Location of the volume knob and pickup selector are two reasons I don't feel the strat is an improvement over the Tele. I'm forever hitting them while playing. I need lots of real estate for my right hand.
Do you mean 70 years ago when Strats first came out? Seems like a completely different animal. I wasn’t aware that they were thought of as improvements by some. But I have been hearing from a lot of my rocker friends lately that have switched to Teles. So I might just have to get me one-see what all the fuss is about.😝🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸
Pro tip: find an expensive beer which is corked like champagne (with that cork holder thingy made of wire), there's often a free rubber gasket inside which is almost identical in size and shape to actual strap lock shown in this video. You know what to do with the beer :)
It feels like Fender puts out a new 50's or 60's reissue every week or so, with just minor tweaks. Each release promises to be just like the original. It seems Fender is stuck in the past. Why? Just look at what a genuine original 50's or 60's Fender Stratocaster sells for... So, whenever Fender issues anything even remotely innovative, they give it a joke name like, "Alternate Reality," or "Parallel Universe," so you'll know that they aren't taking themselves seriously. That way if they get any push-back they can say, "Just kidding." For some weird reason, rather than admitting that the volume knob location is, and always has been, a major weakness, whenever anyone complains to Fender about it, Fender covers their collective ears then yell, "Na, Na, Na, Na," until the complaining party gives up. So if that volume knob location is so freaking important, why is the volume knob on a Fender Telecaster so danged far away? And, just for the record, it is possible to do pinky volume swells on a Telecaster.
This is a great post - and one that raises a particular question. And it's this: note that almost everyone creates 'new' products that are 'better' than the previous version/item. That certainly is one way to look at things. Its a bit like the half full or half empty glass. See, I tend to think the other way like this... 'Oh we made a new product/ enhancement/improvement because the old one was cr*p.' When you really come down to looking at things that way you will find that not a single 'review' or sales video out there will tell you that the 'old' unit was not really that good and we decided to 'update' it with the things that were missing. :) On the volume I agree of course and its been a pain on most Strats. On the ones I built I left the volume off and took the highest tone knob and made that the volume. Works wonderfuly well. Telecaster guitar... we only have to watch Roy Buchannan with that... pretty awesome Thanks for watching etc.
Hi MrMongo321. See the truth is, that often on videos on this channel for review I'm not always that great really. I know that - and many guys tell me that too. But these videos demo the gear and not me. When I spend time in the studio I know how good I can be (and that's not bragging either) - when my own music moves me - it's just right no question. Most people simply judge me by this video stuff... and that's a little out of what they should do - you have spent time on the music I have made and I really appreciate that - and Alan Bruce will too - he's a great guy and musician. I have always felt strongly about my music as indeed most musicians do so over the years hearing some tell me 'you're cr*p' gets blown off because I know that is not the case. Quick story... (it will be in the 'The Making of Gravity Waves' video coming soon. We got ripped off in the music business in a few ways that are not obvious until it happens to you. Here's an example. The 'Berner Street' album I made every copy. I know EXACTLY where every copy I made is. So how come it's all for sale all around the world? and does not come from me... you could guess. It's insights like seen for that album that can seriously help budding musicians - but nowhere will you find anything telling it the way it really is.. but on that new video coming soon you will get to hear about that stuff and much more first hand. Anyway I'm off subject. Thank you very much for the comments about my music and playing.. I for one appreciate that greatly. And thanks for watching
I think that every single Strat player has that problem. There are those who complain about it, those who are oblivious, and those who lie and say it isn't a problem for them. What brought me to this video is a little research. I just bought a strat to do a proof of concept on. I ordered a blank strat pickguard (no holes) and am going to place the tone controls where they usually are located but spaced a little further from each other. The volume control will be relocated forward between neck and mid pickups but a little farther from the strings, but close enough for volume swells. Yes, this will require some routing of the body. Given time for all the parts to show up (I just couldn't live with the ceramic single coils or a bridge humbucker). I anticipate another 3 weeks for completion.
Well that sounds interesting... and your comments re the volume I think are very pertinent. For me its a pain and I have on some guitars left off one of the tones and used the second pot for the volume... that works too :) Thanks for watching.
I have several Strats and have always hated the location of that damn volume knob. My fix is to rip out that worthless center tone pot and move the volume pot down to the center position. Then pop a hole-cap on the vacant hole and it's good to go. It amazes me that after all these years, And all the different variants of Strats, the good folks at Fender have never seen fit to address this issue. Check out a G&L guitar and you will see that on these guitars, Mr. Fender did finally move the volume pot location just a wee bit, not a huge move, but it does make a big difference. On some G&L models, chrome dome top knobs are also used. These seem to be less prone to movement. As an alternative to physically moving the volume pots, I have installed the chrome knobs on some of my Strats and that does make some improvement as well.
