Rotary switch

[guitarman001]

I've got the chance to get a good deal on a Cu24 with bass/HFS pups and a 5way rotary toggle. Have never tried this and would be a blind sale.

Is the 5-way rotary REALLY such a bad thing?

 

[gush]

I used to not like rotary switching because I was convinced it would be difficult to switch on the fly. I now own one and I was right it is difficult to switch on the fly but this guitar has IT and I can't stop playing it so I've forced myself to get used to it.

As far as HFS/VB goes I've never liked the HFS pickup. It seems to harsh to mebut I've been using a different cab so I may try the HFS again just to see.

If it's a good deal then I would do it. Good luck.

 

[zebraprs]

Some ppl don't like the rotary, I guess that is why PRS went to a blade sw. I have been using the rotary on my customs for some time now and I actually prefer it to the blade switch. AS far as the HFS / VB. it is a very good all purpose combination. Especially if you like the sound of the Fender vs. Gibson tones. I think they do the split thing very well..

 

[John Beef]

I bought a PRS with the rotary, thought it was strange at first but knew I could re-wire it if I wanted to convert to McCarty style electronics. But then I gave it a month and got used to it. I can switch on the fly no problem. It's been almost 8 years now. That said, the only thing it doesn't do that I wish it did, would be to give me an option of having the bridge pickup split by itself. My Mira and Santana SE both do that though, so I just use those if that's the tone I want.

 

[solacematt]

LOVE the rotary...and anyone who knows me knows I do too, haha. It really is an amazing little option and I honestly can't imagine using a non-hollowbody without it. I've noticed that it's mainly collectors and people who grew up with strats who prefer the blade switch. If your a musician who plays often and actually plays out, it should not be an issue to get used to, especially if you are only playing guitar and not the main singer. Sorry, but that's just laziness. I'm the only guitarist and vocalist in my band, use a lot of effects and don't have issues using the rotary. Cu24 w/rotary to me is the most versatile instrument that I've ever played. I'd say go for the plunge, you'll love the option of being able to pull off an LP, strat and tele sound out of the guitar while still maintaining your own identity if you so choose

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Another rotary guy here. The only position that's difficult to get into is the middle, and fortunately it's my least favorite.

 

[AP515]

I like the rotary, always have (since 2006 when I got my first Cu24). Switching isn't that hard, and you get sounds that you can't get with the 3 way /push-pull.

 

[solacematt]

I like the rotary, always have (since 2006 when I got my first Cu24). Switching isn't that hard, and you get sounds that you can't get with the 3 way /push-pull.

That too. My first favorite PRS forum person since 2010, haha.

 

[guitarman001]

I just think I'd forget what pup I'd selected.. at least with a blade you can see where it is - harder to see with a rotary knob.
Not sure... It's a 2009 model for half the price of a new 2014 model. If I'm not sure, given the amount of money, maybe I'd best wait and buy a really great one with all the specs I want. But what a saving..

 

[AP515]

I haven't had it happen to me, but if you didn't know what setting you were on, just spin it to one side and then back to the position you want. It is only a couple of clicks. Most people I've heard don't complain about getting to the position they want, it's usually that their hands are sweaty and they slide on the knob. I don't sweat much so it hasn't been a problem for me.

If the older generation Cu24 doesn't have everything you want, just as well to wait, but I wouldn't be afraid of the rotary knob.

 

[JMintzer]

I don't have one any more, but they worked great when I had one. No problems and easy to use, once you figure out how easy it can be to find the right position...

 

[László]

I've noticed that it's mainly collectors and people who grew up with strats who prefer the blade switch.

That's kind of a leap, isn't it? I'd like to know where you've accumulated your data.

I'm certainly no collector, I'm a studio player. I grew up with Gibsons, and prefer the blade switch.

Unless you've done a scientific survey among the tens of thousands of PRS players you really have no foundation for saying this.

If your a musician who plays often and actually plays out, it should not be an issue to get used to, especially if you are only playing guitar and not the main singer. Sorry, but that's just laziness.

