Pickup Switch location - patented or just changed?

[ratter]

Just thinking a bit about the move of the position of the pickup switch between the EVH to the Axis...I have two EVH's and an Axis, and even though the Axis is a killer guitar and I've had it for 6 or 7 years now (have played an EVH for 10), I just can NOT get used to the switch position.

Anybody have this problem? I have to tell you, the GC's around here have been blowing out the Axis for insane prices lately ($799 and up!) and I would seriously be gobbling them up like a fiend (particularly a burnt apple and a natural flame!) but I won't...not with that pickups switch where it is. I just can't dig it.

So, who else misses the "old days"? And why the change...was it a legal patent thing or something else?

Mike

ps - I do, however, think that the back contour is a nice change!

 

[ratter]

pps - I'd be willing to compromise...if the switch was where the switch is on the Petrucci, I could deal.

As it is now, on the Axis, I always bump the volume knob on the way to the pickup switch. And it's too far away to hit quickly.

 

[Jimi D]

I've got an old Guitar Shop magazine with an interview with Eddie in it from when they released the EB/MM EVH, and it mentions a couple prototypes with different switch placement, including one where the switch is placed where it is on the Axis, below the volume knob... I'm pretty sure EB/MM have all the patents on the EVH-style, and they changed the switch placement to simply divorce themselves from the Eddie connection. IME, for every player that says they like the EVH or Petrucci switch placement, you'll find two that say they're in the way...

 

[Lou]

I have 2 petrucci's and an Axis. I got the axis at GC on clearance for $639 because some meathead put a dink in the top near the binding. I agree that the 5 way could be in a better position. I think if they angled it like a strat's 5-way it would be more ergonomic.

 

[Derek]

We moved the switch from the lower horn area
to the volume knob area simply because a lot of folks would hit the switch when playing power chords, strumming ect. It was Eddie's playing style that allowed the switch placement
on the EVH so when he left we made the change. Other complaints were the little "e"
string would fall off the edge of the fretboard so we widened it a 1/32." We also added a contour on the back.

Players will always have their preferences we just felt these changes were an improvement to an already great guitar.

Thanks

Derek