This is the proper orientation for a Stratocaster knob

This may be pedantic, but if you're a stickler for these sorts of things, this is the right way to do it.

When you get a brand new Fender Stratocaster, the knobs have to come off because that's the only way you can get rid of the protective plastic film off the pick guard. The knobs also come off whenever you need to clean them or need to periodically lubricate the potentiometers. But what is the proper orientation when you put the knobs back on?

There are three ways most Strat players orient their control knobs:

Method one: Align to 1.

With the knob off, turn the potentiometer to where it would be at the 1 indicator. Align the knob 1 to the treble side rear pickup height adjustment screw, press on.

Method two: Align to 10.

With the knob off, turn the potentiometer to where it would be at the 10 indicator. Align knob 10 to the treble side rear pickup height adjustment screw, press on.

Method three: Align the word upside down, parallel to the neck with potentiometer "on 10."

This sounds complicated but it's really easy. Here is a video on it:

Aligning the word VOLUME or TONE printed on the knob parallel to the neck is actually the correct way to do it.

Do this, and there is no way you can get it wrong. All the knobs "line up" properly.

This will work on the Stratocaster or any guitar where numbers are printed on the knob. It always works.

Published 2021 Aug 31