Anybody replaced a tone knob on a G&L Tribute ASAT Special?

So... I was going to replace the volume and tone knobs on my G&L Tribute ASAT. Unlike the knobs on my MIM telecaster that have a screw that can be loosend to remove the knobs there is no access on the ASAT. So I tried to pull off the tone knob with little success (Granted I did not want to give it a hard yank) Then I thought maybe it would unscrew (bad idea). So, now the tone knob is stripped. It still works to adjust the tone but you can continuously turn it. Any ideas on how to fix this situation?

Get a new knob .............you should probably buy a pair. There are all kinds of metal knobs out there and many don't match. grizzly sells some decent knobs for around $4 a pair. Another option........... glue the knob on with E-6000 or Goop Household glue. These glues remain somewhat flexable and you could always remove the knob in the future.

Knobs meant to be turned never screw on.

Just reread your post. Sounds like you already have knobs. Are you saying you screwed up the pot? If so replace the pot.

Is the knob stripped or the pot? Does the pot turn (and stop) normally without the knob on it?

If it's the knob, you need to look for knobs that fit "split shaft" control pots.

If it's the pot, I recommend replacing both pots with solid shaft versions and use some knobs with set screws. I say that because I like the feel of the knurl used on the Fender Tele knobs for the Amer 52 Reissue as well as the shape/knurl of the higher end Gretsch knobs.

From your description you stripped the splines on your tone knob. The safest thing is to replace both the pot and the knob. If there is no set screw, you will have to pull the knob off. I usually use a screw driver as a pry, and twist under the knob. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, as it is easy to mar the control plate finish this way.

You might get lucky. If the knob has a split shaft, and the splines are intact, you can spread the two fingers of the shaft, and get the proper interference fit on your new knob. By your description, your pot still works, just the knob spins at the ends of travel. If this is the case, you have stressed your pot, but you might be able to get but without replacement for now. You will, however, need a new knob either way.

I usually take a pair of pliers, put masking tape on the interior teeth/tips and pull the knob up while rotating the wrench in small circles. less risk of damage by prying. The pot's already going to be replaced so don't worry about damage. If the knob's plastic (and many are) be extra careful about how much pressure you're putting on the knob. Good luck.

THanks for the advice. I'll try to get the knob off tonight. I think that you guys are right and I'll have to replace the pot.

Actually, to me, it sounds like he twisted on it until the nut that tightens around the shaft came loose and the whole pot is turning and the knob is still on the pot. The pot is probably a push-on type and is just on there really tight.

Knob removal

StewMac sells this knob/bushing puller

......http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/3515_1lg.jpg

I don't think it's worth $35 so I built this one.

......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/KnobPuller.jpg

A simple solution is to use a couple of spoons on opposite side of the knob to pry the knob up.

Knob removal

StewMac sells this knob/bushing puller

......http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/3515_1lg.jpg (http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/3515_1lg.jpg)

I don't think it's worth $35 so I built this one.

......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/KnobPuller.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/KnobPuller.jpg)

A simple solution is to use a couple of spoons on opposite side of the knob to pry the knob up.

What did you make the bottom part that actually grips the knob out of?:wink:

I cut a strip of aluminum from an old skylight frame. The one from StewMac actually doesn't have the cutaway on the side. I read about adding it in a tip somewhere.

If you don't already know this, you can get good tight bends in sheet metal by clamping the metal between two pieces of wood and hammering it square. The top is a fender washer glued to a larger washer with JB-Weld.

The pulling tools are cool but you're still putting pressure on the finished wood...that can lead to dents if you're not careful...

In this particular case we're talking about an ASAT Special. The puller would be sitting on the metal control plate. On a Strat it would be sitting on the pickguard.............same with Tele Thinlines.

On a guitar with knobs mounted through the body, you can just put soft wood pieces between the puller and the body.

On knobs without a set screw, like Strats and Gibsons, I work the edge of a t-shirt around the edge of the knob, and pull straight up. So far, it's worked every time.