I've tried Stratocasters in guitar stores, and my friend has a Squier Strat. Every time I use one I seem to hit the switch when I strum, or turn the volume when I rest my hand on the bridge. I only know one other person who is annoyed by where the controls are placed, and am wondering if anyone else dislikes the feature. I currently own a Standard Telecaster (not only because of the controls issue, but just because I prefer the tone and aesthetics). I still think the Stratocaster is a great guitar though. Whether I can play it is a different story.

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Devon

'08 Standard Telecaster
'80 Gibson Sonex Deluxe
'95 Standard Stratocaster ('63RI)
Hot Rod Deville 212

When I was starting out I used to crash into the selector switch all the time. Once caught the plastic cap and sent it flying off to hit the bass player on the nose. Never managed to repeat that trick, sadly.

As time went by I began to notice I collided with the switch less, and then not at all. In time the right hand just learns where it is and how to avoid it.

Several players on this Forum have expressed frustration with the position of the volume control, and one or two have actually moved it down to the position of the first tone knob, turning the second one into a single master tone control.

Personally, I think the Strat has just about a perfectly placed volume knob - for the purpose of hooking your pinky round it for volume swells / violining. You can do it on a Tele or a LP, but it is much more of an uncomfortable stretch. And of course, on a LP you can only swell on the neck pickup.

If we could wind the clock back to the 50s maybe I'd ask Leo to move the selector switch a little nearer the tail, but leave the knobs just as they are. Can't be bettered (in my vastly humble opinion)!

Cheers - C

We won't see that on YouTube?

Personally, I love the placement of the controls on the Stratocaster.
I wish the volumes of all of my guitars were in that Strat position.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

When I first started playing strats years ago, I ran into this same problem - I just adjusted to it and its part of my style of playing now - i really like where the knobs are for reasons previouslly mentioned in this thread

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

I've never had any problems with the pickup switch, or the volume knob, even from the beginning.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Yeah, me too -- I do know others that hate the location of the controls. Not me, though...

Well, I guess it is something that you just get used to, and eventually stop noticing, but the Telecaster just feels right for some reason. I don't know why.

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Devon

'08 Standard Telecaster
'80 Gibson Sonex Deluxe
'95 Standard Stratocaster ('63RI)
Hot Rod Deville 212

Did u ever watch that stupid movie Karate kid?

Mr. Miyagi would say "You ah-wax on ahh WaX OFF-ah to ahh-wide.
Small move-ah-ment take-ahh less energy and More-ah Accurate-Ahh.
FOCUSSSS FenderTelecaster14-son."

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explorationx

Heh, yeah I can imagine. I don't even have a Statocaster though, so I guess I'll just practice on my friend's.

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Devon

'08 Standard Telecaster
'80 Gibson Sonex Deluxe
'95 Standard Stratocaster ('63RI)
Hot Rod Deville 212

Great advice. When I first started playing as a kid I was all over the place. Now as an older more proficient player the placement of controls on any guitar have not been a problem. Heck look at the Billy-Bo, that master volume is right at your fingers. back to the point at hand, literally, Even playing punk and metal has not been a problem, besides I love where thay are, I can reach down and move the volume with out having to remove my hand from the bridge.

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Guitar- Amp

+1 I'm used to it by now.

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"is that a real poncho...i mean
Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
Hmmm...no foolin ...." FZ

I myself hate the standard position of the controls, but I've already stated the reasons why in other threads. It is all in player preference I suppose. It has NOTHING to do with age or proficiency like some have said, but rather just a comfort issue with alot of different players. I know dudes that won't play Strats for this reason alone and it's a damn shame that it seems to have to be this way because Strats are such a BRILLIANT instrument! There are some limited edition models out there though that get a better grade for control placement, ect., but even my Straight Six could have the volume a little more down and toward the input jack placement than it does. Some of us VERY proficient speed freaks hang our fingers down for palm muting purposes which is where the issue first starts to rear it's ugly head...

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KEEP IT REAL...KEEP IT HONEST...KEEP IT METAL...but most importantly...KEEP SHREDDIN'!!!!!!!!!

I can't say I ever experienced this problem on a Strat. Being a former LP player I honestly have to say that the Strat is a well design instrument and I honestly believe the controls are in the right place for reasons already stated. However I would like to state that I've experienced this dilemma with Jackson “Strat” shaped guitars. The volume knob was a little to close for my comfort and I would hit it often. I could not get use to it. I ended up returning the Jackson for another Strat which is the only axe I play these days

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You would never sleep at night
if you knew what I've been through
and this thought is all I have
to trust upon when light is gone

After playing a Les Paul for years, when I (FINALLY) bought a Strat, I found that the selector switch was in my way, too. I "lived with it" for about 8 months until last night. In a burst of inspiration, I found a solution:

Remove the plastic cap. Using needle-nose pliers, with the selector in the middle position, CAREFULLY bend the switch (at the "notch") toward the bottom of the guitar until it's at a 90 degree angle (parallel to the pickguard). Replace the plastic cap and you're all set.

While some purists may shudder in horror at this "destructive" mod, my troubles with the switch are over. And though it LOOKS a little odd, I can get used to that a lot easier than inadvertently hitting the switch all the time. Hope this helps.

I'm one of those purists!!!! But hey if it works for ya...