Yes I agree that Fender have had 'some time' to update that volume :) Thanks for the info on the 'chrome knobs' thing... I'll check that out and I know that others will too. Thanks for watching.
Brilliant!!!!!! Thankyou so much. I believe Leo left this design alone because some of the greatest guitarists in the world master pinky volume swells.
That's probably correct. It's just that when I play the Strat I always knock the knob and even a reduction of one number reduces that output - when you need the drive for rock it became a pain for me so that is what I did... Thanks for watching.
I've been trying to convince myself to buy a strat for years and yes, the volume knob was the problem yes turning down as i played but also just being in the way! Nice fix but now it's even higher not good for me. I would just leave the knob off completely.
I get that... On some of the custom Strats I left off the volume hole and reduced the tone to 1 and then put the volume where the other tone hole was. But the knocking of the volume had been a problem for me too for years. Thanks for watching.
I was considering rewiring my strats with a two knob master tone setup but then I did your mod and used a bit of super glue and now all my volume pots are rock solid!
Great addition of the superglue by you to hold the washer I guess. It works well and knocking the volume becomes a thing of the past. Thanks for that little additional tip too.
That is a great tip. Thanks. It actually might be a good idea for pedals and other equipment where there might be a knob or two where you want to stay on a particular setting. Some pedal manufacturers have knob covers for their pedals (MXR\Dunlop), but they are not a universal solution and they are actually more expensive than the Fender strap blocks.
Yours is a great tip too... I did not think of that and other guys have said you can buy a whole bunch for 'cheap' so maybe they really would come in handy. Useful info Mungo (I'll call you that :) and thanks for watching.
I know from what you put into your videos that you are busy guy. I do thank you for responding to your followers out here in wifi land. Intelligent voices are a rare thing. I took a tour of some other sites. So much miss information, the top of my head got cold! Scary it is what some say.
:) You know what, I ALWAYS reply to guys. I believe it is deplorable that someone takes the time to post on a video and no one can be bothered to reply! Also, often Kev, what people post helps other viewers... it's NOT all about just my own views and I'm just a guy with my own opinions which are as subjective as anyone else. I like you, have been on forums, websites, RU-vid, makers sites, dealer sites... you name it and to be very honest for the most part they are either selling, showing off their playing (not really reviewing gear), famous musicians basically telling me how 'great' some gear is (its often rubbish), forum members clearly biased to insist that brand X is the best in the world, have been given gear to basically lie about in a review, have ulterior motives not disclosed or are sometimes plain rude, obscene, liars, bigots (or anything else you might want to call them) and anything else ends up at the end of this list. I disliked many of them. There are SOME great guys but by far the majority of them for me fit the above bill one way or another and eventually I had enough so much so that I made these over 200 videos and counting... and I don't distort the truth on a single one of them... that's the way it should be then everyone would be better off and maybe makers might just try harder to improve gear other than often changing the case and putting a lick of different paint on there and a new name. Rant over :) Singularly the only time I will not respond (and ban the individuals) is when they are disrespectful of my channel and its purpose or use street jibe. Those guys, when they do appear, never get past the held for review tab unless I want to make an example which sometimes I do. The internet is a good place and also a very bad place - I come from technology and the internet and I could tell you stories about what I see in my day job relating to the internet and con tricks etc. that many simply would not believe. I have seen companies and individuals defrauded out of tens of thousands of pounds from just one simple mistake. Off topic for sure... but ANY readers just be careful with the internet or it can be very costly! T
Great idea. I have used that sticky back felt from my wife's craft stuff to do the same thing. That works good too. It is a little thinner and doesn't stick like I think the rubber might.
Yes it all depends on how hard you're hitting the volume knob. For me the neoprene was good - and I later used a thinner one but the same material. Your solution should be great too and thanks for posting. Thanks for watching.
I just got fed up of even having the knob there. I switched to a Levinson Blade in the early '90s. A few years later I had a couple of Strat-a-likes made with the same layout as the Blade.
I was thinking about doing something like this as I am the sort of player who fans my hand out while holding my pick, and my pinky ends up curling itself around the volume knob, it is a good way of controlling the volume quickly when you are playing, but it also happens by accident quite a lot, so yeah cheers for the vid, now I know I am not alone in this! :)
On Strats in the past I've used foam rubber, orings, and a bead of silicone. All work for a while but eventually wear and become easy to turn. I hope your neopreme is a nice long lasting fix. Cheers...
Thanks for the info - the more comments like yours the better - full of useful alternatives too... it all adds up to good ideas and thanks for watching.
They always seem to get knocked when I play and I know that happens for other guys. Some people love them where they are. Thanks for watching and Stay Safe.
