knob not fitting alpha pot

[vtpcnk]

i just replaced the pots on my tele (mini hb with standard tele bridge) with a couple of 375k alpha pots ( http://www.darrenriley.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1883 ).

but funnily the original knobs (from warmoth) i had on the original CTS pots don't fit the shafts on the alpha ones!

what is happening? is this usual?

 

[OzziePete]

There is no 'standard' thread size for the pot shafts (altho most are 3/8") and many knobs won't fit other than what they were specifically built for. Imperial measurements (ie: 3/8") as opposed to Metric adds to the problem, as many pots made outside of the USA are in metric measurement. The shaft design also can be a problem with having knobs to fit (solid shaft vs. split shaft). As Warmoth don't stock the Alpha Pots you highlighted, they just sold knobs that matched the ones they sell. Maybe Darren Riley can sell you some matcing knobs?

 

[Unwound G]

If my memory serves me well, Warmoth can machine the knobs wider on request.  I am not sure if this is still offered.

Gregg or Eric, can you please confirm ?

 

[mayfly]

I've had this issue on every Tele I've made.

I just drill out the knobs using a drill press.  Make sure you clamp that knob well and in a way that does not mar it, and have at it with an appropriate twist drill.  Please use cutting oil and go slow.  Oh - remove the setscrew before doing this

 

[vtpcnk]

is this in anyway related to the difference between split and solid shafts? i notice in guitarpartsresource they have seperate knobs for each.

and mayfly, i have no such skill or equipment to do what you suggest :-(

 

[bob7point7]

Usually the split shaft pots have a knurled shaft that is meant for knobs that have a plastic center and just push on. Solid shaft pots usually have a smooth shaft and require knobs that have a set screw to hold them in place. On top of this, there are metric and English sized pot shafts. The metric pots are usually 6mm, while the English are usually 1/4", which is equal to 6.35mm. My guess is that your new alpha pots have a 1/4" shaft. If you're not comfortable drilling out your knobs, I'd suggest buying new ones.

Stewmac has tele knobs for 1/4" shaft with a set screw: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Dome_knobs/Dome_Knob.html

The guitarpartsresource knobs for solid shaft 1/4" pots should also work.

 

[Wyliee]

If my memory serves me well, Warmoth can machine the knobs wider on request.  I am not sure if this is still offered.

Gregg or Eric, can you please confirm ?

Nope.  I don't recall Warmoth ever doing custom machining.  Sorry.

 

[simple]

If my memory serves me well, Warmoth can machine the knobs wider on request.  I am not sure if this is still offered.

Gregg or Eric, can you please confirm ?

You're right, there was a time and a certain instance when we would do that. It was to make one of our knobs fit with one of our potentiometers. We don't do it any longer. Not sure why it never comes up anymore but the issue just faded away. Good memory UG.

 

[Wyliee]

If my memory serves me well, Warmoth can machine the knobs wider on request.  I am not sure if this is still offered.

Gregg or Eric, can you please confirm ?

You're right, there was a time and a certain instance when we would do that. It was to make one of our knobs fit with one of our potentiometers. We don't do it any longer. Not sure why it never comes up anymore but the issue just faded away. Good memory UG.

Doh.  I just got burned by my own team!!!

 

[simple]

If my memory serves me well, Warmoth can machine the knobs wider on request.  I am not sure if this is still offered.

Gregg or Eric, can you please confirm ?

You're right, there was a time and a certain instance when we would do that. It was to make one of our knobs fit with one of our potentiometers. We don't do it any longer. Not sure why it never comes up anymore but the issue just faded away. Good memory UG.

Doh.  I just got burned by my own team!!!

Whoops, sorry. Just thinking out loud. Actually Eric, the last time we did one probably predates your employment with Warmoth so how would you have known?  

 

[Unwound G]

You should appoint me as Warmoth Historian starting from the time of Boogie Bodies but my memory is slowly fading in my old age.... :laughing3: :laughing3: :laughing3:

 

[OzziePete]

You should appoint me as Warmoth Historian starting from the time of Boogie Bodies but my memory is slowly fading in my old age.... :laughing3: :laughing3: :laughing3:

Q (serious): Was Boogie Bodies around before Randall Smith decided to call his juiced up small combos Mesa Boogies?

 

[Unwound G]

Randall Smith founded Mesa amps and his breakthrough model was the Boogie which came out in early 1970.  The amp was basically a Fender Princeton modded to Bassman Tweed specs.  Boogie Body Guitars began commercially around late 70s when Jim Warmoth and Lynn Ellsworth made replacement guitar bodies and necks.  Subsequently, Warmoth and Ellsworth split up where Warmoth kept the turtle logo and Ellsworth kept the Boogie Body name.

 

[vtpcnk]

any idea if the tele knobs that warmoth sells are 6mm shaft or 1/4" shaft?

http://www.warmoth.com/Flat-Top-Knob-Chrome-P370C824.aspx

appreciate the feedback.

 

[simple]

The mounting holes inside diameter is 5.86 mm (.229 inches).

 

[vtpcnk]

The mounting holes inside diameter is 5.86 mm (.229 inches).

so would that mean 6mm than 1/4" ? as i can see only these two measurements in stewmac or guitarpartsresource.

appreciate the feedback.

 

[simple]

Those shaft sizes are larger than the holes in our knobs.