I wouldnt go that far, you just need time to get used to it, and in time you will. I had the same exact issue when I started playing again some years back after not playing and electric in years. I was use resting my palm on the bridge, which I couldnt go with the Strat. But man is amazingly adaptable. I hold my hand completely different now, and its just the natural way I play, I dont have to think about it. It's just like when you start playing a style or riff that you're not able to do at first. You practice it for a while, then it comes naturally.

Though, some things will alwasy be an issue. With me, i tend to knock the switch frm the neck pickup position to the neck/middle all the time when im playing rhythm due to a heavy picking hand. I just have to be aware of it.

As for the techinique, no one has perfect techinique, or else you wouldnt be having the problem. Have you ever seen what "perfect picking techinque" looks like? I've seen it, and no body plays like the way its supposed to. I wouldnt get too defensive on the techinque issue, though some here jsut want to throw in digs, that's everywhere; you do have to play a strat different than you can a Les Paul. Have you seen Jimi Hendrix play? There arent many who would say he wasnt an amazing player, but he had the sloppiest technique out there. In fact, a large part of the players with perfect techinique tend to play boring, formulaic, and forgettable music. Hum any riff from an Ac/DC sond most will know who it is, hum something from John Petrucci or some other fretboard jockies, and they have no idea.

Leave the pot intact, but remove the plastic volume knob. You probably won't have the same problem. Alternatively, just cut a small piece of duct tape, and tape the knob down. You'll eventually get used to it.

There may be nothing wrong with your technique on a Gibson style instrument but it's obviously not suited for a Strat. I have to change my technique a bit when switching back and forth between my Strats and my 335. But I'm used to them and it's pretty easy for me. I think maybe you just need to experiment with the guitar and find other places to rest your palm. I don't always rest mine somewhere on the instrument. At times I rest it on or slightly behind the bridge and at other times I'm picking over the neck and middle pickups and not resting my palm anywhere.

You need to learn how to play a strat. This isn't a Les Paul. I rest my pinky on the pickguard to prevent my right hand from striking the knob or or the selector switch. You'll eventually learn how to control your right hand to control the length of your strumming strokes. Takes time and practice, just like everything else when you first learn to play.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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