Each guitar player utilizes the control knobs on their guitar differently; some will use them to add extra dynamics and feel to their music while others will turn everything up to 10 and forget about them and only adjust the pedals (or not)! So, let's take a look at some common knob configurations and find out what those knobs are for.
Telecaster Control Knobs
Telecaster-style guitars usually feature a volume control knob and a tone control knob that control the overall volume and tone of the guitar. You will also have a pickup selector switch that will determine what pickup is in use. The forward position selects the neck pickup, the backward position, the bridge pickup, while the middle position activates both pickups simultaneously.
Stratocaster Control Knobs
If you have a Stratocaster style guitar, then you'll have three different control knobs. The one closest to the guitar strings is the master volume. Underneath that, you'll find two tone control knobs. The upper one controls the tone of the neck and middle pickups. The lower one controls the tone coming from the bridge pickup.
The 5-way selector switch on a Stratocaster style guitar functions as follows starting from the bottom: position 1 β bridge pickup only, position 2 β bridge pickup and middle pickup together, position 3 β middle pickup only, position 4 β middle pickup and neck pickup together, position 5 β neck pickup only.
Les Paul/SG Control Knobs
If you have a Les Paul or SG style guitar you will usually find two volume control knobs and two tone control knobs. This gives each of the two humbuckers on the guitar its own volume and tone control knobs. The pickup selector switch on a Les Paul or SG-style guitar usually has three positions; pointing upward - rhythm position, which is your neck pickup; pointing forwards - the middle position, which is both pickups together; and pointing downward - the treble position, which is the bridge pickup.
Offset Guitar Control Knobs
Offset guitars, such as Jazzmasters or Jaguars feature a neck pickup for rhythm pickup and a bridge pickup for lead pickup. The volume and tone knobs control the volume and tone of both pickups. The 3-position toggle switch allows the selection of the pickups (neck, both, and bridge). When the rhythm circuit is engaged, the lower tone and volume knobs are inactive, and the rhythem/neck pickup is controlled only through the upper rhythm volume and tonecontrols.
