Question about Knobs position on archtops (H575) with single pick up

[bebove64]

Is this the right position or would you place them above the "f" hole? Any advice? Thanks

[Ned]

any chance you can put them on the pickguard?

[DetroitBlues]

I'd place them above so they would be easier to reach...

[Genericmusic]

any chance you can put them on the pickguard?

+1

[Keith7940236]

Is it a floating pickup? Generally, with Heritage those are attached to the pickguard, as are the tone and volume controls.

[Gitfiddler]

Putting vol/tone controls below the f-holes is the preferred location by some archtop afficionados. That places them away from the under-side top (parallel or 'x') bracing.

 

If the archtop has two pickups, then it becomes necessary to carefully place the two sets of vol/tone controls around the bracing.

[bebove64]

Thanks guys!

Then:

1) position above the f is easier to get to, then more comfortable and more beautiful, in my opinion, to see.

2) position below the f is more secure and stable especially in spruce tops. the area should not be under tension and far from the bracing.

3) alternative position: place them under or on the pickguard.

Any other suggestions?

[FredZepp]

Interesting.. here's a Herb Ellis Gibby and a Es-175...

 

 

But then here is a couple of custom ordered H-175s

 

[2bornot2bop]

If they're easy enough to reach on an 18"er they'll be even easier to reach on a 575, imo.

 

[Kuz]

I think most agree that below the F hole will offer least amount of resistance to the vibration of the top verses the knobs inside the F holes. I know Patrick said that was a very desirable trait on my Florintine GE.

 

So my first choice would be on the pick guard, second would be below/outside the F hole.

[Gitfiddler]

Photos of those Gibson 175's with the knobs on the inside of the f-hole are all laminate tops, not solid carved tops.

 

It makes no difference where the knobs are on lam tops due to their increased structural integrity and lack of flex/vibration.

[Kuz]

Photos of those Gibson 175's with the knobs on the inside of the f-hole are all laminate tops, not solid carved tops.

 

It makes no difference where the knobs are on lam tops due to their increased structural integrity and lack of flex/vibration.

 

I don't know if I completely agree with you. To say that "It makes no difference where the knobs are on lam tops due to their increased structural integrity and lack of flex/vibration" ... I agree structurally it doesn't matter. But I disagree that it will have no effect on the flex/vibration of the top. How could it not? You are introducing screws, nuts, bolts, a washers into the first third of the sound board in a hollow body guitar. I agree it DEFINITELY will make a more dramatic difference on a solid carved top, but it has to effect the acoustic properties on a laminate guitar as well. (Which leads into the question of how important is the acoustic properties of a laminate archtop .... and then leads to the question of how important is the acoustic nature of an archtop when it will be plugged into an amp.... but that is a different topic completely)

 

The knobs are placed inside of the F holes because they are easier to reach, purely a matter of convenience. I think Wes Montgomery was first to requested the knobs on his L5 be moved inside the F holes for his convenience and they were moved. But this has to effect the tone, just as it would on a laminate guitar or any guitar with a vibrating sound board (but again the negating acoustic properties of moving the knobs closer can be debated but not ignored).

 

Again all this is my views, shared by some, and yours may vary and that is perfectly fine. It is about discussion, not who is right or wrong.