Best way to remove Les Paul knobs?

[lgehrig4]

Anyone know of any tricks to remove the knobs from an LP? The last time I had to do this, they were on so tight I ended up cracking one.

Are there any tools that lift these up evenly so that you aren't applying too much pressure to one side? I wire my own pickups and RS kits, but I almost want to pay someone for this reason alone.

[Tim Plains]

Use a cloth, I use a J-cloth, and put it under the knob, put the two corners of the cloth together, twist them together, then lift. Lift with both hands.

[rrhea]

I use a credit card and a flat head screw driver. Work one side carefully with the screwdriver pushing up on the knob from underneath (protecting the finish with the card) and pull up on the other side with your fingers.

I have heard of people using old tennis shoe strings wrapped under the knobs to pull them off.

RR

[George Johnson]

I prefer a spoon over the screwdriver. :worried

Rock it!

[tbp0701]

While not on a Les Paul, I've removed similar knobs by putting down a cloth then using two spoons.

[lgehrig4]

Thanks for the tips. I'm always worried about scratching/chipping the top so I'll try the cloth/shoestring methods first.

[billywade]

Stewmac sells this one. Might be overkill but my bro has one and it works as advertised.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Special_tools_for:_Electronics.html

[buckwild]

Use a shoelace. Wrap it around a few times and pull up

[mike-t]

I've used a fork, the round part acts as a pivot and doesn't hurt the finish.

[stratman89]

I like the shoe lace technique.

[shane88]

string

[Sterling#Sound]

Use a cloth, I use a J-cloth, and put it under the knob, put the two corners of the cloth together, twist them together, then lift. Lift with both hands.

+1 this is how it was tought to me by repairmen

[pedalcr8z]

A Jeep ought to do!:jo:)

[lgehrig4]

Stewmac sells this one. Might be overkill but my bro has one and it works as advertised.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Special_tools_for:_Electronics.html

Now thats what I'm talking about! Wouldn't spend $44 for one, but now that I see it I'm going to make one.

[FourT6and2]

Get a plastic grocery bag. Take the "handles" part and criss-cross them over/under the knob. Twist the bag a number of times so the handles lock in place. Gently pull upwards.

[GibbyFan]

I feel your pain. I just chipped a nice amber knob on an LP Classic this last week. One of those "Ugh" moments. Be gentle and don't get in a hurry. :nuts

[lgehrig4]

Get a plastic grocery bag. Take the "handles" part and criss-cross them over/under the knob. Twist the bag a number of times so the handles lock in place. Gently pull upwards.


I'll have to respectfully disagree about the "gentle" part. The knobs on my R7 felt like they were glued on.

[FourT6and2]

I'll have to respectfully disagree about the "gentle" part. The knobs on my R7 felt like they were glued on.

:nuts You knew what I meant. Just be careful is all I'm saying. :facepalm

[FractalGarden]

The tophats are pretty much cemented on. There was no "gentle" about getting them off.

[tjmicsak]

Tee shirt wrapped under the hat and then lifted. No contact or pressure on the surface whatsoever as it may "dent" mark an imprint alot easier than you think even with a card or "pad". Just try and balance the tension of the material on both sides of the knob as you pull up.