echose7en Posted October 23 Posted October 23 Can anyone offer up any tips for removing the knobs on my 535? I swear they are glued to the pots. New guitar (July '24).
bolero Posted October 23 Posted October 23 I've put cloth down to protect the top of the gtr, and pried them off by carefully rocking a spoon under the edge, while turning the knob so the pressure works around the knob & doesn't crack it. It should slowly come off.
MartyGrass Posted October 24 Posted October 24 You can buy a plastic tool just for that purpose. https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-maintenance/pullit-knob-puller/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwveK4BhD4ARIsAKy6pMJIfmFmjq6MnC4aAyn_inONG2uOfo7vxJvsJvhZ5rpTUtFUawOzskYaAhwHEALw_wcB 3
Kuz Posted October 24 Posted October 24 Use a thick shoe lace or wrap guitar polishing rag around one side under the pot, then just pull up one side, then the other. They will pop right off.
MartyGrass Posted October 24 Posted October 24 11 hours ago, Heritage1970 said: Try this: I pull a lot of knobs. (keep your mind out of the gutter!) This tools works well without damaging anything. 3
tsp17 Posted October 24 Posted October 24 2 hours ago, MartyGrass said: I pull a lot of knobs. (keep your mind out of the gutter!) This tools works well without damaging anything. +1....me too. this simple device really helps.
lwilliams Posted October 24 Posted October 24 (edited) The shoelace is the secret tool we old guitar techs have used for 50+ years. Sometimes the knob will go flying across the room if it is on really tight, so watch for that. I put reflector knobs on my 535. Looks really great. . Edited October 24 by lwilliams 1
TalismanRich Posted October 24 Posted October 24 I've used the rag trick to pull off the knobs on a few of my guitars. It works fine. Shoelaces would be just as good.
echose7en Posted October 24 Author Posted October 24 (edited) Thanks for all the tips and tricks. My big concern was pulling too hard and cracking the top. I tried the shoelace trick, but that kind of scared me. Then I tried the cloth down + spoon method and was able to get two of them off in about five minutes of gently alternating pressure. I’ll get the other two off later. Thanks again! Edited October 24 by echose7en 1
hinesarchtop Posted October 25 Posted October 25 What Kuz and others have said...a shoelace wrapped around the underside of the knob, followed by a rocking motion and the pop right off with zero finish damage. Beware that they will rocket off the pot shaft! The old polishing cloth is a winner too in place of the shoe string.
rockabilly69 Posted November 8 Posted November 8 (edited) I use the plastic bags I get at the grocery srore. I just slip a bit of it under the knob and pull if it breaks (the bag not the knob), I do it again until it comes loose. It's never failed me. I keep most of the big over the knob just in case it comes flying off! Edited November 8 by rockabilly69
DetroitBlues Posted November 8 Posted November 8 I actually just replaced the knobs on my 2023 H150. I used a clean cloth to go underneath the knob, twist it up a little bit to get a good grip and pull. Took a little time and it worked great. I've always liked the look of the traditional control knobs, but I found for live playing, the speed knobs give me quicker response to the controls. What are you replacing the stock control knobs with?
echose7en Posted November 8 Author Posted November 8 I put the Gibson Black Top Hats w/ Gold inserts on, though the inserts look more silver to my eyes 1/2 the time.
rockabilly69 Posted November 8 Posted November 8 (edited) 3 hours ago, echose7en said: That bridge and tailpiece look great on that one, but I'm not a fan of these newer reflector knobs. The insert looks wrong (wrong font non shiny insert that doesn't reflect right). Here's a set I think would look killer on your guitar and match your hardware, and the yellowed numbers would like great against y our m,aple top... https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/knobs/volume-and-tone-control-knobs/vintage-correct-bell-hat-knobs-black-with-silver-reflector-us-set-of-2/ These are also pretty nice... https://www.crazyparts.de/knobs/knobs--tips-lp-es-new/gibson-style-knobs/premium-series-knobs/vintage-reflector-head-black-silveface-knobs-set-4.ht Edited November 8 by rockabilly69
echose7en Posted November 9 Author Posted November 9 2 hours ago, rockabilly69 said: That bridge and tailpiece look great on that one, but I'm not a fan of these newer reflector knobs. The insert looks wrong (wrong font non shiny insert that doesn't reflect right). Here's a set I think would look killer on your guitar and match your hardware, and the yellowed numbers would like great against y our m,aple top... https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/knobs/volume-and-tone-control-knobs/vintage-correct-bell-hat-knobs-black-with-silver-reflector-us-set-of-2/ These are also pretty nice... https://www.crazyparts.de/knobs/knobs--tips-lp-es-new/gibson-style-knobs/premium-series-knobs/vintage-reflector-head-black-silveface-knobs-set-4.ht Thanks! I’ll check out those links.
DetroitBlues Posted Tuesday at 05:21 PM Posted Tuesday at 05:21 PM On 11/8/2024 at 1:25 PM, echose7en said: Tasty! That's the style I had installed on my 535, except my reflectors were gold.
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