CE24 split pickup switch. What were they thinking?

[Mike Forgione]

About 3 weeks into my new CE24 and it's a great guitar.

One beef though. The switch to single pickups is by pulling up on the tone control. That is not a simple thing to do in the middle of playing.

For one, you have to move your hand pretty far back to get to the knob. I'm strat spoiled from being able to do this stuff with my pinky.

Also, the yammy bar is usually in the way so you have to go around that.

Worst of all, you can't just grab the knob quickly and pull it it. You kind of have to get your fingernail under the edge and then pull up.

Seems like the expectation is that this is something you do before the song starts and if needed you can quickly go back to full mode with a quick push down on the knob. But as far as a quick change in a song? No way.

 

[László]

About 3 weeks into my new CE24 and it's a great guitar.

One beef though. The switch to single pickups is by pulling up on the tone control. That is not a simple thing to do in the middle of playing.

For one, you have to move your hand pretty far back to get to the knob. I'm strat spoiled from being able to do this stuff with my pinky.

Also, the yammy bar is usually in the way so you have to go around that.

Worst of all, you can't just grab the knob quickly and pull it it. You kind of have to get your fingernail under the edge and then pull up.

Seems like the expectation is that this is something you do before the song starts and if needed you can quickly go back to full mode with a quick push down on the knob. But as far as a quick change in a song? No way.

The lampshade knobs look great, but the tapered shape makes them difficult to pull up. All it would take to make the task easier would be a slight flare or ridge at the top of the knob.

Being able to pull up a knob to split the coils is such a nice feature, it's a shame that unless you get a model with mini-toggle switches, it's difficult to use.

 

[SinSir]

I've been using a small black rubber bands on a speed knob..it's time to replace and thinking about trying an o ring.

 

[Warmart]

I'd much prefer push-push or mini-toggles.

 

[DISTORT6]

About 3 weeks into my new CE24 and it's a great guitar.

One beef though. The switch to single pickups is by pulling up on the tone control. That is not a simple thing to do in the middle of playing.

For one, you have to move your hand pretty far back to get to the knob. I'm strat spoiled from being able to do this stuff with my pinky.

Also, the yammy bar is usually in the way so you have to go around that.

Worst of all, you can't just grab the knob quickly and pull it it. You kind of have to get your fingernail under the edge and then pull up.

Seems like the expectation is that this is something you do before the song starts and if needed you can quickly go back to full mode with a quick push down on the knob. But as far as a quick change in a song? No way.

I prefer the turnip wiggler.

 

[Erick_S]

There's enough space in the control cavity to fit mini-toggles. The issue will be the thickness of the top vs the length of the toggle shaft. You'll want a long mini-toggle. I really like Small Bear Electronics and Amplified Parts for that kind of stuff. Mouser has more selection, but they are electronics components only, the other two cater to guitar, amps, pedal players, repairers, and modders.

 

[bodia]

There's enough space in the control cavity to fit mini-toggles. The issue will be the thickness of the top vs the length of the toggle shaft. You'll want a long mini-toggle. I really like Small Bear Electronics and Amplified Parts for that kind of stuff. Mouser has more selection, but they are electronics components only, the other two cater to guitar, amps, pedal players, repairers, and modders.

Mini toggles work!

Before

After

 

[SinSir]

Mini toggles work!

Before

After

Nice! I've been thinking about something like this myself. Did you do it yourself or farm it out?

 

[Warmart]

Mini toggles work!

Before

After

I love how the mini toggles change the guitar from blue to purple Of course, it's only a matter of time before there really are switches that do this!

 

[bodia]

Nice! I've been thinking about something like this myself. Did you do it yourself or farm it out?

I sent it to the PTC for a refinish from Blue to Purple Hazel. While there they replaced the Dragon IIs with a 57/08 neck and 59/09 bridge, did the mini toggles, replaced the rotary knob with a 3 way switch and satin finished the neck.

 

[bodia]

I love how the mini toggles change the guitar from blue to purple Of course, it's only a matter of time before there really are switches that do this!

It's a pretty cool upgrade!

 

[SinSir]

I sent it to the PTC for a refinish from Blue to Purple Hazel. While there they replaced the Dragon IIs with a 57/08 neck and 59/09 bridge, did the mini toggles, replaced the rotary knob with a 3 way switch and satin finished the neck.

It looks great! I wondered if the blue to purple was a refin. Thought it might be lighting and fading.

57/08 and 59/09 pickup combo is high on my list.

 

[Aahzz]

I've gotten used to the push-pull on the Velas to the point that I can do it mid-song - most of the time. Sometimes it slips. I do like the mini toggles idea, may see if a local tech can handle that for me. In the case of the Vela, it's just drilling through the pickguard .

 

[Warmart]

It's a pretty cool upgrade!

I was pretty sure I remembered you getting the refinish, definitely turned out amazing af!

 

[bodia]

I was pretty sure I remembered you getting the refinish, definitely turned out amazing af!

Thanks!

 

[gush]

I've always wanted to cut grooves on lampshades or speed knobs and put o rings on them.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

How about if you taped a thin plastic washer to the bottom of the lampshade, that allowed a little more purchase?

Can’t help you with the trem bar though!

Unless you push it so the tip points toward the bottom strap button, allows clearance. But it’s another manoeuvre that you probably don’t need to think about. So probably not very helpful.

 

[Warmart]

I'm not sure if a washer below the knob would work (TWSS), on my 594 they sit pretty snug on the body (again TWSS).

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I'm not sure if a washer below the knob would work (TWSS), on my 594 they sit pretty snug on the body (again TWSS).

Bwahaha!

My only point of reference is my SE245 (hint hint)

The lampshades sit above the body with enough clearance to do this, but of course I have no splits, so it’s a moot point.

 

[Warmart]

Bwahaha!

My only point of reference is my SE245 (hint hint)

The lampshades sit above the body with enough clearance to do this, but of course I have to splits, so it’s a moot point.

I think they put the splittable knobs as far down as possible just to make us work for it. Honestly, I rarely use them any who!