Stratocaster Knobs Explained: Volume, Tone, and Pickup Selector

[@ConorRocksYT]

For more info, check out my article here: www.roundtableaudio.com/stratocaster-knobs-explained/ 00:00 Intro 00:09 Pickup selector 01:05 Knobs 02:15 Final thoughts

[@TheBoomtown4]

Rolling the volume off a bit (from 10 to 9 or 8) can help roll off some of the top end as well, the treble if it’s too bright. It’ll also clean up your guitar if it’s too distorted, you’ve got the gain cranked a bit too high on the amp. Use your knobs kids!

[@UCS0608]

True. However, it shouldn't get too "dark" when you turn doen the volume below 8. That's why you use a good treblebleed! It will make you use your volumeknob even more!!!

[@chasbodaniels1744]

Never understood why designers allow the top end to roll off via the volume pot. Conversely, adjusting a tone knob doesn’t affect the volume!

[@MrHamit64]

Hay there. I have a Player Strat. The Sea Phome Green 1. What are the defalt positons for the Tone nobs and which is at which? I ask becaus when my cousin unboxed mine 1 was at 4 and the other at 8. But which was at what and if those are indeed the defaults I know not. Thanks

[@TheBoomtown4]

@@MrHamit64 there aren’t any defaults. Set all of em to ten, full. Then setup your amp to taste. If it’s a little bright, dial back the respective tone knob to taste. If it’s too loud or you want to clean it up a bit, roll the volume down. But ten is the answer.

[@TheBoomtown4]

@@MrHamit64 anytime. Any more questions along the way, fire em at me

[@zzodysseuszz]

Honestly I feel like these videos help me to play my guitar better than those excessively long scale tutorial videos

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks, I really appreciate that 😊 I'll always try and keep it as helpful and concise as possible!

[@jonadabawopegba5199]

Yeah. Exactly Just understanding how the guitar works

[@DenisMorissetteJFK]

Some creators want to impress us with their playing.

[@awesomethings201]

I just got my guitar and had absolutely no idea what the tone knobs did. Thank you

[@1ouncebird]

Nice demonstration. Clear and right to the point. Thanks.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks! 😊

[@BrayantVideos]

the guitar itself is not very clean but yeah😂

[@TrondArneAusdal]

I play guitar, but there is so much I don't know. Therefore I love what you do!! All th questions I have, answered in one place!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it! Glad I could help! 😊

[@MrConan89]

Nicely explained. A Telecaster was my guitar of choice in my band days as I was front man/singer. My over-active hand would always keep hitting the volume know when I played a Strat.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you!

[@AshtonAltman]

Might you’re name be koyuki

[@41663]

20 + years with strats and never took the time to think about how the selector switch worked with the pickups. Now I know thanks to your exsplanation Thank you

[@nekrobird]

ah bue

[@jeffreydeasel9]

So for 20 years you never changed the sound of your guitar? I hope you're kidding

[@Okwhateverloll]

@@jeffreydeasel9😂😂😂

[@jean-luclezede3898]

Short, easy to understand. Thank you to explain Strat knobs.

[@JayThatsMe]

Just picked up my first Strat Standard American and you solved a few mysteries for me. Thanks! you Rock!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Glad I could help! Enjoy your new guitar 😊🎸

[@JayThatsMe]

That I will! Once again, thank you.

[@ConorRocksYT]

@@JayThatsMe 😊

[@shawnok1]

Just bought a Strat online. This video is a massive help. Thank you

[@Sonny2299]

Ahh this would’ve been nice to see this a while back instead of playing with the tone knobs maxed out for my first two years playing 😂

[@ConorRocksYT]

It's a rite of passage! 😄

[@earthborn1968]

I’ve had my FITTR Square close to 15 years and the only knob I knew about was the volume knob. It went to sure what the other two did. I’m just recently getting back into learning how to play. Then I remembered that Google was free and that’s how it ended up at your video. Thanks for the information.

