Knob locks?

[lunarpollen]

The volume knob of my Yamaha BB1200S is located very close to where inattentive strumming can cause an inadvertent volume drop. The rotational tension of the volume pot is pretty loose; an accidental impact from the picking hand to the volume knob can send it spinning, and suddenly the sound drops out. Aside from crude remedies like using tape or blu-tack to keep the knob from accidental volume changes, is there any other hardware that can help prevent this? A "weighted" pot? Some kind of spring-tab activated "knob brake" or lock that can be fitted unerneath the knob?

I don't really have an issue with it myself; when another one of my band members is using my bass on a particular song where I play regular guitar, his crude and inattentive technique causes this to happen almost every time, even when I warn him before the song to be careful not to accidentally hit the volume knob again. Some kind of small metal spring-loaded device that can be slipped under the knob would be ideal. Has anyone invented such a simple thing?

 

[Jazzdogg]

I believe the technical name for the solution to your problem is a dope slap delivered firmly and resolutely to the head of the guy who keeps making the same mistake every time he borrows your axe.

 

[darkstorm]

Take said bass away from crude inattentive player untill he improves. LMAO. Well, how about stuffing a peice of foam under the knob, betwwen it and body, just enough to hold it in place when clumsy is playing it. Lol.

 

[Rob22315]

Convert to a trim pot? Especially if you do most of your adjustments on the amp or external pre.

If you don't change the volume at all, convert to a trim pot and use the hole for switch (active/passive, series/parallel, mid switch etc.)

 

[Hugh Jass]

Find some thin felt, cut into a washer and place under the knob. Layer to taste.

Firms up rotation and does absolutely no damage to the finish.

 

[Exploiter8]

I have used felt washers. I take the self-adhesive felt "feet" sold in hardware stores for protecting furniture and such and punch a hole in the center. I then remove the knob, sandwiching the felt washer between the bass and the knob. I use the adhesive side against the knob. This creates resistance, keeping the knob from inadvertent movement. You might also try rubber O-rings, thus eliminating adhesive completely.

YMMV
X8

 

[lunarpollen]

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far... I think I will try the felt idea... or maybe rubber "fender washers", as I need to pick up some anyway for use as strap locks...

 

[Zooberwerx]

Find some thin felt, cut into a washer and place under the knob. Layer to taste.

Firms up rotation and does absolutely no damage to the finish.

This is the correct answer. Michael's Arts 'n Crafts, AJ Wrights, Lowes all have a variety that will work.

Riis

 

[walterw]

dope slap FTW, followed by a rubber faucet washer from the hardware store. (you have to stuff a lot of felt under there to get any decent drag on the knob.)

oh, and who "strums" a bass?

 

[lunarpollen]

oh, and who "strums" a bass?

Heehee... our lead vocalist, who doesn't really have any technical finesse when it comes to guitar, let alone bass... Personally I think he should just bring his ancient no-name EB-3 copy to practice instead of using mine...

 

[Zooberwerx]

dope slap FTW, followed by a rubber faucet washer from the hardware store. (you have to stuff a lot of felt under there to get any decent drag on the knob.)

oh, and who "strums" a bass?

Depends on the control hardware. If I loosen the volume set screw on a handful of basses, I can lower the knobs to a point where they come in contact with the face. Rubber washers do work well, also.

Riis

 

[walterw]

Depends on the control hardware. If I loosen the volume set screw on a handful of basses, I can lower the knobs to a point where they come in contact with the face. Rubber washers do work well, also.

Riis

true enough, but since most metal knobs like that are sort of hollow at the bottom, the outer edge could indeed hit the finish while the inner part still had clearance. you'd have to either use felt big enough to stick out under the knob (ugly) or like i said stuff a lot under there.

 

[RPIcka]

what about a new pot? newer pots tend to be a little stiffer.

 

[walterw]

not necessarily, some new pots are very loose.

besides, that's a lot more work than getting a $.50 washer from the hardware store.

 

[lethargytartare]

How is it that nobody has made a Chuck Knoblauch joke yet??!

also, I like the felt -- and if you need a lot of mass, just sandwich something thick, like a rubber gasket/washer, between two pieces of felt. Thick, stable, and won't mar your guitar.

ltt

 

[hellboy]

Take said bass away from crude inattentive player untill he improves.

+1000

I have one of these. Anyone who borrowed it and played it hard enough to knock the volume knob would not be invited to play it again.