Push/pull tone knob coil split - knob keeps coming off

[Markdude]

Hey guys,

 

I recently got my PRS CE-22 modded so that the 5-way selector knob was replaced with a 3-way toggle switch, and the tone knob has a push/pull pot that splits the coils. It's been working great, but recently, the knob has started to come off of the pot every time I pull up. Of course, I've tried pulling more gently, but the knob has become so loose that it comes off of the pot even with pretty minimal force. It's just a standard speed knob and the pot is from an RS Guitarworks kit. Is there anything I can put on the pot so that the knob stays on tighter?

[Woody_in_MN]

I'm hoping I understand the question right - but assuming I do...

 

You s/b able to pry the stem from the tone pot apart a little bit to make it a little wider so the knob will stay on. But you need to be very cautious when you do this as the metal is very soft and you can easily break the metal if you use much force at all. This must be done very gingerly.

[Steadfastly]

You could just stop pulling up on it.:):poke::)

 

Seriously, if spreading the spline doesn't work, I would put some kind of adhesive on the shaft to make it slightly larger around so you would get more of a snug fit.

[cratz2]

I usually just use metal knobs with a set screw for push/pull applications. But yeah... I'd imagine a fairly mild adhesive should work. Nothing permanent though.

[jshaffer20]

I have been having the same problem. Maybe try stretching a piece of plastic over the shaft and pushing the knob down on it? Like saran wrap or something. That might tighten it up enough to keep it on.

[WRGKMC]

In some cases a littel dab of hot glue works but you should spread the shaft as others mentioned or get a knob with a set screw. You could also get a push/push pot.

[jak83]

I'd try teflon tape. It works wonders on screw-in trem bars.

[dabbler]

You could just stop pulling up on it. :):poke: :) Seriously, if spreading the spline doesn't work, I would put some kind of adhesive on the shaft to make it slightly larger around so you would get more of a snug fit.

 

Hmmm, not sure I like that idea, opening the split shaft a little always works for me. But one other thing that I have heard of people doing, which I like better than the adhesive idea, is taking a strip of paper narrow enough to fin in the split folding folding it over enough times to push the splines out a little before wedging it in. The shafts are soft metal and don't make the best springs, paper doesn't compress much and so it provides a little more consistent force on the knob. Again, I've never done it, but I do beleive that it works.

[undergod12]

Here's how I've solved the problem of a loose push-pull: Get some wax paper from your kitchen and cut a piece small enough that it will not touch the guitar when folded over the shaft. Press the knob down onto the shaft over the wax paper, clean any debris, and you should be good to go. You should be rewarded with a nice, crisp, solid-feeling push-pull. It will take a good amount of force to remove the knob but, unlike using glue or other adhesives, you can remove the knob if you ever need to in the future.

[A_Gitarman]

Hmmm, not sure I like that idea, opening the split shaft a little always works for me. But one other thing that I have heard of people doing, which I like better than the adhesive idea, is taking a strip of paper narrow enough to fin in the split folding folding it over enough times to push the splines out a little before wedging it in. The shafts are soft metal and don't make the best springs, paper doesn't compress much and so it provides a little more consistent force on the knob. Again, I've never done it, but I do beleive that it works.

 

I've done the paper trick many times in the past & uncovered many a piece of paper wedged inside the shafts of old secondhand guitars. It works fine.

 

I've also destroyed a few pots by attempting to push the tabs apart with a screwdriver

 

As mentioned above, though, the BEST solution is a metal knob with a set screw.