Seen any unusual guitar vol/tone controls?

axisus · November 2018

I'm wondering what sort of unusual looking vol/tone controls one could implement on a guitar. Anyone recall anything unusual they may have seen?

ideally I'm interested in something minimalistic looking.

viz · November 2018

Eddie Van Halen’s volume knob was a tad unique.

Paul7926 · November 2018

If your on about the knobs that fit over the pot shafts then the world is your oyster as you can 3d print anything you can think of

Maynehead · November 2018

I've always thought the roller controls found on Maverick guitars were a good idea.

https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/0bf9fd83cbcfc4d83db30033bde3cd12/5C877046/t51.2885-15/e35/38151466_263949634200442_5345681966375108608_n.jpg

Being the owner of one I can confirm they take some getting used to but are actually pretty functional, and resolves the issue of my picking hand constantly knocking into the volume control on conventional guitars.

pintspiller · November 2018

Guitar pick in the split shaft

Simon_M · November 2018

Paul7926 said:

If your on about the knobs that fit over the pot shafts then the world is your oyster as you can 3d print anything you can think of

The only limitations being: owning or having access to a 3D printer; having the knowledge or finding someone who does to operate said printer; having the creative skill and design flair (or finding someone who does) to create such knobs; having the patience to go through design and prototyping and of course, having pockets deep enough to finance such a venture.

Paul7926 · November 2018

Simon_M said:

Paul7926 said:

If your on about the knobs that fit over the pot shafts then the world is your oyster as you can 3d print anything you can think of

The only limitations being: owning or having access to a 3D printer; having the knowledge or finding someone who does to operate said printer; having the creative skill and design flair (or finding someone who does) to create such knobs; having the patience to go through design and prototyping and of course, having pockets deep enough to finance such a venture.

OK. I take your point. I was meaning that anything is possible now as I'm sure there are places that will print what you want at a reasonable price.

In fairness there are loads of plans free on the internet and these days a small 3d printer is less than £300 but yeah that's a lot if you only print a knob.

I'm lucky in that I have access to a small printer but so far I've got a set of string radius gauges from a free plan and a pick holder that attatches to the guitar strap. I found plenty of knob designs from simple ones through vw logo to skull with top hat but none that I really like.

I'm thinking about printing a template with it to use with inlays.

mart · November 2018

Paul7926 said:

If your on about the knobs that fit over the pot shafts then the world is your oyster as you can 3d print anything you can think of

You could even get a 3D scan of your own head and get that 3D printed as your volume/tone control.

The only problem is it will make you look like a knob.

Sassafras · November 2018

Image: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/37/1d/3c/371d3c2c7966086e01e9a2b57de8fa05.jpg

EricTheWeary · November 2018

There is a 3D printer in my house, I wonder what we could do with that. Although the plastic isn't the most robust.
We have a 3D printer and a big telly but the house is falling apart, this is what happens when teenagers set spending priorities.

Paul7926 · November 2018

EricTheWeary said:

There is a 3D printer in my house, I wonder what we could do with that. Although the plastic isn't the most robust.
We have a 3D printer and a big telly but the house is falling apart, this is what happens when teenagers set spending priorities.

You can get much more robust filament, I've seen ones that include a lot of metal meaning the final prints are very sturdy. I did think about tuner heads as well as pot knobs as once you go down this rabbit hole I'm not sure there is an end to it.

Sporky · November 2018

The Birdfish has unusual controls:

http://www.teuffel.com/bilder/guitar_pix/birdfish_pix/233 x 150/control-box-top.jpg

Sporky · November 2018

What might be interesting is recessing the knobs into the top, and using push-push pots to pop them up when needed. If you can find some that pop up enough...

Maynehead · November 2018

Sporky said:

What might be interesting is recessing the knobs into the top, and using push-push pots to pop them up when needed. If you can find some that pop up enough...

Or recess them enough to not get in the way of the strumming hand, but still easy enough to turn using the edge of your little finger. That would be perfect for me.

crunchman · November 2018

Maynehead said:

Sporky said:

What might be interesting is recessing the knobs into the top, and using push-push pots to pop them up when needed. If you can find some that pop up enough...

Or recess them enough to not get in the way of the strumming hand, but still easy enough to turn using the edge of your little finger. That would be perfect for me.

PRS recess the knobs on their higher end stuff but don't seem to on the SE or S2 lines.

Bluebeard · November 2018

Hofner do teacup knobs which look a bit odd. Not really minimalist though.

axisus · November 2018

Sporky said:

What might be interesting is recessing the knobs into the top, and using push-push pots to pop them up when needed. If you can find some that pop up enough...

That sounds pretty cool actually!

DulcetJones · November 2018

Brian Setzer used dice that were commercially available in the 80's, not sure if they still are. Also not sure if square is a good idea.

scrumhalf · November 2018

Didn't the Bond Electraglide have increment/decrement buttons?

Paging @HarrySeven , youe expertise is required.

EricTheWeary · November 2018

DulcetJones said:

Brian Setzer used dice that were commercially available in the 80's, not sure if they still are. Also not sure if square is a good idea.

I have dice on one of mine. They were pretty cheap ( off Amazon I think). I'm not a big knob twiddler so square is fine for me, they are also pretty clear to read.

HarrySeven · November 2018

scrumhalf said:

Didn't the Bond Electraglide have increment/decrement buttons?

Paging @HarrySeven , youe expertise is required.

It did indeed.

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Seen any unusual guitar vol/tone controls?

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