[@francomartini4328]

Different models have different electronics. For example, on my Stratocaster American Professional II, the lower tone knob is a push-push control that engages the neck pickup. This means that with the selector in position one and the push-push knob out, the bridge and neck pickups are both on, whilst putting the selector in position two means that all three pickups are engaged. The SSS version of the American Pro II is the only Strat that can do this. The HSS version is different, however, because the push-push knob acts as a coil split for the (humbucking) bridge pickup.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

And another model the older early 90's deluxe plus Strat has a TBX tone that works on both middle and bridge P U. I read where it's not that difficult to get any Strats tone hooked to the bridge pup. It's a great move for more versatility in your tone control.

[@zzlg]

Mine came with one tone for the middle and the other one for the neck. Only 9 years later I changed so that one is for the bridge and the neck, and the other one to the middle.

[@billyd7882]

Whilst?

[@Drdavthomp]

The best explanation I’ve ever heard. Thanks!

[@HibaQadir-b2k]

Your demonstration is very easy to understand

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you!

[@darrinvandemark4781]

Amazing when you watch someone like SRV play live how much the selector switch or knobs are used!

[@benjmarkellegutierrez2913]

this is a great video for a beginner that 1st time buying electric guitar specially if it's a Strat

[@pabloc9517]

the most helpful and right to the point video about this stuff..thanks

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks, Pablo! 😊

[@honeyt77]

thank you ! i was wondering what the tone knobs were for, and the pickup selector looked like if i flicked it all my strings would fall down so i didn’t touch it, much appreciated homie i can’t wait to utilize the pickups !!!

[@chaibudesh]

Thanks dude! For the info, and also for the relaxing style :)

[@ConorRocksYT]

Happy to help! Thanks for your comment 😊

[@user-yx7dp2pl8t]

that was really nice and to the point of the strat's knobs capabilities, thanks

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you! 😊

[@tamdsms]

Great job! Clear, concise, & to the point! Kind regards!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful 😊

[@tamdsms]

@@ConorRocksYT, I've been playing acoustics for 56yrs., but I'm a complete newbie when it comes to electrics! Thanks for the insights & kind regards!

[@Archezoth]

I bought my own electric guitar over 3k and im a kid i started today and this vid helps❤ thank you sir:)

[@nellayema2455]

Good explanation.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you 😊

[@nathanspencer788]

This was a perfect video tbh. Exactly what I was looking for and nothing more.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you!

[@patkitkat]

Big thanks. I appreciate the short and informative video and approach. Now i can get better neck pick up tone!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks - enjoy your new tone! 😊

[@j.s.3297]

I got that exact guitar with one exception, it has a humbucker and the tone controls won't affect it.

[@robertclarkguitar]

On a black strat. You set the controls for the heart of the sun!!!

[@robertclarkguitar]

On the serious note...Punn intended, The video is so basic but so true. The many amps people say suck are generally due to not knowing how to dial in the tone along with pickup height and simple stock variables. I know this as I was guilty of it my first 2 years. Excellent video.

[@robertclarkguitar]

And at times it is true...The amp may very well be a Gorilla app from 1985...lol😅

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks Robert! I agree - using these controls helps me reign in my brighter sounding amp!

[@sharky6128]

Great clear concise explanation 👏 🎉

[@BettysCloset]

Thanks for this video as a beginner I didnt kow what the knobs do

[@aaadrian.2]

Nice vid, clear and straight forward.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks!

[@alexbowman7582]

Initially the pick up selector was three stops until Fender realised musicians were often putting the selector between 1 and 2 or 2 and 3 to get that out of phase sound.

[@KevyNova]

And that didn’t happen until the late ‘70s.

[@danieldupuys2002]

No out of phase sound, it's // wiring between 2 pick ups, you can control through a ohmeter; resistance is droped by 2 with 2 equal resistance pick ups, but magnetism is x by 2, and the volume stays OK.

