Removing volume/tone knobs and pickguard on a squire p-bass

Neel · #1 02-20-2007, 09:46 PM

Hey guys, an artistic friend of mine (who knows what to do in order to get a good finish on this sort of surface) has agreed to do some painting on my pickguard for me, but I don't know how to remove it. The unscrewing part seems straight forward enough (unless there is something I can't see yet), but I don't know how to remove the knobs. I also don't know if I need to remove the little jack hole dealie. After that I am assuming that I will be able to slip it out of there without removing the strings, but if not, that is another problem (I haven't done any restringing yet and I don't know how to go about it).

Thanks for the help.

Introvox · #2 02-20-2007, 10:04 PM

easy....remove the knobs first....then remove the pickguard screws....lift off....remove pots. nuts and jack nut, and it should be free...

Neel · #3 02-20-2007, 10:06 PM

I guess I should have been more specific. How do I remove the knobs? I don't know if there is some special way of doing it, and if there is, I don't want to find out how that special way is done by doing it the wrong way and breaking something.

Introvox · #4 02-20-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neel

I guess I should have been more specific. How do I remove the knobs? I don't know if there is some special way of doing it, and if there is, I don't want to find out how that special way is done by doing it the wrong way and breaking something.

If they dont pull off easy (like mine), I slide a butter knife under it, turn the knife a bit to raise knob a few millimeters, quarter turn repeat, quarter turn repeat, until it comes off

Just be careful, it will work

Neel · #5 02-20-2007, 10:31 PM

Ah, worked like a charm. I'm just glad that they have a tight grip.

I now realize that the knobs and such are attached to the pick guard. Is there anything I should keep in mind when temporarily removing them, or will it be as simple as undoing the bold and putting it back on? Thanks for the help.

I was also hoping to be able to play the bass while she was working on it, but if there is a gaping hole in there and a bunch of exposed electronics, I guess I won't be able to (not plugged in, anyways.

Introvox · #6 02-20-2007, 10:35 PM

Everything should be fine from here, I usually snap a couple of pics of the innerds, just incase I need it later...remember where each knob goes...should be good to go. take advantage of the pickguard off, and do some cleaning/detailing

Heck...post the pics....I'd like a peek

Introvox · #7 02-20-2007, 10:37 PM

Oh yea...I wouldn't bother playing it, you may shake the controls, and may get a problem with the wiring.

sheepskin · #8 02-23-2007, 08:48 AM

Yeah removing the volume/tone` knobs is all fun and games but what i want to know is...How do I put em' back on. Please give me some help with this dilemma

jonpopu · #9 02-23-2007, 09:26 AM

they are pressure fitted onto your pot's shaft so your just reverse the process of pulling off and push back on.

Jimbob Jones · #10 02-23-2007, 01:56 PM

sheepskin: some knobs have a set screw that needs to be loosened before removal, so if you yanked your knobs off and didnt notice the screw, that may be why they wont go back on. to get them back on check the knob all the way round and if there is a set screw, unscrew it if there is one, then push the knob on and tighten the screw back up.