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Removing A Stuck Cavity Cover From Your Guitar, Thoughts?

Discussion in 'Tele-Technical' started by CCK1, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. Feb 25, 2021 #1
    CCK1

    CCK1 Tele-Meister

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    Not exactly Telecaster specific, but I saw this video on one of my YouTube feeds. I have a 1996 CS Les Paul that I would like to replace the harness in, but that cover has not been off since it left the factory, and it is tight! My concern would be that his method would damage the cover due to the temperature of the glue.
     
  2. Feb 25, 2021 #2
    fjblair

    fjblair Tele-Holic

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    That does seem heavy handed. Would a strong suction cup or two not work?
     
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  3. Feb 25, 2021 #3
    CCK1

    CCK1 Tele-Meister

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    I tried the suction cup part of the mount for a Garmin GPS (remember those?) and I gave up for fear I was pulling too hard and would either break the cover, or rip off a chunk of lacquer. The cover on this Les Paul is sort of unique, and original to the guitar and I think it would be hard to difficult to replace.
     
  4. Feb 25, 2021 #4
    Viejo

    Viejo Tele-Afflicted Silver Supporter

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    Stick a small screwdriver in the screw hole and gently rock it back and forth prying the cover sideways until the cover breaks loose
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2021
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  5. Feb 25, 2021 #5
    J. Bonkosky

    J. Bonkosky Tele-Meister Silver Supporter

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    Use compressed air and blow into the crack between the cover and the body. Sometimes blowing through a coffee stir straw is enough.
     
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  6. Feb 25, 2021 #6
    Telecentric

    Telecentric Tele-Holic

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    Maybe don't leave covers on for 25 years in the first place? I do too much tinkering for this to ever be an issue.
     
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  7. Feb 25, 2021 #7
    Informal

    Informal Tele-Afflicted

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    I would just put a slightly oversized screw in a few holes... and pull.

    If that didn't work, I wouldn't care if it broke, they are easily replaced... even if it's a slightly odd size, you have the pieces to make a template.
     
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  8. Feb 25, 2021 #8
    medownsouth

    medownsouth Tele-Holic Gold Supporter

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    plastic razor blade
     
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  9. Feb 25, 2021 #9
    guitarmojo

    guitarmojo TDPRI Member

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    I usually use dental picks for tasks like this. find one that will hook into a screw hole and pull gently.
     
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  10. Feb 25, 2021 #10
    old wrench

    old wrench Friend of Leo's

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    This works well, but make sure the hooked end is pointed towards the center of the cavity.

    The covers are weak on the outside edge of the screw hole and easily broken.

    Also be careful when you put the cover back on and tighten the screws. Use a gentle touch; if you snug the screws up too much the cover will crack right at the outside of the screw hole.

    .
     
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  11. Feb 25, 2021 #11
    Dismalhead

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    This is what I do. Don't pry from the outside or you could bend or ding the paint.
     
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  12. Feb 25, 2021 #12
    dogmeat

    dogmeat Friend of Leo's

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    I didn't watch it all but that was my 1st thought if normal methods have failed. they use hot glue to pull dents out on car bodies. the glue cleans off with alcohol
     
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  13. Feb 25, 2021 #13
    Collin D Plonker

    Collin D Plonker Tele-Afflicted

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    I have dental picks in my shop. I go into tge screw hole and catch the bottom of the cover.
     
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  14. Feb 26, 2021 #14
    CCK1

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    This would be the best case, really. The guitar was made in 1996, I bought it in 2013, and it was previously owned by a collector that only had it out of the case a few times to show it, so I was 17 years behind when I bought it. It still has that "new Gibson" smell.
     
  15. Feb 26, 2021 #15
    Peegoo

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    For hard cases like this where a suction cup is a no-go, I remove one of the pot knobs, remove the mounting nut, and drop the pot into the cavity.

    Then I poke a 1/4” dowel through the hole and gently push the plate off.
     
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