Gibson Knobs SOLVED

[Structo]

I recently got some amber Top Hat knobs for my LP.

It came with the gold speed knobs which I don't really care for.

Here's the problem, when I try to fit the new knobs on, there is a big gap between the body
and bottom of the knob.

The speed knobs have the shaft socket somewhat recessed so it
can get closer to the body.

But the Top Hat shaft socket is flush with the bottom of the knob and seems to bottom out
before the knob gets close.

If I had to guesstimate, I would say there is close to a 1/4" gap between knob and body.
Are the Top Hat knobs supposed to have the pointer indicator mounted to the pot?
I don't have those.

The pots are all pretty much adjusted as low as they can go.

I'm afraid to drill out the knob or do anything that is going to damage the pots or knobs.

These are genuine Gibson knobs.

Any ideas?

Anybody ever run into this?

Top Hat
[img:500:375]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BHHZ3kwEL.jpg[/img]

Speed knobs
[img:270:270]http://www.marshallup.com/images/cache/ ... ls.270.gif[/img]

[Structo]

Just checked Stew Mac and this picture caught my eye.

So they are a meant to be a mile off the guitar body?

[img:440:330]http://www.stewmac.com/product_images/2 ... nob_sm.jpg[/img]

Apparently there are knobs with different insert heights.

The one on the left is a speed knob like what I have.

The middle one is one that has a recessed insert.

The one on the right is like what I got from AES.

It does sort of look like the middle one has coarse knurling like import pots have.

[img:450:600]http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members ... op-hat.jpg[/img]

[Colossal]

On my new R9 which has amber top hats, there is a significant distance between the bottom of the knob skirt and the body of the guitar, much more so than any other guitar I have or have owned. It's not immediately apparent from looking at a photo of a Les Paul but when you see it, it's like, oh, those knobs are quite a ways off the body and floating on the shaft. Look like little mushrooms.

[NickC]

They don't call 'em "Top Hats" for nothing fellas.

[xtian]

That's so you can install push-pull pots in every one of the controls.

The top hat knobs on my SG sit nearly flush with the body.

[randalp3000]

I put a 15/16" drill bit in my vice and twist the knob onto it. And sometimes I put a small strip of masking tape on the shaft if I over do it. I've seen quite a few old Gibsons with black humbucker tape on the pot shafts.

[Structo]

I thought of that but the middle doesn't allow the knob to sit down low.
It has to be able to sit down over the shaft and nut so the skirt is about 1/16" or so above the body.

I tried lowering that with a large drill bit by hand but it is difficult to do without damaging the knob.

I really like the amber top hats but it sucks that they don't sit down flush with the body.

[xtian]

Can you lower the pots? I mean, is there any extra threaded shaft showing above the nut?

[Structo]

Very little thread left on top.
Besides this LP has that metal ground plate that the pots are mounted to, so not an easy operation to lower them any more.

I think I may be able to lower the shaft insert with a large drill bit like Randy mentioned, but it will be slow going.

If these knobs could be clamped down or put in a vise it would be easy.
But since they are a bell top hat style, the skirt is way too thin to clamp.

[Cantplay]

If the shaft Iis bottoming in the hole recessing the back will do nothing. You'd have to shorten the shaft too.

find some flanged nuts, like what tuners use, and you can shim the pots lower.

john

[drew]

If I had to guesstimate, I would say there is close to a 1/4" gap between knob and body.
Are the Top Hat knobs supposed to have the pointer indicator mounted to the pot?
I don't have those.

The knobs on my ES330 have the pointers, and the space between the rim of the knob and the guitar body is about 3/16"

[Reeltarded]

They are supposed to be really high. Looks like a mushroom with a long stalk.

[HeeBGB]

From the thread title I thought this was going to be about the "Knobs" running Gibson Musical Instruments. LOL!

In any case mine sit a lil high but it doesn't bother me when I play.

[Structo]

Maybe the Top Hat knobs are meant to use with the pointers?
But after looking at vintage LP's including '59 Bursts, the Top Hats usually have the pointer thingy as well.

I agree they probably are more usable if they are a bit higher.
Better for tactile response.

But, ever since I started building guitars, mainly Fender clones, I always hated that look when the knobs were 1/4" off the deck.

I really like how the vintage amber top hats look on my LP due to the finish on the front.
The finish and the knobs complement each other.

I will continue to try to lower them.

But even if I fail, the gold speed knobs don't look that bad.

It seems the Epiphone Top Hats have the shaft insert recessed.

But they are Asian pots and have the coarse knurling (18) verses the VTS fine knurling (24)

[Reeltarded]

Lowest and highest