Hi Tony dude. This video is really helpful thanks old friend. I bought myself an Elite Stratocaster in the stunning "Sky Burst Metallic" last week and your video on the Elite helped me choose it over getting the Standard American Strat or getting myself a late 80's Strat Plus. I tried the current American Standard, but I didn't like how Fender had gone back to using the pressed steel saddles like the ones found on a vintage style bridge. When I upgraded my Strat Plus replica to the high mass block saddles, I was amazed at how much better the guitar sounded and sustained. I think the custom shop pickups in the American Standard are nicer than the N4 noiseless pickups found in the SSS version of the Elite Stratocaster. I have another special guitar arriving this week. A genuine 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe in Ebony. If it wasn't for me buying the Strat last week and being locked in a long term deal for the Deluxe, I was seriously very close to buying a new Gibson Les Paul Custom, which my local PMT were able to knock down from £3399 to £2899 due to it being PMT's 25 anniversary. I am going to install new plastic and gold hardware on the Deluxe so it has the look similar to how the LP Custom is done, but I will make sure I will keep everything I take off in perfect condition, so not to destroy any of it's value or originality further down the lline.
Awesome Dan... I liked the Elite overall too (as you will have guessed) especially the neck - and I liked the N4 pickups... but I also like the 69 CS pickups and those are instant Hendrix. Interesting on the saddles Dan - its always nice to get comments from actual users (as I am) and they throw more light on to the gear I think. LP Deluxe - instant Lizzie :) - The Customs seem to be a fair bit heavier and maybe the deluxe is a better choice because of that. Send me some pics when It's all upgraded (and one before) I would love to see it all... yes you are right to save the removed stuff and you can always put it back if needs be. Thanks for watching Dan and that useful info. Just posting the Gravity Waves CD review you might like to hear...
Yeah I would. The Les Paul should arrive tomorrow, so once I get all the bits changed on it, I will send you some detailed photos via our usual method of contact. When I saw you had bought an Elite Strat when I had been trying Strats out earlier that day, I couldn't help but laugh at the fact we both had gone for the same version of the American Strat. I love the Sky Burst Metallic finish. It's a typical burst style, but in blue/grey/white. Also I see what you meant about how light of a touch is only needed to turn the volume pot! The saddles really have a big impact on the tone and sustain with a Strat. When I was doing all of the building and fine tuning with the Strat Plus style guitar, I had a Wilkinson trem/block that had the high mass saddles on, but I didn't like the look of how it sat with the rest of the guitar. I then went back to the Fender one and eventually put the bigger saddles on and it really made a big difference. I'll speak soon Tony mate. Dan
Yes I would love to see that stuff :) See.. the way I think of it... great minds... :) Ha I wanted one for a while... but jumped just before they went up in price... hey (if you don't mind) what did you pay? Did you get ANY deal? The volume pot is treacherous for guys like me :) Check out a Super Vee tremolo if you can some time (probably not easy) as those play really nicely.
I paid £1487 for my Elite Strat from Rich Tone Music via their eBay store. It was with free P&P. I could have gotten one with a humbucker for under £1400, but I personally feel that the humbucker in the bridge position pretty much makes the S2 switching totally pointless.
That is the 'new' price (list is £1550 UK wide) and they put it down to the exchange rates since brexit... from my experience after the pre increase stock is gone I reckon this price will be 'universal' and that's a bad thing... I hate price fixing but it all seems rife in the UK (and everywhere else) these days. Yes I thought the strat configuration was better than the humbucker too... The CD left today :) play it for a while and then let me know your thoughts.. better after a day or so listening... then hopefully you won't put it down :)
I did the same thing on both an Ibanez ATK and a Yamaha BB bass (both with volume pots that can get in the way when picking). Depending on the knob type I was able to get away with a M6/6x2mm rubber o-ring (in the Ibby) and one M5 plus a M5/5x2mm o-ring on top (in the Yammie). The o-ring stays put between the knob hole and the pot's threading, creating friction betwen those. The fix looks better as these remain hidden under the knob (which just goes up a mm or 2). Also dirty cheap, definitely WAY cheaper than those Fender rubber straplock washers, which I own and find a great tool, for what they're intended.
Thanks for the info! Yes others have mentioned the o rings too. Later I took one of those rubbery plastic covers that go on the end of a key (choose your colour) and split that in to two pieces the put a hole in the middle. I did that because the Fender bit you mention was pretty thick... but the Key cap after being cut was much thinner. Using multiple o rings though is a great idea. Thanks for that info as others read this stuff all the time... and of course for watching.
A great guitar. Thankfully you're not alone! You saw what I did but read below as others have some great ideas too. I'm sure you will love that guitar it's got an incredible neck too. Thanks for watching.
