Knobs and Pots

[HearHear]

Newbie question for the experts- Will removing the knobs on a Les Paul damage the pots? I have a '59 reissue I'm tinkering around with.

 

[lpfan1980]

Not if you are careful-ive seen people use a pice of shettor rag to ease them up gently and avoid the thumb bleeders.

 

[lpfan1980]

A piece of SHEET i meant to say -cloth .

 

[Elrathia]

Or a shoelace

 

[Roxy13]

I actually have one of the little plastic knob pullers because I change the harnesses in all my guitars and often do it for other people. I haven't yet damaged a pot. Maybe I should knock on wood now or something....

 

[jkes01]

I actually have one of the little plastic knob pullers because I change the harnesses in all my guitars and often do it for other people. I haven't yet damaged a pot. Maybe I should knock on wood now or something....

I have one of those black plastic Allparts ones and broke it on the 3rd use. I use a microfiber cloth now.

I have also pulled shafts right out without much effort. Now when I put new knobs on, I put a little “guitar grease” on a toothpick and go around the inside of the knob. Makes removing them much easier without making them too loose.

 

[Roxy13]

I have one of those black plastic Allparts ones and broke it on the 3rd use. I use a microfiber cloth now.

I have also pulled shafts right out without much effort. Now when I put new knobs on, I put a little “guitar grease” on a toothpick and go around the inside of the knob. Makes removing them much easier without making them too loose.

That's the same one I have and I've used it more than 40 times.

 

[jkes01]

That's the same one I have and I've used it more than 40 times.

Roxy, to be fair I broke it on a smaller diameter Tele style knob.

 

[Roxy13]

Roxy, to be fair I broke it on a smaller diameter Tele style knob.

I've only used it on one strat so far. I have to say I really like it because I feel like it makes it easier for me to pull straight up and in control compared to a cloth or shoelace.

 

[lpfan1980]

All good ideas just dont yank the knob-might break the pot.

 

[madmusicltd]

old leather belt with a slot

 

[LPTDMSV]

My no-tool technique is gentle wiggling combined with some pulling will often get them off when a straight pull just won't. Patience over brute force.

Putting them back on after a good clean, I have found that a smear of candle wax on the splines is good for stopping them getting stuck again.