Volume knob placement.

[Forrest]

I'm just curious. How many of you have a problem with how close the volume knob is placed to the pickup on most Jackson (and many many other brand) guitars?
Example:



I realize that there a few techniques that require this volume knob placement, like Yngwie with his volume knob swell runs. But I personally don't use any of them. All this does for me is knock into my fingers when I'm doing fast stuff on the higher strings and palm muting.

As a temporary thing, I've removed the knob (without taking out the pot) on several of my guitars, and then it's not so bad. On the soloists I have that have 3 knobs I'll probably remove one and move the volume back a spot.

I'm very curious if this is something that affects a lot of people, or if there is something about my picking and muting technique that's different. If not, it really mystifies me that this has been such a standard place for the volume knob.

[Hellbat]

Some people love the placement, some people hate it, some don't care. For me it's perfect. The haters typically remove the pot and put a plastic plug in and move the volume back to the tone position. If you play with a splayed picking hand (fanned out George Lynch style) you will obviously notice it more.

[Forrest]

Some people love the placement, some people hate it, some don't care. For me it's perfect. The haters typically remove the pot and put a plastic plug in and move the volume back to the tone position. If you play with a splayed picking hand (fanned out George Lynch style) you will obviously notice it more.

Wish I knew where they got the plugs from.

I use both styles depending on what I'm playing, but I actually have much more trouble with my fingers curled than with my fingers out. Curled I am guaranteed to hit it if I'm trying to mute high E. How do you do that?

[Newc]

Mute the high E with the pinky fully extended behind the knob.

[CKJ]

I honestly dislike the volume pot being there.. It definitely gets in my way but its a problem I overcome.

[VitaminG]

I used to have a problem with hitting it but the problem went away. I do frequently check my volume though - a hangover from frequently knocking the volume down before I got used to it

[Futurejon5]

I am a heavy palm muter and ocasionaly all I ever do is walk the volume back, but I just give it a roll and bam. Of course I play with my fingers curled so I can chiken pick and it is my knucles that do it so I never notice doing it. I play in a band with two guitarists and it is hard to notice when it is gradually turned down untill there is nothing comming out the speakers! LOL Anyway, checking it has become part of my routine and given time it will become part of yours. Or just move it back and put the plug in.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Nah, I've learned to stay away from it. Strats are twice as bad, it's right there by the high E.

[DonP]

Hasn't this subject been beaten to death? Where's that beating a dead horse thingy?

[wilkinsi]

:dead:

[toejam]

No problem for me. I fan my fingers out like George Lynch and they go right over it.

[Axewielder]

Hey bro PM me your address and I'll send you a black plastic plug if you want. Here's a pic:

Hole_Plug.JPG

It looks like crap in that pic on account of the flash, but actually looks decent in person. This is the opposite situation: I removed the tone knob because it wasn't wired up and I don't care for them anyway. I found the right damn plugs, but I had to order them in bulk and have hundreds of them lol. You can sometimes find chrome ones at Home Depot that fit as well:

[Speiro]

I dislike that positioning too and have been trying to find those plugs here in the UK but have not had any luck as yet.
Love that Warrior

[Kisonen]

The volume knob is in perfect spot for me. People should be able to adjust their playing style according to the instrument.

[MetalMedal II]

My Model 2 was my 1st Charvel/Jackson, and yes it gets in the way for me. I'm always accidentally turning it down. I've experimented with using a smaller profile volume knob and that helps a little. If it were another centimenter or 2 further away, like on the older San Dimas era J/C, it wouldn't be much of an issue.

I have plugged the holes using fasteners for the automotive industry, which I picked up at either auto parts stores or Lowes. Getting the right piece to hold it on to from the back side is just trial and error.