Removing knobs

**M29** · April 11th, 2006, 05:33 AM

Hello,

Do you guys have any tips on removing the control knobs on the guitar without maring the finish, I want to change the knobs on my LP copy?

Thank you for your time and help.

M29

**warren0728** · April 11th, 2006, 05:35 AM

soft cloth wrapped around pliers?

or just don't think of it as marring the finish...but vintaging (is that a word) it!

ww

**Tim** · April 11th, 2006, 06:03 AM

NO NO! NO pliers. Wrap a handkerchief or simular cloth under and around the knob. Twist the cloth a few times to tighten around the knob and gently lift up. The knob will slide right off. When replacing the knob, place a credit card under the knob when sliding the knob back on. It will leave the correct gap so the knob will not rub on the guitar body.

**warren0728** · April 11th, 2006, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by Tim

NO NO! NO pliers. Wrap a handkerchief or simular cloth under and around the knob. Twist the cloth a few times to tighten around the knob and gently lift up. The knob will slide right off. When replacing the knob, place a credit card under the knob when sliding the knob back on. It will leave the correct gap so the knob will not rub on the guitar body.

then i guess my second choice of a hammer and chisel would be a no no too?

btw...tim you have a pm

ww

Spudman*** · April 11th, 2006, 07:51 AM

I like Tim's advise. No hard, scratchy things to mar the finish or break any plastic. Good one.

**Tone2TheBone** · April 11th, 2006, 08:46 AM

Hey Tim now you've taught me something. Thanks buddy.

**Tim** · April 11th, 2006, 09:26 AM

It's the least I can do in return for the valuable info you all have shared with me. I am glad I can contribute.

**Vinni Smith** · April 11th, 2006, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by warren0728

then i guess my second choice of a hammer and chisel would be a no no too?

btw...tim you have a pm

ww

This works best if you first tie a string around the neck between the nut and the tuners. Then drag the guitar behind your vehicle for approx 1 1/2 city blocks. This will loosen the knobs first so you won't get any nasty chisel marks. I do this all the time with my PRS guitars......

vinni

**warren0728** · April 12th, 2006, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by Vinni Smith

This works best if you first tie a string around the neck between the nut and the tuners. Then drag the guitar behind your vehicle for approx 1 1/2 city blocks. This will loosen the knobs first so you won't get any nasty chisel marks. I do this all the time with my PRS guitars......

vinni

man that's what i love about this forum....
lots of useful information for us all (no matter what our playing level is)

ww

**Tim** · April 12th, 2006, 04:54 AM

Yea, and Vinni stayed on the topic. My question to Vinnie is that we do not have city blocks in my part of the world. Can you convert that into U.S. miles or kilometers? I would not want to do an over kill trying to remove the knobs from my guitars.

duhvoodooman*** · April 12th, 2006, 04:57 AM

Geez, I can't believe nobody has mentioned the discrete use of explosives in this thread. Just a dab will do ya....

**warren0728** · April 12th, 2006, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by duhvoodooman

Geez, I can't believe nobody has mentioned the discrete use of explosives in this thread. Just a dab will do ya....

i like the way you think

duhvoodooman*** · April 12th, 2006, 05:07 AM

Uh-oh. Blatant silliness alert!! We've hijacked another legitimate thread with our communal brand of twisted humor and will probably get yelled at by a forum administrator. Quick, hide behind one of your amphs!

**Tim** · April 12th, 2006, 05:34 AM

You must remember to mention the "removale of knobs" to stay with the theme. That eliminates a hijack thread.

I beleive the use of explosives would most likely melt the plastic knobs, unless you use low impact explosives.

**Bloozcat** · April 12th, 2006, 09:09 AM

Then there's always the two spoon method. You simply pad the top of your guitar around the knob with a folded towel, slip the spoons under the knob on opposing sides, and then "rock" the spoons by gently pushing down on them. The spoons will rock along the radius of the spoon's back side, and the knob will pop off. It's an especially effective method on Strats and the like. The spoons don't mar the pickguards at all...even without the towel.

duhvoodooman*** · April 12th, 2006, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Bloozcat

Then there's always the two spoon method. You simply pad the top of your guitar around the knob with a folded towel, slip the spoons under the knob on opposing sides, and then "rock" the spoons by gently pushing down on them. The spoons will rock along the radius of the spoon's back side, and the knob will pop off. It's an especially effective method on Strats and the like. The spoons don't mar the pickguards at all...even without the towel.

Ooooh, I like that one! Gotta try it the next time I take the knobs off my Strat. Thanks, BC!

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