[@TheJoeFridayBand]

I believe Clapton was the first guitarist to use that trick, on his Derek & The Dominoes album. Side note: I'm the original owner of a somewhat rare solid walnut `85 Elite Strat with active electronics and 3 push buttons in lieu of a blade switch.

[@alexbowman7582]

@@TheJoeFridayBand I think it was done before him. Probably Dick Dale done it.

[@Edward-eo5fv]

I have not had my strat out in a long time. I replaced everything but i could only afford cheap stuff. I hope to get good American parts when i can afford them. Rock on

[@ConorRocksYT]

Sounds cool! 😊

[@judimsky]

I LOVE YOU!! This is so clear! Greetings from Argentina

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you, glad I could help! 😄

[@Jerry-Falwells-Poolboy]

Very clear and concise! Thank you!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks, happy to help 😊

[@larrypower8659]

Original Strat wiring had no tone control for the bridge pickup. The two tone controls were for the neck and middle pickups only. Eventually Fender smartened up (but not for about 30 years) and put the middle and bridge pickup tone controls together, on the bottom tone knob.

[@rogercantwell3622]

Some (like the Squier Vintage Modified series) are still wired with no tone control for the bridge pickup.

[@larrypower8659]

@@rogercantwell3622 Strat bridge pickups are annoyingly brash, much more so than Tele bridge pickups, imho. Being able to control that bridge tone is extremely helpful.

[@Tonetwisters]

Main thing is to have your bottom tone pot wired to JUST your bridge pickup, leaving the middle pickup with no tone controll. That way, you can roll off some or a lot of those bridge pickup treble tones. Notch positions will generally require more treble, so having the middle pup free of a tone pot, helps with that.

[@Lolong01]

thanks sir iv been looking for this to understand the 3 nabs

[@DylanOfTheTower]

I already knew this and still watched, that's just a beauty of strat lol

[@Panzer_the_Merganser]

Thanks for this: concise and clear. Subscribed. 👍

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you, glad you liked it! 😊

[@laoganmafootballclub6632]

You ate this up son

[@lucyl0o]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@Boris_Chang]

On my ‘75 (which came with a three-way selector switch), the tone pots were apparently wired as neck+middle, and middle+bridge. (added: the three-way switch was replaced with a five-way switch about twenty years ago.)

[@Greendayfan16]

This helps a lot man thanks 👍

[@Lopeirada]

Have a guitar for 3 years and couldnt figure out what the tones did, thanks for the info *Yes im lazy to google it for 3 years*

thanks for the explanation, really helpful

[@ConorRocksYT]

Glad it helped! 😊

[@1988davidsum]

Love it! Love your channel!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you, it means a lot!

[@mastopage3120]

I always find that there isn't much difference when turning the tone knob. Unless you turn it all the way. Yes it work, but not much difference from 1 to 8. It's almost like you could put a On and Off switch instead of the two tone knob and it would sound the same. The volume is ok.

[@larrypower8659]

Wrong

[@andreasfromnuremberg5055]

this was soo good thank you thank you greetings from germany

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you! 😄

[@KenFernbach]

If the bridge pickup doesn’t have a tone control, you raise the pickup closer to the strings than the neck and middle, and the volume will be the bridge pickup tone control- play leads at around 8 or9 ( never full volume). Many lead guitar players hurt peoples ears by not knowing this valuable information. 🎸👍☮️🍄🙏

[@5ullcircle]

Thanks for suggesting the effects pedals . My sound is close but can you recommend the settings for each pedal. Thank you

[@caryconover]

Appreciate the clear explanation

[@ExploreAmerica]

Good video true and never discussed

[@johnmcardle9816]

Thank you very much.Questions answered.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks, John!

[@alexbowman7582]

Why do they stop at 10? Couldn’t they go a bit further up. 11, 12, 50?

[@h0nks504]

It's been two months but I think it's about the volume on your amp. Personally, mine is super loud even at 4

[@everlegal]

😂😂 not a lot of people knows the reference

[@mr.tuttifrutti9280]

So, what is the reference?

