Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a VVT mod on one Laredo and would like to mod the other to VT/VT BUT I want "normal" sized knobs. I don't like the super tall knobs. Ideally I would like the height to be the same as the factory with a wide groove between the top and bottom knob. I am a 99% home studio player so ease of use and speed are not an issue.

Any suggestions?

I had the same worry but I went ahead with tall knobs and now I don't even notice any difference. You're talking a few cm at most.

More like a few mm...

OK, I measured my tall stacked knobs I put on my 4004Cii, the tall ones are about 0.9 inches or 23mm tall, the original knobs are 0.6 inches or 15mm. So yeah, they are taller, by 0.3 inches or about 8mm, not really enough to make a difference.

Now, for looks, I'd prefer to have stacked knobs where upper and lower were the same diameter, but the "usual" ones look pretty good too...

cjj wrote:Now, for looks, I'd prefer to have stacked knobs where upper and lower were the same diameter, but the "usual" ones look pretty good too...

That is what I am after, low profie AND same diameters. Basically a stock knob split into an upper and lower knob. Time to hit the machine shop I guess.

tmossman wrote:

cjj wrote:Now, for looks, I'd prefer to have stacked knobs where upper and lower were the same diameter, but the "usual" ones look pretty good too...

That is what I am after, low profie AND same diameters. Basically a stock knob split into an upper and lower knob. Time to hit the machine shop I guess.

If you find some, let me know!

It would certainly be possible to have some custom made, but likely very expensive, especially if you want a nice surface finish and plating...

All stacked knobs I've ever seen were with the larger diameter lower knob. While looking, I did find these, which are really cool:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitarknobs_wood.htm

johnallg wrote:All stacked knobs I've ever seen were with the larger diameter lower knob. While looking, I did find these, which are really cool:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitarknobs_wood.htm

Thanks John! Not what I was looking for but, I ordered several pairs since it will be much easier to prototype in wood than metal. Now I can determine the ideal sizing, transfer dimensions into an autocad drawing and have what I want made.

tmossman wrote:

johnallg wrote:All stacked knobs I've ever seen were with the larger diameter lower knob. While looking, I did find these, which are really cool:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitarknobs_wood.htm

Thanks John! Not what I was looking for but, I ordered several pairs since it will be much easier to prototype in wood than metal. Now I can determine the ideal sizing, transfer dimensions into an autocad drawing and have what I want made.

Yeah, I've considered getting a light wood set for my 4004C and cutting them in half, then drilling out the bottom half to fit the concentric pot and use those.

Very good idea, Todd and John.

Todd, So your final result will still be chrome or gold plated metal knobs? That would be really cool!

Todd, solve the gold wearing off problem by making your knobs out of solid 24k gold!

johnallg wrote:Todd, solve the gold wearing off problem by making your knobs out of solid 24k gold!

Nah, 24k is too soft. 18k would be just fine...


Actually, a heavy (thick) gold plate will last too, but most stuff is plated very thin to get the look without the cost.

cjj wrote:

johnallg wrote:Todd, solve the gold wearing off problem by making your knobs out of solid 24k gold!

Nah, 24k is too soft. 18k would be just fine...


Actually, a heavy (thick) gold plate will last too, but most stuff is plated very thin to get the look without the cost.

Laredo = chrome gentlemen.

tmossman wrote:

cjj wrote:

johnallg wrote:Todd, solve the gold wearing off problem by making your knobs out of solid 24k gold!

Nah, 24k is too soft. 18k would be just fine...


Actually, a heavy (thick) gold plate will last too, but most stuff is plated very thin to get the look without the cost.

Laredo = chrome gentlemen.

True, true. But since I have officially inserted a bit of thread drift towards the 4004Cii by mentioning the fact that I did the stacked knob mod on mine, a gold plating discussion is fair game. Not that you need to worry about it...

tmossman wrote:

cjj wrote:

johnallg wrote:Todd, solve the gold wearing off problem by making your knobs out of solid 24k gold!

Nah, 24k is too soft. 18k would be just fine...


Actually, a heavy (thick) gold plate will last too, but most stuff is plated very thin to get the look without the cost.

Laredo = chrome gentlemen.

Make them out of solid platinum then.