Electric Guitar Trends

The traditional Gibson guitars have a three-position pickup switch, two volume controls, and two tone controls.

I am seeing a trend towards having fewer controls on the guitar.  Several Gibson, PRS, and ESP models have only one volume and one tone control, and I don’t like it.

The traditional Gibson setup allows the player to have different volume settings for each pickup.  This is great for switching between lead and rythm playing.  With only one volume control, you have to find another quick way to jump out during your lead break.  You need to either manually turn up the volume on your guitar for the lead break, or use a pedal to boost your sound.

I can understand that manufacturers are always looking for ways to reduce costs, but I do not like this trend towards one volume control.  If the electric guitar makers are so hard pressed, I would prefer to see two volume controls, and no tone control.

If I was buying a guitar that had one volume control, and one tone control , I would rewire the guitar to have two volume controls.  I never use the tone controls on my electric guitars anyway.