Switch positions on a strat

[baz]

In discussion with a couple of other veteran Strat players at a Birmingham shop recently, the topic of which way round you count the 5 way positions came up.

I've always counted neck selected as no.1 and bridge no.5 but one of these guys was insistent that it should be the other way round.

I've never come across anybody who doesn't call the bottom tone control No2 so it seems totally logical to count the switch positions using the same logic (i.e. the physically highest in normal playing position being No1).

Of course none of this really makes the slightest difference but would be interested to hear from others.

Baz


PS Is it different for Lefties ?

[bill]

Hi Baz,

Cut and pasted from the Fender website description of a Fender American Standard Stratocaster:

"Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)

Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup"

So Fender call the Neck pickup tone control no.1 and the Bridge pickup position no.1!

Bill

[noelford]

Yep, I've always numbered from the bridge, 1, to the neck, 5.

[baz]

When I get my scanner working I will post a copy of the pup switching combinations possible on my Strat Deluxe which I found in the paperwork in the case and had not really looked at before.

Its a genuine Fender document supplied with the guitar and shows the switch numbered as neck pup..No.1 etc to bridge pup....No.5.

Sounds like the right hand not knowing what the left's doing at Fender HQ.

When giving details in a sound file I shall stick to neck, neck and middle etc