[@benwright6330]

I'm 200% sure that's possible

[@Martha.rose2000]

Thank you so much for explaining this! :)

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks, Martha! Glad I could help 😊

[@RozelyLindim]

u make a quality content. Thumbs up

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks Rozely! 😊

[@TheBigNoob]

I have a SSH Strat. Like you said, on my guitar the tone knobs only work for the neck and middle pick-ups. My humbucker is at the bridge, and neither of the tone knobs effect the humbucker sadly.

[@ConorRocksYT]

If you're handy with a soldering iron, you can mod your pickup selector to allow for bridge tone control!

[@joshs9441]

My Strat had no tone control for the bridge pickup so I wired it to be combined with the middle.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Nice! 😊

[@fedtmu]

Thank you i needed that one❤❤

[@Soumil-f7]

Excellent video! I have a strat with H-S-S config (with a humbucker instead of a single coil at the bridge) ...does it mean the 2nd tone knob would control the tone of just the humbucker at the bridge?

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks! It depends on the model - but the newer Player Strats have tone control for the bridge (so tone 1 is the neck, tone 2 is middle and bridge). If in doubt, give it a play and see if you can hear what's going on!

[@Anton-ji4td]

You can do the Jimmy Hendrix mod on the switch. Plenty details out there. Really easy and pretty useful.

[@rogercantwell3622]

Gretsch do it best - volume control for each pickup, so you can blend them to any degree, a master volume and a master tone :-)

[@1minutecomicswalahollywood648]

Hello Conor, I am a new subscriber. ❤

[@tomsmith8515]

Thanks KZbin, this vid had an advert that lasted almost 10% as long as your vid... bad form youtube. In saying that you did a nice vid, some folks have suggested that the tone knobs are basic on off switches... 10 on anything else off, is that just a bad strat copy? Do you have a vid on the sound cutting out when you strum, assuming its not the cord at fault

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks Tom - tone knobs shouldn't be on/off as they're made with potentiometers - so there should be a gradual change. A jump in sound suggests a problem with the pot. As for the sound cutting out - I don't have a video on it, but I do have that problem with one of my guitars. For me, it's a dodgy pickup switch that I need to fix. If it's not the cable (or the amp) then it'll either be your pickup switch, output jack, volume/tone knobs, or pickups themselves (in that order of likelihood!) The switch, jack, and knobs are are straightforward fix if your handy with a soldering iron!

[@LukasDozer]

Thank you for the video. I have a question so in order to get the ones with the tone knob push button for the neck and bridge together what year are these made? Fender American Strat Thank you.

[@ConorRocksYT]

It's pretty uncommon, the only model I know of is the Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Strat. If you want to do it to your guitar, it's a pretty striaghtforward mod! Just search for the "7 way switch" mod.

[@jenjoestar.]

Love this! Definitely subscribing

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you! 😊

[@SimplyMikev79]

Man ! I love this video .

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks! 😊

[@paulsevers7740]

brief and to the point, many thanks

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thanks Paul! 😊

[@TEOTD]

They make crackle and pop sounds as you turn them so best to leave them alone 😊

[@joecoleman460]

I have 3 Strats(a Black, a white, and a sunburst. All with maple necks.)

[@ConorRocksYT]

Nice! I'd love a maple neck strat at some point 😊 (edit: Fretboard!)

[@thommeinert9072]

Excellent information and presentation! Thank! Musician/Artist USA- ThomMeinert

[@NadeemAhsan-m5l]

Good job

[@mattwaters6987]

Thanks for this. 👍 😊

[@mboschuk735]

Any thoughts on how Hendrix affected the move from 3 to 5 pickup positions or is this apocryphal

[@ConorRocksYT]

To be honest, that's not something I'd ever heard! I know that Jimi Hendrix, used the "in-between" positions on a 3 way switch (positions 2 and 4 on a 5 way switch) a lot - but guitarists had been using this technique since 1955 (source: www.fender.com/articles/instruments/sounds-aplenty-the-stratocaster-pickup-selector-switch) Whether or not Jimi's influence at the time convinced Fender to change to the 5 way switch as standard is hard to say. If I had to guess, I'd say his influence as a prominent guitarist would have helped - but it wouldn't have been down to him alone.

