Strat volume and tone knob removal?

[Tonechaser007]

I just installed a pre-assembled pick-up pickguard on my strat and was pulling off the plastic pickguard protector, however some of the plastic is stuck under the volume and tone knobs. My question is what is the best way to remove those knobs without prying them off and damaging the new knob or the new pickguard?

[xzzy]

Get a piece of string, wrap it under the knob, and pull. String will break before you damage the knobs. Will take some tugging though.. you got no leverage working for you, and those knobs can be pretty tight.

[RussB]

two teaspoons used a levers 180 degrees apart to pry up the knob

[9fingers]

A butterknife flat against the pickguard with the edge under the knob, with a file card or some thin cardboard under it to protect the pickguard. Tilt the knife a bit to pry up, rotate the knob & pry a bit more, rotate & do again until it is off.

[khromo231]

If you're in or near San Diego PM me and you can swing by. I'll remove them for you. I have a dedicated tool and it will take less than a minute for all three!

[bluesjunior]

two teaspoons used a levers 180 degrees apart to pry up the knob

+1 on the spoons method, very safe, very simple and absolutely no chance of damaging anything, but I bet Stewmac have a tool that costs $100 which is "better".:munch

[xzzy]

The problem with spoons is that metal is always going to be harder than plastic.. which means if you slip at all, the plastic is gonna get scratched.

It's harder than hell to get those knobs off with a piece of string, but at least I know it won't scratch anything.

[joeybsyc]

If you can't take off a pair of strat knobs with 2 spoons without messing anything up you shouldn't be working on your guitar to begin with. Just wiggle both spoons at the same time and they'll come right off, no damage, no worries... guaranteed.

[RussB]

If you can't take off a pair of strat knobs with 2 spoons without messing anything up you shouldn't be working on your guitar to begin with. Just wiggle both spoons at the same time and they'll come right off, no damage, no worries... guaranteed.


10-4


I've been doing it that way for 30 years, and yet to damage anything


I've never tried string, and will never attempt the butta knife

[shane88]

i still like the string theory ;) that's wot i do

[Bob V]

When you need a tool, the first place to look is not the kitchen cutlery drawer.

I only say that for the guy with the butterknife. :boxer The spoons actually work very well. A plastic grocery bag handle can work also.