I gigged with it this afternoon with the strap lock mod - I was worried the knob might now be too stiff but with the adrenaline pumping turning the knob and doing some fade ins was no issue and I was pleased that it stayed true when wide open throughout the whole gig. :)
No Grolsch rubber washer? ;) Actually, I think a Grolsch rubber washer might be a little thinner than the Fender dealies. I don't drink anymore and it's been _years_ since I had a Grolsch, but I seem to remember them being a little thinner than those Fender things look. Plus, you get a beer out of the deal! You can also buy big bags of those rubber rings from homebrewing supply places: probably a bit much for one person (unless you've got a _lot_ of guitars), but might be a good option for a couple friends to go in on together.
Great point :) I remember them well too. But it's all down to the type of 'rubber' and the neoprene on those Fender things was (for me) perfect. Would have been nicer thinner for sure. Others have (as you will see later) given other uses if you had a load of them and good thinking everyone... it is surprising what you could use them for. Thanks for watching...
Hey BudMovies... long time no hear :) but good to know you're still around too. It did it for me... eventually I took one of those coloured key' plastic thingys and cut that in half which left the knob further on its shaft and still worded the same... Thanks for watching.
HA ! First ! First time ever as well. To the video - good solution but then again, another Fender problem. Well it might do.. Those knobs dont have fixing screws (for WHATEVER REASON) so I can see the knob disengaging after time, since those thingeridoos are rubber. And with the extra switch in top of the knob you cant just quickly slam it back in place while playing, if it really does happen. Might as well be not a problem at all. Keep it up, buddy !
Ha I agree... but... there are many guys that love the way the volume is.. I really don't as you might not too.. but it's all subjective. Good points though... and hey... thanks for watching.
Hi Tony, yeah the Deluxe Strats have the same issue.....I did a similar fix to the one you suggest here...it had the desired effect of stiffening the volume pot...but now...two months on, the pot itself is showing signs of distress, from the pressure created. I could just be unlucky I guess, hope yours behaves better. Take Care
Hmm I'll bear that in mind. I don't use that volume much (as I should) so maybe for me it might well be OK... but thanks for the info - GUYS NOTE THIS!... anyone else had similar experience? and thanks for watching.
This sounds like an inexpensive solution to the loose volume knob. It's certainly worth a try for anyone who has issues with the volume knob turning way to easy.
It was for me a really bad very loose volume pot and this did solve it. It might be maybe too much for some but right on the money in my case. Thanks for watching.
The knob gets in my way and is so annoying that I’ve considered taking out a tone pot so I can move the volume pot and just deal with a hole in the pick guard.
its amazing tony got mine next day quality his brilliant tracks are superb thanks for the free one which his excellent quality as well would highly recommend and have done thanks got be a 10 out of 10 for both
Steve thanks for those kind words. The free one I also spent a very long time in developing that album. Gravity Waves is different than many people would imagine about our music and I'm sure that some of those tracks were a pleasant surprise. :) and to be honest... both I and Alan appreciate those comments - we toiled extremely hard to make that CD. I just uploaded the video about Gravity Waves CD review and you might want to watch that as a bit of insight to the music. Thanks for watching.
Nice video and congratulations on your CD I hope it's #1 with a laser. Things are slow but I finally founded a bass player, now all I need is a drummer, heard about the new 50watt Friedman head called the Runt, it's awesome. You are the best when it comes to reviews you bring a prodigious amount of information to the table an I consider you a friend too. Don't forget to tell the Queen I said hello and keep on rocking Tony! \m/\m/
Hi Mike... just uploading that CD video now... 50 minutes of nuts and bolts (I'm mainly the nuts :) Ha... drummers don't go there. Listen to Gravity Waves because the drummer is name Roland... a great drummer who can play in time, never complains, always does what he is told, never asks you to lug all his gear, won't use your 'van'... I could go on :) I'll check the Friedman head but prices of Friedman are very high here and with the dollar gaining everything is really expensive... but you never know I might find one. Thanks for those kind words Mike... always appreciated in these days of internet 'mugwumps' that just try and trash anything they can (you will know the type). Oh Lizzie... yes I had tea this afternoon with her... she's getting on a bit (even compared to me :)... and yes you are a friend that can lift spirits on occasion without even knowing ;-) stay cool dude.
Ha.. and in time :) - actually the 880 is really cool how it works and easy to program which is what I like... nice and simple. I have loads of other solutions but that remains the go to unit.
Ha I saw that too :) Well my grandson has this specific guitar now. But I also looked around for thinner material for the washer and if I remember I did change it... but neoprene is the critical bit and I do believe that its still on the guitar. BTW I also considered a 'EVH pot' that you can buy that is tighter, but of course then the push button would have to go so I stayed with my washer mod :). Thanks...
