Can't find abalone Tele knobs to fit USA Tele!

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jjkrause84

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OK, based on advice in the other thread I did a search around but can't find abalone-topped knobs that fit American (6.35) pot shafts....anyone know of any?
 

KevinB

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All the ones I've ever seen have been made by Q-Parts in the far east and distributed by various suppliers.

And they're all for 6mm shafts.

Sorry :cry:
 

KevinB

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StewMac? Nope.

They sell the Q-Parts stuff. As do WD Music and Guitar Parts Resource.

Although I did just notice this on the Q-Parts website...


"KNOB INSTALLATION GUIDE

Q-Parts custom guitar knobs are designed to retrofit all imported and USA-made electric and bass guitars. A detachable brass sleeve is pre-installed. For guitars with American 1/4 inch shaft pots, please remove sleeve using a flat screwdriver or Allen wrench (provided with the knobs)."


Maybe the OP's knobs came with a sleeve that can be removed?
 

mickeydean

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i have been through the same problem.

it's easier just to change pots than to find the right damn knobs.

(don't get me started on switch tips)
 

jjkrause84

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StewMac? Nope.

They sell the Q-Parts stuff. As do WD Music and Guitar Parts Resource.

Although I did just notice this on the Q-Parts website...


"KNOB INSTALLATION GUIDE

Q-Parts custom guitar knobs are designed to retrofit all imported and USA-made electric and bass guitars. A detachable brass sleeve is pre-installed. For guitars with American 1/4 inch shaft pots, please remove sleeve using a flat screwdriver or Allen wrench (provided with the knobs)."


Maybe the OP's knobs came with a sleeve that can be removed?

Hmmm...great find!

I don't know if mine are Q-parts. In any case no allen wrench was included. In any case I looked and I sure as hell can't find no sleeve. The good news is I can go get "normal" Q-parts knobs now and feel safe.

Now, has anyone used Q-parts kobs? How do they feel? The abalone knobs I have now are a little slick which really bothers me (then again they cost 4 quid).

Thanks, again man....you've just helped the Tripscaster come alive! (pictures when I get back from Nice)
 

bender-freak

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the abalone topped tele knobs i have certainly didn't have a detachable sleeve, but it was a simple fix by clamping the knobs in a bench vise between two blocks of wood so the sides wouldn't get scratched up and also the wood kept the knob from slipping around as i used a "snubbed" drill bit and a buddy's drill press to ream the hole out. worked like a champ and took longer to cinch the knobs down in the vise than it did to drill the holes bigger. find a drill bit that fits the hole tightly but still goes in and can be removed easily, then just use the next size bigger bit,; i have one that was broken and i "snubbed" the jagged end down flat and keep it in my set-up tool kit just for that purpose.
 

mellecaster

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the abalone topped tele knobs i have certainly didn't have a detachable sleeve, but it was a simple fix by clamping the knobs in a bench vise between two blocks of wood so the sides wouldn't get scratched up and also the wood kept the knob from slipping around as i used a "snubbed" drill bit and a buddy's drill press to ream the hole out. worked like a champ and took longer to cinch the knobs down in the vise than it did to drill the holes bigger. find a drill bit that fits the hole tightly but still goes in and can be removed easily, then just use the next size bigger bit,; i have one that was broken and i "snubbed" the jagged end down flat and keep it in my set-up tool kit just for that purpose.

Exactly...can also be done with a hand held drill chuck and progressive size bits up to the 1/4" size, with some WD 40 as lubricant...C'mon Guys...it ain't exactly Rocket Science...it's a smaller hole in fairly soft Brass that needs to be reamed out larger.
 

jjkrause84

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Exactly...can also be done with a hand held drill chuck and progressive size bits up to the 1/4" size, with some WD 40 as lubricant...C'mon Guys...it ain't exactly Rocket Science...it's a smaller hole in fairly soft Brass that needs to be reamed out larger.

Look, man....I go to school.....

image removed

;)


In all seriousness though I don't have ANY of the requisite tools and don't feel liek buying them right now. Maybe at some point in the future.
 

Bones

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Look, man....I go to school.....

image removed

;)


In all seriousness though I don't have ANY of the requisite tools and don't feel liek buying them right now. Maybe at some point in the future.

There must be a machine shop around you, bring your knobs and a couple pints and surely a machinist would be glad to help out a young hip guitar player like yourself. These guys love to tinker with stuff like this, they usually end up over-engineering the solution, but they usually will help you.
 

octatonic

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Look, man....I go to school.....

image removed

;)


In all seriousness though I don't have ANY of the requisite tools and don't feel liek buying them right now. Maybe at some point in the future.

I can drill them out for you if you need me to do it.
I'm in Acton, West London.

PM me if you want me to do it.
I even have the pot knobs- I had them on a guitar that I eventually put Callahan knobs on.

Otherwise you will have to swap the pots out.
 
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