How to remove/replace knobs on a Les Paul?

[gunsnroses98]

Well, Yahoo!Answers was doing absolutely nothing for me so I finally decided to get a mylespaul.com account and ask questions here. This is my first thread so yea... Anyway, I have an Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Plus with push/pull gold speed knobs. I want to replace those with amber top hat bell knobs. Yes, I know speed knobs are much easier to manage than top hat bell knobs, but it doesn't matter because I usually just put my knobs at one position and rarely turn them. I don't know which ones to buy. Do I need to buy knobs that are meant specifically for Les Pauls with push/pull pots or will any Les Paul knobs work? Also, are there any guitar stores that will do it for me? I'll post a picture of a Tribute Plus (not my actual one because it hasn't arrived yet).

 

[Tweaker]

Try a piece of yarn or floss...loop it under the knob and pull up carefully. Should start coming off, to the point where you could probably use your fingers.

But basic answer...the knobs just pull off. So any way you can think of to pull them off should eventually do the trick.

 

[HOT-BRIT]

A shoelace under the knob to pull it off

 

[MCAN]

Do I need to buy knobs that are meant specifically for Les Pauls with push/pull pots or will any Les Paul knobs work?

Any knob will do, as long as they match the threads of your push/pull pots (metric vs imperial. I'd assume the pots will be metric but check that out to be sure.)
You do not need special knobs for a push/pull, just make sure they are on the new pots securely. Those buggers like to pop off.

 

[NovaSDF]

A great method that works for me is to slide a piece of fabric (an old t-shirt works awesome or a thin dish towel) and then twist it around the knob. Pull up with an even pressure. The best part about this method is that the knob will be held by the fabric so it won't go flying across the room. Works awesome!

As for replacement knobs, since you have an Epiphone the knobs are metric. The Gibson knobs will be too big, as the shafts of the pots are a little bit bigger in diameter. Anything out of Asia is metric parts (including bridge posts.)

This, of course, assumes the pots are stock (which they will be if the guitar is new.) A lot of people upgrade their wiring and end up using American Standard pots (in which case Gibson knobs will fit.)

 

[braxxen]

I use a peice of duct tape wrapped around the knob them just pull it off. worls great

 

[River]

I think you're Truman Capote.

Prove me wrong.

 

[Lowdown]

Lever up with a spoon while turning. Just make sure you place a cloth or piece of foam under the spoon.

 

[anthem1]

use a shoe lace....

 

[Tanqueray]

Shoelaces work like a charm. Except my cats keep attacking them while I'm trying to work.

 

[Janno]

Am I the only one who just uses my fingers? Not a very pleasant thing to do though.

 

[capt_goodvibes]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuGc83-F_Wk]How to remove an electric guitar knob without prying - YouTube[/ame]

 

[wwit]

I use the dish towel method.

 

[Fuelish]

I dunno....I've always been able to get them off with my fingers...but I do have the strength of 10 men, and all

 

[M A D]

I use the dish towel method.

...I too - works fine.... in the past.

Now I´ve bought this one... and it´s very cool, if you often change knobs, or need to change electrics etc. this is a good tool. easy, stress free and harmless.

http://www.allparts.com/Knob-Puller-Tool-p/LT-1401-023.htm

 

[X–Ray]

<snip>

slide a piece of fabric (an old t-shirt works awesome or a thin dish towel) and then twist it around the knob. Pull up with an even pressure. The best part about this method is that the knob will be held by the fabric so it won't go flying across the room

<snip>

works like a charm, every time

good luck

;~)

 

[River]

Shoelaces work like a charm. Except my cats keep attacking them while I'm trying to work.

Changing strings is fun, ain't it? I always have a minimum of two "helpers", which makes it take three times as long.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[gunsnroses98]

I think you're Truman Capote.

Prove me wrong.

I have no idea who that is or what that has to do with anything...

 

[Alex Moody]

Jab at them with a large rusty screwdriver would be my advice.

 

[Electric Funeral]

Jab at them with a large rusty screwdriver would be my advice.

dude, that sounds pretty racist.

I don't know how Gene would like that sort of behavior.