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Top Hat knob problem


android13

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My LP Standard has the Top Hat knobs.

 

I've tried taking the knobs off, and it's hard.

Also, when I accomplished it, I could see a crack running through the inside of the knob.

 

Does anyone know how to take off/replace knobs without breaking them?

 

Thanks.

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I can't guarantee the knobs won't break but here's what I do. Get a short length of bell wire (or light duty lighting flex the kind where there are two lengths of wire running parallel to each other with a groove down the middle), cut a slit in the groove, pull the cable apart wide enough to fit over and under the knob, pull the wire straight up and it should come off in a straight pull. This has always worked for me, no problem.

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Great methods so far.....

 

What I have always done is use a cloth wipe from my guitar. I typically use cloth baby diapers in each guitar case for wiping down after playing and such. I just slide one side of the diaper under the knob and make sure to wrap around the knob, then I just pull up and the knobs always just slide right off safely.

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Great methods so far.....

 

What I have always done is use a cloth wipe from my guitar. I typically use cloth baby diapers in each guitar case for wiping down after playing and such. I just slide one side of the diaper under the knob and make sure to wrap around the knob' date=' then I just pull up and the knobs always just slide right off safely. [/quote']

 

Yep, that's how I do it. :-k

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Truth be told, I just use my fingers ..... but I have nails of steel and the strength of ten men,,,,,,[biggrin] Seriously, though, I've never had a problem removing them manually, but the ideas presented are sound. I've also heard of folks using plastic grocery bags - wrap the "handles" around/under the knob and pull up. If the knob on there is the correct knob for the pot, it shouldn't be all THAT hard to get 'em off.... or I've been lucky with the fit of mine, past and present.

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Great methods so far.....

 

What I have always done is use a cloth wipe from my guitar. I typically use cloth baby diapers in each guitar case for wiping down after playing and such. I just slide one side of the diaper under the knob and make sure to wrap around the knob' date=' then I just pull up and the knobs always just slide right off safely. [/quote']

 

Mine is really hard to take off, but this pretty much works.

 

Thanks. You're a lifesaver.:)

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One more method:

 

Place a cloth towel of two on the guitar to protect the surface. Then take two teaspoons and slide the tips under the knob. Alternately rock the two spoons and work that stubborn little bastard right off the post!

 

Jim

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They can be very tight - while removing the tone knob from my LP Special II the shaft from the pot came away as well!

Oops!

7C

 

They can be very tight?

That's what she s-

nevermind.

 

Wow' date=' the shaft came off?

(okay, I don't mean that as an innuendo, [biggrin I'm genuinely surprised.)

 

then again, the LP Special is pretty much the cheapest Epiphone there is.

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They can be very tight?

That's what she s-

nevermind.

 

Wow' date=' the shaft came off?

(okay, I don't mean that as an innuendo, [biggrin I'm genuinely surprised.)

 

then again, the LP Special is pretty much the cheapest Epiphone there is.

 

I use my fingers or dental floss like Rich said.

The LP Special is a cheap guitar bt that doesn't mean that they are bad. That makes it an excellent platform for learning and also allows for some killer mods too!

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  • 2 months later...
I can't guarantee the knobs won't break but here's what I do. Get a short length of bell wire (or light duty lighting flex the kind where there are two lengths of wire running parallel to each other with a groove down the middle)' date=' cut a slit in the groove, pull the cable apart wide enough to fit over and under the knob, pull the wire straight up and it should come off in a straight pull. This has always worked for me, no problem.[/quote']

 

THIS is the post that came up on a Google search and led to my joining this forum. Thank you jonnyg!#-o The other methods mentioned in this and similar threads (using a polishing cloth, string, spoons, etc.) are also very good. However, this particular method (using what we call "lamp cord" here in the States) worked wonderfully when I changed the knobs on my new LP Standard.

 

OAG

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They can be very tight?

That's what she s-

nevermind.

 

Wow' date=' the shaft came off?

(okay, I don't mean that as an innuendo, #-o I'm genuinely surprised.)

 

then again, the LP Special is pretty much the cheapest Epiphone there is.[/quote']

 

This happened to me with my SG Prophecy GX which isn't one of the cheapest Epiphones. I had to replace the push-pull pot because the shaft came out with the knob still attached. To get the knob off of the shaft I had to put the shaft in a vice between 2 pieces of wood and pry it off.

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Stainless steel barbecue fork sitting on a duster, slide the tines under the knob and push down gently. Gives an even lift and takes no effort even for those stubborn little gits - appliance of the fulcrum effect!

 

I once saw a guy use a mini crowbar directly on the body - arrrrggggghhhh!

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If I had to do it often (which I don't), or if I had very expensive or rare guitars I would definitely invest the $$ in this tool from Stew-Mac

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Electronics,_pickups/Knob_and_Bushing_Puller.html?tab=Pictures#details

 

Probably the safest way for hollow and semi-hollow bodies as well due to the wood being rather thin around the pots.

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