Nice video! Thanks. The thing is that Fender has it right before their eyes right there. But they don't see it. And probably never will. IF it should work properly, they should re-design that pot and knob to LOCK the pot in any position by just pressing the top of the knob. And when it's put in the IN position you can lock it at any volume level, and when pressed up again, it unlocks it and you can turn your volume pinky swells from 0 volume and up without having to struggle that sluggishness that those straplocks or any rubber may induce. And you certainly induce more wear and tear on it with those red rubber or silicone underneath. I would rather like that they skip on whatever that pressing function is of today (boost, using 1-3 pickups at the same time, or activate something with a battery) and use it as a pot locking function instead, and only. They can move that "activating function" down to one of the tone knobs/pots instead, below that vol pot, and you can activate whatever it is from there instead. And have the lock function ONLY at the closest knob instead.
The VOL/S1 switch on my Texas Roadhouse has a gap of about 1.5mm, or 2/32". Makes the dial/knob kind of wobbly . . . Green felt used for bottoms of boxes or table legs can be found at a local shop. Or, Google 'millinery' supplies and you can order sample packs of felt. The easiest way to cut the hole is to fold the felt twice forming a right angle. You can then cut away the corner, enough to make a circle big enough to fit over the pot nut and washer. Trace, or measure the radius to cut the felt to fit close to the edge of the dial/knob. The felt will stabilize the 'wobble' and seal the pot from dirt.
Thanks for that info on the felt... others mentioned it but you went the extra mile... and that's a good thing because we all learn from each other. Thanks for the info. I like the neoprene but thinner would be better... but it seems hard to find.. some guys call it something else but I'll just stick with that name for now. Thanks for the tips and for watching.
Hi Tony, Fender discs you have are made from Polyurethane. I use O rings to do the same thing you can get them in red. O ring selection kits are inexpensive and have a number of uses on audio kit other than what they where designed for.
They maybe.. they reminded me of neoprene a sort of rubbery plastic thingy :) and that's another very useful comment and idea you have there... guys are adding to the list as I read them - so thanks for that great idea. And thanks for watching.
Tim I hope to find out how to add in my other pick-up on position 4 so that I have all three pickups on at the same time! HELP! How do I it?...signed Jerry
I have never done that, but I did find this and maybe that will help: d2emr0qhzqfj88.cloudfront.net/s3fs-public/diagrams/3sc_ep1112a.pdf thanks for watching
Free way to do it is to swap over the volume pot for the lower tone one ( that nobody uses anyway ). Disconnect the lower tone knob and just put it in the volume position hole to keep the look the same. That way you have the volume at the bottom, and a working single tone circuit in the middle, and an unconnected knob at the top that doesn't matter if you knock it
Yes of course you can do it that way. Indeed I made a strat once without a volume position and used one of the tone knobs as volume. That works well also for me. But I did not want to start hacking this guitar so I made the washer route work. Thanks for the info of course as the more info on this video the better. Thanks for watching.
Of course :) I'm not bad at the moment and still doing this stuff.. I noticed just tonight I have 197 videos on RU-vid... quite weird. Anyway thanks for visiting and for watching this stuff.
Oh I agree and there are more of you guys than the ones like me :) So I made this simple mod that can be just taken off any old time :). I use a volume pedal for swells (easier!). Thanks for watching.
My issue since day 1 of buying my elite has been the tone knob furthest away from the volume knob being ridiculously hard to turn. It's like it's magnetically stuck when it's turned all the way to 10. You can even hear it click. Then it's stuck and it's very hard to dial it back down.
It's a no-load pot. It has a detent at the end of the travel, so when it's at the end, it's not in circuit. I have to agree, though, it is a bit more than it needs to be. I have a Tele from the '90s with one, that's nowhere near as bad.
I think it's an interesting easy mod to the strat. But when I tried the elite I liked a lot the way the volume knob operates. It's very similar to my YJM volume knob, but better because it has a little more drag. The fix is good, but it would hinder volume swells :) Depends on the player as always ;)
Got ya... I understand.. I come from a Gibson and Ibanez so its harder for me - honestly I never did get used to that knob... and for Hendrix his was well out of the way :) Good points you raised too - and thanks for watching.
Yeah, I just started playing Strats after 40 years. Now I can do some real SRV and Yngwie stuff with the volume knob right there-along with the position of the toggle switch. Shoot, I spray the heck out of everything with contact cleaner to get it all moving as freely as possible. Coming from a different world, heavy metal, never thought I would enjoy playing my Strat’s so much now as well. 😝🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸
tonymckenziecom the guy is a great friend, he's looking. What a fine instrument, I'm enthralled with the 2017 Elite Strat, even the pickups are choices perfect.
tonymckenziecom he just confirmed it. He has a perfect strat. It’s really that good. He sent me a few photos. His Elite is a beautiful orange. What a great guitar.