[@rolandsolomon7728]

Yes, I believe there were other influences even before Hendrix arrived on the scene. My older brother had a 1960 Strat with the 3 position switch well before I even started playing. And I used to play with the switch and accidentally found the sweet spots in between. 😁

[@GREYanimationofficial]

I have that exact color, model and build, but is upside down because I’m left handed

[@ConorRocksYT]

Nice! It's a great guitar 😊

[@dizzylilthing]

My guitar is pretty old, probably more than 30 at this point? I got it from my dad and it has some issues, particularly that it can't output any amount of sound until the volume knob is turned past a certain point.

[@ConorRocksYT]

That sounds like a faulty volume pot (potentiometer), and it's a very easy fix to replace one if you're handy with a soldering iron! If not, then your local guitar store will be able to fix it no problem 😊

[@dizzylilthing]

@@ConorRocksYT That's what I was thinking after watching this, I've been meaning to learn how to solder for a while and so this is a good kick to get going

[@ConorRocksYT]

Awesome! Good luck! As long as you take it slow, and plan it out, you'll be fine 😊

[@abidMughal-q8f]

Very goodjob

[@clairaudient_mica]

Thank you so much 🙏🏾🙏🏾🔥🔥

[@IzaiazBarrera]

Super helpful

[@parkyboy1213]

How do you know what setting of tone you are on as there is no dot to tell you what number you are using?

[@ConorRocksYT]

Turn it all the way up and look where "10" is, then that's the spot to look when you change the setting 😊

[@zedzu2414]

i own a HSS electric guitar in position 1 it detects the neck pickup and position in 5 it detects my humbucker. is it normal?

[@ConorRocksYT]

Position 1 (where the pickup selector is closest to the bridge) should be your humbucker. Position 5 (where the pickup selector is closest to the neck) should be your neck pickup. As long as it's all working correctly, there's nothing to worry about! It could be that your guitar had the switch replaced and it's been wired backwards - either way, just a little thing that makes your guitar unique! ☺

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

I never use the tone with my middle pickup so one tone controls my bridge pickup. I roll the tone off unless it's distorted, then I crank it for more edge

[@bambamgamez7749]

Hey I have a question. Might be a stupid one but I’ve got an Old rollins guitar and I use an amped superjet amp with my adm acoustic quitar aux. when I connect it there is this annoyingly loud buzzing noise but it reduces when I touch the strings. Is this because of the set up I’ve got and is there I way I can fix this?

[@ConorRocksYT]

That sounds like a grounding issue! It's a pretty easy fix, you just need to make sure everything is grounded properly with a soldering iron 😊 or your local guitar store will be able to fix it (shouldn't be very expensive as it's a fairly quick job - depending on access to the electronics!)

[@bambamgamez7749]

@@ConorRocksYT thank you!

[@OutMagic]

Thank you!!!

[@PilotBond]

thank you

[@ianchoo3166]

If I were to upgrade a pickup, would I need to upgrade the knob to a higher quality one aswell? My eg is a cheap Chinese brand

[@ConorRocksYT]

Hi, Ian - it depends on a couple of things! If you're replacing the pickup with a like-for-like pickup (e.g. a passive single coil with a passive single coil) and are happy with how the knobs responds (e.g. no sudden jumps in sound, no crackling or popping) then you can leave it. But - if you're swapping pickups to a different type (e.g. single coil to humbucker) then you'll need a new pot with a different level of resistance (a very general rule is 250k for single coils, 500k for humbuckers). Likewise, if your knobs are giving you problems with crackles or responsiveness then now's a good chance to swap them out while it's all opened up! 😊 I'd suggest reading around about different pots resistances and also "treble bleed" modifications you can make as well 😊 Let me know how you get on!

