Where to put the toggle switch?

[MartyGrass]

I'm trying to understand how Heritage figures out where to put its toggle switches. Sometimes it's easy.

 

The H150 follows the LP tradition. Why Gibson chose that layout is unclear. They could have placed the toggle switch next to the vol/tone controls like they did with the 335s.

 

The H535 follows the 335 tradition. The toggle switch needed to be near the other controls because of the center block.

 

The H170 doesn't have an upper bout to put a switch in.

 

Now it gets complicated. The Millie could have had the toggle switch near the other controls but didn't. No clear explanation. Style?

 

 

 

Full hollowbodies break all the rules.

 

[NoNameBand]

Maybe it depends on the anticipation of the style of music to be played on the guitar and the perceived hand movements. Soft Jazz, closer to your hand, Rock & Blues, out of your way. I always felt that having the switch on the lower bout would get in the way of strumming/playing Rhythm and inadvertently, flip the switch. I prefer it either on the upper bout (H-150) or closer to the controls like the 535 (Gibby 335 or SG). I'm sure you can get used to different set-ups but it does make it more difficult to move between guitar styles with various switch positions.

[Guest HRB853370]

I agree with Mark Owen on his analysis of why. Form follows function. But this could be a great conversation starter with Marv, Jim or Ren with a beer in hand at PSP!!

[Steiner]

Are those your beautiful Girls MG? Lovely! Now, what were you saying about switches?...

[bolero]

Ha....I often wondered the same thing

 

 

when I first got my millie it drove me nuts: the toggle requires you to not only move your hand laterally 90 degrees to the natural motion of strumming, but also move your whole arm out from the shoulder, to push it out there

 

totally interrupts the normal fluidity of playing

 

I MUCH prefer the H150/LP toggle position on any gtr, as it's more fluid with your normal strumming movements...you just bring your hand up higher and *flick*

 

I still entertain thoughts of moving the toggle on the millie, but have sorta grown used to it.

 

Gretsch puts the toggle down there a lot

[yoslate]

I always felt that having the switch on the lower bout would get in the way of strumming/playing Rhythm and inadvertently, flip the switch. I prefer it either on the upper bout (H-150) or closer to the controls like the 535 (Gibby 335 or SG). I'm sure you can get used to different set-ups but it does make it more difficult to move between guitar styles with various switch positions.

 

Bingo! The upper bout placement on my Super drives me nuts...always dumping it into the bridge position, when I'm playing rhythm.... Even thought about rotating it 180 degrees, as I rarely use the bridge p'up on that guitar.

[BrianToth]

 

Even thought about rotating it 180 degrees, as I rarely use the bridge p'up on that guitar.

 

I noticed that Larry Carlton does that on his 335s. I had a chance to ask him and he said it was just logical to have the switch move toward the pickup in use.

[Trouble]

I prefer the 150/LP layout to anything else, the controls on an SG are somewhat closer together, and with the slab body I will often foul the strings with my forearm trying to adjust volume/switch pups. I have a hard time playing a strat anymore, I love the position of the volume knob, but the switch placement doesn't work for me.

[yoslate]

 

I noticed that Larry Carlton does that on his 335s. I had a chance to ask him and he said it was just logical to have the switch move toward the pickup in use.

 

That would be ninety degrees...which might solve the problem. Hadn't thought of that! Thanks, FB!

[JeffB]

I prefer the 150/LP layout to anything else, the controls on an SG are somewhat closer together, and with the slab body I will often foul the strings with my forearm trying to adjust volume/switch pups. I have a hard time playing a strat anymore, I love the position of the volume knob, but the switch placement doesn't work for me.

If Ive been blissing out on the strat for a few weeks then pick up the H150 I tend to knock the toggle on the H150 into middle or neck position.

Even when playing over enthusiastically on the strat I never bang it from the neck or 4th to any other position. Strats seem to be perfectly designed for my flailing motions. I just realised recently Im a strat guy and thats all there is to it.

[MartyGrass]

 

That would be ninety degrees...which might solve the problem. Hadn't thought of that! Thanks, FB!

 

The Gibson Johnny A shifted the toggle switch 45 degrees. This is the most logical since an extension of the strumming arc will flip the switch perfectly.

[yoslate]

 

The Gibson Johnny A shifted the toggle switch 45 degrees. This is the most logical since an extension of the strumming arc will flip the switch perfectly.

 

 

I'm trying to avoid hitting it, Mark.

[MartyGrass]

 

 

I'm trying to avoid hitting it, Mark.

 

 

Yeah, that's a problem with the Super.

 

It's not an issue to me on the Johnny A and the 535 styled layout.

 

You can see the tilt of the toggle switch on the Johnny A.

 

 

[bolero]

yeah I angle the toggles 45 degrees as well, in line with your pick stroke

[DetroitBlues]

Do remember the 150 and the Les Paul were designed in part by Mr. Les Paul. So the original placement of the toggle switch is different then other guitars by Gibson per Les. As for the other models, perhaps the switch placement was to help Gretsch players switch over to Gibson?

[GuitArtMan]

You can custom order that too! I had a custom order millie that had the toggle switch in the traditional LP/150 position. I remember Jay having several on his website this way through the years.