I have been playing strats for 40 + years ,love where the volume knob is !! I still do a lot of violining ,and use the volume a lot . as for tightening the control ,buy a bag of rubber grommets ,I have fitted them to a lot of my pedals ,work great
I understand... and many guys love the volume position for sure. I tend to knock it all the time and with just a 10% reduction in the pickup output makes things very low drive for me... Yes grommets would work and there are other suggestions below too. Thanks for the info and for watching.
In fact I modded the neoprene washer just the other day as the one I used was thick. I took one of those coloured neoprene covers that you fit to a key, cut it all around the edge and I ended up with TWO neoprene washers... basically the exact thickness required for this mod, they have the same 'drag' and work better because the knob is further on the shaft. Those cost literally peanuts and I can recommend them to anyone who reads this. Thanks for watching.
Greeting. I had a few years ago a problem with loose knobs on a Marshall. The problem I solved with fat spray and works perfectly up to date. It seems like a better solution, at least in terms of aesthetics.
2 pack tiny rubber washers for thrity cents from local hardware store did the trick. Center fit around post with room, maybe 1/16 thick, outside fit into knob. Press down as much as you need and voila
Here is the way to get rid of the awkwardly placed volume knob on the beloved Strat. 1/ throw the wretched overhyped thing away, 2/ buy a Hofner Galaxy, Far superior and in fact is the strat perfected . same shape, but better engineered so no switches or knobs ever come into contact with the hand inadvertantly . humbucking pick ups and a decent whammy bar that doesnt snap off like a fender .
:) Ha that's so funny :) Now listen, it's not THAT bad (is it) really. There has been some good stuff from one... my fave (I'm old and can think of many tracks) is the Watchtower et al Hendrix to this day I swear its the best (still). I can't do that but if I could I would 'put up' with the guitar :) Thanks for the smile and stay safe.
Thanks for the tip... I also used at one stage one of those coloured neoprene ends you fit over a key... cut vertically in half and shaped :) Millions of answers but good to get as many down here as possible. Thanks for watching.
The felt does work for sure... so does part of a plastic key cover (the type you slip over the end) cut in half with a hole in there - very similar and costs pence. Thanks for the info and for watching.
i think foam is more suttle ^^ you can squeez it to the right size and even if your knob moves a bit up it does not change the contact area.. but this is a great fix
Yes a few guys mentioned the foam... and indeed felt too. For me this makes it just right but maybe the other materials are good too. I might even try them :) Thanks for watching.
I made a template in Photoshop to cut the 1" disc and hexagonal hole . . . found a neoprene 'non-skid' material at the hardware store, self-adhesive, just the right thickness, but too frictiony (I know, not a real word). Will go to the fabric shop for some thin felt material, which should be just right. The disc should be about 1.5mm, or 1/16". The Stratocaster is a fine musical instrument . . . any 'hack' fix should also be done right. Maybe will try the world famous Man's Hat Shop on Rt 66, Albuquerque, NM, for some felt scraps. For those artistically inclined, the template in Photoshop is a 1" circle with a hexagon, 1/2" flat to flat.
that is the reason why i prefer foam you can cut and shape it easily it is cheap so you can make a few till it fits perfectly you can squeez it to the right thicknes and the amount of material lets you adjust the friction downsides is the friction can mess with the finish on harder foam (dust also would do that with a rubber, silicone, .... if the rubebr turns with the knob), they can make a scratchy or squeaky noise they need a tight knob rubber seems nice when you really want them not to turn .. for me a bit to much friction thou and a knob getting stuck because you use to less force with you pinky seems pritty anoying to me (bare in mind i don't do that on my go to guitars.. so im not that fast in getting used to things like a stiff volume) well now i got some ideas.. because the cleanest solution would probably be to file on each side of the winding of the switch till you get to the .. shaft?.. and then simply put ..snap ring? little things used on motor cycles to hold bolts in place.. the pushing force on those is quite impressive picture what i mean: www.superfluxshop.de/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/1322.jpg well i thought also about a very viscose liquid but you probably will refresh the pot with some contact spray.. and if you use a non conductive liquid there it could make some problems later on.. ..hmm.. i need a old pot...
Ha I can't get to NM easily :) England is in the rain and I would love to go there but such an 'excuse' some here might not believe :) Thanks for this info... there are one or two guys that are making good ideas and I'm sure others will benefit - and that's what matters. Thanks for the PS info - I use that all the time...
Good points for sure. I will try the foam too... and from others probably the felt. The neoprene rubber stuff does work for me but as you say it is much harder to turn (I hit the volume hard sometimes so the rubber stops it moving in its tracks). I really don't know about the snap ring because that would be changing things permanent and I tend not to do that with a 'mod' - I like reversibility with no tell tale marks :) BTW I know those 'snap rings' well from history in a job a long time ago... thanks for this info...