[@earthquakemagoon2505]

Cool! Thanks!🎸😎👍

[@danijkgers7216]

Muy bueno , ☺️ gracias ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ConorRocksYT]

¡de nada! gracias 😊

[@lesn4528]

What do the knobs do, they turn of course. What does the switch do, it goes up and down.

[@GoutamPaul-t5u]

Yes I enjoyed this video And I have liked and subscribed to your channel too... Yeaaaah💪🏻👍🏻

[@123samikapitani]

I have same guitar is this guitar good?

[@ConorRocksYT]

I like it! I have a USA Strat too, and this one holds up just as good 😊

[@randall9000]

Nice strat

[@ConorRocksYT]

Thank you! It's a 2006 Mexican Standard 😊

[@randall9000]

@@ConorRocksYT nice. Mine is a 2014 MX standard. But I did put a warmoth neck on it in 2019 🍻

[@ConorRocksYT]

@@randall9000 awesome! They're great guitars! 😊

[@noaha3006]

I now have finally a Strat... But i found out, that a Jazzmaster would have been the better Oppertunety for me. And I'm a bit of a Budget, so I can't just buy a Jazzmaster... Any Ideas to make the Strat sound more like a Jazzmaster? Pls. HELP! Thanks!! ❤❤

[@ConorRocksYT]

Hey - sorry to hear that! So, Jazzmasters use P90 pickups which are single coils (like the pickups on a Strat) but they're warmer sounding because of the shape of their coil. You might have some luck using the neck pickup and rolling the tone down slightly to get a warmer, fuller sound! (I have a guitar with a Jazzmaster pickup in the neck, and find that it sounds pretty similar to my Strat sometimes). Failing that, you might be able to trade in your guitar at a local guitar store towards a Jazzmaster?

[@noaha3006]

@@ConorRocksYT Thank you for your Quick Respond! I've tried to roll off the Tone Knob, and i think it helped me at least a little bit... Thanks!

[@ConorRocksYT]

Glad I could help! 😊@@noaha3006

[@noaha3006]

Hey! Its me again- just wanted to let you know, that i now finally got a Jazzmaster ( The Squier J. Mascis), and Im really happy with it! But ur Trick really helped me out

[@mercerworldtravels5980]

Your Strat is dirty lol thanks for the video I needed to know what that third knob was for coming from playing almost exclusively Les Paul’s 😊

[@Gane-rp7zh]

Thankyou

[@rawrs937]

Whenever I adjust the knobs they always find a way back to 10.

[@shadowminister4090]

I have an old Squier Affinity Strat. The Tone knobs don't work at all and the volume knobs, is a bit scratchy, but more annoyingly, goes from nothing to 100% very quickly. Hate having to pull the strings off a Strat to get access to Pots and wiring.

[@ConorRocksYT]

Sorry to hear that! You might be able to fix your volume knob by cleaning it with switch cleaner. The scratchy sound suggests built up dirt, which might also be causing the volume jump problem. I've covered how to clean it in a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4qzqpuJpLSSY9E Your tone knobs sound like they might need resoldering, which is a pretty straightforward job as well. I also agree with you on the access. I wish it was easier on a Strat!

[@Edward-eo5fv]

You can replace all that stuff inside real cheap. The knobs switch all come put together with the pick guard all one piece just hook up the wires inside and screw on the new pick guard with everything already in it

[@shadowminister4090]

@@Edward-eo5fv Thanks. I never done this sort of thing before, but I've watched plenty of videos. I was thinking I'd just take the pickguard off and see what's underneath. Could be a problem with solder joints? Or maybe, just get new tone pots etc. I'm prepared to have a go at some soldering; I did a bit at school 50 years ago. 😂. It'll be interesting to see if its only routed for single coils or it it has a swimmimg pool route.

[@dedude2114]

Just bought a second hand electric guitar with 4 tone knobs, 94.5 USD, might be a scam but from what I understand is that I'm fine, just need a lot of maintenance, string replacement and the guitar will be as good as new.