I need to remove the knobs on my 37 to do a field replacement of a PCB but apart from the filter knob they are stuck on the pots like crazy - does anyone know how to best remove them without marking up the panel?
Thanks!
Stew
try using a spoon to carefully pry knobs up & off the pot shafts
the d-shaft knobs will also have a metal spacer inside the knob - sometimes they stay on the pot shaft when knobs are removed, pull them off and place back inside each knob
or buy a knob pry tool from amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Dash-Removal-Plastic-Tool/dp/B0057DHMFG
perfect - thanks!
put some black electrical tape on the rounded bottom of the spoon first. so it doesnt leave marks on the surface. Dont twist the spoon just push downwards on the handle, i use a thick teaspoon…and roll it like a see-saw…and thus lifting the knob up.
If you pry it off, you can damage the faceplate
Wrap a shoelace (or string, or similar) underneath the knob.
Wrap one and a half times.
Then pull on the shoelace.
Maybe use your thumb to keep the knob from flying off and hitting you in the eye or something.
Guitar players do this to avoid damaging the finish.
Here is a video of a guy using a rag. Same principle.
I seem to be blessed with particularly strong fingers. I generally grip the skirt of the knob with my thumb and 2nd, 3rd, 4th fingers and exert firm inward pressure while pulling up - sometimes it takes a couple of goes, and you have to ease it off bit by bit. It can be quite painful on the finger tips, but no push-on knob has defeated this technique yet!
And, this is why I hate ‘push-on’ knobs. They may ‘push-on’ easily at the factory but they cling like limpets when you want to take them off.
Phenolic knobs with brass-inserts with grub screws for me, every time.
moog support told me they use a piece of ribbon wrapped around the shaft then pull up gently…
Tried that technique and it usually fails because you’re pulling the knob up from one side only and can easily damage the pot.
You need a ‘fork’ type tool to exert force equally on two sides of the knob. Usually there isn’t enough clearance to use such a tool. I just use my finger tips (can be painful and often needs several attempts).
Push-on knobs are the knobs of the devil. Give me knobs with brass inserts and grub screws any day.
I think the idea is to bring the two ends of the ribbon out on opposite sides of the knob so you’re pulling up on two sides.
While I do agree with this sentiment, there’s not always clearance to get a screwdriver in to tighten the screw. Also, it’s more work to put them on accurately aligned with the panel legends, a consideration when dealing with e.g. 40 knobs on the Sub37.
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Moose
I ended up using a pointy metal spoon to pry the knob up against a smooth plastic spoon the metal spoon and the panel and they all came off very easily with not a single mark