Another poker chip thread...

[MusiquedeReve]

I purchased my first Gibson last month and am in love with it

However, that does not mean I am not trying to "bling" it out by replacing the poker chip with a chrome one to match the rest of the hardware (I already added a chrome truss rod cover and, although I purchased an All Parts chrome pick guard, it did not fit properly so that is being returned)

So, I just got the poker chip in and want to remove the Gibson installed one and replace it with the chrome one - here is where I cannot figure out the best way to do it

I have searched and see that some poker chips are glued down - I have also searched and watched videos where there is merely a nut to remove - however, on mine, it seems like there is a thumbwheel around the switch and, try as I might to turn it with my fingers, it will not budge

What would be the best way to remove the old poker chip and replace with the new without damaging the guitar or the switch?

Tools I have at my disposal:

pliers
wrench
Music Nomad spanner wrench
screwdrivers
hammer (lol)


Thank you to MLP as always

 

[Juan Wayne]

I use one of those spanners (Stewmac ESP, same thing) and not only does it work great, it won't scratch anything underneath.

 

[ArchEtech]

Take the back cover plate off so you can hold it in place.

If you can’t budge it with your fingers it can be kind of a pain. Others might have some bright ideas.

I’ve put masking tape down on the top, about 6” diameter around the toggle. Then I’ve used a needle nose with tape wrapped around the teeth to ease it. I’ve never not been able to carefully remove it in this way. If it’s too tight to remove it this way I’m not sure what I would do, probably leave it!

Perhaps using some kind of freeing agent underneath would work but you need to be super careful what you use and how because many of them will not play well with nitro.

 

[MusiquedeReve]

I use one of those spanners (Stewmac ESP, same thing) and not only does it work great, it won't scratch anything underneath.

Take the back cover plate off so you can hold it in place.

If you can’t budge it with your fingers it can be kind of a pain. Others might have some bright ideas.

I’ve put masking tape down on the top, about 6” diameter around the toggle. Then I’ve used a needle nose with tape wrapped around the teeth to ease it. I’ve never not been able to carefully remove it in this way. If it’s too tight to remove it this way I’m not sure what I would do, probably leave it!

Perhaps using some kind of freeing agent underneath would work but you need to be super careful what you use and how because many of them will not play well with nitro.

I will wrap the spanner in a microfiber cloth - hopefully that prevents any marks on the body

 

[Juan Wayne]

I will wrap the spanner in a microfiber cloth - hopefully that prevents any marks on the body

Even without cloth it should be fine, it's designed not to scratch (at least the Stewmac one is), but it won't hurt either.

 

[MusiquedeReve]

Even without cloth it should be fine, it's designed not to scratch (at least the Stewmac one is), but it won't hurt either.

While it might be designed not to slip, it has not been in my hands yet LOL

 

[Peter M]

Take the back cover plate off so you can hold it in place.

This. Do all the turning / loosening needed from inside the control cavity, not on the face of the guitar. Gently brace the switch tip side washer with your fingers while gently turning the connector part in the cavity. If you can't do it by hand, use pliers to gently grasp and turn the connector part, to loosen.

Note the keyword is gently.

 

[MusiquedeReve]

This. Do all the turning / loosening needed from inside the control cavity, not on the face of the guitar. Gently brace the switch tip side washer with your fingers while gently turning the connector part in the cavity. If you can't do it by hand, use pliers to gently grasp and turn the connector part, to loosen.

Note the keyword is gently.

Ohhhh, so don't use the spanner? I am afraid of turning the connector too hard

 

[Peter M]

Ohhhh, so don't use the spanner? I am afraid of turning the connector too hard

I never have. But hey...use whatever you feel comfortable using.

 

[gevalt]

I think a cloth over your grip will work if you rotate the switch in the opposite direction

 

[Roxy13]

The Music Nomad spanner has soft material on the back of it. Since I have both that one and the ESP one I use the MN one for switches and the ESP one works better on adjusting bridge thumbwheels.

You can hold the base of your switch while you unscrew the nut and screw it back in after but don't grab it by the sides or you will probably bend the leaves.

I never peel off the adhesive back on the plastic poker chips so I wouldn't worry about it not having adhesive.

 

[Roxy13]

Here you go, guys. I've changed out dozens of switches with this thing and the microfiber back is nice for that.

MusicNomad Premium Spanner Wrench with Microfiber Backing

Spanner Wrench for Electric Guitar, with Microfiber Backing

www.sweetwater.com

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

I use one of those spanners (Stewmac ESP, same thing) and not only does it work great, it won't scratch anything underneath.

Same for me, those spanners are GREAT! But, I put felt on the bottom side of mine first, just to make sure it was 100% safe. Nitro is an unforgiving mistress. You have to be extra careful!

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

Here you go, guys. I've changed out dozens of switches with this thing and the microfiber back is nice for that.

MusicNomad Premium Spanner Wrench with Microfiber Backing

Spanner Wrench for Electric Guitar, with Microfiber Backing

www.sweetwater.com

That is the exact one I bought! Except, I added a thin layer of felt underneath mine as a buffer, just in case...

 

[MusiquedeReve]

Here you go, guys. I've changed out dozens of switches with this thing and the microfiber back is nice for that.

MusicNomad Premium Spanner Wrench with Microfiber Backing

Spanner Wrench for Electric Guitar, with Microfiber Backing

www.sweetwater.com

That is the one I ordered on Amazon yesterday - should be here this afternoon

 

[Christosterone]

Metallic poker chips rule…my es(avatar) has a gold one…and a silver studio with a nickel one that rocks

ive never had trouble untwisting them but I always hold the switch and wires from the back with my hand so I don’t accidentally spin them too

pliers and cheese cloth have worked for me every time

and I likely have every nut on earth in my parts drawer as I’ve tried em all…from gnarled gold to smooth nickel to black oxide

-chris

 

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

set switch to bridge, use angle grinder to take off poker chip and switch. nobody ever uses any other pickup anyway

 

[MusiquedeReve]

The MN spanner tool came in, I applied the microfiber backing, opened the back plate on the LP and held it in place while using the spanner, removed the old poker chip and put the new one on

What's next...me doing my own guitar setup?

Thank you all!

 

[smk506]

I’ve goobered more projects by trying to wrap tools in towels than I’ve saved with that method. If anything I’ll put a little masking tape on plier jaws to avoid scratching.

 

[WillyW]