oh by the way, NEVER feel embarrassed or uneasy about posting here. The guys are great and are more than happy to help a friend in need!

Absolutely! There's a vast amount of knowledge available at this forum, and it's all right at your fingertips. There is no such thing as "a stupid question" here. We're all in this to help each other out, to educate ourselves and stay in touch with current stuff in the music world and elsewhere.
This is a great forum, and it's cool to have you in it as a member.
Welcome!!
As described above, the 5-way controls which pickup is to be used. In a standard wired Strat, the #1 position - all the way down - controls the bridge pickup only, but one click up in #2 position it blends the bridge pickup with the middle pickup. #3 - middle of the switch - controls the middle pickup only and position #4 blends the mid-pickup with the neck pickup. With the switch all the way up towards you - #5 position - the neck pickup is controlled only.
There are several different ways in which to wire a Strat depending on what you may need in your sound. If and when you ever get interested in modifying your electronics, there are many of us here who have done that to our guitars and can help you through doing it yourself as well.
Good luck!!

-Bob

 

[some_dude]

Re: question about the guitar

i know im going to get some harsh comments on this one but the switch on the guitar. what exactly does that do. i know it changes the tone and its supposed to be for the pickups. can some one help me make this more understandable for me. thanks.

Don't feel bad. I played for years and didn't know which pickups were active in which positions.

That, and after a year of playing someone asked what type of humbucker I had in my guitar and I adopted this blank, stupid look (I played a S/S/H Strat, and I had no idea what a humbucker was).

But that was years ago. I may not be any smarter, but I try. :wink:

 

[Bludave]

Re: question about the guitar

I agree:

 

[terry m finegan]

Re: question about the guitar

:cool3: the 3 way switch on a import guitar is usually the weak link i changed a few i used to race car (drags) and this switch in some korean models ,i don't have a clue how they got it to work mechanically is a 15 cent item, replace w/ a gibson type 3 way and you'll see what the switch was supposed to do /up neck/ middle both/ down bridge/than from there to the output jack/ see where this dimestore item can cause big time problems...and use proper tools or youll mess the finish up.your new guitar, becomes retro in a minute....terry ...good luck