Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement

HDuncan · 12-14-2008, 03:11 AM

I just got an epi studio and I noticed that the tone/volume knobs rotate with different amounts of resistance compared to each other...

is this normal, and is there any way I can fix it?

Akahito · 12-14-2008, 07:14 AM

It's normal: The stock pots are cheap and low-quality. You can change them to better ones, and while you're at it rewire the whole guitar, it's not a big deal. It's not unusual that people redo the electronics and re-make all grounding to a guitar upon aquiring. CTS pots are good, so are MIA Gibson; New Gibson pots are MIC, OK pots as is, but there are better ones out there.

HDuncan · 12-14-2008, 12:15 PM

Are the knob tops glued on or can I pop them off somehow and change them if I want a different looking knob?

lp_junkie · 12-14-2008, 12:23 PM

they are not glued on, they just slip onto a splined shaft.

So for imports (Epi's etc.) you get course splined knobs, for Gibson or USA aftermarket pots you need knobs for fine splines.

So yes they are replaceable, I do it to all my guitars.

MesaBoogie · 12-14-2008, 12:41 PM

No, they aren't, just try to wiggle 'em off gently

diceman · 12-14-2008, 01:21 PM

Don't rock them side to side too much, though - for the most part its strait off the top.

Akahito · 12-14-2008, 01:31 PM

The knobs can be a little tight though, so if you can't get a good grip on them, (usual with bell knobs, speed knobs are easier to pull) slide something underneath the knob and lift GENTLY upward. You don't want to break the knobs.

diceman · 12-14-2008, 01:58 PM

Some guys use a cloth which they wrap around the underside of the knob so that it lifts evenly. Others use a plastic grocery bag - loop the handles under the knobs (handles criscrossed) and lift.

JoelmBenge · 12-14-2008, 07:01 PM

I didn't have a problem getting mine off. But I cracked one straight through putting it back on. Haha.

There was a hairline crack when I got it anyhow, so I don't expect they're all that fragile. Just be careful.

LEFTY LES · 12-14-2008, 07:11 PM

Check it out man. This is how I get them off. I use a t-shirt

dont have to worry about scratching your finish, breaking your knobs or anything. They come right off with a little ummph!!

JoelmBenge · 12-14-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEFTY LES

Check it out man. This is how I get them off. I use a t-shirt

Yeah, but is a left-handed t-shirt compatible with a right-handed guitar?

LEFTY LES · 12-14-2008, 08:01 PM

well of course not joe, you have to get the right t-shirts man. I didnt think I had to tell you guys that. Jeeze

HDuncan · 12-15-2008, 12:05 AM

perfect, thanks everyone... Today I was setting it up (intonation etc) and I made the mistake of lowering the pups too far to where the bolt came out of the threaded pup tray!! That took forever.. I pried the pup back up and then had to get the screw back in and threaded with that spring fighting me... I didn't want to restring it.. Hah

Sky · 12-15-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoelmBenge

Yeah, but is a left-handed t-shirt compatible with a right-handed guitar?

12-14-2008, 03:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
HDuncan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement I just got an epi studio and I noticed that the tone/volume knobs rotate with different amounts of resistance compared to each other... is this normal, and is there any way I can fix it?

12-14-2008, 12:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
HDuncan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement Are the knob tops glued on or can I pop them off somehow and change them if I want a different looking knob?

12-14-2008, 12:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
lp_junkie Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 10,561 Thanks: 66 Thanked 238 Times in 53 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement they are not glued on, they just slip onto a splined shaft. So for imports (Epi's etc.) you get course splined knobs, for Gibson or USA aftermarket pots you need knobs for fine splines. So yes they are replaceable, I do it to all my guitars. __________________ --------------------------------------------------- Shane Just a guitar bum...........

12-14-2008, 12:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
MesaBoogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,406 Thanks: 36 Thanked 26 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement No, they aren't, just try to wiggle 'em off gently __________________ Was an unlucky child...was abandoned at the doorstep...by my foster-parents...

12-14-2008, 01:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 29,930 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 419 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement Don't rock them side to side too much, though - for the most part its strait off the top.

Today
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12-14-2008, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 29,930 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 419 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement Some guys use a cloth which they wrap around the underside of the knob so that it lifts evenly. Others use a plastic grocery bag - loop the handles under the knobs (handles criscrossed) and lift.

12-14-2008, 07:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
JoelmBenge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 291 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 1 Post	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement I didn't have a problem getting mine off. But I cracked one straight through putting it back on. Haha. There was a hairline crack when I got it anyhow, so I don't expect they're all that fragile. Just be careful. __________________ Guitar: Honeyburst '89 Epi LP Std Plus Top Amp: This little Piggynose went Weeee Weee WEEEE! http://thinkinganddriving.com

12-14-2008, 07:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
LEFTY LES Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,658 Thanks: 96 Thanked 154 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement Check it out man. This is how I get them off. I use a t-shirt dont have to worry about scratching your finish, breaking your knobs or anything. They come right off with a little ummph!! __________________ She promised and she vowed that she never would deceive me But the devil's in the women for they never can be easy

12-14-2008, 08:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
LEFTY LES Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,658 Thanks: 96 Thanked 154 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement well of course not joe, you have to get the right t-shirts man. I didnt think I had to tell you guys that. Jeeze __________________ She promised and she vowed that she never would deceive me But the devil's in the women for they never can be easy

12-15-2008, 12:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
HDuncan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Inconsistency in Knob Resistance/Movement perfect, thanks everyone... Today I was setting it up (intonation etc) and I made the mistake of lowering the pups too far to where the bolt came out of the threaded pup tray!! That took forever.. I pried the pup back up and then had to get the screw back in and threaded with that spring fighting me... I didn't want to restring it.. Hah

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