1953 Les Paul...Can you fix a knob that spins?

[Gibsongt]

My 1953 Les Paul has the short barrel knobs. One of the volume knobs has worn out and it can now spin. The threads on the inside of the knob have worn down and are pretty smooth. I would like to continue to use this knob, and was wondering if anyone has ever had this problem, and if they were able to repair the knob. If you have a solution, please let me know. Thanks for your help! Charlie

 

[hogy]

My 1953 Les Paul has the short barrel knobs. One of the volume knobs has worn out and it can now spin. The threads on the inside of the knob have worn down and are pretty smooth. I would like to continue to use this knob, and was wondering if anyone has ever had this problem, and if they were able to repair the knob. If you have a solution, please let me know. Thanks for your help! Charlie

Teflon plumber's tape.

 

[MapleFlame]

Coat the inside with the thick version of crazy glue/Cyanoacrylate. Apply it evenly and sparse at first.

 

[Fence Man]

My 1953 Les Paul has the short barrel knobs. One of the volume knobs has worn out and it can now spin. The threads on the inside of the knob have worn down and are pretty smooth. I would like to continue to use this knob, and was wondering if anyone has ever had this problem, and if they were able to repair the knob. If you have a solution, please let me know. Thanks for your help! Charlie

The only modification ever made to Grandpa's 56' custom...... A paper match under a knob to snug it up. He said that was in about 58' or 59' when he "fixed" it, and I've never known it to be loose.

 

[Gibsongt]

Coat the inside with the thick version of crazy glue/Cyanoacrylate. Apply it evenly and sparse at first.

This worked great! The only thing I would add, is that you can easily put it on too thick. What I thought was sparse, made a big difference, and is now very snug. I am all set for my Thursday Gig! Thanks for the help!

 

[hogy]

This worked great! The only thing I would add, is that you can easily put it on too thick. What I thought was sparse, made a big difference, and is now very snug. I am all set for my Thursday Gig! Thanks for the help!

Permanent solution to a temporary problem. Hope you never have to take the pot out to disassemble and clean it, or lube the shaft...

 

[MapleFlame]

Permanent solution to a temporary problem. Hope you never have to take the pot out to disassemble and clean it, or lube the shaft...

I don't think you get what I was driving at. After applying the glue, let it dry until solid, then put on the shaft. I should have been more specific. It works great and will come off when needed.

 

[Gibsongt]

I don't think you get what I was driving at. After applying the glue, let it dry until solid, then put on the shaft. I should have been more specific. It works great and will come off when needed.

I did let it dry first. I put the Super Glue on the tip of a tooth pick and applied it evenly inside the knob a couple of times. After drying an hour or so, it went on pretty snug, and I had to apply a bit of pressure to get to the right height. Maybe I made a high spot or put on a tad more than I needed. I am happy with the results. Thanks MapleFlame!

 

[Tom Wittrock]

I did let it dry first. I put the Super Glue on the tip of a tooth pick and applied it evenly inside the knob a couple of times. After drying an hour or so, it went on pretty snug, and I had to apply a bit of pressure to get to the right height. Maybe I made a high spot or put on a tad more than I needed. I am happy with the results. Thanks MapleFlame!

Anyone doing this, be careful you don't break the knob by pushing on it. :ganz

 

[MapleFlame]

I did let it dry first. I put the Super Glue on the tip of a tooth pick and applied it evenly inside the knob a couple of times. After drying an hour or so, it went on pretty snug, and I had to apply a bit of pressure to get to the right height. Maybe I made a high spot or put on a tad more than I needed. I am happy with the results. Thanks MapleFlame!

I was redirecting to the negative post. I'm glad it worked for you. Now show us some pictures of your guitar :dude:

 

[Gibsongt]

I hope the link works!

 

[Patek]

Great thread, my 53 has a spinner too

I need to take it somewhere in london for a full service as i dare not touch anything on it even though i usually do my own setup

- spinning tone knob

- E and A string tuners are extremely tight and the A specifically drops when you tune it up then you have to tune it up and down several times to get the sweet spot. overall the tuners are too tight

- input jack feels solid however it is caving in, i'm always gentle however i'm worried that one day it will just crumble away; potentially replace the jack plate for daily play (however i am also nervous that removing it might also cause damage)

- replace original bridge with mojoaxe, as the intonation on distorted chords in the middle/upper register struggle a bit with the intonation. on lower and open chords intonation is almost perfect but has that sort of raunchy 1 cent out intonation of 60s rock tones, probably cool for some but i prefer more 80s perfect definition so i think the mojoaxe will help with that.

- neck pickup needs shimming up, there is quite a heavy imbalance especially on clean tones and the neck really overpowers the bridge

everything else is great and original

 

[MapleFlame]

I hope the link works!

Cool:yah