Help me add indicators to my knobs!

[mmbongo]

Looking for some tips from painters on how to add indicators to my knobs. I have these:



Something as simple as just a white dot on top would be fine, I'm just not sure the best way to go about it so it doesn't look like crap. I've thought about something as simple as a Silver Sharpie which I should be able to get perfectly round (I don't want just a splatter on there) with the aid of a circle template. I'm just not sure it would last, though. Would it be a good idea to do this, then spray a clear coat over it?

I'm just thinking out loud here, I'd love to hear your ideas!

[line6man]

Why do you need indicator dots if you have a set screw?

[Blake Bass]

I used liquid paper..but it looked like crap..but it didn't bother me.

[C.Linton]

Carefully drill a small hole with a 1/16" bit,(using a pin vise preferably over an electric drill, better control that way) barely drilling just to the point where the hole is 1/16" in diameter, but only about 1/32" deep, and then drop in just about enough white paint to fill the hole, carefully wiping away any excess while still wet. After it dries, it will be impossible to wipe off, no need for a protective overcoat,

[eyeballkid]

or.. you can just buy different knobs.. maybe even the same knobs with indicators... and put em on and it might cost ya $20

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

or.. you can just buy different knobs.. maybe even the same knobs with indicators... and put em on and it might cost ya $20

Actually I just bought these knobs. I looked for about a week and never found a chrome knob with black acrylic top with an indicator so I had to choose...black top or indicator. I chose black top because I figured it would be easier to add some sort of indicator than to put an acylic inlay on a chrome knob

I like the 'drill a hole' idea, but I'll proabably screw that up!

How about some little 'dots' that could be glued to the knob?

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by line6man

Why do you need indicator dots if you have a set screw?

I guess it could be used as a crude indicator, but you'd never see it unless it's straight up, or turned just a hair either way.

[pica]

Not sure how well this would work but you can buy sheets of colored dot stickers at any office supply store. May look pretty cheesy though. Just a thought.

[darkstorm]

I use the mini fretboard marker dots by fretlord. I found I didnt like the bump feel of useing them on the side of fretbaord as theyre made for. I use the regular size ones for top of fretboard markers and the mini dot ones for knobs and so forth. Your right set screw on side isnt reasonable visible for use as ref for quick go to known setting area. http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ers?sku=421659

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Carefully drill a small hole with a 1/16" bit,(using a pin vise preferably over an electric drill, better control that way) barely drilling just to the point where the hole is 1/16" in diameter, but only about 1/32" deep, and then drop in just about enough white paint to fill the hole, carefully wiping away any excess while still wet. After it dries, it will be impossible to wipe off, no need for a protective overcoat,

^This.

Any other method will most probably look like crap. Won't last very long either so no permanent damage done .

Hard to tell from the pic, but if it's a plastic core with just a knurled metal ring, You can make the indent by just rotating the drill-bit with your fingers.

Regards
Sam

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Carefully drill a small hole with a 1/16" bit,(using a pin vise preferably over an electric drill, better control that way) barely drilling just to the point where the hole is 1/16" in diameter, but only about 1/32" deep, and then drop in just about enough white paint to fill the hole, carefully wiping away any excess while still wet. After it dries, it will be impossible to wipe off, no need for a protective overcoat,

THIS ^

Be VERY careful with paint. Use a very tiny pointed brush to get it into the depression and nowhere else. If you smear it on the knob even just around the hole, you WILL be sorry! Been there. Done that.

A tiny bottle of hobby paint as used in building plastic models will do the job in any color you like.

Done right will look great.

[James Judson]

If I didn't like the knobs I would replace them rather than f' em up. Hell, I'd go with chicken head knobs. You can see where the settings are in a smokey bar, with the lights down all the way across the stage.

[GeoffByrne]

These?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Po...Indicator.html

[Labi]

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

These?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Po...Indicator.html

How would these help?!

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by James Judson

If I didn't like the knobs I would replace them rather than f' em up. Hell, I'd go with chicken head knobs. You can see where the settings are in a smokey bar, with the lights down all the way across the stage.

OP stated he just got the knobs and doesn't want to have to replace them and spend extra money if he doesn't have to.

[pnut166]

a drop of nail polish.

[Lizooki]

Go to dollar store and buy a pack of stick on jewels used to add bling to cell phones.
Many colors, cheap, works, cheap, looks fine, cheap, can do lots of knobs and you can even put one on the body as a reference point, and it's cheap.


Matt

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by line6man

Why do you need indicator dots if you have a set screw?

I agree. On my P bass, I've simply re-positioned the knobs so when they're in the middle position, the set screw is facing me in it's middle position. Done this for years. I suppose you can get fancy, but this is a decades old tried & true classic method.
Just my $.02

[OlSkewl56]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

I agree. On my P bass, I've simply re-positioned the knobs so when they're in the middle position, the set screw is facing me in it's middle position. Done this for years. I suppose you can get fancy, but this is a decades old tried & true classic method.
Just my $.02

Works for me too!

[Labi]

Originally Posted by line6man

Why do you need indicator dots if you have a set screw?

The screw is not visible throughout the whole radius of the knob. I understand it works for you cause it works for me too, but it takes some time to get used to.