Damn, sure, you're absolutely right,
@Mozzi. It was a Super Eagle II. My writings will remain that false, to leave your correction untouched.
But something of my opinion could be taken generally. The switching of a SE II is more sophisticated than of a ME V. Even the three micro switches and one blade switch of a ME V require a decent knowledge of where you are and where you gonna go next.
I didn't mean any offence, I totally agree that it is a bit more complex than a MEv. All those mini toggles is quite a challenge.
The Core MEv layout though isn't all that different from numerous other PRS guitars. Paul's & Cu24-08 both have mini-toggles to split the HB, but not having a 'middle' Pick-up, only have a 3-way but you still have Master Tone/Volume, Pick-up Selector and 2 mini-toggles - both also in the SE Line too. Point is, chances are, more and more people will be familiar with mini-toggles to Split. Its only 'simpler' in the fact you only have '3' instead of 5 positions and no Push/Pull tone pot.
The 509 and Special basically have the same controls as a Core MEv - 5-way Blade, Master Tone/Volume and 2 mini-toggles, with the 'only' differences being the way they are wired. The Special gives 12 Pickup selection Options because Position 3 gives both HB's instead of just the 'Middle' Pup like the 509. Because you can use the 'mini-toggles' to have HH, HS, SH or SS - that gives slightly more options on the Special than the 509. The MEv is wired more like the 509, but with the Push/Pull tone activating 'Both' HB's, you have 4 more options as you have the option to use ALL pups together HSH, HSS, SSH, SSS as well as without the Middle Pickup. Just a 'Push/Pull' difference here.
I don't tend to use the Mini-toggles a lot - usually its more a set and forget thing for the duration of a Song at least. If I want/need a HSS or SSS for a song, I'd set the 'mini-toggles' before the Song starts and just use the 5-way - after all, 5-ways have been very common on guitars for years so I'd think most 'experienced' guitarists would be familiar with that. I also find the mini-toggles to be the 'best' option to switch between full/split options as they not only provide a quick and easy way to change (sweaty hands pulling up Knobs isn't the easiest) and provide more 'visual' and tactile feedback than Push/Push or Push/Pull options - a quick glance or touch can tell if the switch is up or down.
With PRS making much more affordable guitars with two mini-toggles, there are likely to be more and more people 'familiar' with this type of control scheme. The MEv, compared to a SE Pauls or SE Cu24-08 for example is just a 5-way blade (common with PRS and of course many 3-pick-up guitars like Strats) and a Push/Pull tone Pot to add 'both' HB's.
Compared to the 509, which is what the thread is about, the difference is literally a 'Push/Pull' Tone Pot. Its 5-way blade is essentially wired the same - Bridge-B/M-Middle-M/N-Neck. The 'mini-toggles' do the same too as in split the HB's individually and both have a master Tone/Volume. The 'older' MEv's did have an extra mini-toggle for the different values 250k/500k but the Core MEv and 509 are very similar in that respect - although the 509 does have a different scale length and neck profile.
Again, I didn't mean to offend or upset you, I do agree that the Super Eagle is on a different Level again with Pre-amps, Treble Boosts and able to split all 3 Pups. I am sure it would take me a bit of time to feel comfortable with the Super Eagles Layout and to be totally honest, the actual Layout (as in where the Blade/switch, Mini-Toggles and Tone/Volume knobs are positioned) takes me the longest to get used to after switching Guitars. I played a Les Paul for MANY years so that feels most comfortable and getting used to switches/Blades below the strings throws me more than neck shape or scale length so I do appreciate that its not easy and going from guitars without mini-toggles to a Super Eagle no doubt is very daunting seeing all those switches and knobs.
Thanks