You're making an awful lot of assumptions there. It's not a big issue, it's a small issue, but then small things can make a positive difference. People who have different preferences aren't lazy because they don't like what you like. That's absurd and somewhat insulting.

I've had quite a few PRSes with the rotary, going back to 1991, and prefer the blade. It has nothing to do with laziness, and everything to do with ergonomics. The blade switch doesn't slip in one's fingers, no matter how slippery they are. I actually have dry hands and find the rotary very difficult to grip. Same with a push-pull by the way.

I was pretty happy when PRS stopped using the rotary. While the rotary looks nice, it's just not as functional.

Would I use a rotary if I still had a guitar with one? Sure. Again, it's not like it's a big deal. It's a small thing that make the guitar better for me and many others.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

While the rotary looks nice, it's just not as functional.

Uhh.. What function does the blade switch offer besides being able to hide uncomfortably beneath a dangling tremolo arm better? and it offers the same combinations as the rotary does if you're talking about the five-way ones. It all boils down to preference.

 

[László]

Uhh.. What function does the blade switch offer besides being able to hide uncomfortably beneath a dangling tremolo arm better? and it offers the same combinations as the rotary does if you're talking about the five-way ones. It all boils down to preference.

I should have added the words, "for me," since I had a very hard time gripping the knob in the first place, found the placement awkward, and it was slower to use. Hence, for me, the blade is more functional as the rotary presented problems.

I should also point out that I'm not a dangling tremolo arm kind of player. I like the tremolo arm to be relatively tight, where I can just touch it with a finger. Having the switch close to the arm is, for me, a good thing!

 

[guitarman001]

Yep, I've decided against it. Too much money not to be sure. Will go for 5-way blade and pattern thin neck only from now on, I think!

 

[gush]

I have started to use my pinky to move rotary like I do with my vol pot. I'm not very good at it yet but I will keep working on it for sure.

I'm sorry to hear that you have passed on the guitar. If it was cheap enough you could flip it if you didn't bond with it.

 

[guitarman001]

I still have a couple options.. But I fear I will spend a fortune on a new 2014 violet custom 24..!

 

[prsrocker1988]

Hate the rotary.... It was a true pain to deal with. I need to be able to change from the neck pickup to the bridge in split second in a couple songs live and so I put in a Gibson style 3 way switch which I prefer with a coil split. I'm not a fan of the blade either. I like simplicity for live... I grew up playing Gibsons. That said blade > rotary all day every day between the two.

I also don't like messing with volume knobs live to go from clean to dirty, I prefer to do everything from the floor with a volume pedal and other pedals so for me fast pickup changing is a must. It's too much for me to concentrate on with my hands when I'm playing.

Also I noticed a HUGE tone change when I changed out that pot for a 3 way. It was like a blanket came off the amp and allowed MUCH more highs to come through. I use PRS's 3 way kit too.

 

[prsrocker1988]

That's kind of a leap, isn't it? I'd like to know where you've accumulated your data.

I'm certainly no collector, I'm a studio player. I grew up with Gibsons, and prefer the blade switch.

Unless you've done a scientific survey among the tens of thousands of PRS players you really have no foundation for saying this.



You're making an awful lot of assumptions there. It's not a big issue, it's a small issue, but then small things can make a positive difference. People who have different preferences aren't lazy because they don't like what you like. That's absurd and somewhat insulting.

I've had quite a few PRSes with the rotary, going back to 1991, and prefer the blade. It has nothing to do with laziness, and everything to do with ergonomics. The blade switch doesn't slip in one's fingers, no matter how slippery they are. I actually have dry hands and find the rotary very difficult to grip. Same with a push-pull by the way.

I was pretty happy when PRS stopped using the rotary. While the rotary looks nice, it's just not as functional.

Would I use a rotary if I still had a guitar with one? Sure. Again, it's not like it's a big deal. It's a small thing that make the guitar better for me and many others.

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