Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've noticed that when I look at pictures of vintage Rickenbackers one of the features that I think is pretty striking are the oven knobs.

I got hold of a couple sets of these and put them on a few of my favorite guitars.

I put a brown/gold set on my 2008 660 AFG, and a black/silver set on my lightshow conversion (custom made by the man himself, our own Paul W. ).

I like it! I thought I'd see what my fellow forumites thought.

Should I keep 'em on or go back to the more traditional knob set?

I vote no on the LS but yes on the 660, with a smidge of reservation on the latter, for purely historical reasons. It's a bit of a right-left brain clash thing, otherwise I love the oven knobs with gold trim.

The oven knobs seem to blend better with gold guards, like your 660, the old Capri's, etc.

If you like them, keep 'em on.

Scastles wrote:The oven knobs seem to blend better with gold guards, like your 660, the old Capri's, etc.

+1


Yea on the 660, nay on the LS...

I'm in agreement with this...although I am sorta waffling on the LS, because the bit of black and chrome looks good with the JG paint and all that swirly stuff.

Putting oven knobs on my own '04 MB 660/12 was the first Rick mod I ever did, back in 12/04. They're still on. My 381V69's got 'em, too.

The 660 is a really beautiful colour and the oven knobs do look right with the honey toned vintage vibe.

goofyfoot wrote:Oven knobs are utilitarian for me. Don't really consider whether they match this or that. They're just easier to rotate on the fly. My 2¢.....G-foot.

Good point! I find that is true for me too. They are very easy to operate. I don't have to wrap my fingers around them, but just touch the little raised diamond with a fingertip

I've never used oven knobs before I bought these, and like I said before, I got them because of the way they look; but you guys are right, they are easy to use. Bonus!

It's nice when something that looks good on a guitar is actually functional too.

Thanks for all of the input. I agree about the 660, with its' gold guards, having more of the "classic" look.

As for the LS conversion, I think the knobs look better in person than they do in my pictures. I'm not the best photographer.

That being said, I'm going try them on a few other guitars. It's an easy mod with no permanent changes required so why not?

In their original context, oven knobs are meant to be easy to turn when you have shortening all over your hands ...

You could even try 'em on a stove or two.

kiramdear wrote:In their original context, oven knobs are meant to be easy to turn when you have shortening all over your hands ...

Kira, now you tell me! I'm pointin' my compass towards the supermarket, scoring some Crisco, and THEN playin' my Ric. {:=)

Dan --- how long have you had that LightShow model ???
Please, show us more detailed pictres...
Regards

Not to take away from Dan's pleasure at posting pictures of his pride and joy, here's a whole bunch of photos showing Dan's and some others in construction, and alongside a couple of original LSs from 1970.

Password on both albums is rick46812

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v693/ ... TATE%20LS/

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v693/ ... SHOWS%205/