It's not really a fix, but an adjustment. I like a slack knob (oo-er) because I use it for volume swells and seem to avoid well it the rest of the time. In the same way acoustics have higher actions that can be sanded down, it's much easier this way around.
Hard to be specific from your comments a pic would be better but can't on here. If its a push on type like this Fender one it should go right back on there...
I use felt washers (also from Fender). You just stretch the hole out with a pen or something and put it around the shaft of the pot. Incoming innuendos in 3...2...1...
The location of the volume knob and pickup selector are the only two reasons I don't like the strats. I love the feel of a strat, except this... I always hits them while playing.... Hoped you had a solution for that xD Trying to find out if there is a low-profile-know...:P
Get the washer and it makes a massive difference - then you can keep those sweet tones... and if not, you can keep those Hendrix tones :) Thanks for watching.
Isn't this the standard spot though where it is on all strats? I'm just wondering how it's different... I personally like it being there, it allows me to get to it quicker when I want to do swells.
It is the standard place for one... but they easily get knocked and just a 10 to 9 on the single coils drops the guitar output dramatically... it's not the fave position for everyone read below. Thanks for watching.
Hi Tony. Can I ask if you reckon it's a big/complex job to whip out the tone knob adjacent to the volume knob and put the volume knob there instead and just have 1 global tone knob nearest the guitar input jack? Thanks
You can do that, but a bit awkward and wires might need to be extended a bit. I show this in my build videos and on some of the guitars I only fitted 1x volume and 1x tone because of knocking the top volume. Here's a link to the general layout of the pots - you will see what to do from there: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_kPTmpXd7Ps.html not exactly the same as I do also include a switch with a pot on the bottom tone but basically you could work it all out from that video. You could then fill in the old volume hole with a plug of some kind. Hope it all helps... thanks and stay safe.
Yes good point. Actually I later cut one of those plastic neoprene key covers and it was half as thick as this and works even better. Thanks for the O ring thing too... the more ideas the better! Thanks... T
Tom thats a great finding! I had a question the other way around..what can I do to get a more comfortsble grip with my pincky or ring finger to roll and use it as a volume roll im while playing..many head knobs are pretty small though? ( or buy a volume pedal and put this neopren washer there..I have also toilette cover hands and roll vol of accidentally)
Look for a rubberised 'sleeve' that can fit over the knob and simply put that where the serrations are... maybe even something like heat shrink for cable (large size) and I would recommend you do that with the knob off the guitar... Hope it helps. Thanks. The volume pedal is a good alternative I think so too, but guys seemingly want to use the pinky!
@@tonymckenzieofficial absolutely! thank you indeed!.. I may go to a hardware shop or a lab shop to search for certain diameter ruber hose..maybe one condom fits and " swells" the sound easily..🎸😊
Classic! it DID move by itself :) I never looked that close but you are right. No doubt an evil pot! :) but probably an edit. Well spotted and thanks for watching.
With my hackerman skills I can confirm it's an edit. If you slow the video down to 25% you see the little red fleck of shaving from the washer behind the pot disappear.
FYI I took the plastic coloured protector from a key, cut that in half (thickness) and it was lower than the solution in this video and works exactly the same... advantage is the knob fits much further on the shaft. The mod costs peanuts... par less than the Fender solution I had on this video....
Can you still use the volume to produce those 'Violin' like effects using this washer? Just a thought Tony, I could not find any samples from the Gravity Waves album - it might be me being dense, but a 'taster' is always useful for selling the music?
Yes you can but it depends on the material you use... experiment a bit its worth the effort - these were perfect for me though. The Gravity Waves CD video is being uploaded as I speak and samples every track... including a good commentary about the ideas and some gear mentioning etc. I was already on that video but it takes time to do. Thanks for the info and for watching.
Appreciated... and its here : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4JoKaV-cKQw.html BTW its now on iTunes, Amazon, Cdbaby and others to download if anyone wants too... those tracks grow on you when you listen to the whole thing and it was fun making it even if some of the aggro had to be overcome... there will be a video of 'The Making of Gravity Waves' in due course.
Maybe I'm wrong Tony but wouldnt a couple of rubber washers done the same thing as these strap blocks? They would probably have been cheaper as well. I think they charge more simply because they have the fender name stamped on them.
Maybe rubber washers. But the Fender things are 'Neoprine' I believe and slip differently... at least that was my idea at the time. Others have made comments also about other materials... including 'hat felt'! Thanks for the info and for watching.
