Rotary Switch for PUPS?

[SactoCharlie]

I'd be interested in your thoughts about whether this is a good idea or ......

And if you like it are there particular switches that are better for the app and where can they be had?

many thanks

Charlie

[Quarter]

I like rotary switches, but really its a matter of personal preference.
One thing I think that can make or break it is whether or not the positions are marked and is easy to tell where you are at.
Here is a 6 way installation I did on one of my steels where I used some mother of pearl makers.


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http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/FPS-001/fps-001-39s.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/FPS-001/fps-001-35s.jpg

[stevel]

I'd be interested in your thoughts about whether this is a good idea or ......

And if you like it are there particular switches that are better for the app and where can they be had?

many thanks

Charlie

I was just asking about individual toggles for each pup - I used to have a guitar with three (strat style) so I could put on:

N
N+M
N+B
M
M+B
B
N+M+B
and all off!

While I could switch those toggles pretty fast (it's been years ago since I had that guitar though) a 5-way is more "organic" IMHO, even though you don't have the all on, N+B, or all off without adding additional goodies.

My concern about a rotary would be how quickly you can change from N to B - that grabbing the knob on the fly and turning it seems much harder to flicking the switch to me.

But, if you don't have to change positions in a 16th note's time, it might be OK.

Steve

[stevel]

I like rotary switches, but really its a matter of personal preference.




Beautiful instrument. I really like the matching pickup mounts.

Nickel Covers on your HBs though - then it would really look SWEEEEEEET :-)

Steve

[Quarter]

Thanks Steve and I agree that nickel covers would look great, the black / black was the customers preference though.

My concern about a rotary would be how quickly you can change from N to B - that grabbing the knob on the fly and turning it seems much harder to flicking the switch to me.
Again, I think its a matter of personal preference. On the few PRS rotary I've played on, Its pretty quick to hook a finger to give it a quick roll, but then I've got a regular blade 5 way on my MusicMan that I get along fine with too.

[in a little row]

those gibson 'lucille' models have a cool rotary tone switch...works well and i like the chicken head

[aleclee]

I find the rotary on PRS guitars to be easier for me to manage than either blade or toggle switches.

[bek]

I've used Deaf-Eddie's Fat-O-Caster switches, and I think they do what you are looking for.
http://www.deaf-eddie.net/switches.html

I also liked the notion of the simplicity and "organic" feel of a 5-way, and Eddie wired me a Superswitch (for an SSH guitar) to give me this:
1--standard neck single
2--standard neck/middle quack
3--neck/middle in-series with each other, in-parallel with the bridge bucker
4--neck/middle in-series with each other, in-series with the bridge bucker
5--bridge bucker

I'm not really sure about my memory of the wiring combos of #3 and #4, but the sound combinations are really unique. Master volume, tone on the neck, tone on the bridge (middle pickup straight in, full tone always). For me, this is an extremely versatile, super-intuitive setup and sounds fantastic.

[mike80]

I was just asking about individual toggles for each pup - I used to have a guitar with three (strat style) so I could put on:

N
N+M
N+B
M
M+B
B
N+M+B
and all off!

While I could switch those toggles pretty fast (it's been years ago since I had that guitar though) a 5-way is more "organic" IMHO, even though you don't have the all on, N+B, or all off without adding additional goodies.

My concern about a rotary would be how quickly you can change from N to B - that grabbing the knob on the fly and turning it seems much harder to flicking the switch to me.

But, if you don't have to change positions in a 16th note's time, it might be OK.

Steve

I had that same switching setup on a Charvel Model 4? I had a while back. I liked it while finding it cumbersome at the same time. Some great tones in there for sure.

I've found the easiest way to go from B to N or vice versa with a rotary switch is to use the side of your palm to roll the switch. I can change pickups on my PRS just as quickly as I can with a toggle. It's something you just have to get a feel for and find out what works best for you.

[dantedayjob]

I find the rotary on PRS guitars to be easier for me to manage than either blade or toggle switches.

ditto

[stevel]

ditto

well there you go! I guess it's a matter of what you get used to.

re one of the above posts - I had a chum who had wired a SSS so with push/pull pots on the tone knobs to do all kinds of series/parallel/RWRP madness.

The general idea was that by using various combinations, he would have a SSS, a HSS, and a HH all in one guitar.

But let's say combining two single coils separated by as much distance as they are on a strat won't make them sound like humbuckers no matter how you've wired them to work together (or at least, didn't work on his guitar).

Still had many cool tones though.

Steve

[GtrDr]

I like rotary switches, but really its a matter of personal preference.
One thing I think that can make or break it is whether or not the positions are marked and is easy to tell where you are at.
Here is a 6 way installation I did on one of my steels where I used some mother of pearl makers.


.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/FPS-001/fps-001-39s.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/FPS-001/fps-001-35s.jpg

That is magnificent! Truly a piece of art deco sculpture. WoW