Les Paul Knob Pointers

RaymondLin

My Gibson strangely never came with one, I found that Thomann sells them (even aged ones), are there anything to look out for when fitting them and removing the knobs?

https://www.thomann.de/gb/gibson_ppkp_059_knob_pointers_nickel.htm

johnl

Nothing to look out for really - it's a very straightforward process. Take the knob off, put the pointer on, put the knob back on - if the knob doesn't come off easily I tend to use a couple of spoons on top of a towel for leverage.

RaymondLin

johnl said:

Nothing to look out for really - it's a very straightforward process. Take the knob off, put the pointer on, put the knob back on - if the knob doesn't come off easily I tend to use a couple of spoons on top of a towel for leverage.

How are they held down in place without spinning?

JerkMoans

Not an answer to the questions I know, but while these look great, whenever I've had them I ALWAYS end up impaling/tearing chunks out of the ball of my thumb on the things.

Then, if you'd heard me play, the lack of coordination/dexterity would probably make perfect sense.

johnl

RaymondLin said:

johnl said:

Nothing to look out for really - it's a very straightforward process. Take the knob off, put the pointer on, put the knob back on - if the knob doesn't come off easily I tend to use a couple of spoons on top of a towel for leverage.

How are they held down in place without spinning?

The pointers? They're held down by the same nut that holds the pot in place.

roberty

They're cool but they're sharp. I have drawn blood on more than one occasion

kossofffan

Worth taking the rear cavity plate off before pushing the knobs on, to apply equal pressure to the back of the pot with your thumb to prevent pushing the shaft through the base plate.
Not that I've done that
well only once!

fretfinder

I believe you can buy them with rounded as opposed to sharp points if you want to remove the gashing risk. Although I’ve been using Gibson’s with sharp pointers for over 30 years and never stabbed myself yet! 

ICBM

roberty said:

They're cool but they're sharp. I have drawn blood on more than one occasion

+1. AKA "Thumb Rippers". I would avoid them, personally.

kossofffan said:

Worth taking the rear cavity plate off before pushing the knobs on, to apply equal pressure to the back of the pot with your thumb to prevent pushing the shaft through the base plate.
Not that I've done that
well only once!

*Always* take the cover plate off, both to prevent that and to stop the pot turning round and breaking the leg off the tone cap.

They are tricky to hold in just the right position while you tighten the nut and hold the pot still on the inside.

skunkwerx

I popped some very low tack (it was masking tape I ran over my t shirt a few times) to indicate where i want the pointer to point on the guitar body. Whilst the knob was still on. 

Removed the knob, undo the nut, hold the back of pot try not to let it move. 

Pop pointer on, pop nut back on, keep holding pot, finger tighten it, then put the knob back on just so it bites the grooves on the shaft to make sure its number still lines up with the pointer, then whilst holding pot from back tighten with spanner. 

Can also just do one knob at a time, eyeballing it per say. 

johnl

ICBM said:

roberty said:

They're cool but they're sharp. I have drawn blood on more than one occasion

+1. AKA "Thumb Rippers". I would avoid them, personally.

kossofffan said:

Worth taking the rear cavity plate off before pushing the knobs on, to apply equal pressure to the back of the pot with your thumb to prevent pushing the shaft through the base plate.
Not that I've done that
well only once!

*Always* take the cover plate off, both to prevent that and to stop the pot turning round and breaking the leg off the tone cap.

They are tricky to hold in just the right position while you tighten the nut and hold the pot still on the inside.

Well *now* I have to take my cover plate off to see if I've broken anything....

RandallFlagg

kossofffan said:

Worth taking the rear cavity plate off before pushing the knobs on, to apply equal pressure to the back of the pot with your thumb to prevent pushing the shaft through the base plate.
Not that I've done that
well only once!

I pulled the shaft out of a pot on an R8 when trying to get the knob off a while back...much to the mirth of this forum.

JerkMoans

RandallFlagg said:

kossofffan said:

Worth taking the rear cavity plate off before pushing the knobs on, to apply equal pressure to the back of the pot with your thumb to prevent pushing the shaft through the base plate.
Not that I've done that
well only once!

I pulled the shaft out of a pot on an R8 when trying to get the knob off a while back...much to the mirth of this forum.

I’m sure your plight was met with sympathy and helpful remedial suggestions, in equal measure.

markj

Bought my Gibson ones from Amazon. Faber makes them and they’re cheaper.

veldt666

I have removed loads of these, "Thumb Rippers", from my Gibson's over the years. P.M me your address & I'll send you some, F.O.C.

JerkMoans

Then again, if anyone wishes to point at a 'Les Paul Knob', I'll PM you details of my next jam sesh.

markj

Glued to music sell them in Nickel. £1.60 each.

RaymondLin

veldt666 said:

I have removed loads of these, "Thumb Rippers", from my Gibson's over the years. P.M me your address & I'll send you some, F.O.C.

Thanks, that would be fantastic!

robgilmo

Thanks guys, now Im gassing for pointers, where do you get the none sharp pointy ones?

SteveRobinson

I would say AllParts but they are out of stock of course

JerkMoans

robgilmo said:

Thanks guys, now Im gassing for pointers, where do you get the none sharp pointy ones?

Me too! I’m so bleedin’ suggestible