Guitar Gear Forum

What's the best way to remove knobs from a Gibson Les Paul without hurting the finish? I tried pulling them off but they are on there good and tight. I'm specifically talking about the top hat knobs there is even less to grab onto than the full size knobs.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Damian

with something to protect the finish (cardboard, etc.). Work your way around slowly, a little bit at a time.

Take a bandana or any cloth that you can slide under the knob and wrap it around the pot shaft and pull up, you want the bandana spread evenly around the knob and bring the excess over the knob so you can pull it up evenly

Aaah - good one - I forgot all about that one!!

I just wrapped them in packing tape, and then used the part of the packing tape sticking up to pull. Worked great.

primeholy wrote:Semen

Is there a reason for being a d**k?

Yes, it is.

This > http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... anner.html

Works perfectly and is excellent to place under the knob when installing new ones. Keeps you from pushing the knobs too close to the body.

dooredge wrote:This > http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... anner.html

Works perfectly and is excellent to place under the knob when installing new ones. Keeps you from pushing the knobs too close to the body.

This item and the knob puller from above look like really useful additions to the tool kit.

I'll have to try the bandana trick too.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I've read that shoelaces work well

I use a shoestring; slide it under the knob and wrap it around a couple times, then slowly and gently pull up. Done!

I use an old credit card. You just stick it under, pull it up and then spin the knob and it pops it off.

facefirst wrote:I use an old credit card. You just stick it under, pull it up and then spin the knob and it pops it off.

That's an interesting one! I'll keep that one in mind for next time. Thanks!

rock flag and eagle wrote:Take a bandana or any cloth that you can slide under the knob and wrap it around the pot shaft and pull up, you want the bandana spread evenly around the knob and bring the excess over the knob so you can pull it up evenly

My preferred method!

the cloth trick works every time .

I ended up getting the stew mac knob puller. Probably didn't "need" it, but had some random other stuff to order so picked it up. It works GREAT. A little quicker/easier than the t-shirt trick.

Just make sure when you put them back on, you support the back of the pot directly. I have pushed the shaft right through the pot before, trying to get them on.

mamberg wrote:Just make sure when you put them back on, you support the back of the pot directly. I have pushed the shaft right through the pot before, trying to get them on.

Thanks! I hadn't thought about that part of it yet. I appreciate the advice.

Damian

yeah - me either - I re-wired a guitar - soldered all the pots/switch/pickups - put the cover plate back on the control cavity - and went to put the knobs on.
First two went on fine - third one was a bit tougher - pushing it on, all of a sudden the shaft just went into the guitar.
I think I screwed up the fourth one too (slow learner) - opened up the control cavity, and the pots were separated, the back had been pushed off the pots.
Luckily I was able to push them back together, and re-bend the little tabs that hold them closed - they are still working fine!
Lesson learned though........

Wow - never heard of pushing the shaft through the back of the pot, but I guess that makes sense.