Replacing knobs

[jakeox]

Here's a possibly idiotic question for you all: how do you take off and install knobs? It seems my repair guy put the wrong knobs on the wrong bass (I had him swap pickguards between two basses and then swap back, so I can see how this got missed), and I imagine I should be able to handle swapping the knobs back on my own. There's a little flathead screw in the side of each knob: do I just loosen this and pull off? Then pop the new one on and tighten the screw? I tried, and wasn't having much luck loosening the screws, but I didn't want to force anything without being sure.

I tried searching for info, but apparently everyone but me already knows how to do this.

[jps]

You answered your own question! Follow your own directions and you are good to go.

[jakeox]

You answered your own question! Follow your own directions and you are good to go.

Thank you for confirmation. I would delete this thread in embarrassment, but I'll leave it for future reference for myself.

[whojamfan]

Don't feel bad, the slots for the screws are very narrow and easy to think you are in and not, so it may have not seemed to be working. Glad you got ot sortes out.

[johnallg]

They're pulling your leg, Jake. Use a claw hammer.

[heads for the hills]

[qwezirider]

Don't be ridiculous. Use the right tool for the job.
















Everyone knows the claw hammer is only good for truss rod adjustments.

[ricardo_vicente]

Here's a possibly idiotic question for you all: how do you take off and install knobs? It seems my repair guy put the wrong knobs on the wrong bass (I had him swap pickguards between two basses and then swap back, so I can see how this got missed), and I imagine I should be able to handle swapping the knobs back on my own. There's a little flathead screw in the side of each knob: do I just loosen this and pull off? Then pop the new one on and tighten the screw? I tried, and wasn't having much luck loosening the screws, but I didn't want to force anything without being sure.

I tried searching for info, but apparently everyone but me already knows how to do this.

No need to feel embarrassed, Jake. I recently took my new 330/12 to my luthier for him to re-align the knobs (they were all pointing in different directions when).
I explained that I had tried carefully to pluck the knobs from the shafts but didn't want to force it and do any damage.
Bearing in mind I have been playing my other Rick (330/6) for over three years, I really shouldn't have been surprised to see him first look bemused and then grab his screwdriver.
Now that's worth one of these smilies:

[jakeox]

You know, I can build computers from scratch, change my own oil, assemble the most complicated European flatpack furniture without the directions, etc., etc. I do my own taxes, am drawing up plans for a kitchen renovation, and will leap blindly into any home improvement project and figure it out as I go, and yet I'm a total wimp when it comes to messing with my basses. Right now my ceiling is replacing bridges/tuners, and doing setups that just aren't as nice as what my luthier does, but I'm improving.

Baby steps, right?

[doctorwho]

Yep, and with experience comes confidence.

[johnallg]

Yep, and with experience comes confidence.

+1

[bassassin]

Yep, and with experience comes confidence.

So true. I'd say it's worth picking up a cheap junker bass just for the experience of taking it apart & finding out what makes it tick, then putting it back together again to see if it still works! When you come to work on your "proper" basses, everything will be much less daunting & more straightforward.

Jon.

[qwezirider]

Or...just slap a 5th string in there and you'll really gain some confidence!

[leftyguitars]

Here in the UK we have a special thing for replacing knobs, it's called a general election.

[jakeox]

Here in the UK we have a special thing for replacing knobs, it's called a general election.

And just like this, you're replacing the knobs with ... knobs. Eh?

[jakeox]

Hopefully a less idiotic question -- anyone have any tips for getting the knobs to line up with each other? For example, when they're all up to 10, making sure they are all pointing the same direction. I eyeballed it but my OCD tendencies got the better of me and it took me a long time to be satisfied with the way they line up.

I know I'm not the only one here with a touch of OCD.

(And no, we're not talking about the elected kind of knobs. I know that folks over in the UK have a fondness for queuing, so I'm sure it's easy to get that kind to line up with each other.)