The ones I saw were made of that 'Neoprine' material as well. They came in a pack of 100 for less than £4 which is considerably better value imo than the fender branded ones. I think they'd do the trick very nicely for the kind of application you used yours for. RU-vid wont let me link to them for some reason so you'll have to google them if you ever need to use them again. :)
I think these would suit your purposes very well. They come in a pack of 100 so should last ages as well. Only £6 which is great value I think. www.accu.co.uk/en/flat-washers/428602-HPFW-12-18-1-5-F?uk_google_shopping=1&c=3&mkwid=s_dc&pcrid=247850430377&kword=&match=&plid=&gclid=CjwKCAjw06LZBRBNEiwA2vgMVRC0CSwyfzNA4uIV6wDg0JafbaCDHCceIL4tGlQeRfvd8e3RJeXTvhoCr2QQAvD_BwE
Indeed you could... but two things... on this model that's harder with the switch being on the volume and the tone being just a tone so wiring is needed and secondly then of course you would be knocking the tone knob :)... good point and thanks for watching.
Interesting video, thanks! The elites look beautiful but I think they've still got that S3 switching system on them, don't they? An American deluxe fell into my lap for somewhat cheap and I absolutely loved the instrument....and quickly replaced the whole pickplate with something else. I called Dimarzio and had them send me a Paul Gilbert Injector set...perhaps a mis-step, should've just went back to Fat 50s as I just didn't like those N3s.... still, great neck, nice little goodies like that beveled neck pocket, the compound radius neck and the locking tuners....VERYworth the 700 US bucks! A bit off topic, my apologies. These new Elites look even a little nicer. I think they've worked their way up to N4 pickups, I think. Not that this was a review of the instrument itself, what did you think of them? I'll go see now if you've already done a blurb on it, sorry!
Interesting about the PG pickups... I like both Dimarzio and Seymour but lean slightly more to Dimarzio because of the EVO pickups I use on my Ibanez stuff. Yes that all sounded good for $700 - here in the UK that would cost more for sure. The N4 pickups I do think are improved over N3 - which some guys don't like. I liked the N3 actually but not anything before those and the N4 seems and sounds even better IMO. You can get them at the stratosphere (if you know of them guys - they strip new guitars). I try and cover everything I can on any major piece of gear like the Elite as many people want to see what it's all about before they consider buying one so usually its all there ... somewhere. My videos are usually long but that's just so I can hopefully explain everything I find... there are many that play throughout the video and I don't do that purposely... better to keep playing reasonable and to get all the facts over as best I can. Thanks for watching.
I'm a Dimarzio fan too, Tony. I love the EVO neck pickups the most and have a Gravity Storm in the bridge of my Jemy7VWHL that I really like as well (sometimes you just can't help yourself). I must have over a dozen different Dimarzios on various instruments, they seem to be my go-to, although you never know what you'll really have until their in the instrument. The EJ Customs I put in an Epiphone Sheraton II were interesting, although I was trying for a 335 sound, I got a Gretsch instead...but a good Gretsch. So far the best "noiseless" single coil I've got is the vintage noisless in the Clapton strat. I'm sure you've probably heard them, but they really shine in that guitar.IMO, of course. Cheers.
Ha I have a 7V too :) a really great guitar. Try a 'jazz' pickup in the neck (probably Seymour but maybe Dimarzio has equivalent) and you will be amazed at how it all cleans up the flabbiness when driving the amp with lots of distortion on the neck. Truth is, while I do play Stratocasters I like the humbuckers better for that singing tone you can get (like the 7v) for the lead guitar stuff. I have tried the older noiseless pickups and in fact I had a Clapton strat at one time years ago.
I think the one you might be referring to is the Duncan Jazz neck...Never tried one of those. Now that you've mentioned it, I likely will soon. Thanks! I never had single coil guitars until 2013 (after I already had the JEM and other assorted Japanese-purchased Ibanez models). I originally got the stratocaster to get a representative of that historic model....and was completely blown away by how much I enjoyed it, hence the two other ones (the Deluxe and the custom shop Clapton). I'd have gotten a regular Clapton, but they don't make it in left handed..dammit!! Fantastic instrument that was my first, and likely last due to cost, experience with the Custom Shop. I don't know about the older ones, but the 2016 model vintage noiseless is outstanding. I don't know how easy it is to find good junk shops in the UK, but it makes things a lot easier to try if you've got places like Starving Musicians in San Jose CA or Atomic Music here in DC. Things like Limited Edition Deluxe Reverb Fudge Brownie amps with the tags still on them in their original boxes can be had for about $700! Certainly a departure from the EVH III, but a really really nice one. In any event, it's always fun to obsess over all this fun stuff with folks such as yourself. Take care.
Good point. But I use a volume pedal on the floor controlled by a Ground Control and GCX system. I never have any problems with that, but of course for regular players that could be an issue. The 'fix' is to choose carefully what you use for the washer. Some guys have suggested felt washer and that works well too. Thanks for watching.
tonymckenziecom. Thanks Tony. Your video on the Strat Elite was great. Yours was the only video I found on the Strat Elite that explained the S1 system properly. Great work. Keep it up.
