Ibanez 1993 SR400 Missing Knobs - Help!

[ChicagoEd]

First post, hope this is the right place...

I'm looking for replacement knobs for a 1993 Ibanzez SR400 (SoundGear), serial number C336744 made in Korea (I'm basing this on a serial number decoding I found somewhere - the headstock says "Korea" so that jives).

There are 2 original push-on black chrome knobs, but the third is missing. I have no problem replacing all 3 with something similar (black, push-on, knurled) if need be.

I've tried 2 different sizes of "generic" replacement knobs from GuitarCenter - a set of push-on knobs that were too small and a set of set-screw-types that were too big. I've scoured the web for a manual that might have a part number, or specs of the pot post size, but nothing....

Amazon looks like they might have some, but I'd have to know the diameter of the post.

TIA!

 

[testing1two]

Having gone down this rabbit hole before, my suggestion for something that old would be one of two options:

1. Get some cheapo digital calipers so you can measure the existing posts and then scour the interwebs (bonus tip: get a magnifying glass and count the teeth too)
2. Upgrade to standard size pots that will accept standard size set screw knobs (those stock pots are over 27 years old after all).

 

[ChicagoEd]

Having gone down this rabbit hole before, my suggestion for something that old would be one of two options:

1. Get some cheapo digital calipers so you can measure the existing posts and then scour the interwebs (bonus tip: get a magnifying glass and count the teeth too)
2. Upgrade to standard size pots that will accept standard size set screw knobs (those stock pots are over 27 years old after all).

Near as I can tell, they are 6mm. Depending on where I measure and how hard I squeeze the calipers, it seems to range from 5.5mm to 6.2mm. I see some knobs that might work on Amazon - they are push-on style with teeth and a shaft diameter of 6mm. They don't mention tooth count. I've ordered them and I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[testing1two]

6mm is a common size so fingers crossed.

 

[pbass74]

For the ones that were too loose, you can just wrap a bit of masking tape around the pot shaft to increase it's diameter.

 

[hotbass57]

I've used plumber's tape and it worked great.

 

[ChicagoEd]

Reporting back... so the knobs from Amazon aren't a perfect fit, but they're not bad either.

The good part is they fit perfectly as far as the pot shaft size. I pushed them on and they are super-snug.

The only bad part is that they are slightly narrower at the base (15.75mm versus the 16.75mm) and much deeper than the original (see pic, new on left, disgusting original on right) . So if you push them down all the way, they scrape a little against the retaining nut. Not much, just enough to be noticeable. If you don't push them down all the way, they work smoothly but then there's a little gap so you see the retaining nut.

All in all, better than a missing one!

 

[fhm555]

Try putting a piece of card stock down around your pots then push the knob down to the card stock, then pull the paper.